Written Answers of 18 January 2001

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Tidal Data
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the accuracy of the information available from the Ordnance Survey on the mean high water springs tide-contour around Britain's coastline. [144942]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Ordnance Survey tide lines have been surveyed at the basic scale of survey in the region and may have been surveyed at 1:1250, 1:2500 or 1:10000 scale using photogrammetric or ground survey methods. Interpolation between tide gauges around the coast is used to obtain the tidal heights and/or tide times depending on survey method along intervening stretches of coastline.

  In England and Wales, mean high water is the high water mark of an ordinary or average tide. In Scotland, mean high water springs is used and is the high water mark of an average spring tide. Mean high water heights for example can vary along the coast from a minimum of 0.09 meters to a maximum of 5.62 meters above Newlyn Datum. Ordnance Survey uses the Admiralty Tide Tables as the source of tidal height.

  For an area with 5 meter contour intervals. The vertical accuracy of the tide line equates to ±1.25m. The horizontal accuracy of the tide line depends upon the slope of the coastline.

  Locally Listed Buildings
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the policy of his Department is towards the establishment of lists of buildings of local historical interest by local authorities. [145751]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Planning Policy Guidance Note 15 "Planning and the Historic Environment"—which is published jointly by my Department and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport—advises that it is open to local planning authorities to draw up lists of locally important buildings. Although such lists do not have the status of the statutory ones, planning authorities can formulate appropriate development plan policies for the protection of buildings on them, through normal development control procedures.

  Rural White Paper
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when his Department will make available to parish councils further copies of the summary on the White Paper on rural England. [145408]
  292W
  Mr. Mullin
  The Deputy Prime Minister wrote to the Clerks of parish councils in England in December 2000, enclosing a copy of the full text of the Rural White Paper. This letter also gave information on how to obtain further copies of the free White Paper summary.

  Copies of the White Paper summary are available from the DETR free literature centre in Wetherby.

  Mobile Telecommunications
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will publish a response to the Stewart report on mobile telecommunications. [145367]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Government published their response to the Stewart Report on 11 May 2000.

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

  Energy Efficiency
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when consultations on the energy efficiency section of the building regulations began; when the closing date for responses was set; and what the expected implementation date of the new or revised regulations will be in England and Wales. [145432]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Consultations on proposals for amendments to the energy efficiency provisions in the building regulations began when they were published on 15 June last year, and the closing date for responses was 29 September. The proposals are now being reconsidered by officials in my Department in conjunction with the Building Regulations Advisory Committee in the light of the excellent and extensive response. I expect to be able to make the first stage amendments in the summer, and to bring these into force some six months later.

  Height Restrictions
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance he has issued to local authorities on height restrictions on new developments adjacent to existing properties. [145531]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Where new development requires a planning application, it is for the local planning authority to decide it, having regard to the development plan for the area. The Department's Planning Policy Guidance Note 1 says that development plans should contain appropriate and straightforward policies on design, including the relationship of development to neighbouring properties. "By Design", published by the Department and the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, emphasises the importance of consideration by local planning authorities of height and massing in relation to adjoining buildings.
  293W
  Permitted development rights granted by the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 mean that certain extensions to buildings, and new buildings in gardens, do not require a planning application.

  Waste Incineration (Essex)
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many waste incinerator sites have been identified in the County of Essex; where they are located; and what steps he plans to take to amend his policy on waste to take account of Essex County Council's amendment to the draft Waste Local Plan. [145846]

  Mr. Mullin
  The draft Essex and Southend Waste Local Plan identifies eight sites for major waste management facilities but does not prescribe what type of facility should be provided at each one. The sites are Rivenhall Airfield, Silver End; Land east of Warren Lane, Stanway; Whitehall Road, Colchester; North Weald Airfield, North Weald Bassett, Epping Forest; Courtauld Road, Basildon; Pitsea Landfill site, Basildon; Rayleigh sub-station, A129/A130, Rayleigh; and Sandon, Chelmsford.

  Number of households defined as fuel poor in England in 19961 (Million)

  Fuel poor households as a percentage of all households in England2

  (a) Income including Housing Benefit and Income Support for mortgage interest

  4.3

  22

  (b) Income excluding Housing Benefit and Income Support for mortgage interest

  5.3

  27

  (c) Income excluding housing expenditure

  6.8

  35

  1 Assumes fuel costs include those for non-heating purposes.

  2 Total number of households in England in 1996 was 19.6 million.

  As would be expected, when housing expenditure is excluded from household income, the overall household income decreases and hence the number of households defined as fuel poor rises.

  Fuel poverty is a devolved matter and it is the responsibility of the respective Parliament and Assemblies to comment on the situation in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what he estimates to be the reduction in numbers of fuel-poor households since 1996 and the amount of reduction attributed to(a) improved energy efficiency, (b) reduced fuel prices and (c) increased household income. [145764]

  Mr. Meacher
  Using data from the 1996 English House Condition Survey (EHCS), it was estimated that in 1996 there were either 4.3 million or 5.3 million households in fuel poverty using the definitions at(a) and (b) respectively.

  (a) If, in order to maintain a satisfactory heating regime, it would be required to spend more than 10 per cent. of all income (including Housing Benefit and Income Support for Mortgage Interest) on all household fuel use.

  (b) If, in order to maintain a satisfactory heating regime, it would be required to spend more than 10 per cent. of its income (excluding Housing Benefit and Income Support for Mortgage Interest) on all household fuel use.

  294W
  As set out in Waste Strategy 2000 (Command 4693) published in May, the Government do not expect incineration with energy recovery to be considered before the opportunities for recycling and composting have been explored. The choice of waste facilities is a matter for local councils to take into consultation with their local communities.

  Fuel Poor Households
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many households are defined as fuel-poor on the basis of(a) income including housing benefit and mortgage interest support, (b) income excluding housing benefit and mortgage interest support and (c) income excluding housing expenditure. [145766]

  Mr. Meacher
  The common definition of a fuel poor household is one that needs to spend in excess of 10 per cent. of household income in order to maintain a satisfactory heating regime. Using data from the latest English House Condition Survey, the table shows the effect of different options for calculating household income on the number of households defined as fuel poor in 1996.

  Since the last EHCS there have been a number of significant Government policy developments that have moved households away from fuel poverty. These include:
  increases in household income due to the introduction of Working Families Tax Credit, the minimum wage and other changes to the benefit and tax systems; and
  reduced fuel prices resulting from the lowering of VAT on fuel, effective regulation and the liberalisation of the fuel supply market.

  Provisional estimates suggest that the number of fuel poor households fell by nearly 1 million between 1996 and 1999 under both definitions, due to reductions in energy prices and improved incomes. Data were not available to estimate the effect of improvements made to the energy efficiency of homes during the period, nor for changes in the composition or economic activity of households. However, it is likely that the significant drop in the number of unemployed over this period will also have reduced the number of fuel poor.

  Analysis of the components of the reduction in the number of fuel poor households indicates that:
  a fall of around 0.7 million could be attributed to the reduction in household energy bills from energy price changes alone;
  If energy prices had been assumed to be unchanged, then income improvements alone are estimated as taking some 0.4 million households out of fuel poverty.
  295W
  About 0.1 million households would have been moved out of fuel poverty by either change.

  A follow-up study to the 1996 EHCS was carried out in 1998. Data from the study are in the process of being prepared and the first analysis should be complete during 2001. This should help to confirm the accuracy of the 1999 estimates. The next full EHCS will be carried out in 2001.

  Fuel poverty is a devolved matter and it is the responsibility of the respective Parliament and Assemblies to comment on the situation in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

  Sustainable Development
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance he has issued to local planning authorities on sustainable development; and if he will make a statement. [145999]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Sustainable development is the heart of the planning system. Relevant guidance is given to local planning authorities in a number of planning policy guidance notes including PPG1: "General Policy and Principles" (paras 4–7), PPG3: "Housing" (see paragraph 1) and PPG12: "Development Plans" (Chapter 4). Practical advice on how to incorporate sustainable development principles into development plan preparation was given in "Planning for Sustainable Development: towards better practice" (ISBN 0-11-753406-4). Regional Planning Guidance is subject to sustainability appraisal and guidance was issued in October 2000 on good practice in the preparation of such appraisals (ISBN 0-11-753568-0). We shall shortly be re-consulting on a revision to the consultation draft of PPG25: "Development and Flood Risk which emphasises sustainable solutions to managing risk from flooding".

  Air Quality (Yeovil)
  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on air quality within the Yeovil constituency. [144609]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Yeovil constituency is covered by South Somerset District Council, which is reviewing and assessing the current, and likely future, air quality in its area, as required under Part IV of the Environment Act 1995.

  South Somerset District Council, Mendip District Council, Taunton Deane Borough Council and West Somerset District Council, submitted a preliminary air quality review and assessment report to my Department in February 1999. South Somerset produced its own further report in June 2000 and the Council is currently working on its final review and assessment report, but has regrettably missed the deadline of end December 2000. My officials will be meeting with representatives from South Somerset later this month to discuss their progress so far and to agree a formal timetable for submitting the final stages of the Council's review and assessment work.

  South Somerset does not currently anticipate any exceedences of the national air quality objectives in respect of benzene; 1,3-butadiene; carbon monoxide; lead; sulphur dioxide; and particles (PM10) in its area. None of
  296W
  the industrial processes in and around Yeovil constituency has been identified as a major source of concern. South Somerset has, however, indicated within its reports that an area of Yeovil (near the major roads A30 and A37) has been identified as having potentially significant levels of nitrogen oxides. This is being investigated further, in order to assess whether or not an air quality management area needs to be declared in the vicinity of these major roads.

  There is no automatic monitoring site on our national network within the Yeovil constituency. A mobile laboratory has been used for short periods by South Somerset District Council to monitor NO2 and PM10 levels in Yeovil, and some basic monitoring of NO2 has also been carried out with diffusion tubes. South Somerset has recently secured a Supplementary Credit Approval of £39k from my Department for a new continuous monitor which I understand will be situated in the grounds of Yeovil District Hospital near the A37, A30 hospital roundabout, which is believed to be the worst pollution hotspot in Yeovil. The monitor will be measuring NO2 and PM10 concentrations.

  Planning Applications
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many planning applications he has called in each of the last five years on which a tribunal has sat. [146080]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The number of planning applications called in each year for the last five years are:

  Year

  Number

  1995–96

  144

  1996–97

  139

  1997–98

  147

  1997–98

  138

  1999–2000

  136

  All called in planning applications are considered by a Planning Inspector who, since the Franks Report, has traditionally been regarded as a one-person tribunal.

  MOX Plant (Sellafield)
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will announce his decision regarding the authorisation of the mixed-oxide fuel plant at Sellafield. [146043]

  Mr. Meacher
  A decision regarding the authorisation of the plant will only be announced when the Secretary of State for the Environment and the Secretary of State for Health have considered all the relevant information, including the revised economic case received in my Department on 5 January.

  Helicopters
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many helicopters have been ditched in waters surrounding the United Kingdom in the last three years; where the ditchings occurred; how many(a) lives were lost and (b) helicopters were recovered; and if he will make a statement. [144503]
  297W
  Mr. Mullin
  The Civil Aviation Authority's records show that only one civil helicopter has ditched into the waters surrounding the United Kingdom in the last three years. This incident occurred near Lyme Regis in foggy conditions. The helicopter was destroyed but both occupants were rescued.

  During the same period the Defence Aviation Repair Agency (DARA) has records of two military helicopters ditching in UK waters, one in the North Sea off the Norfolk Coast and the other in the area of the Kyle of Lochalsh. There were no fatalities in either case. It is believed that both helicopters were at least in part recovered, although DARA do not hold records of the recovery operations themselves.

  Park Homes Working Party
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what legislative and regulatory proposals have resulted from the work of the Park Homes Working Party; and if he will make a statement. [146263]

  Mr. Mullin
  The recommendations of the Park Homes Working Party covered a broad range of issues and included proposals for changes to the legislation applying to park homes. We have consulted on, and are considering, the Working Party's recommendations.

  Heathrow
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what health impact assessment(a) has been carried out and (b) will be carried out for those living by Heathrow Airport. [145948]

  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. During the Inquiry the Inspector heard and received evidence on a wide range of issues including the potential impact on health.

  Heritage Notification Arrangements
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress he has made in reviewing the current heritage notification arrangements in London. [146447]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Following a consultation exercise last year, we are publishing today a joint circular with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport setting out new arrangements to simplify the handling of listed building consent applications in London. The new arrangements will reduce significantly the number of applications which will need to be notified to English Heritage and to the Government Office for London, to reflect the growing experience of the London boroughs in these matters. This will enable decisions to be issued more quickly.

  The circular also gives guidance on an Order transferring to English Heritage certain responsibilities from the Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England.

  Woodland
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what external advice he is taking in respect of his plans to extend the level of woodland cover in England. [145439]

  Mr. Morley
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Forestry Strategy for England sets out our priorities for creating new woodlands. Our key target areas are the creation of larger woodlands, where they can bring greater benefits; the creation of woodlands in the urban fringe; the restoration of former industrial land; and reversing the fragmentation of ancient woodland. I chair the England Forestry Forum which I set up to help implement the strategy. The forum is made up of a wide range of bodies who have a significant interest in forestry in England and advise me on how best to deliver the aims of the strategy.

DEFENCE

  Depleted Uranium
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if depleted uranium has been a component of munitions used on(a) Salisbury Plain training area, (b) Porton Down, (c) Lulworth ranges and (b) Shoeburyness. [145945]

  Mr. Spellar
  No munitions containing Depleted Uranium (DU) have ever been fired on Salisbury Plain Training Area, Porton Down or Lulworth Ranges. In respect to Foulness, which is now part of the DERA Shoeburyness site, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 15 January 2001,Official Report, columns 42–43W, to my right hon. Friend the Member for Copeland (Dr. Cunningham).

  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the porpose was of the testing of depleted uranium shells at Dundrennan, Kirkudbrightshire, in 1999–2000. [145927]

  Mr. Spellar
  The only ammunition with depleted uranium tested at Dundrennan, Kirkudbrightshire, in 1999–2000 was the 120mm anti-armour round Challenger Armament 3 (CHARM 3) for Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank. The test-firing was part of the proofing regime for production rounds which will be complete by September 2001.

  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many depleted uranium shells were fired at his Department's base at Dundrennan, Kirkcudbrightshire in 1999–2000; and how many have so far been fired in the current year. [145928]

  Mr. Spellar
  During the calendar years 1999 and 2000, a total of 411 depleted uranium shells were fired at the Army's Dundrennan range. No rounds have been fired, so far, during the current year.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the risk assessments undertaken by his Department affecting the environment and human life arising from the use of depleted uranium, including dates of such assessments in the last 10 years. [145922]
  299W
  Mr. Spellar
  I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if ordnance containing depleted uranium has been fired on the Otterburn Ranges; and if he will make a statement. [145934]

  Mr. Spellar
  No ordnance containing depleted uranium has ever been fired on the Otterburn Ranges.

  Overseas Military Bases
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total operating costs for all British overseas military bases less personnel costs were for the last year for which figures are available. [146090]

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

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Arms Sales
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the system of prior scrutiny of arms sales in the United States and Swedish legislatures. [143693]

  Mr. Foulkes
  [holding answer 21 December 2000]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, on 21 December 2000, Official Report, column 338W.

  Modernising Government
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much for each financial year from 1998–99 until the latest date for which sums have been allocated her Department has spent and expects to spend on the implementation of the modernising government White Paper. [143698]

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

  Debt Relief
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proposals she has to lift further the burden of debt from developing countries. [145917]

  Mr. Foulkes
  In 2000, 22 countries qualified for exceptional debt relief under the enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative, exceeding the international target of 20 countries. This has resulted in over $50 billion in debt relief being agreed for these countries, which will reduce their debts by almost two thirds on average. We are continuing to work closely with the international community to secure the full implementation of the enhanced initiative, and hope that a number of other countries will qualify for relief this year. However, conflict is a major barrier to making substantial further progress.
  300W
  In December 2000, the Government announced a further step. Debt payments received from HIPC countries will be held in trust, and returned to countries for poverty reduction when they qualify for HIPC.

  The United Kingdom has taken, and will continue to take, a lead in the international effort to lift the burden of debt from eligible developing countries.

  Ministerial Travel
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many flights including helicopter flights were taken by Ministers within her Department for UK and overseas visits in each year since 1995; on how many occasions(a) charter flights were used and (b) first and club class tickets obtained; and who accompanied the Ministers on each trip. [143866]

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

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what categories of submissions from civil servants to Ministers, other than those relating to(a) intelligence and (b) personnel matters, are not circulated to special advisers; [143800]

  (2) what categories of submissions from civil servants are submitted to special advisers before being seen by Ministers. [143801]

  Mr. Foulkes
  Special advisers in this Department have access to material produced by permanent civil servants in accordance with paragraph 14e of the model contract for special advisers.

TREASURY

  Special Shares
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what date he expects the Government to have redeemed all its special shares in non-defence-related, former nationalised companies. [145733]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Government do not have a prescribed timetable for redeeming special shares in non-defence-related former nationalised companies.

  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the criteria his Department uses to determine the speed, and order in which the Government redeems its special shares in former nationalised companies. [145734]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  There are no set criteria to determine the speed and order in which the Government redeem their special shares. Each case is treated on its merits.
  301W
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received concerning redemption of Government special shares in(a) BAA pic, (b) BAE Systems, (c) Belfast International Airport, (d) BG pic, (e) British Energy pic, (f) Cable & Wireless plc, (g) CDC pic, (h) Eurostar (UK) Ltd., (i) Inter-Capital and Regional Rail Ltd., (j) London and Continental Railways Ltd., (k) National Grid Group pic, (l) Pheonix Natural Gas Ltd., (m) PUK pic, (n) Rolls-Royce pic, (o) Scottish Power pic, (p) Scottish and Southern Energy pic, (q) Scena Line Ltd., (r) UK Nirex Ltd., (s) Viridian Group pic and (t) VSEL Ltd., respectively. [145732]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Government consider all representations received concerning the redemption of Government special shares. Each representation is considered on its own merits. However, initial discussions between the Government and the respective organisations in these matters are commercially sensitive and could not be disclosed publicly.

  Maastricht Criteria
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make available to hon. Members his report to the EU Commission on his assessment of the United Kingdom's ability to meet the Maastricht criteria. [145619]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  There is no such report. However, a recent UK report made to the EU entitled "Delivering Economic Stability" was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 22 December 2000. This report is not an assessment of Britain's ability to meet the Maastricht criteria.

  Vaccine Research
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made with his commitment to increase funds available for vaccine research into HIV/AIDS, malaria and TB for developing countries announced as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review. [145923]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Government—in consultation with the pharmaceutical industry and other stakeholders—are undertaking an urgent study into what can be done to promote research into vaccines for those diseases that particularly affect developing countries such as HIV/AIDS, malaria and TB. As announced in the pre-Budget report, the Treasury is looking at a range of tax options, focusing on creating the right incentives, as part of a wider review of the response to this global issue co-ordinated by the Performance and Innovation Unit.

  Earnings Statistics
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of workers on adult rates of pay in part-time employment have hourly earnings(a) including and (b) excluding overtime pay that are less than (i) £4.94, (ii) £6.58, (iii) £7.18 and (iv) £3.60 in (A) Scotland, (B) each of the unitary local authority areas in Scotland and (C) the UK, broken down by (1) male manual, (2) male non-manual, (3) all male workers, (4) female workers, (5) female non-manual, (6) all female workers, (7) all manual, (8) all non-manual and (9) all workers. [145666]
  302W
  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Karen Dunnell to Mr. Dominic Grieve, dated 17 January 2001:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question on hourly earnings for workers in Scotland, the unitary authorities in Scotland and the United Kingdom (145666). I am replying in his absence.
  The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published estimates of the number of jobs paid at less than specific hourly low pay thresholds for all workers in the United Kingdom for Spring 2000, disaggregated by gender and full and part time. These estimates are based on an improved methodology using data from the New Earnings Survey (NES) and Labour Force Survey (LFS). This methodology provides the best estimates for the number of jobs in the UK paid below low hourly rate thresholds. These estimates are posted on the National Statistics website at: www.statistics.gov.uk/themes/labour—market/nmw—lowpay—tables.asp.
  The improved methodology has been developed to overcome the deficiencies inherent in the two surveys, the NES and the LFS, in measuring low pay. Estimates based on this methodology are not available for the areas and population sub-groups requested.
  It is possible to produce estimates for the proportion of employee jobs earning within the specified hourly pay bands for smaller areas from the NES. However, the NES underestimates the number of low pay jobs since it does not provide a comprehensive picture of the lower end of the earnings distribution.

  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of workers on adult rates of pay in part-time employment have hourly earnings, including and excluding overtime pay, less than (i) £5.11, (ii) £6.82, (iii) £7.39 and (iv) £3.70 in(a) Scotland, (b) each of the unitary local authority areas in Scotland and (c) Great Britain, broken down by (1) male manual, (2) male non-manual, (3) all male workers, (4) female manual, (5) female non-manual, (6) all female workers, (7) all manual, (8) all non-manual and (9) for all workers. [145073]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Karen Dunnell to Mr. Michael Moore, dated 18 January 2001:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent questions on hourly earrings for workers in Scotland, the unitary authorities in Scotland and Great Britain (145073). I am replying in his absence.
  The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published estimates of the number of jobs paid at less than specific hourly low pay thresholds for all workers in the United Kingdom for Spring 2000, and the number of jobs paid at less than National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates for Spring 2000, disaggregated by gender and full and part time. These estimates are based on an improved methodology using data from the New Earnings Survey (NES) and Labour Force Survey (LFS). This methodology provides the best estimates for the number of jobs in the UK paid below low hourly rate thresholds. These estimates are posted on the National Statistics website at: www.statistics.gov.uk/themes/labour—market/nmw—lowpay—tables.asp.
  The improved methodology has been developed to overcome the deficiencies inherent in the two surveys, the NES and the LFS, in measuring low pay. Estimates based on this methodology are not available for the areas and population sub-groups requested.
  It is possible to produce estimates for the proportion of employee jobs earning within the specified hourly pay bands for smaller areas from the NES. However, the NES underestimates the number of low pay jobs since it does not provide a comprehensive picture of the lower end of the earnings distribution.

  Rural Post Offices
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to announce the details of the scheme for assisting rural post offices; what discussions have been held on this, and with whom; and when he expects to report to the House on his conclusions. [145916]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  I have been asked to reply.

  In accordance with the recommendations of the performance and innovation unit's report on the future of the post office network, the Postal Services Commission will be advising the Government on the best way to channel financial assistance to rural post offices and issued a discussion document in December. The Commission has been asked to report by the autumn following consultations and discussions with the Consumer Council for Postal Services, the National Federation of Sub-postmasters and other key post office network stakeholders. A report to the House will be made thereafter.

  Euro
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the impact on the Scottish economy of the trading performance of the euro. [145661]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The latest data show that by the end of September 2000 the value of goods exported to the EU from Scotland had grown by 15 per cent. since the euro was launched.

  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the currencies which will be paid to the Bank of England for euro notes; and which currencies will be involved in the payment of interest. [145629]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]: Investors in euro notes will pay the Bank of England in euro. The Bank of England will pay interest on the notes in euro. These arrangements are identical to those in place for euro notes issued by the Government.

  Charity Donations
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide businesses and wealthy individuals with greater fiscal incentives to make charitable donations. [146016]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The "Getting Britain Giving" package introduced last year provides significant incentives for businesses and wealthy individuals to make charitable donations. The £1,200 annual limit on donations under the payroll giving scheme has been removed to make it more attractive for higher earners, boosted by the Government's three year 10 per cent. supplement on all donations made in this way. The new relief for gifts of certain shares and securities provides a tax effective way for wealthy individuals with extensive shareholdings to give shares to charity and reduce their income tax bill by the full value of the gift. Higher rate taxpayers have always been able to claim tax relief on donations under gift aid. Companies can now give to charity by simply making a gross payment and claiming a deduction for the amount in their accounts.

  Landfill Tax
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if current funding for nature conservation projects will be safeguarded during the review of the landfill tax. [145613]

  Mr. Timms
  The Chancellor announced in the pre-Budget report 2000 that the Government would further explore how resources going through the landfill tax environmental bodies credit scheme can be better used to increase recycling rates, particularly of household waste. No decisions have been taken yet on reforming the scheme.

  Mobile Phones
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received about the sale of ineffective insurance policies to people aged under 18 years to cover the loss of mobile phones; and if he will make a statement. [145702]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Government have not received any representations about insurance policies which provide cover for the loss of mobile phones.

  Inland Revenue
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 8 January 2001,Official Report, column 458W, if he has received the Inland Revenue Commissioner's report; and if it has been presented to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury. [145750]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I have seen and approved for publication the Inland Revenue Annual Report for 1999–2000. It is planned to submit the report to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury and Parliament by the end of the month.

  National Debt
  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the National Debt was per head of population in the UK for each of the last 30 years, in real terms using 1999–2000 prices. [144589]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Figures for public sector net debt, the GDP deflator and UK population are available form the Office for National Statistics. Figures for public sector net debt (ONS series RUTN) are published in Table 1.1A of Financial Statistics; the GDP deflator (ONS series YBGB) is published in Table 2.1 of Economic Trends; and population figures are published in Tables 1.1 and 1.2 of Population Trends (number 102, Winter 2000).

  Public Expenditure
  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of total UK public expenditure was accounted for by expenditure on(a) defence, (b) police, (c) health, (d) education, (e) pensions, (f) unemployment benefits, (g) overseas aid, (h) agriculture, fisheries and food and (i) road building and maintenance in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [144590]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Public expenditure by function is presented in Chapter 4 of Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses 2000–01 (CM 4601).
  305W
  The specific series requested by the question are presented as a percentage of total managed expenditure on services in the following table.

  Proportion of total managed expenditure on services spent on specific functions 1999–2000

  Function

  As percentage TME on services

  Defence

  7.5

  Police

  3.0

  Health

  16.0

  Education

  13.4

  Pensions

  13.1

  Unemployment benefits

  7.9

  International development assistance

  0.7

  Agriculture, fisheries, food and forestry

  1.6

  Roads

  1.6

  Total

  64.9

  Source:

  1. Table 4.5 Public Expenditure Statistical Analysis 2000–01 (CM 4601).

  Marketable Wealth
  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the proportion of UK marketable wealth owned by the least wealthy 50 per cent. of the UK population in each year from 1979–80 to 2000–01; and if he will make a statement. [144610]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The latest available information on the distribution of UK marketable wealth relates to 1998. Data for 1984 to 1998 are given in the Table 13.5 of Inland Revenue Statistics 2000, and for the earlier years in the 1996 edition. Copies are available in the House of Commons Library.

  Public Sector Borrowing
  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total of public sector net borrowing as a percentage of gross domestic product, added to taxes and social security contributions as a percentage of gross domestic product was for each of the years 1989–90 to 2002–03; and if he will make a statement. [144591]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Figures for public sector net borrowing and taxes and social security contributions as a per cent. of GDP from 1989–90 to 1999–2000 were published in Table B26 of the pre-Budget report. Projects to 2005–06 were published in Tables B6 and B10 respectively.

  The Government have cut borrowing by £44 billion since 1996–97. As a result of lower borrowing, the Government are able to spend £4 billion a year more on key public services rather than on servicing the national debt.

  Social Inclusion
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent measures he has taken to encourage social inclusion in the regions of England. [145214]

  Ms Armstrong
  I have been asked to reply.
  306W
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply of 16 January 2001, Official Report, column 183W, given to my hon. Friend, the Member for Preston (Mr. Hendrick). The Government are committed to tackling deprivation and the needs of disadvantaged communities through the national strategy for neighbourhood renewal action plan, launched on 15 January 2001. This aims to narrow the gap between deprived neighbourhoods and the rest of the country and to ensure that within 10 to 20 years no-one is seriously disadvantaged by where they live. The neighbourhood renewal unit, which is being established in DETR, will lead on implementing the action plan. It will work closely with new neighbourhood renewal teams in the Government Offices in the Regions.

  Credit Unions
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to foster the growth of credit unions. [146022]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) on 7 December 1999,Official Report, columns 521–22W.

  Insurance
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will review the statutory basis for the role of the appointed actuary in insurance enterprises; [143942]

  (2) what action the Financial Services Authority takes to monitor the distribution of orphan assets; [143941]

  (3) if it is his policy that appointed actuaries in insurance enterprises can serve as chief executives. [143943]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: All these matters relate to the prudential regulation of insurance companies, for which the Financial Services Authority is the regulator. The Insurance Companies Act 1982 presently governs the prudential regulation of insurance companies. That Act will be repealed and replaced by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 when it comes into effect. Both statutory regimes require insurance companies to be soundly and prudently managed, and to take proper account of the interests of policy holders. The function and role of the appointed actuary are currently determined by the 1982 Act. It is for the FSA to assess whether those appointed to senior positions in authorised firms are fit and proper for their roles.

  Tax Credits
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will abolish the rule that an application for up to six months funding of working families tax credits can be applied for only if the employer submits such application for funding at least nine working days before such employer is due to pay tax credits. [145841]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Employers can apply for funding at any time after they have been notified to start paying tax credit to one or more of their employees. The Inland Revenue aims to get funding to employers at least three days before the employer is first due to pay tax credits. To ensure the funding arrives in time employers are
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  advised to apply at least nine working days in advance to allow time for funds to be cleared through the employers bank or building society account.

  Taxpayers (Scotland)
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the(a) number and (b) percentage of higher rate taxpayers in each local authority area in Scotland. [145672]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Inland Revenue statistics (IRS) tables 3.14 provides information on the numbers of taxpayers, median income and median income by local authority. This is just a subset of those figures. Estimates for the number and percentage of higher rate taxpayers in each local authority in Scotland for 1996–97 (the latest year for which reliable figures are available) are provided in the table.

  Number of higher rate taxpayers:

  1996–97

  In each unitary authority

  As a percentage of all taxpayers

  Aberdeen City UA

  12,000

  10.1

  Aberdeenshire UA

  14,600

  12.8

  Angus UA

  4,900

  10.0

  Argyll and Bute UA

  3,300

  10.3

  Clackmannanshire UA

  1—

  1—

  Dumfries and Galloway UA

  2,100

  3.4

  Dundee City UA

  3,900

  6.5

  East Ayrshire UA

  1—

  1—

  East Dumbartonshire UA

  5,300

  7.2

  East Lothian UA

  3,300

  7.2

  East Renfrewshire UA

  6,900

  15.0

  Edinburgh, City of UA

  24,900

  11.3

  Eilean Siar UA

  1—

  1—

  Falkirk UA

  4,000

  4.6

  Fife UA

  12,400

  6.6

  Glasgow City UA

  8,000

  3.4

  Highland UA

  6,300

  6.2

  Inverclyde UA

  1—

  1—

  Midlothian UA

  1—

  1—

  Moray UA

  2,700

  6.4

  North Ayrshire UA

  4,500

  6.6

  North Lanarkshire UA

  7,200

  4.7

  Orkney Islands UA

  1—

  1—

  Perthshire and Kinross UA

  5,600

  8.2

  Renfrewshire UA

  4,500

  6.1

  Scottish Borders UA

  4,200

  7.8

  Shetland Islands US

  1—

  1—

  South Ayrshire UA

  4,800

  8.7

  South Lanarkshire UA

  9,800

  6.9

  Stirling UA

  5,400

  12.6

  West Dumbartonshire UA

  1—

  1—

  West Lothian UA

  2,900

  3.8

  1 Sample size is not sufficient for a reliable estimate to be made

  This information is based on the survey of personal incomes.

  Social Exclusion (Wales)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the recommendation of the Third report of the Committee on Welsh Affairs, on social exclusion in Wales, concerning regional variations in tax to encourage investment in less developed areas. [146023]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Government will be responding to the Committee in the usual way in due course. The Government set out a range of policies to promote fairness and to improve the economic performance of all parts of the UK in the pre-Budget 308W
  report. Wales also benefited from substantial increases in provision in the 2000 Spending Review, including in relation to Objective 1 funding, which is intended to stimulate economic development in less developed areas.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Trade Liberalisation (Agriculture)
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food regarding the impact of trade liberalisation on British agriculture. [144538]

  Mr. Caborn
  DTI and MAFF Ministers have regular discussions on trade issues.

  Car Industry
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the state of the automotive manufacturing and components industry. [144539]

  Mr. Byers
  The sector employs over 220,000 people and has an annual turnover of more than £40 billion. Since 1997, over £3 billion of new investment has been announced with over 10,000 new jobs in car manufacturing alone, and since 1997 we have seen record levels of production, sales and exports.

  Mr. John Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his policy regarding the UK car industry. [144551]

  Mr. Byers
  The Government's policy on the UK car industry is the same as that for any other manufacturing sector—to assist industry to improve it's competitiveness in today's challenging global market.

  Textiles Industry (North-West)
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the prospects for future employment in the textiles industry in the north-west. [144540]

  Mr. Caborn
  The industry-led textile and clothing strategy group report highlighted opportunities for the industry in the north-west in technical textiles, the application of new technology in traditional areas and a diversification into wider activities such as technical tapes and healthcare.

  Arms Exports
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with non-governmental organisations regarding the content of a draft bill on strategic arms exports. [144542]

  Dr. Howells
  My right hon. Friend met representatives of non-governmental organisations last November to discuss issues relating to the proposed Export Control Bill, including the Government's proposals for new controls on arms trafficking and brokering. Ministers and officials have also held other meetings with NGOs to discuss these issues.

  Insolvency Act
  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to assess the operation of the Insolvency Act 2000; and if he will make a statement. [144543]

  Dr. Howells
  At the moment only Section 14 of the Act is in force and that is an order-making power. Before we can assess the operation of the Act we will need to bring the rest of its provisions into force. As was stated in the regulatory impact assessment, we will monitor its operation and assess it after three years.

  Post Offices
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he last met the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters to discuss the future of the network. [144545]

  Mr. Byers
  I last met representatives of the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters to discuss the future of the post office network on 24 November when I attended a meeting of the executive council.

  I understand I was the first Secretary of State to attend a meeting of federation's executive council.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements he has made for benefit payments to be made by way of Post Office accounts. [144549]

  Mr. Byers
  The Government have given a commitment that both before and after the migration of benefit payments to automated credit transfer, those benefit and pension recipients who wish to collect their benefits in cash in full across a post office counter will continue to be able to do so. The development of universal banking services will ensure that arrangements for this are put in place.

  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on progress towards protecting the sub-post office network. [144554]

  Mr. Byers
  By accepting all 24 recommendations of the Performance and Innovation Unit's (PIU) report on the future of the post office network, the Government have demonstrated their continuing commitment to maintenance of a nationwide network. We are working closely with the Post Office, the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters and other stakeholders to implement the PIU recommendations and have placed a formal requirement on the Post Office to maintain the rural network and prevent avoidable closures.

  Dr. Palmer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on progress with establishment of the universal bank. [144555]

  Mr. Byers
  Good progress is being made with the development of universal banking services. Agreement in principle was reached on 20 December 2000 with six banks, Barclays, Lloyds TSB Ltd, RBS/Nat West, HSBC, Abbey National and the Halifax, to contribute towards universal banking services at the Post Office. Discussions continue with other banks and building societies to examine what contributions they can make.
  310W
  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post offices there are in each parliamentary constituency; how many receive 40 per cent. or more of their annual income from pensions and benefits business; and if he will make a statement. [144593]

  Mr. Byers
  The most recent data available are as set out in the reply given to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Erdington (Mr. Corbett) on 29 November 1999,Official Report, column 22W.

  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many(a) post offices and (b) sub-post offices there were in (i) Yeovil constituency and (ii) south Somerset in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [144592]

  Mr. Byers
  I understand from the Post Office that the historic data requested are not available and that the most recent data available for Yeovil constituency are as set out in the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Erdington on 29 November 1999,Official Report, column 22W.

  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to publicise the range of services available at the Post Office. [144537]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  Publicity and advertising of the range of services available are operational matters for the Post Office. I understand that, in addition to in-store advertising of Post Office products and services often supported by local press and radio campaigns and promotional incentives, a new website carrying a comprehensive guide to all products and services available from the Post Office is to be launched later this month. This website will be advertised as part of the credits for the television travel programme "Wish You Were Here", which the Post Office is sponsoring for six months with the particular objective of advertising and promoting the travel insurance, foreign currency and travellers cheques services available either on demand or by order through all post offices.

  Small Business Service
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many companies have benefited from the Small Business Service's smart initiative since its inception. [144546]

  Mr. Byers
  From 1986 to the end of December 2000, my Department supported 3,103 individuals and small businesses through Smart and the former SPUR scheme, which it now incorporates.

  Manufacturing Industry
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the performance of manufacturing industry in the London region; and if he will make a statement. [144547]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Office for National Statistics figures for 1997, which are the latest figures available, show that the performance of manufacturing industry in London, on a gross value added per employee basis, is 112.4 per cent. of the UK average. Labour productivity is the second highest of the English regions.
  311W
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the competitiveness of the manufacturing industry. [144557]

  Mr. Caborn
  Manufacturing industry makes a vital contribution to the economy. We are helping manufacturing companies to be competitive by creating the right economic climate of stability, low inflation, and sound public finances and through policies which help firms to innovate, develop the skills of their work-force and grow.

  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent assessment he has made of performance in the manufacturing industry in the west midlands region. [144558]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Office for National Statistics figures for 1997, the latest that are available, show the performance of manufacturing industry in the west midlands, on a gross value added per employee basis, is 91.5 per cent. of the UK average.

  "Modern Markets: Confident Consumers"
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress he has made in implementing proposals in the White Paper "Modern Markets: Confident Consumers." [144548]

  Dr. Howells
  We have already implemented the majority of our proposals from the consumer White Paper, and are currently taking forward others, including stop now orders and legislation for the full pint of beer.

  Miners' Compensation
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the progress being made on payments under the coal industry health compensation settlement. [144550]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Department continues to pay out around £1 million per day in compensation, and has paid out over £310 million to former miners and their families with claims for respiratory and vibration-related diseases.

  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many compensation claims he has paid to miners and widows at the latest date for which figures are available. [144559]

  Mrs. Liddell
  As at the end of December the Department had made final settlements to over 6,500 claimants for respiratory diseases—5,860 from former miners and 640 from widows and estates. In addition, the Department had made final settlements to over 19,240 claimants for vibration-related diseases—18,400 from former miners and 840 from widows and estates. Additionally, the Department had made interim payments to a further 15,800 former miners, and 8,600 to their families for claims in respect of respiratory diseases, and a further 21,300 interim payments to claimants for vibration-related diseases.

  The Department continues to pay out around £1 million per day in compensation, and has paid out over £310 million as at the end of December.
  312W
  Mr. David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will provide additional resources to assist with the processing of health compensation claims from former miners in the Leicestershire and South Derbyshire coalfields. [144566]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Government will not allow the issues of resources to delay settlement.

  Electricity Market
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what future role he plans for small generators in the electricity market. [144552]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Small generators form an integral part of the Government's energy policy and are set to make an increasingly important contribution to the provision of secure, diverse, competitive and sustainable energy supplies.

  The Government are committed to a target of at least 10,000 MWe of installed CHP capacity by 2010 and have established a range of measures to support this target. Renewable sources of energy are an essential part of the Government's climate change programme. They are expected to provide 5 per cent. of our electricity supplies by 2003 and, subject to the cost to consumers being acceptable, 10 per cent. by 2010.

  Gas Prices (Manufacturing Industry)
  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact on manufacturing industry of the recent rise in the price of gas. [144553]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Government are keenly aware of the significance of gas prices for industry and are working to establish a fully liberalised and competitive European gas market.

  Employment Agency Regulations
  28. Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has had regarding the new Employment Agency regulations; and when he expects them to come into force. [R] [144556]

  Mr. Byers
  I have received representations both for and against the proposals issued in May 1999 and March 2000. Final proposals will be published shortly. Subject to parliamentary approval, I expect the revised regulations to come into force this summer.

  Employment Tribunals
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on trends in case numbers in employment tribunals. [144560]

  Mr. Byers
  Over the last decade, caseload rose sharply in 1991–92 to nearly 60,000 applications and continued to rise, reaching a peak of 110,000 in 1995–96. In 1999–2000 just below 104,000 applications were made.

  Business Start-ups
  Dr. Naysmith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he is taking to make setting up a business more realistic for people from all social backgrounds. [144561]
  313W
  Mr. Caborn
  The Department has a wide range of measures designed to help prospective entrepreneurs regardless of their social background, details of which can be found on the Small Business Service website (www.businessadviceonline.org). However, some social groups are under-represented, and we have taken additional steps to encourage these, which include: Giving the Small Business Service a clear remit to tackle social exclusion. In particular the SBS has established a Social Inclusion Unit and is taking forward those recommendations relating to its work made by the Social Exclusion Unit's Policy Action Team on enterprise in its report of November 1999.

  Ensuring that Business Links' plans take account of the needs of their local communities, including those that face some form of disadvantage.

  Utilising the Phoenix Fund which the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry announced in November 1999. The Fund, the initial budget for which of £30 million over three years was trebled in Budget 2000, is designed to encourage the provision of high quality business support for entrepreneurs from disadvantaged or other under represented groups. Activities currently supported include community finance initiatives, business mentors and other innovative forms of business support.

  In conjunction with HM Treasury and the Inland Revenue, responding to the recommendations of the Social Investment Taskforce on ways of introducing new sources of private and institutional investment into disadvantaged communities.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the assistance given to small businesses. [144562]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Government have an ambitious goal that, by 2005, the UK can become the best place in the world to start and grow a business. We will continue to ensure that the United Kingdom's small firms can compete effectively and meet the challenges of the global economy. We recently published a document entitled "Think Small First" which sets out the Government's priorities for promoting an entrepreneurial society in which every small business and individual can achieve their full potential. The document proposes a number of objectives and specific measures to enable SMEs to meet the potential challenges of the next five years. It also proposes a framework for all Government Department's interactions with small businesses. Copies of the document have been placed in the House Libraries.

  In addition, the Government have created the Small Business Service (SBS) to bring together all its support for small businesses under one umbrella. The SBS is working with the regional development agencies to ensure a clear understanding of economic priorities and is committed to developing the Business Link network as the natural choice of smaller businesses seeking advice and support. The network will be strongly customer focused and will have an enlarged remit to cover pre-starts, start-up and micro businesses together with established and growth potential businesses.

  Equivalent services in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are equally committed.
  314W
  Gillian Merron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with other Government Departments to reduce the regulatory burden on small businesses. [144544]

  Mr. Byers
  I meet Ministers from other Government Departments on a regular basis to discuss ways to minimise the regulatory burden on small businesses.

  Biotechnology
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many new spin-out companies have emerged from British biotechnology in the last year. [144563]

  Mrs. Liddell
  It is estimated that at least 90 new biotechnology businesses were formed in the UK during 2000. This number includes both companies developing products (e.g. new drugs, diagnostics) and service companies (e.g. bioinformatics).

  Of these new companies over 40 per cent. received help from DTI support schemes specifically designed for the biotechnology sector.

  There is no national database containing information on biotechnology business formation and the above information was obtained from the regional biotechnology networks and Government support programmes.

  Universal Bank
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on progress towards the establishment of a universal bank. [144564]

  Mr. Byers
  Good progress is being made with the development of universal banking services. Agreement in principle was reached on 20 December 2000 with six banks, Barclays, Lloyds TSB Ltd, RBS/Nat West, HSBC, Abbey National and the Halifax, to contribute towards universal banking Services at the Post Office. Discussions continue with other banks and building societies to examine what contributions they can make.

  Ilisu Dam
  Ms Kingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his Department's involvement with the Ilisu dam project in Turkey. [144565]

  Mr. Caborn
  In 1998 the Export Credits Guarantee Department received an application from Balfour Beatty for export credit support in respect of their proposed participation in the Ilisu dam project.

  In December 1999, when my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry published two reports which we commissioned on environmental and social aspects of the project, he made it clear that before

  315W
  a decision is made on the availability of ECGD support, we will need to be satisfied on a number of conditions, in particular:
  proper consultation and arrangements for the resettlement of the affected population and assurance that their needs are being properly taken into account;
  provision for upstream water treatment plants capable of ensuring that water quality is maintained;
  assurance that water flow to downstream states will be maintained at all times;
  the project does not involve diversion for irrigation, but we need to be satisfied that an appropriate downstream flow will be maintained, particularly during impoundment;
  a detailed plan to preserve as much of the archaeological heritage of Hasankeyf as possible.

  We need to see and assess the final version of the environmental impact assessment report and the resettlement action plan in order to determine whether our conditions have been met. We expect the environmental impact assessment report to be made available to the export credit agencies shortly. The resettlement action plan may be made available at the same time. The environmental impact assessment report will be made publicly available before any decision is taken regarding export credit support from the UK. As we are not the owners of the reports we cannot be more specific about timing.

  The Export Credits Guarantee Department is in regular contact with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and trade partners regarding the project and all these Departments will be consulted prior to a decision being taken.

  Aviation Fuel
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to support the development and use of bioaviation fuels. [145724]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Together with the airline industry and others the DTI is reviewing a modest proposal to investigate the use of a fuel derived from biomass as a substitute for aviation kerosene.

  Such a fuel would need to meet the quality criteria for aviation kerosene.

  Special Shares
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the nature was of the representations he received about his Department redeeming its special shares in Powergen and National Power; and what criteria were applied in the process that led to his Department redeeming the shares. [145731]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The companies each wrote to my Department seeking redemption of their respective special shares. It is the Government's policy to consider any such request on its merits.

  In assessing whether to redeem the special shares my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry took into account whether the special shares were
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  still valid and necessary in the context of a competitive market and a strengthened regulatory and competition framework.

  In line with NAO/PAC guidance, once my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry had taken a decision to redeem each special share he then also sought additional consumer benefits from the companies concerned.

  Takahama Mox Fuel
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what will happen to the returned Takahama Mox fuel when it is imported from Japan into the United Kingdom. [146046]

  Mrs. Liddell
  This is a matter for BNFL. I understand that the options for managing the fuel once in the UK are still being considered. The chosen option will have to meet all of the relevant regulatory requirements.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on which date he first received advice from the British Embassy in Japan that discussions should begin with the Japanese Government and electricity industry on the issue of returning the Takahama Mox fuel to the United Kingdom, following the discovery of the data falsification at Sellafield. [146044]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The chronology on these issues is contained in my letter to the hon. Gentleman on 21 November 2000, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Minimum Wage
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what specific measures his Department has introduced to raise the awareness of the national minimum wage and the national minimum wage confidential helpline among ethnic minorities. [146087]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  In the autumn of 1999, the Government ran a national minimum wage publicity campaign aimed at increasing awareness of the national minimum wage among ethnic minority communities. This was the first DTI campaign specifically to target ethnic minorities—especially Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Afro-Caribbean communities—in known low pay areas. The campaign also aimed to reassure people in these communities that complaints about underpayment of the minimum wage would be treated confidentially, and that enforcement is fair and effective. The confidential helpline number (0845 6000 678) was featured strongly.

  To complement the publicity campaign in September-October 2000 to raise awareness of the increase in the main rate to £3.70, in September 2000 my Department wrote to around 750 ethnic minority intermediaries such as community advice centres, career groups, religious bodies and business representatives telling them about the increase and to remind people that complaints about underpayment to the helpline will be treated in the strictest confidence. The letter also explained that guidance on the minimum wage is freely available in a number of languages, including the main Asian ones, by contacting the minimum wage helpline; and for those

  317W
  people who cannot speak English or would prefer to converse in their native tongue, the helpline has access to translation services in over 30 different languages.

  Israel (Exports)
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his policy is concerning the export to Israel of goods whose export is controlled for strategic reasons; what changes were made to his policy during 2000; arid if he will make a statement. [145332]

  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]: I have been asked to reply.

  Applications for licences to export to Israel arms or other goods controlled for strategic reasons are considered on a case-by-case basis against the consolidated EU and national criteria that I announced on 26 October 2000, Official Report, columns 199–203W. This means inter alia that we will not issue licences where there is a clear risk that the equipment might be used for internal repression or external aggression or to provoke or prolong armed conflicts or aggravate existing tensions.

  We assess all applications, and make judgments, both against the criteria and in light of the information available at the time. No changes have been made to this policy in 2000. Inevitably however, unexpected events do happen and can alter the basis of those judgments.

  We have no evidence that equipment or components licensed for export to Israel by this Government have been used by Israeli security forces against civilians in the occupied territories or in southern Lebanon. We would be concerned if such evidence came to light. We continue to monitor the situation closely.

  We are, and have been, in regular direct contact with the Israeli Government as part of our inquiries to confirm that equipment and components licensed for export form the UK have not been used against civilians in the occupied territories and have received an assurance from the Israeli Government that no equipment or components licensed for export from the UK have been used against civilians during the recent disturbances.

HEALTH

  Hospital Insulation
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that the NHS CO, standard of heat insulation, specified in PFI tenders for new hospital buildings, is implemented in existing and future contracts. [143163]

  Mr. Denham
  The National Health Service has a good track record in achieving environmental targets, and there are a number of initiatives under way to support the NHS in achieving greater energy efficiency. This is an important matter, and we do not propose to stand still. We are therefore taking the following programme of action:

  We will write to all NHS trusts setting new mandatory targets for overall energy use and will be providing guidance to the NHS on how to improve its environmental performance.
  318W
  We will make existing targets for capital schemes mandatory, which means that all output specifications for private finance initiative schemes must comply with those targets.

  We will include a new section on energy efficiency in the Business Case checklist, which the Department uses in assessing the quality and readiness of proposals for capital schemes.

  The current British Standard for heat insulation is under review, and I have asked that my officials review the current model engineering specification in the light of this.

  The revised capital investment manual will include a new section focusing on environmental issues.

  A joint NHS Estates/Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions research and development project is under way to produce a building research establishment environmental assessment model for hospitals.

  Repetitive Strain Injury
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of repetitive strain injury were diagnosed and treated in each year since 1995; and what estimate he has made of the total cost of treating the condition. [145004]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Hip and Knee Replacements
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) hip and (b) knee replacement episodes were carried out for residents of each health authority in (i) 1996–97, (ii) 1997–98, (iii) 1998–99 and (iv) 1999–2000; and what proportion this represents of each resident population. [145861]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 16 January 2001]: The information requested has been placed in the Library.

  The tables show figures for elective hip and knee replacement operations for the years 1996–97 to 1999–2000, for patients resident in England and treated in National Health Service hospitals in England, by health authority of residence. The total numbers have increased from 37,410 hip replacements and 26,725 knee replacements in 1996–97, to corresponding figures of 41,561 and 33,414 in 1999–2000, an increase of 11 per cent. and 25 per cent. respectively.

  Hospital Waiting Lists (Mid Essex)
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the most recent figures for the total number of people waiting for hospital treatment in Mid Essex. [145949]

  Mr. Denham
  In November 2000, there were 9,050 patients waiting for inpatient treatment at Mid Essex Hospital Services National Health Service Trust.

  Source:

  Monthly waiting list returns

  Far East Prisoners of War
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the £10,000 ex-gratia payments made to former Japanese prisoners of war count towards capital for the purposes of charging for nursing and social care. [146078]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department has laid regulations and is in the process of issuing guidance to councils to ensure the ex-gratia payments are completely disregarded in the assessment of people's ability to pay for nursing home and residential care.

  With regard to home care and other non-residential services, the Department has recently issued similar draft guidance.

  Bedford Hospital
  Mr. Patrick Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he has taken to address issues arising from the undignified and disrespectful placing of bodies in the Chapel of Rest of the mortuary at Bedford Hospital. [146013]

  Mr. Denham
  The report of a full investigation by the Eastern Region of the National Health Service Executive will be published and placed in the Library. The Health and Safety Executive is due to visit Bedford Hospital on 18 January 2001 and the Commission for Health Improvement will include the mortuary facilities as part of its wider inspection of the hospital which will begin on 29 January 2001.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will answer the questions tabled by the hon. Member for Cardiff, Central for answer on 18 December 2000 on the use of gelatine in the manufacture of drug capsules. [146024]

  Yvette Cooper
  I shall let my hon. Friend have a reply to his questions tabled for answer on 18 December as soon as possible.

  NHS Dentists
  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his estimate is of the number of NHS dentists who are overseas qualified dentists; and if he will make a statement. [144602]

  Mr. Hutton
  On 30 September 2000, there were 2,656 dentists providing General Dental Services in England who had qualified outside the United Kingdom. That is 15 per cent. of the total number of dentists providing General Dental Services.

  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his estimate is of the(a) proportion and (b) number of (i) adults and (ii) children who were registered with an NHS dentist in each (1) health authority and (2) county in England and Wales for each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [144601]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information for England has been placed in the Library.

  The number of patients registered with a dentist for National Health Service treatment has declined since 1993 although in the past 12 months the numbers have started to
  320W
  increase. The decline was mainly due to dentists choosing to increase their private practice, to more dentists working part-time, the reduction in the registration period since 1996 and the elimination of duplicate registrations.

  Comparable data for 1991 are not available because registration was only introduced in October 1990 and the number of patients registered was still growing until 1992.

  Information about Wales is the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Data are not available by county.

  Dental Services (Somerset)
  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his estimate is of the(a) start up costs and (b) annual running costs of the personal dentist service pilots in (i) Taunton and (ii) Yeovil; and what his estimate is of the number of people each year who will receive treatment at such centres. [144603]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is as follows:

  Start-up costs (allocated)

  The start-up costs for this third wave dental access centre Personal Dental Service pilot scheme which has centres in Yeovil and Taunton are as follows: preparatory of £20,000 (£10,000 of this was allocated to them to work up a full proposal from their Expression of Interest); and capital of £585,000 including £85,000 for information technology capital.

  Running Costs (not allocated)

  The revenue allocation has not yet been issued as the matter is still under discussion.

  It is estimated that the number of patient to be seen annually once fully recruited to four additional dentists plus the clinical director will be 7,000 Community Dental Service (CDS) patients—based on historical CDS figures—and 8,000 new patients.

  Hospital Waiting Lists (Somerset)
  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many people have been on the in-patient waiting list at(a) East Somerset NHS Trust and (b) Taunton NHS Trust in each quarter since 1990–91; and how many of these people were waiting (i) more than six months, (ii) more than 12 months and (iii) more than 18 months; [144613]

  (2) what the in-patient waiting list size is at (i) East Somerset NHS Trust and (ii) Taunton NHS Trust; and how many people at each trust have been waiting (a) more than six months, (b) more than 12 months and (c) more than 18 months for an operation. [144612]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is shown in the tables. The two trusts in question did not exist prior to 1991–92, therefore no data are available.

  In-patient data—Taunton and Somerset National Health Service trust

  Year

  Quarter

  Total waiting list

  6–12 months

  12–18 months

  18 plus months

  1990–91

  1

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1990–91

  2

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1990–91

  3

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1990–91

  4

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  321W

  In-patient data—Taunton and Somerset National Health Service trust

  Year

  Quarter

  Total waiting list

  6–12 months

  12–18 months

  18 plus months

  1991–92

  1

  6,506

  1,525

  n/a

  n/a

  1991–92

  2

  5,844

  1,524

  n/a

  n/a

  1991–92

  3

  5,730

  1,255

  n/a

  n/a

  1991–92

  4

  5,441

  1,134

  n/a

  n/a

  1992–93

  1

  5,671

  1,338

  106

  15

  1992–93

  2

  5,843

  1,500

  61

  3

  1992–93

  3

  6,331

  1,510

  75

  8

  1992–93

  4

  6,119

  1,359

  0

  0

  1993–94

  1

  5,975

  1,383

  55

  2

  1993–94

  2

  5,888

  1,377

  56

  1

  1993–94

  3

  5,701

  1,268

  63

  4

  1993–94

  4

  5,479

  1,022

  0

  0

  1994–95

  1

  5,510

  972

  0

  0

  1994–95

  2

  5,222

  798

  0

  0

  1994–95

  3

  5,212

  701

  0

  0

  1994–95

  4

  4,993

  609

  0

  0

  1995–96

  1

  4,995

  480

  0

  0

  1995–96

  2

  5,088

  509

  1

  0

  1995–96

  3

  5,007

  408

  0

  0

  1995–96

  4

  4,899

  292

  0

  0

  1996–97

  1

  5,152

  329

  0

  0

  1996–97

  2

  5,201

  425

  0

  0

  1996–97

  3

  5,898

  648

  0

  0

  1996–97

  4

  6,282

  1,070

  0

  0

  1997–98

  1

  6,759

  1,388

  18

  0

  1997–98

  2

  6,710

  1,454

  52

  0

  1997–98

  3

  7,513

  1,576

  113

  0

  1997–98

  4

  7,523

  1,669

  22

  0

  1998–99

  1

  7,596

  1,739

  32

  0

  1998–99

  2

  7,385

  1,580

  44

  0

  1998–99

  3

  7,606

  1,591

  114

  0

  1998–99

  4

  7,440

  1,622

  137

  0

  1999–2000

  1

  7,451

  1,722

  137

  0

  1999–2000

  2

  7,630

  1,753

  180

  0

  1999–2000

  3

  7,690

  1,796

  211

  0

  1999–2000

  4

  7,027

  1,522

  271

  0

  2000–01

  1

  6,920

  1,380

  297

  0

  2000–01

  2

  6,753

  1,233

  197

  0

  n/a—not available

  In-patient data—East Somerset National Health Service trust

  Year

  Quarter

  Total waiting list

  6–12 months

  12–18 months

  18 plus months

  1990–91

  1

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1990–91

  2

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1990–91

  3

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1990–91

  4

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1991–92

  1

  1,605

  302

  n/a

  n/a

  1991–92

  2

  1,558

  295

  n/a

  n/a

  1991–92

  3

  1,604

  263

  n/a

  n/a

  1991–92

  4

  1,485

  196

  n/a

  n/a

  1992–93

  1

  1,499

  193

  16

  1

  1992–93

  2

  1,601

  229

  16

  0

  1992–93

  3

  1,744

  217

  11

  0

  1992–93

  4

  1,670

  244

  0

  0

  1993–94

  1

  1,869

  260

  20

  0

  1993–94

  2

  1,845

  316

  26

  0

  1993–94

  3

  1,999

  308

  12

  0

  1993–94

  4

  1,725

  252

  0

  0

  1994–95

  1

  1,791

  220

  11

  0

  1994–95

  2

  1,721

  265

  7

  0

  1994–95

  3

  1,610

  244

  0

  0

  1994–95

  4

  1,423

  138

  0

  0

  1995–96

  1

  1,490

  139

  0

  0

  1995–96

  2

  1,673

  125

  2

  0

  1995–96

  3

  1,689

  122

  1

  0

  1995–96

  4

  1,634

  111

  0

  0

  1996–97

  1

  1,691

  112

  0

  0

  322W

  In-patient data—East Somerset National Health Service trust

  Year

  Quarter

  Total waiting list

  6–12 months

  12–18 months

  18 plus months

  1996–97

  2

  2,181

  169

  0

  0

  1996–97

  3

  2,599

  341

  0

  0

  1996–97

  4

  2,662

  429

  6

  0

  1997–98

  1

  2,614

  423

  64

  0

  1997–98

  2

  2,537

  417

  65

  0

  1997–98

  3

  2,874

  498

  45

  0

  1997–98

  4

  2,845

  516

  5

  0

  1998–99

  1

  2,660

  474

  19

  0

  1998–99

  2

  2,335

  409

  22

  0

  1998–99

  3

  2,485

  394

  42

  0

  1998–99

  4

  2,489

  382

  0

  0

  1999–2000

  1

  2,132

  299

  39

  0

  1999–2000

  2

  2,294

  293

  41

  0

  1999–2000

  3

  2,412

  325

  31

  0

  1999–2000

  4

  2,061

  346

  31

  0

  2000–01

  1

  2,081

  350

  47

  0

  2000–01

  2

  2,209

  355

  55

  0

  n/a—not available

  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have been on the out-patient waiting list at(a) East Somerset NHS Trust and (b) Taunton NHS Trust for each quarter since 1999–01; and how many of these people were waiting (i) more than six months, (ii) more than 12 months and (iii) more than 18 months. [144597]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is shown in the tables, however, out-patient data are collected by number of weeks waiting, rather than months. The tables show numbers who have waited over 13 and over 26 weeks. The Department does not collect information on the total number of people waiting for out-patient appointments on any given day. Because of the high turnover of out-patient waiting lists it would not be a useful indicator to have the total number of waiting at the last day of the quarter.

  Out-patient long waiters—Tauton and Somerset National Health Service Trust

  Year

  Quarter

  Not seen 13 to 25 weeks

  Not seen 26 weeks plus

  1995–96

  1

  743

  205

  1995–96

  2

  933

  271

  1995–96

  3

  966

  172

  1995–96

  4

  738

  191

  1996–97

  1

  1,010

  143

  1996–97

  2

  1,340

  142

  1996–97

  3

  1,277

  194

  1996–97

  4

  1,058

  210

  1997–98

  1

  932

  173

  1997–98

  2

  1,473

  155

  1997–98

  3

  1,380

  219

  1997–98

  4

  1,017

  199

  1998–99

  1

  1,337

  199

  1998–99

  2

  1,649

  363

  1998–99

  3

  1,598

  527

  1998–99

  4

  1,500

  478

  1999–2000

  1

  1,931

  552

  1999–2000

  2

  2,020

  577

  1999–2000

  3

  1,918

  643

  1999–2000

  4

  1,525

  603

  2000–01

  1

  2,168

  483

  2000–01

  2

  1,287

  256

  Source:

  QM08—waiting times quarterly return
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  Out-patient long waiters—East Somerset NHS Trust

  Year

  Quarter

  Not seen 13 to 25 weeks

  Not seen 26 weeks plus

  1995–96

  1

  664

  277

  1995–96

  2

  752

  228

  1995–96

  3

  811

  189

  1995–96

  4

  736

  194

  1996–97

  1

  305

  20

  1996–97

  2

  393

  30

  1996–97

  3

  391

  60

  1996–97

  4

  472

  87

  1997–98

  1

  511

  146

  1997–98

  2

  727

  142

  1997–98

  3

  763

  225

  1997–98

  4

  606

  237

  1998–99

  1

  653

  210

  1998–99

  2

  725

  200

  1998–99

  3

  851

  196

  1998–99

  4

  649

  247

  1999–2000

  1

  922

  258

  1999–2000

  2

  838

  294

  1999–2000

  3

  737

  306

  1999–2000

  4

  763

  257

  2000–01

  1

  971

  295

  2000–01

  2

  567

  202

  Source:

  QM08—waiting times quarterly return

  Health Service Employees
  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have been employed by the National Health Service for each of the last 20 years. [144600]

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

  National Health Service hospital and community health services, public health medicine and general practitioners: All NHS staff in England as at 30 September each year

  All staff

  Whole time equivalents

  1980

  835,000

  1981

  867,000

  1982

  874,000

  1983

  874,000

  1984

  865,000

  1985

  861,000

  1986

  848,000

  1987

  847,000

  1988

  842,000

  1989

  876,000

  1990

  861,000

  1991

  870,000

  1992

  868,000

  1993

  848,000

  1994

  835,000

  1995

  842,000

  1996

  848,000

  1997

  846,000

  1998

  855,000

  1999

  873,000

  Notes:

  1. Whole time equivalent data for GPs are not available prior to 1991. Headcount data on GPs have been used for years 1980–90.

  2. The data include General Medical Practitioners, although the vast majority of these are self-employed.

  3. Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand.

  Source:

  Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census.

  Department of Health Medical and Dental Workforce Census.

  Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Census.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Commonwealth Education Ministers Conference
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the nature was of the parliamentary business which occasioned the withdrawal of the Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Croydon, North (Mr. Wicks), from leadership of the British delegation to the Commonwealth Education Ministers Conference in Halifax, Canada, in November 2000. [R] [144283]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: Given the importance of the business before the House during the week of 27 November 2000, I felt that I should be present. This in no way reflects any weakening of our engagement with Commonwealth education initiatives, which is excellent. The UK fielded a strong delegation which, as previously agreed, was led by my hon. Friend the Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs in the Scottish Parliament.

  New Deal
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment which 10 constituencies have the(a) most and (b) fewest people gained sustained employment under the New Deal. [145313]

  Ms Jowell
  The relative success in any constituency of young people moving into sustained employment through the New Deal will depend on numbers of young people in the eligible client group and prevailing labour market conditions. Latest figures show that to the end of October 2000 the constituency of Birmingham, Ladywood had the most young people moving into sustained employment through New Deal (1,023), and Wokingham showing the fewest (27).

  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people in(a) Somerset and (b) Yeovil Constituency are on each option of the New Deal. [144615]

  Ms Jowell
  Figures requested, as at the end of October 2000, are as follows:

  Somerset unit of delivery

  Yeovil constituency

  Number of young people on New Deal

  436

  49

  Number on the Employment Option

  25

  3

  Number on full-time Education and Training Option

  61

  5

  Number on Voluntary Sector Option

  47

  10

  Number on Environment Task Force Option

  18

  1

  Learning and Skills Councils
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what definition of business is used to determine the percentage of business representation on the regional learning and skills councils. [145228]
  325W
  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]: In line with the commitment set out in the Learning and Skills Council Prospectus, business people on the local Learning and Skills Councils are defined as people with substantial recent business and commercial experience.

  Individual Learning Accounts
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment for what reason a resident of Herefordshire, with an approved individual learning account (reference 4001658711) who is studying `A' Level Welsh through Coleg Gwent, cannot transfer funding to study at a Welsh establishment; and if he will make a statement. [145436]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]: Individual Learning Account holders are free to decide how and where they undertake their chosen learning. This includes using a learning provider in a country outside the one in which they currently live as long as the provider is registered with the Individual Learning Account Centre. Anyone living in England who wants to study 'A' level Welsh can use an Individual Learning Account to help pay for the course costs at a Welsh establishment as long as they have opened their Individual Learning Account before enrolling on the course.

  Individual Learning Account incentives are made available in the form of a discount on the cost of learning and incentives cannot be claimed retrospectively once an individual has paid for and started their learning. We want Individual Learning Accounts to be used to encourage many new learners including those who will benefit most from the incentives.

  Connexions Service
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many personal advisers under the Connexions strategy will be in post in each of the three years commencing April; and what is the cost of their employment. [145396]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]: Local Connexions Service Partnerships will determine how many personal advisers they will have in post. Partnerships invited to introduce the service in 2001–02 will be submitting business plans by 15 January, setting out the anticipated numbers of staff and associated costs, and proposals for the build-up of staff over the following two years.

  Student Support
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to(a) change the student support package to reflect social changes since the Education Act 1962 and (b) simplify and make more intelligible the content of the implementing regulations. [145395]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]: Our policy is to provide financial support in a way which is fair to students, families and the taxpayer and which provides carefully targeted help for the most needy. Among the changes we propose to make in 2001–02 are: a childcare grant package for students with children; an increase to the parent and spouse income thresholds of around 10 per cent. above the rate of inflation; and a
  326W
  simplified method of calculating contributions from parents and spouses. These changes will be set out in the Education (Student Support) Regulations 2001, which will be laid before Parliament in the spring.

  Bursaries
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment which local authority areas in England and Wales will be eligible for the take up of opportunity bursaries in October 2001; and what will be the individual eligibility for students from those areas to receive such bursaries. [145257]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]: As my right hon. Friend announced last September, Opportunity Bursaries in England are being piloted initially for students studying at state schools and colleges in Excellence in Cities Phase 1 and 2 areas, which includes Newcastle upon Tyne. The Bursaries, worth £2,000 each over three years, will be awarded by higher education institutions, all of which have been given guidance from the Department for this purpose. The Bursaries are intended to improve access for bright young students from poorer backgrounds, where there is little or no family connection with, or experience of, higher education.

  Eligibility for Opportunity Bursaries in Wales is a matter for the National Assembly.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many mature students received bursaries for childcare and travel in 2000–01; from which local education authority areas those students came; and which universities those students attended. [145256]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]: The table shows the number of bursaries awarded to mature students at higher education institutions (HEIs) in England in 2000–01 for childcare and other course-related costs, as at 31 October 2000. The bursaries have been a success and we expect a full take-up by students. HEIs received 80 per cent. of the total funding available for such bursaries in September 2000. 20 per cent. was held back to take account of students who entered universities through clearing and expected numbers of students whose courses did not start until later in the year, and will shortly be allocated by the Higher Education Funding Council. HEIs have not collected information on the local education authority areas from which students who have received these bursaries come. The number of bursaries given out by Welsh institutions is a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.

  We are introducing a package of measures this autumn including a Childcare Grant based on actual costs of up to £100 per week. Bursaries for mature students will continue for those ineligible for the Childcare Grant.

  Institution

  Number of bursaries

  Universities

  Anglia Polytechnic University

  226

  Aston University

  24

  University of Bath

  34

  Birkbeck College

  0

  University of Birmingham

  133

  Bournemouth University

  73

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  Institution

  Number of bursaries

  University of Bradford

  57

  University of Brighton

  162

  University of Bristol

  57

  Brunel University

  121

  University of Cambridge

  18

  University of Central England

  148

  University of Central Lancashire

  288

  City University

  3

  Coventry University

  56

  De Montfort University

  303

  University of Derby

  169

  University of Durham

  90

  University of East Anglia

  48

  University of East London

  454

  University of Essex

  31

  University of Exeter

  69

  Goldsmiths College

  123

  University of Greenwich

  248

  University of Hertfordshire

  143

  University of Huddersfield

  67

  University of Hull

  96

  Imperial College

  0

  Keele University

  50

  University of Kent at Canterbury

  52

  King's College London

  36

  Kingston University

  122

  Lancaster University

  62

  University of Leeds

  41

  Leeds Metropolitan University

  196

  University of Leicester

  13

  University of Lincolnshire and Humberside

  124

  University of Liverpool

  88

  Liverpool John Moores University

  314

  London Guildhall University

  122

  Loughborough University

  25

  University of Luton

  112

  University of Manchester

  92

  UMIST

  0

  Manchester Metropolitan University

  352

  Middlesex University

  577

  University of Newcastle upon Tyne

  27

  University of North London

  226

  University of Northumbria at Newcastle

  111

  University of Nottingham

  11

  Nottingham Trent University

  225

  Open University

  0

  University of Oxford

  10

  Oxford Brookes University

  72

  University of Plymouth

  306

  University of Portsmouth

  166

  Queen Mary and Westfield College

  52

  University of Reading

  77

  Royal Holloway, University of London

  14

  University of Salford

  148

  University of Sheffield

  130

  Sheffield Hallam University

  306

  University of Southampton

  48

  South Bank University

  129

  Staffordshire University

  231

  University of Sunderland

  180

  University of Surrey

  8

  University of Sussex

  131

  University of Teesside

  276

  Thames Valley University

  235

  University College London

  22

  University of Warwick

  79

  University of West of England, Bristol

  194

  University of Westminster

  50

  University of Wolverhampton

  311

  University of York

  81

  328W

  Institution

  Number of bursaries

  General colleges

  Bath Spa University College

  180

  Bolton Institute of Higher Education

  115

  Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College

  74

  Canterbury Christ Church University College

  107

  Cheltenham and Gloucester College of HE

  102

  Chester College of Higher Education

  65

  University College Chichester

  96

  Edge Hill College of Higher Education

  110

  King Alfred's College, Winchester

  39

  Liverpool Hope

  96

  University College Northampton

  71

  College of Ripon and York St. John

  47

  St. Mary's College

  10

  Southampton Institute

  107

  University of Surrey Roehampton

  143

  University College Worcester

  80

  Specialist colleges

  Bishop Grosseteste College

  5

  Bretton Hall

  73

  Central School of Speech and Drama

  8

  Cranfield University

  6

  Cumbria College of Art and Design

  13

  Dartington College of Arts

  6

  Institute of Education

  0

  Falmouth College of Arts

  0

  Harper Adams University College

  2

  Homerton College, Cambridge

  18

  Kent Institute of Art and Design

  4

  University of London—Institutes and Activities

  0

  London Business School

  0

  London School of Economics and Political Science

  0

  London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

  0

  The London Institute

  81

  Newman College

  60

  Northern School of Contemporary Dance

  1

  Norwich School of Art and Design

  13

  School of Oriental and African Studies

  35

  School of Pharmacy

  0

  Ravensbourne College

  9

  RCN Institute

  0

  Rose Bruford College

  4

  Royal Academy of Music

  3

  Royal College of Art

  0

  Royal College of Music

  0

  Royal Northern College of Music

  2

  Royal Veterinary College

  0

  St. George's Hospital Medical School

  10

  College of St. Mark and St. John

  118

  St. Martin's College

  90

  The Surrey Inst of Art & Design University College

  13

  Trinity and All Saints

  32

  Trinity College of Music

  1

  Wimbledon School of Art

  0

  Writtle College

  9

  Total

  11,533

  Tuition Fees
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will estimate what proportion of students in each Government office region paid(a) full and (b) partial tuition fees and the proportion of those who were exempt in the 2000–01 academic year; and if he will estimate what percentage in each category there will be in each region in 2001–02. [145255]
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  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]: Estimates of the proportion of students paying a full, partial and nil contribution towards tuition fees under the new student finance arrangements are available only at a

  Percentage

  1998–19991

  1999–20002

  2000–012

  2001–022

  Nil student/parent/spouse contribution

  45

  45

  45

  50

  Partial student/parent/spouse contribution

  20

  20

  20

  15

  Full student/parent/spouse contribution

  35

  35

  35

  35

  1 Actual

  2 Forecast

  The proportion of students who are exempt from making any contributions is expected to increase in 2001–02 to around 50 per cent. as a result of changes to the contribution threshold.

  Travel Costs (Jobseekers)

  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what estimate he has made of the cost of reimbursing the travel costs of those people in rural areas who have had to travel to jobcentres to sign on and claim benefits in the last three years; [145135]

  (2) how much was spent in the most recent year for which figures are available on reimbursing those on jobseeker's allowance, travelling to an interview at the jobcentre other than on their normal day of attendance. [145126]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]: Responsibility for the subject of the questions has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Leigh Lewis to Ms Roseanna Cunningham, dated January 2001:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions about the costs of reimbursement of travel expenses for people attending Jobcentres. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  I am afraid that it is not possible to estimate the cost of reimbursing travel expenses for people living in rural areas who have to travel to Jobcentres to sign on and claim benefits. People are usually required to attend the Jobcentre fortnightly as part of maintaining their claim for Jobseeker's Allowance. There are, though, circumstances in which people may make their fortnightly declaration that they are available for and actively seeking work—by post. These circumstances allow people who would have to spend an unreasonable amount of their time travelling to the Jobcentre, and those who have a mental or physical disability which restricts their mobility, to make their fortnightly declarations by post.
  You also ask how much was spent last year on reimbursing the travel expenses of people who had travelled to an interview at the Jobcentre other than on their normal day of attendance. The total amount paid to people to reimburse travel expenses in the operational year 1999–2000 was just over £447,000. That figure includes travel expenses reimbursed in a variety of circumstances, for example the fares incurred by people taking part in the New Deal programmes who have travelled to see their personal advisers or to attend work trials with employers.
  I hope this is helpful.
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  national level. For students normally resident in England and Wales, the figures for 1998–99 (the most recent year for which actual data are available) to 2001–02 are given in the table.

  FACCENTA Group (Redundancies)
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what additional resources he will provide to the Employment Service in Lymington and the New Forest to assist with redundancies consequent upon the reorganisation of the FACCENTA Group. [145015]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]: Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. Desmond Swayne, dated January 2001:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question regarding the additional resources which will be made available to the Employment Service in Lymington and the New Forest to assist with redundancies consequent upon the reorganisation of the Faccenda Group. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  The Employment Service in our London and South East Region made contact with the company immediately that these redundancies were announced on 10 January. As a result:
  a 'Job Shop' will be set up on the company's premises from 15 January which will provide information on available vacancies and the support available to individual employees;
  the employees affected will be given immediate access to Work Based Training to update their skills. They will also have immediate access to help with jobsearch and CV preparation;
  the local Jobcentre will offer a personal adviser service to every one of the employees affected to ensure that they can be matched against suitable vacancies prior to redundancies taking effect;
  information sessions for those affected will be run jointly with the Benefits Agency to provide advice and guidance about benefits and jobsearch. These seminars will be provided on-site at times convenient to the working pattern of the company.
  The necessary resources to provide these services will be made available from the Employment Service locally supplemented by whatever additional resources are necessary from the Employment Service's London and South East Region.
  In addition, the Region's Rapid Response Team, which exists to lend additional support in the case of large-scale redundancies, will be made available as necessary.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Departmental Advertising
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list for(a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99, (d) 1999–2000 and (e) 2000–01, (i) his Department's total spending on advertising campaigns, (ii) the cost of each individual advertising

  331W
  campaign and (iii) the criteria that were established to gauge the effectiveness of each campaign; and what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of each campaign based on these criteria. [142713]

  Mr. Wills
  The Department's total spend on advertising was:

  £

  1996–97

  7,537,917

  1997–98

  9,992,350

  1998–99

  15,673,258

  1999–2000

  11,900,968

  2000–011

  15,166,537

  1 To end of December 2000

  Campaigns over £500,000 are:

  1996–97

  £

  Modern Apprenticeships

  To encourage young people and employers to sign up to Modern Apprenticeships

  2,611,339

  Nursery Vouchers

  To ensure that eligible parents and providers understood how they were affected by the new arrangements introduced under the Nursery Voucher Scheme

  1,074,646

  Disability Discrimination

  To inform employers about the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995

  664,889

  1997–98

  £

  New Deal

  To raise awareness of New Deal and to inform the public, employers and potential clients

  6,409,339

  National Traineeships

  To encourage employers to offer National Traineeships to young people

  800,000

  Modern Apprenticeships

  To raise awareness of Modern Apprenticeships among young people and employers

  912,321

  Disability Discrimination

  Consultation to review the lowering of the threshold exempting small employers from the DDA's employment provisions, from 20 to 15 employees

  520,995

  1998–99

  £

  New Deal

  To promote awareness of New Deal and to inform potential clients and employers, and to sign up employers

  4,772,362

  Reading and Literacy

  To encourage parents to get more involved in their children's reading (linked to National Year of Reading)

  3,648,233

  Disability Discrimination

  To inform employers about how the Disability Discrimination Act affects them

  1,924,033

  332W

  1998–99

  £

  National Traineeships

  To encourage employers to take up National Traineeships

  1,502,023

  Learning Direct

  Promoting the Learning Direct helpline to young people

  619,026

  Career Development Loans

  To encourage young people to take out CDLs to improve their career prospects

  603,590

  Millennium Bug Busters

  To promote to employers training on how to prepare for the Millennium Bug

  585,101

  1999–2000

  £

  Disability Discrimination

  To challenge the general public to change their attitude to disability and to inform employers about the Disability Discrimination Act

  2,643,160

  Maths Year 2000

  To encourage parents to help with their children's maths (linked to Maths Year 2000)

  2,322,336

  Age Diversity

  To address age discrimination in recruitment and employment practice

  1,127,946

  National Traineeships

  To encourage young people to take up National Traineeships

  1,077,300

  One

  To promote the launch of the One scheme in 12 pilot areas

  872,807

  Childcare Link

  To promote a helpline telling parents what childcare options are available in their area

  809,592

  Time Off for Study

  To inform employers of their legal responsibilities under the Right to Time Off for Study Act

  702,001

  2000–011

  £

  Don't Quit Now

  To raise awareness of the benefits of staying in some form of learning after reaching the age of compulsory education

  2,700,000

  New Deal 50 plus

  To increase participation in New Deal 50 plus

  2,399,779

  ICT Employability

  To encourage those out of work to take up taster courses in ICT

  2,011,305

  Childcare Recruitment

  To encourage recruitment into the childcare sectors by young people and returners

  1,820,608

  Disability Discrimination

  To tell SME service providers how aspects of the Disability Discrimination Act affect them

  1,241,982

  333W

  2000–011

  £

  Modern Apprenticeships

  To promote the availability of Modern Apprenticeships

  855,595

  Individual Learning Accounts

  To encourage people to take up Individual Learning Accounts to improve their career prospects

  611,767

  Fast Track Teachers

  To inform potential recruits about the fast-track teachers scheme

  1,055,788

  Parents' Magazine

  To promote a magazine which helps parents to get more involved in their children's education

  1,483,660

  1 To end of December 2000

  Detailed evaluation criteria are not held centrally and could be collated only at disproportionate cost. However, every campaign is measured vigorously against specific communication objectives using pre- and post-campaign research, conducted by independent research companies, to record shifts in awareness, attitudes, knowledge or behaviour among the target audience(s).

  The Department employs tracking research to monitor these shifts over time and typically conducts telephone surveys of respondents to advertising campaigns to monitor satisfaction with the services offered and actions taken as a result of the campaign. It routinely tests the likely effectiveness of different creative approaches on the target audience(s) through market research, as part of the development of advertising campaigns. Lessons learned from previous campaigns are used to inform future ones.

  European Disability Forum
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on the work of the European Disability Forum. [145873]

  Ms Hodge
  The Government recognise the importance of a network of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) at European level. Within the European Community, the European Disability Forum has a key role in representing the views of disabled people, informing policy development, and delivering specific actions. The Government acknowledge this and are keen to maintain a constructive dialogue with the Forum.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what appraisal he has carried out of the implications of European Council Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000 for the legal and administrative arrangements affecting disabled people in employment and occupation in the United Kingdom. [145872]

  Ms Hodge
  We published a consultation document and Regulatory Impact Assessment on 29 August 2000 based on the first draft of the directive. The directive was published in its final form on 27 November 2000. We have been considering the directive and although we have not completed our considerations, it is clear that the 334W
  Disability Rights Task Force anticipated many of the requirements of the directive in its report published in December 1999. We hope to deal with these when we publish our final response to the Task Force's report and we will also be publishing shortly an explanatory memorandum on the text of the directive.

  Standard Spending Assessment
  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will rank local education authorities by the average amount that their education spending has exceeded their education SSA, as a percentage of that SSA, for the years since 1997–98. [144621]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The following table gives, for each local education authority in England, their rank position according to the average amount that their budgeted education spending has exceeded their education SSA, as a percentage of SSA, taken over the financial years 1998–99 to 2000–01, the years for which this information is readily available and compatible from year to year.

  LEAs ranked accordn g to their education spending in relation to SSA, averaged over 1998–99, 1999–2000, and 2000–01

  LEA

  Percentage

  Kensington and Chelsea

  26.6

  Westminster

  13.1

  Bristol

  12.3

  Windsor and Maidenhead

  10.2

  Bath and North East Somerset

  9.9

  Trafford

  9.1

  Rutland

  8.5

  Coventry

  7.7

  Cheshire

  7.5

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  7.4

  Dudley

  6.9

  Birmingham

  6.8

  Dorset

  6.5

  South Gloucestershire

  6.4

  Wolverhampton

  6.1

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  6.0

  York

  5.5

  North Somerset

  5.4

  North Yorkshire

  5.4

  Nottinghamshire

  5.0

  Leeds

  4.9

  Gateshead

  4.9

  St. Helens

  4.9

  Somerset

  4.9

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  4.8

  Wigan

  4.8

  Durham

  4.6

  Salford

  4.4

  Cumbria

  4.2

  Richmond upon Thames

  4.2

  Warwickshire

  4.2

  North Lincolnshire

  4.1

  North Tyneside

  4.0

  Reading

  4.0

  Southampton

  4.0

  Barnet

  3.9

  Poole

  3.9

  Leicestershire

  3.9

  Lancashire

  3.8

  Cambridgeshire

  3.3

  Bournemouth

  3.2

  Stockport

  3.1

  Sefton

  3.1

  Camden

  3.1

  Shropshire

  3.0

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  LEAs ranked accoding to their education spending in relation to SSA, averaged over 1998–99,1999–2000, and 2000–01

  LEA

  Percentage

  Harrow

  2.9

  Derbyshire

  2.9

  West Sussex

  2.8

  Sandwell

  2.7

  Luton

  2.6

  Norfolk

  2.4

  Suffolk

  2.3

  Brighton and Hove

  2.2

  Lambeth

  1.9

  Oldham

  1.9

  Warrington

  1.8

  Southwark

  1.8

  Portsmouth

  1.7

  Barking and Dagenham

  1.6

  Hampshire

  1.5

  Bury

  1.5

  Stockton on Tees

  1.3

  Kingston upon Thames

  1.3

  North East Lincolnshire

  1.2

  Lincolnshire

  1.2

  Blackburn with Darwen

  1.2

  Bolton

  1.1

  Staffordshire

  1.0

  West Berkshire (Newbury)

  0.9

  Croydon

  0.8

  Wokingham

  0.8

  Waltham Forest

  0.8

  East Sussex

  0.8

  Sutton

  0.8

  Isles of Scilly

  0.8

  Solihull

  0.8

  Wiltshire

  0.7

  Kingston upon Hull

  0.7

  Walsall

  0.7

  Northumberland

  0.6

  Calderdale

  0.6

  Isle of Wight

  0.6

  Southend on Sea

  0.3

  Kirklees

  0.3

  Tower Hamlets

  0.3

  Wakefield

  0.3

  Rochdale

  0.3

  Islington

  0.3

  Havering

  0.2

  Essex

  0.2

  Hertfordshire

  0.2

  Sheffield

  0.1

  Ealing

  0.1

  Haringey

  0.1

  Northamptonshire

  0.1

  Bedfordshire

  0.0

  Devon

  0.0

  Lewisham

  -0.1

  Stoke-on-Trent

  -0.1

  Redcar and Cleveland

  -0.1

  Herefordshire

  -0.1

  City of Plymouth

  -0.2

  Peterborough

  -0.3

  Worcestershire

  -0.3

  Tameside

  -0.3

  Enfield

  -0.3

  Manchester

  -0.4

  Hartlepool

  -0.4

  Surrey

  -0.6

  Halton

  -0.6

  Doncaster

  -0.7

  Bracknell Forest

  -0.7

  Kent

  -0.7

  Cornwall

  -0.8

  Buckinghamshire

  -0.8

  Thurrock

  -1.0

  Liverpool

  -1.0

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  LEAs ranked accoding to their education spending in relation to SSA, averaged over 1998–99,1999–2000, and 2000–01

  LEA

  Percentage

  Gloucestershire

  -1.1

  Greenwich

  -1.1

  Merton

  -1.2

  Darlington

  -1.2

  City of Derby

  -1.2

  South Tyneside

  -1.2

  Wirral

  -1.3

  Torbay

  -1.4

  Oxfordshire

  -1.6

  Hillingdon

  -1.6

  Sunderland

  -1.7

  Swindon (Thamesdown)

  -1.8

  Leicester City

  -1.8

  Medway

  -1.8

  Hounslow

  -1.9

  Rotherham

  -1.9

  Redbridge

  -2.0

  Wandsworth

  -2.0

  City of Nottingham

  -2.4

  Telford and Wrekin

  -2.4

  Knowsley

  -2.6

  Bromley

  -2.8

  Barnsley

  -3.0

  Bradford

  -3.0

  Newham

  -3.2

  Bexley

  -3.8

  Hackney

  -3.8

  Brent

  -4.1

  Milton Keynes

  -4.6

  Slough

  -4.7

  Blackpool

  -4.8

  Middlesbrough

  -5.6

  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the average per pupil standard spending assessment is in(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools in (i) England and (ii) Somerset; if he will estimate the sums which would be available for education in Somerset if the average per pupil standard spending assessment for primary and secondary schools in Somerset were the same as the average for England; and if he will make a statement. [144594]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The table shows the 2001–02 provisional education SSA per primary and secondary pupil for Somerset and England.

  £

  SSA

  Somerset

  England

  Primary per pupil

  2,405

  2,588

  Secondary per pupil

  3,098

  3,314

  If Somerset's SSA per pupil for primary and secondary schools was the same as the national average, it is estimated that its provisional 2001–02 education SSA would be £12.6 million higher. Between 1997–98 and 2000–01, funding per pupil in Somerset has increased by £360 in real terms. In addition to a provisional increase of £10.7 million in education SSA, schools in Somerset will benefit from an estimated £5.39 million in Direct Grant in 2001–02.

  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what his estimate is of the level of spending per pupil in(a) primary schools and

  337W
  (b) secondary schools in Somerset for each year from 1990–91 to 2001–02, expressed in 1999–2000 prices: and if he will make a statement. [144595]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Spending on schools in Somerset for the financial years 1990–91 to 1998–99, the latest year for which this information is readily available, is given separately for primary and secondary schools in the table. These figures are based on net institutional expenditure at 1999–2000 prices.

  £ per pupil

  Pre-primary and primary

  Secondary

  1990–91

  1,610

  2,430

  1991–92

  1,670

  2,410

  1992–93

  1,800

  2,660

  1993–94

  1,850

  2,490

  1994–95

  1,910

  2,430

  1995–96

  1,850

  2,470

  1996–97

  1,780

  2,400

  1997–98

  1,780

  2,340

  1998–99

  1,860

  2,430

  The second table sets out the resources made available to Somerset local education authority for primary and secondary education since 1997–98, at 2000–01 prices. These figures are not directly comparable with net institutional expenditure set out, but they do reflect real terms increases in primary and secondary funding per pupil over the last three years of £370 and £330 respectively.

  £ per pupil

  Standard spending assessment

  Special and specific grants

  SSA and special/specific grants

  Primary

  1997–98

  2,140

  40

  2,180

  1998–99

  2,200

  40

  2,240

  1999–2000

  2,270

  120

  2,390

  2000–01

  2,310

  240

  2,550

  Secondary

  1997–98

  2,810

  30

  2,850

  1998–99

  2,870

  40

  2,910

  1999–2000

  2,920

  80

  3,000

  2000–01

  2,980

  190

  3,180

  Under this Government, funding per pupil has already increased by over £300 nationally. Under the last Government, funding per pupil fell by £60 in real terms between 1994–95 and 1997–98. There will be further increases in funding following the year 2000 spending review: a further £370 per pupil over the three-year period, taking the total increase to nearly £700 between 1997–98 and 2003–04.

  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list for each local education authority in England the amount each such authority has spent on education above its education SSA for each of the years 1995–96 to 2001–02(a) in cash terms and (b) as a percentage of the total education SSA of the authority. [144620]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  A table containing a comparison of SSA and budgeted expenditure, for each local education authority in England for the years 1995–96 to 2000–01,338W
  the latest year for which this information is available, has been placed today in the Library. The information is given both in cash terms and as a percentage of the total education SSA.

  To a great extent the variation in budgeted spending compared to SSA from year to year reflects the annual decisions each local authority makes to fluctuating demands and priorities for the funding of various services. For 2000–01, information on budgeted spending was taken from budget statements submitted to the Department by local education authorities under s52 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. Information for prior years was submitted to the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions by local authorities on the Revenue Accounts return.

  ICT Funding
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what monitoring of local education authorities his Department undertakes to ensure that ICT funding is distributed to schools in an appropriate manner. [146085]

  Mr. Wills
  Local education authorities have submitted ICT development plans that indicate how they propose to achieve the National Grid for Learning targets in their schools, and provide regular reports on how these are being implemented. From 2001 these reports will also be used to identify progress towards the minimum standards of ICT provision in schools defined as the NGfL baseline. Complementary information is collected at national level through the DfEE's annual survey of ICT in schools, while expenditure supported by NGfL funding is audited alongside that funded by other Standards Fund grants.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement about the advice he offers to local education authorities on the distribution of ICT funds to schools. [146084]

  Mr. Wills
  Research proves that ICT can deliver real educational benefits for both teachers and learners.

  By supporting £657 million of expenditure on ICT in schools between 1998 and 2002 as part of the National Grid for Learning initiative—and by committing a further £710 million of support between 2002 and 2004—we intend to make these benefits available in all schools.

  To ensure that this investment is used effectively, local education authorities and schools can access detailed guidance on the Standards Fund website (http://www.dfee.gov.uk/standardsfund/) including copies of relevant DfEE circulars. The guidance makes clear that in devolving funding to schools, LEAs must ensure that schools are able to achieve the targets set out in 1998 in the NGfL Challenge, and that in doing so, they meet the minimum standards of ICT provision defined in the NGfL baseline.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Awards
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the budgeted
  339W
  value of the awards made in 2000–01 in each Government Office region by (a) Sport England and (b) the Arts Council. [144278]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The information is in the table. For Sport England the figure for each region covers the lottery grants awarded since April 2000 to date, regional specific grant-in-aid, plus expenditure on the national sports centres. For the Arts Council for England the figure represents the amount of lottery funding delegated to the regional arts boards and the amount of grant-in-aid given to each regional arts board.

  £

  Sport England

  Arts Council for England

  East of England

  6,082,718

  9,582,972

  East Midlands

  7,098,084

  11,319,932

  London

  5,824,227

  50,122,428

  North East

  2,290,311

  12,021,0821

  North West

  10,114,925

  24,914,128

  South East

  8,090,819

  8,009,364

  Southern2

  n/a

  14,455,863

  South West

  10,365,256

  11,415,644

  West Midlands

  8,801,880

  16,636,080

  Yorkshire

  5,151,847

  12,500,978

  1 Northern Arts covers the North East Government Office Region plus Cumbria which is in the North West Government Office Region

  2 Most of the Southern Arts Board are in the Government Office South East region

  Wembley
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had about securing the land for a warm up track at Wembley. [145836]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  Neither the Minister for Sport nor I have had any discussions about securing land for a warm-up track at Wembley. My officials recently asked the secretariat of the Wembley Task Force to update the assessment they made in 1999 on the feasibility of a warm-up facility adjacent to the stadium. WNSL have now concluded that Wembley cannot accommodate the 2005 world athletics championships.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what discussions his Department has had with(a) Sport England and (b) Brent council about establishing a regional sports facility around the warm up track to be built for the 2005 world athletics championships at Wembley; [145742]

  (2) if his discussions with Rodney Walker on 10 January included discussion of Government funding of (a) the National Stadium and (b) developments associated with it. [145832]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The Minister for Sport and I met Sir Rodney Walker, Chairman of Wembley National Stadium Ltd., on 10 January to receive a verbal report on the progress of WNSL's review of the Wembley stadium project. At that meeting, Sir Rodney updated us on the discussions he has had with UK Athletics, Sport England, the London borough of Brent and other interested parties.340W
  My Department has had no discussions with Sport England, or Brent council about establishing a regional sports facility around any warm-up track were such a track to be built at Wembley.

  The Government welcome WNSL's announcement ruling out the possibility of athletics returning to Wembley for the 2005 world athletics championships. This decision should bring certainty to both projects, and accords with the long-standing view of both UK athletics and the Government that Lee Valley is by far the best option for the 2005 world athletics championships and for ensuring athletics has a long-term legacy stadium and a new centre of excellence to develop future generations of world-class athletes.

  Regional Arts Boards
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which of the English regional arts boards have a vacant literature officer post; and for how long each of these posts have been vacant. [145833]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  East England Arts is the only regional arts board currently without a literature officer. The post has been vacant since the summer.

  Arts Council
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proportion of Arts Council funding is spent on literature. [145834]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  In 1999–2000, the Arts Council of England spent £1.707 million or 0.8 per cent. of its funding directly on literature, although literature also benefited from support to cross-artform initiatives such as the new audiences programme.

  Spoliation Advisory Panel
  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the Government's proposals in response to the claim concerning the "View of Hampton Court Palace" by Jan Griffier the Elder at the Tate Gallery. [146570]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  I have received the report, which is published today as a parliamentary paper, of the spoliation advisory panel's examination of the claim in relation to the Griffier painting in the Tate Gallery. On behalf of the Government, I welcome the panel's report and will implement the recommendation which is addressed to us.

  In setting up the panel, we recognised the duty to do what the Government can to play their part in righting these historic wrongs and the need to ensure that questions of ownership of works of art arising from the terrible events of the Nazi era are resolved. Although the report makes it clear that the family, who wish to remain anonymous, have no legal title to the painting, and that there is no criticism whatsoever of the Tate Gallery, I accept on behalf of the Government the panel's advice that there is a moral strength to the claimant's argument and that, in the spirit of the declaration of principles agreed at the Washington conference on holocaust-era assets held in December 1998, this justifies an ex gratia payment of £125,000.

CABINET OFFICE

  Social Inclusion
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what account the social inclusion strategy takes of the role of independent advice services in the provision of free and impartial advice. [146092]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The Social Exclusion Unit's third report on deprived neighbourhoods—"A New Commitment to Neighbourhood Renewal: National Strategy Action Plan"—was launched by the Government on Monday 15 January 2001. The report—the culmination of over two years' research and a nationwide consultation—set out a more comprehensive approach than ever before for tackling neighbourhood deprivation.

  Voluntary and community organisations—such as independent advice services—have an important role to play in the implementation of the strategy. At local level, neighbourhood renewal will be led by local strategic partnerships—made up of community, voluntary, public and private sector organisations. Each partnership will prepare a local neighbourhood renewal strategy, setting out a programme for change agreed with all key people and institutions with a stake in the area.

  Independent advice services were one group among the many that took part in the consultation, helping in the development of the national strategy.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Assembly (Vacancies)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on his responsibilities in relation to vacancies among the membership of the Northern Ireland Assembly and the method proposed for filling the vacancy in Strangford. [145789]

  Mr. Mandelson
  Under Article 6 of the New Northern Ireland Assembly (Elections) Order 1998, vacancies can be filled without a by-election if a substitute has been nominated. In the absence of such a person the Chief Electoral Officer is required to inform the Presiding Officer of the need for a by-election.

  Official Visits
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many nights on official business(a) he and (b) his Ministers spent in Northern Ireland in each month in 2000. [145196]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The details requested are contained in the following table:

  Nights spent in NI—2000

  Mr. Mandelson

  Mr. Ingram

  Mr. Howarth

  January

  19

  8

  9

  February

  21

  11

  4

  March

  18

  8

  16

  April

  17

  6

  8

  May

  16

  10

  7

  342W

  Nights spent in NI—2000

  Mr. Mandelson

  Mr. Ingram

  Mr. Howarth

  June

  11

  4

  7

  July

  18

  9

  8

  August

  11

  9

  6

  September

  11

  8

  7

  October

  17

  12

  12

  November

  13

  6

  8

  December

  14

  7

  9

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many times he used scheduled flights between Northern Ireland and Great Britain on official business during 2000. [145197]

  Mr. Mandelson
  As is the customary practice, during 2000 I did not use any scheduled flights between Northern Ireland and Great Britain for official business.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Overseas Missions
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what bar there is to people of any faith being appointed to be head of particular United Kingdom missions overseas; and if he will make a statement. [145347]

  Mr. Hain
  The only case in which a genuine occupational requirement restricts appointment to the position of head of mission is in the case of the annual temporary consular delegation to pilgrims performing the Hajj, where it is essential that all members of the mission should be Muslims. Otherwise, there is no bar to any appointment on religious grounds.

  Official Publications
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list each new publication issued by his Department since 1997 and what the total cost was to the Department of each publication. [141458]

  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 11 December 2000]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the right hon. Member for Penrith and The Border (Mr. Maclean) on 3 November 1999, Official Report, column 184W. The information requested has been placed in the Library. In addition, the 1999 and 2000 FCO departmental reports cost £18,628 and £17,520 respectively.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his Department's spending on official publications was for(a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99, (d) 1999–2000 and (e) 2000–01; and what the planned expenditure is for 2001–02. [141454]
  343W
  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 11 December 2000]: The spending on official publications by the Public Diplomacy (formerly Information) Department of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office was:

  Year

  £

  1997–97

  1,893,549.68

  1997–98

  3,498,496.81

  1998–99

  1,995,989.46

  1999–2000

  1,802,149.88

  2000–01

  1,187,492.16

  2001–02

  11,516,345.00

  1 Estimated

  This does not include any staff costs.

  Colombia
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the EU aid package to Colombia will ensure that humanitarian assistance is brought to internally displaced communities. [145362]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]: EU assistance for the peace process in Colombia of 105 million euro over the period 2000–06 will support human rights, long-term economic and social development and an end to violence.

  The EU has stated that particular attention should be paid to, among others, victims of violence. We are very concerned at the levels of displacement within Colombian society and we will continue to do all we can to ensure that displaced people are included in the EU package of support. The UK has supported a number of projects among the displaced over recent years, both bilaterally and through the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) and the UNHCR office in Bogota.

  Kumbh Mela
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures his Department has taken to support Hindu pilgrims from the United Kingdom attending the Kumbh Mela. [145912]

  Mr. Hain
  Consular staff in London and India are on standby to provide such assistance as may be required by British visitors to the Kumbh Mela festival, which has traditionally been a trouble-free event.

  Burma
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the EU/ASEAN meeting, with particular reference to Burma. [144033]

  Mr. Battle
  I attended the EU-ASEAN ministerial meeting in Vientiane on 11–12 December when we had a full and frank discussion on Burma. EU and ASEAN Ministers lent their full support to the efforts of Mr. Razali, UN Special Envoy on Burma, and there have since been encouraging reports that Aung San Suu Kyi and the regime have established initial contracts. The Burmese authorities also publicly committed themselves at the Vientiane meeting to allowing the forthcoming 344W
  EU Troika mission full access to Aung San Suu Kyi and other opposition groups. This visit will take place on 29–31 January.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Beef
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the impact on beef prices in the United Kingdom of decisions by other EU countries to restrict the import of French beef. [144322]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: I do not anticipate that restrictions on the import of French beef introduced by some EU member states will have a significant effect on UK market prices. UK beef prices firmed during December and are currently about 2.5 per cent. down on this time last year. During November 2000 prices were around 10 per cent. down on the same time the previous year.

  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the loss of income to British farmers consequent on the French Government's ban on the import of beef cattle from Britain. [145879]

  Ms Quin
  No additional loss of income arises as a result of the French ban on live beef cattle from the UK because the export of live cattle is also banned under EU rules. However, British farmers will have suffered a loss of income as a result of the French ban on British beef produced in accordance with the EU approved Date Based Export Scheme (DBES). Exact amounts cannot be quantified. It is necessary to take into account the difficulties in operating DBES and changes in exchange rates, but France was previously the largest export market for british beef and the French ban is likely to have affected the confidence of potential customers in other countries.

  Farming (Somerset)
  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many(a) pig units, (b) dairy units and (c) poultry units there were in (i) Somerset and (ii) Yeovil constituency in (A) 1980–81, (B) 1990–91, (C) 1995–96, (D) 1998–99 and (E) 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [144585]

  Ms Quin
  The information available is provided in the table.

  Number of holdings

  1981

  1991

  1996

  1999

  2000

  Somerset

  Holdings with cattle

  2,295

  1,685

  1,422

  1,289

  1,214

  Holdings with pigs

  697

  463

  350

  372

  334

  Holdings with poultry

  n/a

  1,114

  1,005

  1,020

  948

  Yeovil parliamentary constituency

  Holdings with cattle

  —

  —

  —

  182

  —

  Holdings with pigs

  —

  —

  —

  51

  —

  Holdings with poultry

  —

  —

  —

  n/a

  —

  Note:

  Parliamentary constituency data are only available from 1999. The 2000 data will be available by the end of April 2001.

  Source:

  June agricultural and horticultural census.

  The data relate to main holdings only, i.e. minor holdings excluded.

  Farmers (Suicides and Bankruptcies)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the latest figures on(a) farming suicides and (b) farm bankruptcies. [145781]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 16 January 2001]: (a) The latest figures on farming suicides were provided in a written response to my hon. Friend on 27 November 2000, Official Report, columns 399–400W.

  We are very concerned about the high incidence of stress and suicide among farmers. We are closely involved with a number of organisations working to alleviate the level of stress in rural areas as my previous reply indicated.

  (b) Data on bankruptcies in the agricultural and horticultural sector in England and Wales are given in the table. These data correct figures for 1999 previously given in the answer of 13 November 2000, Official Report, column 461W and 20 November 2000, Official Report, column 63W.

  Figures for the first two quarters of 2000 show a decrease in total farming bankruptcies of 15 per cent. compared with the same period in 1999. the current level of bankruptcies is 40 per cent. lower than in 1992 and represents 0.1 per cent. of the farming industry1. Bankruptcy is a last resort and most fanners leaving the industry as a result of financial pressure do so in an orderly manner by selling up and realising their assets.

  Number of bankruptcies2 in the agricultural and horticultural sector: England and Wales 1990–2000

  Year

  Bankruptcies of self-employed individuals

  Company insolvencies3

  Total

  1990

  198

  111

  309

  1991

  266

  135

  401

  1992

  313

  191

  504

  1993

  277

  157

  434

  1994

  231

  166

  397

  1995

  218

  99

  317

  1996

  168

  89

  257

  1997

  155

  51

  206

  1998

  157

  65

  222

  1999

  183

  75

  258

  2000

  88

  31

  4,5119

  1 Based on the number of holdings in the June Agricultural and Horticultural Census

  2 Source—Department of Trade and Industry

  3 Including Partnerships

  4 First two quarters only

  5 Third quarter bankruptcy data will be available on 2 February 2001

  Departmental Advertising
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list for(a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99, (d) 1999–2000 and (e) 2000–01, (i) his Department's total spending on advertising campaigns, (ii) the cost of each individual advertising campaign and (iii) the criteria that were established to gauge the effectiveness of each campaign; and what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of each campaign based on these criteria. [142715]
  346W
  Ms Quin
  Detailed data relating to advertising campaigns, undertaken by MAFF for years since 1996–97 are available only at disproportionate cost. However, the following represents the best available information about apportionment of funding to advertising activity for the years in question. For the year 1999–2000 to date, total media costs are shown as a single figure.

  £

  1996–97

  Rabies

  138,000

  Personal imports

  134,000

  Total

  272,000

  1997–98

  Cattle passports

  8,000

  Personal imports

  102,000

  National Science week

  2,000

  IACS

  7,000

  Sheep scab

  22,000

  Livestock markets (animal welfare)

  22,000

  Cattle traceability

  54,000

  Food safety

  176,000

  Miscellaneous

  30,000

  Total

  423,000

  1998–99

  Clean livestock

  10,000

  Equine viral arthritis

  3,000

  TB in badgers

  4,000

  Livestock markets (animal welfare)

  40,000

  Science in practice

  8,000

  Personal imports

  166,000

  BSE

  29,000

  Cattle passports

  34,000

  Food safety

  850,000

  Total

  1,144,000

  1999–20001

  Recruitment

  4,000

  Animal Health

  7,000

  Environment

  6,000

  Pet travel scheme

  98,000

  Miscellaneous

  21,000

  Media costs attributable to 1999 campaigns to date

  771,000

  Total

  907,000

  1 To date

  Advertising is usually a limited part of a campaign strategy. It has therefore not been subject to specific evaluation as a general rule. However, the recent Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) campaign was evaluated: to monitor awareness of the scheme; to monitor awareness of the advertising; and to assess whether the campaigns intended messages had been communicated. Overall, those objectives were considered to have been achieved.

  Organic Farming
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of farmland was farmed organically in each of the last five years(a) nationally and (b) in the region that includes the Lewes constituency; and

  347W
  what support his Department is giving to support an expansion of organic farming (i) nationally and (ii) in the region that includes the Lewes constituency. [145387]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 16 January 2001]: The percentage of farmland farmed organically in each of the last five years in the UK is as follows:

  Percentage

  2000

  2.77

  1999

  0.47

  1998

  0.32

  1997

  0.30

  1996

  0.28

  Equivalent figures for the English regions are not readily available.

  Species of primates

  Number of primates1

  Origin

  Expiry date

  1 Licence

  Rhesus Macaca Mulatta

  12

  Germany

  5 March 2001

  1 Licence

  Cynomolgus Macaca Fascicularis

  100

  Mauritius

  6 March 2001

  1 Licence

  Cynomolgus Macaca Fascicularis

  100

  Mauritius

  6 March 2001

  1 Licence

  Cynomolgus Macaca Fascicularis

  100

  Mauritius

  6 March 2001

  1 Licence

  Cynomolgus Macaca Fascicularis

  100

  Mauritius

  27 May 2001

  1 Licence

  Cynomolgus Macaca Fascicularis

  100

  Mauritius

  27 May 2001

  1 Licence

  Cynomolgus Macaca Fascicularis

  100

  Mauritius

  27 May 2001

  1 Licence

  Cynomolgus Macaca Fascicularis

  100

  Mauritius

  27 May 2001

  1 Licence

  Cynomolgus Macaca Fascicularis

  100

  Mauritius

  27 May 2001

  1 Licence

  Cynomolgus Macaca Fascicularis

  100

  Mauritius

  27 May 2001

  1 Licence

  Cynomolgus Macaca Fascicularis

  100

  Mauritius

  27 May 2001

  1 Licence

  Cynomolgus Macaca Fascicularis

  100

  Mauritius

  27 May 2001

  1 Licence

  Cynomolgus Macaca Fascicularis

  100

  Mauritius

  27 May 2001

  1 Licence

  Cynomolgus Macaca Fascicularis

  100

  Mauritius

  27 May 2001

  1 Licence

  Cynomolgus Macaca Fascicularis

  60

  Mauritius

  10 June 2001

  1 Licence

  Cynomolgus Macaca Fascicularis

  60

  Mauritius

  10 June 2001

  1 Licence

  Cynomolgus Macaca Fascicularis

  60

  Mauritius

  10 June 2001

  1 Licence

  Cynomolgus Macaca Fascicularis

  60

  Mauritius

  10 June 2001

  1 Licence

  Cynomolgus Macaca Fascicularis

  60

  Mauritius

  10 June 2001

  1 Licence

  Cynomolgus Macaca Fascicularis

  2

  China

  24 April 2001

  1 Licence

  Cynomolgus Macaca Fascicularis

  60

  China

  1 May 2001

  1 Licences for imports are often requested in round numbers. The numbers quoted do not imply the numbers which will actually be imported.

  Suckler Cow Premium
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by when he expects his Department to have distributed all the early payments of the suckler cow premium to farmers. [145920]

  Ms Quin
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Totnes (Mr. Steen) on 8 January 2001,Official Report, columns 454–55W.

  Farmers (Tractor Driving)
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to oppose EU proposals to limit the tractor driving time for farmers. [144262]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: I support the Government's policy on the Physical Agents (Vibration) Directive on the need to have a realistic and balanced approach to avoid damage to the health of workers, including farmers and their employees, through the effects of excessive vibration, while permitting them
  348W
  The Organic Farming Scheme, which forms part of the England Rural Development Programme (ERDP), provides aid to farmers wishing to convert to organic farming. The budget for the scheme over the life of the ERDP is £140 million. In addition, the Organic Conversion Information Service (OCIS), which is funded by MAFF, provides free advice to farmers considering conversion.

  Animal Research (Importation Licences)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the current importation licences which permit the import of non-human primates into the United Kingdom for use in research, indicating for each licence, broken down by species,(a) the number of non-human primates involved, (b) the origin of the primates and (c) the expiry date of the licence; and if he will make a statement. [145376]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 16 January 2001]: The figures requested are detailed in the table:

  to carry on their business. Following my raising concerns in the Agriculture Council about the unjustifiably heavy regulatory burden which the German Presidency's original proposals would have imposed on farmers, the Employment and Social Policy Council has unanimously reached a compromise political agreement which provides for a more realistic limit on whole-body vibration exposure and a lengthy transition period for agriculture.

  Agrimonetary Compensation
  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he plans to make a formal application for agrimonetary compensation for farmers in the dairy, beef, sheep and cereal sectors this year. [145092]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]: We are awaiting the publication of figures for possible agrimonetary compensation by the European Commission. We then have until 30 April to decide whether to apply for any compensation.
  349W
  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received from the National Farmers Union of Scotland about agrimonetary compensation. [145090]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]: The last representations made were in October in respect of agrimonetary aid available for the arable sector. The Government announced on 2 November that the full amount of £34 million would be paid, subject to Commission approval. We hope to receive such approval soon.

  Fishing Fleet
  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much of the fund for decommissioning UK fishing vessels was spent(a) up to May 1997, (b) between May 1997 and December 2000 and (c) remains available. [145577]

  Mr. Morley
  There was no individual fund for decommissioning UK fishing vessels covering the whole of this period. However, £26.4 million was spent up to May 1997, and £13.9 million between May 1997 and December 2000.

  Nephrops
  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what additional support is being made available to fishing communities adversely affected by cuts to total allocated catches and quotas for nephrops. [145571]

  Mr. Morley
  Fisheries Departments in England and the devolved Administrations are making more than £60 million available over the next three years under the EU fisheries structural fund. We will be holding discussions with fishing industry representatives over the coming weeks to consider what additional measures are necessary to assist fishing communities including the recovery of North sea stocks.

  Fisheries
  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the effect since 1999 of United Kingdom measures against quota hopping in respect of(a) the quantity of quota stocks landed in UK ports by foreign owned UK flagged vessels and (b) additional quota being available to the UK inshore fleet. [145574]

  Mr. Morley
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Workington (Mr. Campbell-Savours) on 14 November 2000,Official Report, column 625W.

  Foreign Fishing Vessels
  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many foreign owned fishing vessels were on the UK register(a) in May 1997 and (b) at the most recent date for which figures are available. [145575]

  Mr. Morley
  Comprehensive information about the beneficial ownership of UK fishing vessels is no longer maintained by the Registry of Fishing and Seamen.350W
  However, based on advice from local port offices of the Fisheries Departments in the UK, we estimate that there were more than 160 wholly or partly foreign owned fishing vessels in the UK fleet at the end of 1996 and that this number had fallen to 115 by June 2000.

  Farm Workers
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the Government will raise the limits on the number of overseas seasonal farm workers entering this country under approved schemes. [144324]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: I have been asked to reply.

  I announced last November that the Government will be increasing the quota of non-European Economic Area (EEA) students participating in the seasonal agricultural worker scheme (SAWS) from 10,000 to 15,200 with effect from the 2001 season.

WALES

  Adoption
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action is being taken as a result of the establishment of an Adoption Register for England and Wales to ensure that Welsh-speaking children are placed in Welsh-speaking families. [146026]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Adoption Register for England and Wales will be operated in accordance with National Adoption Standards for England, Scotland and Wales, a consultation draft of which has recently been published, in Wales, by the National Assembly. The draft standards specifically recognise the importance, when making decisions, of respecting and considering children's ethnic origin, cultural background, religion and language.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of adopted Welsh-speaking children have been placed in Welsh-speaking homes in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [145998]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  That information is not held centrally.

  Landlords
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had about the introduction of further legislation to control the activities of unscrupulous landlords; and if he will make a statement. [146017]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I have regular meetings with Whitehall colleagues and the Assembly to discuss a wide range of issues including housing matters.

  The Government are committed to introducing a national mandatory licensing scheme, which aims to provide safe, acceptable living conditions without reducing the supply of private rented accommodation. The licensing proposals include changing the legal definition of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) to bring many more properties into the ambit of registration (including most student accommodation). The proposals will be introduced at the earliest parliamentary opportunity. The primary legislation will be on an England and Wales basis

  351W
  but the National Assembly would have the opportunity to influence the direction of licensing in Wales through secondary legislative powers.

  Barnett Formula
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will commission a study of the implications and practicality of replacing the Barnett Formula with a needs based formula for resource distribution within the UK. [146020]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  There are no current plans to review the Barnett Formula.

  Social Exclusion
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will review the mechanisms and systems available for people suffering from social exclusion in Wales and seek to ensure that the outcome of this review is taken into account in the formulation of the Government' s legislative programme. [146015]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Welsh Affairs Select Committee has recently undertaken an inquiry into this area. Their report, "Social Exclusion in Wales" [HC 365–1], which was published on 15 January, makes a wide range of detailed recommendations.

  The Government are considering the report very carefully and will respond to it in due course.

  ASW/Co Steel
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with ASW/Co Steel with respect to(a) climate levy assistance, (b) rate reduction and (c) financial assistance. [146048]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I met representatives of the company in June 2000, when we discussed a range of issues, and I am aware of their concerns. I understand that the company has also had discussions with officials of the Department of Trade and Industry and of the National Assembly for Wales, who are responsible for rates and local government finance issues in Wales.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Hinduja Brothers
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received on the applications by G. P. Hinduja and S. P. Hinduja for British citizenship from(a) the right hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson), and (b) the hon.. Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz). [143393]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 18 December 2000]: I presume the hon. Member is referring to the applications for naturalisation made by Mr. G. P. Hinduja and Mr. S. P. Hinduja. Both Members to whom he referred, along with other hon. Members, made inquiries about the cases.

  My hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz) made inquiries about when a decision could be expected in the cases, and my right hon. Friend the Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson) made inquiries about how an
  352W
  application might be viewed given the Government's wider policy of encouraging citizenship from long-standing residents who fulfilled the criteria, but did not make representations that an application be granted.

  Data Protection
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have requested to see the files held on them by the security and intelligence services under the Data Protection Act 1998 and European Data Protection Directive 1995: and if he will make a statement. [145435]

  Mr. Straw
  The Security Service has received 46 requests under the Data Protection Act 1998: no requests have been recorded under the 1995 European Community Data Protection Directive.

  The other two intelligence and security agencies come under the authority of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Cook), and his Department has provided the following figures:
  for the Government Communications Headquarters—15 requests under the Data Protection Act 1998; and
  for the Secret Intelligence Service—30 requests under the Data Protection Act 1998.

  No requests under the 1995 European Community Data Protection Directive have been recorded by either agency.

  A request by someone to see any file held on him or her is not in itself an indication as to whether such a file exists or has existed.

  North Yorkshire Police
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many serving police officers there were in the North Yorkshire police force on(a) 1 May 1997, (b) 1 May 1999 and (c) 1 January 2001. [145601]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information about police numbers is collected twice a year on 31 March and 30 September. The table therefore sets out police numbers for 31 March 1997 and 1999 and for 30 September 2000.

  North Yorkshire Police

  Year

  Number of officers

  31 March 1997

  1,338

  31 March 1999

  1,337

  30 September 2000

  1,293

  With funding from the crime fighting fund, North Yorkshire police will be able to recruit 68 police officers over three years from 2000–01 to 2002–03, over an above the number they had otherwise planned to recruit in that period.

  North Wales Police
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he has taken to improve links between ethnic minorities and the North Wales police. [145393]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Responsibility for improving links with minority ethnic communities lies with individual chief officers of police. The ministerial priority
  353W
  to increase trust and confidence in policing among minority ethnic communities which my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has set the police service underlines the importance which the Government attach to this.

  A key element of the programme of work set out in our action plan to take forward the recommendations of the Stephen Lawrence inquiry focuses on improved links between the minority ethnic community and the police and provides an agenda for action by forces. Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary inspection reports on police community relations, "Winning the Race", "Winning the Race Revisited" and "Winning the Race Embracing Diversity", the latter published on 18 January, also contain a number of recommendations on the work that forces should be undertaking to improve links with the minority ethnic community. The Home Office's policing and reducing crime unit report, "Widening Access: Improving Police Relations with Hard to Reach Groups", also published on 18 January, puts forward suggestions for good practice in improving relations with the community, particularly on consultation.

  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many successful prosecutions for drink driving offences were made in the North Wales police area in(a) 1999, (b) 1994 and (c) 1997. [145391]

  Table A: Number of persons prosecuted at magistrates courts for sexual offences against children aged 16 years and under, 1990–95 England and Wales

  Number of persons

  Prosecutions

  Offences

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Sexual offences

  Buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal

  327

  300

  329

  294

  345

  125

  16

  —

  —

  —

  Attempt to commit buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal

  25

  24

  27

  15

  21

  6

  3

  —

  —

  —

  Buggery by a male of a male under 161

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  48

  66

  107

  124

  140

  Buggery by a male aged 21 or over with a male aged 16 or 171

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  2

  6

  5

  2

  Buggery by a male aged 18–20 with a male aged 16 or 171

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  —

  —

  Buggery by a male with a female under 161

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  25

  26

  35

  19

  23

  Buggery by a male aged 21 or over with a female aged 16 or 171

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  1

  1

  3

  Buggery by a male aged 18–20 with a female aged 16 or 171

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Indecent assault on male person under 16 years

  570

  522

  457

  432

  449

  400

  325

  373

  460

  432

  Gross indecency by a male aged 21 or over with a male aged under 182

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  10

  9

  30

  23

  19

  Gross indecency by a male aged 18–20 with a male aged under 182

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  3

  —

  —

  Rape of a female aged under 161

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  336

  477

  592

  698

  714

  Rape of a male aged under 161

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  18

  20

  45

  49

  63

  Attempted rape of a female aged under 161

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  32

  44

  74

  60

  60

  Attempted rape of a male aged under 161

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4

  5

  3

  9

  Indecent assault on a female under 16

  2,285

  2,138

  2,005

  1,896

  2,036

  1,797

  1,604

  1,639

  1–805

  1,818

  Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 13

  146

  155

  112

  97

  88

  77

  40

  40

  40

  32

  Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16

  292

  254

  254

  189

  202

  195

  164

  153

  171

  199

  Incest with a girl under 13

  111

  80

  50

  52

  41

  22

  26

  14

  17

  12

  Inciting girl under 16 to have incestuous sexual intercourse

  1

  1

  2

  2

  5

  3

  2

  7

  1

  4

  Householder permitting unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16

  7

  3

  9

  8

  —

  4

  4

  3

  2

  —

  Person responsible for girl under 16 causing or encouraging her prostitution etc.

  —

  2

  —

  —

  1

  —

  2

  —

  —

  1

  Male aged 21 or over procuring or attempting to procure a male under 18 of gross indecency with another male2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  6

  4

  1

  354W
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The following table gives the available information:

  Convictions for driving etc. after consuming alcohol or taking drugs in North Wales police area

  Number

  1994

  1,353

  1997

  1,354

  1999

  1,248

  Sex Offences
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been(a) charged and (b) convicted of sex offences against minors in each year since 1990. [145560]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information on the number of persons charged is not collected centrally.

  Available information, taken from the Home Office court proceedings database showing the number of persons prosecuted at magistrates courts and convicted at all courts for relevant offences are given in the tables.

  It should be noted that it is not possible to identify all sexual offences where the victim is a minor.
  355W

  Table A: Number of persons prosecuted at magistrates courts for sexual offences against children aged 16 years and under, 1990–95 England and Wales

  Number of persons

  Prosecutions

  Offences

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Abduction of unmarried girl under 16

  12

  20

  24

  13

  27

  11

  9

  6

  8

  8

  Gross indecency with boys aged 14 and under

  156

  117

  131

  102

  87

  62

  61

  63

  112

  105

  Gross indecency with girls aged 14 and under

  161

  122

  130

  155

  129

  109

  97

  109

  213

  225

  1 Buggery and attempted buggery offences under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 section 12 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, section 143

  2 Indecency between males offences under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 section 12 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, section 144

  3 Rape and attempted rape offences under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 section 1 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, section 142

  Table B: Number of persons convicted1 at all courts for sexual offences against children aged 16 years and under, 1990–95 England and Wales

  Number of persons

  Convictions1

  Offences

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Sexual offences

  Buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal

  189

  168

  163

  136

  135

  86

  5

  —

  —

  —

  Attempt to commit buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal

  18

  26

  17

  20

  16

  14

  2

  —

  —

  —

  Buggery by a male of a male under 162

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  29

  66

  70

  57

  57

  Buggery by a male aged 21 or over with a male aged 16 or 172

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  3

  6

  7

  1

  Buggery by a male aged 18–20 with a male aged 16 or 172

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  1

  Buggery by a male with a female under 162

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  7

  17

  21

  23

  13

  Buggery by a male aged 21 or over with a female aged 16 or 172

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  2

  —

  1

  —

  Buggery by a male aged 18–20 with a female aged 16 or 172

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Indecent assault on male person under 16 years

  421

  351

  363

  293

  324

  339

  355

  363

  342

  337

  Gross indecency by a male aged 21 or over with a male aged under 183

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  11

  11

  17

  18

  10

  Gross indecency by a male aged 18–20 with a male aged under 183

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  Rape of a female aged under 164

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  113

  210

  198

  221

  247

  Rape of a male aged under 164

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  13

  24

  15

  37

  Attempted rape of a female aged under 164

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  21

  35

  52

  41

  44

  Attempted rape of a male aged under 164

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  2

  5

  14

  7

  Indecent assault on a female under 16

  1,537

  1,469

  1,331

  1,205

  1,355

  1,446

  1,597

  1,627

  1,505

  1,491

  Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 13

  110

  105

  89

  76

  64

  81

  54

  44

  55

  52

  Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16

  304

  223

  218

  170

  205

  203

  207

  199

  225

  189

  Incest with a girl under 13

  84

  68

  52

  51

  35

  21

  19

  19

  19

  13

  Inciting girl under 16 to have incestuous sexual intercourse

  3

  3

  3

  2

  4

  5

  —

  3

  —

  1

  Householder permitting unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16

  5

  1

  3

  6

  2

  3

  —

  1

  2

  —

  Person responsible for girl under 16 causing or encouraging her prostitution etc.

  2

  2

  —

  1

  —

  3

  1

  1

  —

  1

  Male aged 21 or over procuring or attempting to procure a male under 18 of gross indecency with another male3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  3

  6

  7

  3

  Abduction of unmarried girl under 16

  8

  8

  12

  6

  9

  6

  3

  1

  4

  1

  Gross indecency with boys aged 14 and under

  128

  91

  99

  80

  77

  56

  53

  56

  61

  73

  Gross indecency with girls aged 14 and under

  148

  128

  129

  123

  112

  99

  109

  111

  153

  144

  1 Includes persons proceeded against in earlier years or for other offences

  2 Buggery and attempted buggery offences under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 section 12 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, section 143

  3 Indecency between males offences under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 section 12 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, section 144

  4 Rape and attempted rape offences under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 section 1 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, section 142

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the number of children under the age of 16 years who have entered the UK as asylum 356W
  seekers (a) with parents and (b) on their own in each of the last three years. [145761]

  Mrs. Roche
  The number of children under the age of 18 who have entered the United Kingdom as asylum
  357W
  seekers on their own is estimated at 1,105 in 1997, 3,040 in 1998 and 3,350 in 1999. Information for 2000 is not yet available.

  Reliable information on the number of children who have entered the United Kingdom as asylum seekers with their parents is not readily available and could only be obtained by examination of individual case records and is, therefore, available only at disproportionate cost.

  Police Armed Response Units
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers he has to prevent members of police armed response units being identified in legal proceedings. [145358]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  There are no such powers for the Secretary of State. In any legal proceedings it would be for the court to consider whether any person should be granted anonymity. In an inquest that would be a matter for the Coroner.

  Supervised Youth Facilities
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his assessment is of the availability of supervised youth facilities as an anti-crime and disorder measure; what has been the trend in the availability of such facilities over the past decade; and if he will make a statement. [145357]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Supervised youth facilities vary considerably, from youth clubs funded by the local authority through to schemes supported by volunteers in response to an identified local need. Information about the availability of such facilities is not collected centrally. It is accordingly not possible to offer a comprehensive assessment of trends in availability over time.

  We know that provision of good facilities for young people can reduce crime and disorder. This is why the Government launched the youth inclusion programme in September 1999, targeting in particular disaffected young people and those at the greatest risk of offending in the 13 to 16 age group. We expect to have 68 youth inclusion projects up and running by March, which will provide a dynamic package of activities for young people. The programme objectives are to reduce arrest rates in the target group by 60 per cent. reduce recorded crime in the programme areas by 30 per cent. and achieve reduction of at least one third in truancy and school exclusions among the target group by 2002.

  Closed Circuit Television (Gedling)
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the bid by Gedling crime prevention partnership for the latest round of CCTV funding; and when he will make an announcement. [145532]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  All outline bids submitted by local crime and disorder reduction partnerships under the latest round of the Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) initiative, including those from the Gedling crime prevention partnership, are currently under consideration. Partnerships will be notified as soon as possible if their bids have been selected to proceed to the final application stage.

  Drug Misuse (Prisons)
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the implications of the Court of Appeal's decision on Wyner and Brock on(a) Ministers', (b) his Department's officials' and (c) prison governors' responsibility for policy and management of prisons. [145448]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Ruth Wyner and John Brock, managers of the Wintercomfort day centre for the homeless in Cambridge, were convicted under section 8 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 because they were judged to have failed to take reasonable steps to prevent drug dealing on the premises for which they were responsible. The Court of Appeal upheld the convictions. The Court of Appeal's decision confirms our understanding that section 8 applies to the owner or manager of any premises and has no new implications for Ministers or Home Office officials.

  In relation to prison governors, the Government recognise that drug misuse and the supply of drugs is a problem in some prisons. A comprehensive range of measures has been implemented to tackle the supply of drugs in prisons and prison governors operate an effective strategy for preventing, as far as possible, the supply of drugs in prison establishments. I refer the hon. Member to the debate on this subject that he introduced on 29 February 2000, Official Report, columns 17–24WH.

  Crime (Wales)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he proposes to take to improve co-operation between his Department, the National Assembly for Wales and local authorities in Wales in tackling crime in Wales. [146018]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I appointed 10 crime reduction directors last year, one of whom is based in the National Assembly for Wales. Their role is to build strong relationships with local crime and disorder reduction partnerships—of which there are 22 in Wales—helping the police, local authorities, probation service, health authorities and the voluntary and community sectors increase their joint effectiveness through guidance, training, best practice and monitoring crime reduction performance.

  Within Wales the crime reduction director also reports to the Assembly Minister for Local Government and through the Assembly Minister advises the Assembly's Local Government Committee; as well as having strong links with all parts of the Assembly civil service.

  Crime reduction directors now contribute to the development of Home Office crime reduction policies to ensure that the most effective local outcomes can be designed in from the start.

  Metropolitan Police
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many constables in the Metropolitan police force there were at the end of September 2000; and if he will make a statement. [145947]
  359W
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  At the end of September 2000 there were 18,981 full-time equivalent constables in the Metropolitan police service. This accounts for 71 per cent. of the total strength of the force.

  With funding from the crime fighting fund (CFF)— £454 million over the three years 2000–01 to 2002–03— forces will be able to recruit 9,000 police officers over and above the number they had otherwise planned to recruit in that period. 2,044 of the 9,000 have been allocated to the Metropolitan police—663 this year 699 in 2001–02 and 682 in 2002–03. All of these will enter the police service in the rank of constable.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in which(a) directorate and (b) sub division of the Metropolitan police the police officer whose liaison with a member of the jury caused the abandonment of a recent High Court trial serves; and if he will make a statement. [145536]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that the officer is a Metropolitan police uniform constable in(a) the borough of Redbridge at (b) Ilford Police Station.

  Metropolitan Police (Keith Green)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which papers have been lost in respect of the complaint made by Keith Green to the Police Complaints Authority; to which agency the loss is attributable; when the loss was discovered; and if he will make a statement. [145537]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that the paper which has been lost is an internal copy of the final report of the investigation by the Metropolitan police service (MPS), which was submitted to the Police Complaints Authority and the Crown Prosecution Service and the loss was identified in the latter part of 2000. The information contained within the file is readily available from other sources within the MPS and a duplicate file has been made.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what basis, and for what amount, the Metropolitan police has made an out of court settlement to Keith Green. [145541]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis has advised me that the judge ordered that there would be a confidentiality order on this settlement and that any disclosure of information would constitute contempt of court.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason Keith Green has been refused a copy of the notebook belonging to Superintendent Jarrett. [145539]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis has informed me that they are unsure as to which particular notebook entry this question refers to. If it is the notebook containing an entry that relates to an incident which later became subject of a court case, the pocket book would have been copied and given to the defence team dealing with this case. If it is an entry that 360W
  relates to an internal matter only, the pocket book would not be available unless the pocket book subsequently became the subject of a disciplinary matter.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will appoint an officer from a force outside the Metropolitan Police to conduct an investigation into the complaints made by Keith Green; and if he will make a statement. [145538]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that the complaints made by Keith Green are currently being investigated by the directorate of professional standards of the Metropolitan police service. At this stage, he considers that it is unnecessary for an outside force to be appointed to conduct the investigation.

  Metropolitan Police (John Redgrave)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the disciplinary hearing of John Redgrave will be conducted by the Metropolitan police; and if he will make a statement. [145540]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis has informed me that a two-day preliminary hearing has been set for 8 and 9 March 2001, and that John Redgrave is aware of this.

  Stray Horses
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what communications his Department has had with(a) Essex Police Authority, (b) Essex Fire Brigade and (c) Thurrock Borough Council about hazards presented by horses straying on to the highway. [146101]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  No communications, other than those necessary to establish the background to this question, have taken place.

  Crime Statistics
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the offences punishable by a fine at(a) level one, (b) level two, (c) level three, (d) level four and (e) level five on the standard scale. [146040]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information is not available in the form requested and could be produced in that form only at disproportionate cost. However, I am placing in the Library a copy of a booklet entitled "Criminal Statistics, Volume III, Part 1, Appendix 1, Part 1, For Court Proceedings and Cautions—2001 CODES" which lists, for each offence separately identified, the maximum sentence in both magistrates courts and the Crown court. The document does not list all offences since many, mainly summary, offences are grouped and their maximum sentences are not, therefore, separately identifiable.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for the most recent year for which figures are available, the number of convictions for each criminal offence which were punished by fine at level(a) one, (b) two, (c) three, (d) four, and (e) five on the standard scale. [146041]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Limited available data, taken from the Home Office Court Proceedings Database are given in the table.
  361W
  Offences are grouped together by using the main Home Office classification definition, as produced within the more detailed "Criminal statistics, England and Wales,

  Number of offenders fined for all offences at all courts by offence and amount of fine, England and Wales, 1999

  Amount of fine

  Offence description

  Up to and including £200

  Over £200 and up to and including £500

  Over £500 and up to and including £1,000

  Over £1,000 and up to and including £2,500

  Over £2,500 and up to and including £5,000

  Over £5,000

  Total fined

  3. Threat or Conspiracy to Murder

  8

  5

  1

  —

  —

  —

  14

  4–4. Causing Death by Dangerous Driving

  —

  1

  3

  —

  2

  —

  6

  5. Wounding or other Act Endangering Life

  25

  9

  —

  —

  —

  —

  34

  6. Endangering Railway Passenger

  3

  8

  1

  1

  —

  —

  13

  7. Endangering Life at Sea

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  2

  8. Other Wounding etc.

  3,496

  766

  83

  23

  1

  —

  4,369

  11. Cruelty to or Neglect of Children

  8

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  9

  12. Abandoning Child aged under Two Years

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  13. Child Abduction

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  2

  16. Buggery

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  17. Indecent Assault on a Male

  4

  8

  —

  1

  —

  —

  13

  18. Indecency between males

  40

  9

  —

  —

  —

  —

  49

  20. Indecent Assault on a Female

  33

  44

  2

  —

  —

  —

  79

  21. Unlawful Sexual Intercourse with a Girl under 13

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  22. Unlawful Sexual Intercourse with a Girl under 16

  3

  4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  7

  23. Incest

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  24. Procuration

  4

  2

  3

  —

  2

  —

  11

  26. Bigamy

  2

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  27. Soliciting by a Man

  9

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  10

  28. Burglary in a Dwelling

  223

  52

  3

  2

  —

  —

  280

  30. Burglary in a Building Other than a Dwelling

  684

  127

  8

  2

  —

  —

  821

  33. Going equipped for stealing, etc.

  343

  22

  1

  1

  —

  —

  367

  34. Robbery

  8

  2

  2

  1

  —

  1

  14

  36. Kidnapping, etc.

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  37–2. Aggravated Vehicle Taking

  140

  46

  4

  1

  —

  —

  191

  39. Theft from the Person of Another

  731

  76

  7

  2

  —

  —

  816

  40. Theft in Dwelling not Automatic M/c or Meter

  158

  8

  2

  —

  —

  —

  168

  41. Theft by an Employee

  321

  81

  4

  1

  1

  —

  408

  42. Theft or Unauthorised Taking from Mail

  21

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  22

  43 Abstracting Electricity

  236

  17

  3

  1

  1

  —

  258

  44. Theft of Pedal Cycle

  256

  8

  —

  —

  —

  —

  264

  45. Theft from Vehicle

  908

  48

  1

  —

  —

  —

  957

  46. Theft from Shops

  21,078

  428

  19

  4

  —

  —

  21,529

  47. Theft from Automatic Machine or Meter

  118

  6

  —

  —

  —

  —

  124

  48. Theft or Unauthorised Taking of Motor Vehicle

  137

  16

  1

  —

  —

  —

  154

  49. Other Theft or Unauthorised Taking

  3,730

  227

  15

  —

  1

  1

  3,974

  52. False Accounting

  84

  38

  5

  —

  1

  4

  132

  53. Other Fraud

  2,541

  252

  37

  11

  7

  —

  2,848

  54. Handling Stolen Goods

  2,568

  329

  41

  11

  8

  1

  2,958

  55. Bankruptcy Offence

  6

  20

  12

  4

  2

  1

  45

  56. Arson

  25

  4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  29

  57. Criminal Damage Endangering Life

  6

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  7

  58. Other Criminal Damage

  1,615

  135

  9

  —

  1

  1

  1,761

  59. Threat etc., to commit Criminal Damage

  65

  5

  1

  —

  —

  —

  71

  60. Forgery etc. of Drug Prescription

  22

  4

  1

  —

  —

  —

  27

  61. Other Forgery etc.

  354

  87

  11

  6

  1

  1

  460

  65. Violent Disorder

  15

  16

  7

  —

  —

  —

  38

  66. Other Offence against the State or Public Order

  594

  304

  48

  11

  5

  —

  962

  67. Perjury

  8

  4

  1

  1

  —

  —

  14

  74. Gross Indecency with Children

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  2

  75. Betting, Gaming and Lotteries

  8

  1

  2

  —

  2

  —

  13

  79. Perverting the Course of Justice

  46

  20

  8

  1

  —

  1

  76

  80. Absconding from Lawful Custody

  7

  4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  11

  81. Firearms Act Offence

  305

  95

  17

  2

  —

  —

  419

  82. Revenue Law Offence

  2

  7

  4

  4

  1

  —

  18

  83. Failing to Surrender to Bail

  15,982

  33

  4

  —

  —

  —

  16,019

  84. Trade Descriptions Act and Similar Offences

  248

  244

  118

  68

  29

  4

  711

  85. Health and Safety at Work etc, Act 1974

  37

  102

  125

  208

  194

  242

  908

  86. Possession of Obscene Material etc.

  74

  35

  17

  3

  1

  —

  130

  87. Protection from Eviction Act 1977

  3

  3

  —

  2

  2

  —

  10

  89. Adulteration of Food

  45

  82

  42

  30

  19

  11

  229

  91. Public Health

  175

  164

  94

  92

  51

  25

  601

  362W
  Supplementary tables", a copy of which I have placed in the Library. To try to identify by individual offence would be disproportionate to cost.
  363W

  Number of offenders fined for all offences at all courts by offence and amount of fine, England and Wales, 1999

  Amount of fine

  Offence description

  Up to and including £200

  Over £200 and up to and including £500

  Over £500 and up to and including £1,000

  Over £1,000 and up to and including £2,500

  Over £2,500 and up to and including £5,000

  Over £5,000

  Total fined

  94. Town and Country Planning Act 1990

  63

  72

  43

  31

  22

  4

  235

  99. Other (Excluding Motoring Offences)

  268

  218

  114

  129

  69

  43

  841

  99A. Dangerous Driving

  359

  325

  109

  17

  2

  —

  812

  99B. Fraud, Forgery etc. associated with Vehicle or Driver Records

  3,161

  339

  43

  9

  1

  —

  3.553

  a. Unlawful importation of Drugs-Class A

  13

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  15

  b. Unlawful importation of Drugs-Class B

  28

  11

  2

  —

  —

  —

  41

  c. Unlawful importation of Drugs-Class C

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  d. Unlawful importation of Drugs-Class unspecified

  25

  2

  1

  1

  —

  —

  29

  e. Unlawful exportation of Drugs-Class A

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  f. Unlawful exportation of Drugs-Class B

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  h. Unlawful exportation of Drugs-Class unspecified

  4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4

  i. Production, supply and possession with intent to supply a controlled drug-Class A

  70

  29

  2

  2

  1

  —

  104

  j. Production, supply etc.-Class B

  747

  106

  28

  6

  1

  —

  888

  k. Production, supply etc.-Class C

  8

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  10

  1. Production, supply etc.-Class unspecified

  4

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  6

  m. Possession of a controlled drug-Class A

  3,677

  542

  26

  12

  1

  —

  4,258

  n. Possession of a controlled drug-Class B

  17,194

  327

  17

  1

  —

  —

  17,539

  o. Possession of a controlled drug-Class C

  66

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  66

  p. Possession of a controlled drug-Class unspecified

  27

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  27

  q. Other drug offences

  194

  18

  —

  1

  —

  —

  213

  101. Adulteration of Food, Drug, etc.

  2

  2

  1

  —

  —

  —

  5

  104. Assault on Constable

  3,836

  288

  18

  1

  —

  —

  4,143

  105. Common assault, etc.

  4,501

  753

  41

  11

  —

  —

  5,306

  106. Betting or Gaming Offence

  6

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  6

  107. Brothel Keeping

  6

  12

  4

  1

  —

  —

  23

  108. Cruelty to Animal

  332

  113

  37

  17

  6

  —

  505

  110. Diseases of Animals Act

  15

  13

  11

  2

  2

  —

  43

  111. Offences Relating to Dogs

  635

  17

  2

  2

  —

  —

  656

  112. Education Acts

  3,659

  199

  20

  —

  —

  —

  3,878

  113. Explosives Acts

  6

  8

  2

  1

  2

  —

  19

  115. Firearms Acts

  151

  30

  4

  3

  —

  —

  88

  116. Fishery Acts

  2,563

  41

  6

  5

  —

  3

  2,618

  117. Friendly Societies Acts

  —

  3

  1

  —

  —

  —

  4

  118. Night Poaching

  33

  —

  3

  —

  —

  —

  36

  119. Day Poaching

  207

  34

  —

  —

  —

  —

  241

  120. Unlawful Possession of Game, etc.

  5

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5

  121. Other Offence against Game Law

  23

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  23

  122. Obstruction Other than by Vehicle

  660

  40

  5

  1

  —

  —

  706

  123. Nuisance Other than by Vehicle

  1,674

  11

  3

  1

  —

  —

  1,689

  124. Other Highways Act Offence

  179

  54

  8

  —

  —

  —

  241

  125. Public Order Act 1986

  15,401

  1,105

  48

  4

  2

  1

  16,561

  126. Interference with Motor Vehicles

  508

  38

  1

  —

  —

  —

  547

  130. Unauthorised Taking of a Conveyance

  928

  113

  6

  —

  —

  1

  1,048

  131. Summary Aggravated Vehicle Taking

  80

  30

  1

  —

  —

  —

  111

  135. Horsedrawn Vehicle

  30

  3

  2

  1

  —

  —

  36

  136. Handcart or Barrow

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  137. Pedal Cycle

  967

  5

  —

  —

  —

  —

  972

  139 Indecent Exposure

  97

  25

  —

  —

  —

  —

  122

  140. Drunkenness, Simple

  2,631

  9

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2,640

  141. Drunkenness, with Aggravation

  19,798

  39

  5

  4

  1

  2

  19,849

  142. Offence by Licensed Person, etc.

  182

  78

  8

  1

  —

  —

  269

  143. Other Offence against the Liquor Law

  91

  21

  7

  3

  —

  —

  122

  144. Selling Tobacco to Juvenile

  66

  24

  4

  3

  —

  —

  97

  147 Employment of Children Acts

  56

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  56

  148. Other Offence against the Labour Law

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  2

  149. Summary Criminal or Malicious Damage Offence

  7,606

  375

  7

  2

  —

  —

  7,990

  150. Merchant Shipping Acts

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  151. Social Security Offence

  1,216

  188

  17

  6

  —

  —

  1,427

  152. Social Security Act

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  153. Military Law-Army

  5

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5

  155. Military Law-Air Force

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  2

  156. Park, Common or Other Open Space Offence

  731

  3

  1

  1

  —

  —

  736

  160. Pedlars Act

  95

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  95

  161. Certain Local regulations-Allowing Chimney to be on Fire

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  2

  364W 365W

  Number of offenders fined for all offences at all courts by offence and amount of fine, England and Wales, 1999

  Amount of fine

  Offence description

  Up to and including £200

  Over £200 and up to and including £500

  Over £500 and up to and including £1,000

  Over £1,000 and up to and including £2,500

  over £2,500 and up to and including £5,000

  Over £5,000

  Total fined

  162. Disorderly Behaviour

  1,258

  5

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,263

  163. Playing in Street

  120

  5

  —

  —

  —

  —

  125

  164. Other Offence

  4,305

  185

  31

  3

  3

  —

  4,527

  165. Kerb Crawling

  513

  110

  —

  —

  —

  —

  623

  166. Offence by Prostitute

  2,880

  7

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2,887

  167. Aiding, etc. Offence by Prostitute

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  168. Public Health Offence

  850

  340

  134

  70

  41

  6

  1,441

  169. Railway Offence

  14,428

  206

  5

  2

  —

  1

  14,642

  170. Motor Vehicle Licence

  140,878

  14,745

  699

  74

  37

  9

  156,442

  172. Other Offence Against Revenue Law

  5,095

  949

  62

  20

  9

  1

  6,136

  173. Stage Carriage or Public Service Vehicle Offence

  6,354

  150

  16

  1

  —

  1

  6,522

  179. Sunday Trading, etc.

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  181. Unlawful Possession

  11

  11

  3

  1

  1

  —

  27

  182. Begging

  1,300

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,301

  183. Sleeping Out

  14

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  14

  185. Found in Enclosed Premises

  160

  5

  1

  1

  —

  —

  167

  188. Other Vagrancy Offences

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  189. Weights and Measures Acts

  34

  14

  6

  4

  1

  —

  59

  190. Wild Birds Protection Acts

  46

  56

  5

  2

  —

  —

  109

  191. Wireless Telegraphy Acts

  48,746

  5,982

  66

  —

  1

  9

  54,804

  192. Video Recording Act 1984

  14

  11

  5

  3

  3

  —

  36

  193. Drug Offence

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  194. Immigration Offence

  6

  4

  1

  —

  —

  —

  11

  195. Other Summary Offence (Excluding Motoring)

  9,567

  910

  221

  119

  36

  15

  10,868

  All summary motoring offences

  435,173

  103,106

  25,756

  1,107

  62

  54

  565,258

  of which:

  Driving etc. after consuming alcohol or taking drugs:

  34,535

  24,436

  2,946

  364

  16

  1

  62,298

  Careless driving:

  31,203

  3,126

  131

  12

  2

  —

  34,474

  Accident offences:

  4,071

  876

  36

  —

  —

  1

  4,984

  Driving licence related offences:

  13,665

  718

  117

  25

  4

  7

  14,536

  Vehicle insurance offences:

  98,958

  36,308

  17,568

  411

  8

  17

  153,270

  Vehicle registration and excise licence offences:

  8,523

  653

  35

  12

  5

  6

  9,234

  Work record and employment offences:

  3,714

  1,215

  231

  19

  6

  —

  5,185

  Operator's licence offences:

  552

  651

  275

  4

  —

  1

  1,483

  Vehicle test offences:

  19,797

  147

  31

  6

  2

  —

  19,983

  Vehicle or part in dangerous or defective condition:

  12,755

  852

  182

  32

  3

  1

  13,825

  Speed limit offences:

  118,262

  24.099

  2,534

  17

  7

  13

  144,932

  Motorway offences (other than speeding):

  1,180

  157

  3

  —

  —

  —

  1,340

  Neglect of traffic directions:

  23,844

  1,112

  71

  1

  1

  182

  25,029

  Neglect of pedestrian rights:

  4,044

  59

  2

  —

  —

  —

  4,105

  Obstruction, waiting and parking offences:

  13,538

  352

  84

  1

  1

  1

  13,977

  Lighting offences:

  3,762

  22

  2

  —

  —

  —

  3,786

  Noise offences:

  984

  13

  1

  —

  —

  —

  998

  Load offences:

  5,135

  3,097

  1,438

  187

  2

  3

  9,862

  Offences peculiar to Motor Cycles:

  172

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  172

  Miscellaneous motoring offences:

  36,479

  5,213

  69

  16

  5

  3

  41,785

  Total all offences

  824,228

  136,485

  28,445

  2, 82

  637

  443

  992,420

  Note:

  For any given year it is not possible to eliminate all of the errors on the Home Office Court Proceedings Database. Hence the table may show offenders receiving fines in excess of the maximum sentence possible for the offences covered by a particular offence classification.

  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the levels of crime in Somerset were for each of the years 1979 to 2000, broken down by the major categories of notifiable offences; and in each case what the clear-up rate was. [144647]

  Recorded crimes—Somerset

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1997–981

  1998–991 (old rules)

  1998–991,2 (new rules)

  1999–20001

  Violence against person

  1,337

  1,746

  1,938

  2,183

  2,514

  2,872

  3,004

  3,598

  3,592

  Sexual offences

  229

  255

  310

  252

  282

  320

  251

  249

  205

  Burglary dwell.

  4,027

  3,492

  3,796

  4,033

  3,106

  3,116

  2,626

  2,623

  2,955

  366W
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information requested, for part of a police force area, is not held centrally. The details given in the tables have been provided by the Avon and Somerset constabulary, and are available for the years from 1993 onwards.
  367W

  Recorded crimes—Somerset

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1997–981

  1998–991 (old rules)

  1998–991.2 (new rules)

  1999–20001

  Burglary other

  6,163

  5,068

  4.544

  4,267

  4,301

  4,369

  4,205

  4,218

  4,309

  Robbery

  102

  114

  150

  146

  117

  135

  132

  133

  224

  Theft and handling

  22,288

  21,800

  20,401

  19.963

  18,419

  18,321

  16,676

  17,027

  16,822

  Fraud and forgery

  898

  898

  792

  884

  775

  753

  832

  899

  1,228

  Criminal damage

  5,241

  6,347

  5,877

  6,161

  5,537

  5,858

  6,333

  6,624

  6,596

  Drugs

  118

  170

  167

  127

  119

  123

  85

  599

  624

  Other

  78

  101

  85

  107

  91

  102

  177

  295

  296

  Somerset Total

  40,481

  39,991

  38.060

  38,117

  35,261

  35,969

  34,321

  36,265

  36,851

  Clear-ups rate of recorded crime—Somerset

  Percentage

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1997–981

  1998–991 (old rules)

  1998–991.2 (new rules)

  1999–20003

  Violence against person

  87

  82

  88

  88

  86

  84

  82

  82

  74

  Sexual offences

  79

  82

  84

  91

  74

  74

  77

  78

  72

  Burglary dwell.

  17

  23

  15

  19

  24

  25

  16

  16

  17

  Burglary other

  10

  13

  12

  13

  13

  13

  9

  9

  8

  Robbery

  34

  38

  36

  41

  32

  24

  25

  25

  20

  Theft and handling

  15

  16

  19

  19

  19

  17

  17

  17

  14

  Fraud and forgery

  49

  54

  53

  62

  53

  50

  58

  59

  36

  Criminal damage

  18

  17

  19

  21

  21

  21

  20

  19

  18

  Drugs

  104

  96

  101

  102

  92

  94

  99

  95

  96

  Other

  99

  94

  93

  98

  87

  83

  88

  76

  70

  Somerset Total

  19

  21

  23

  24

  25

  25

  24

  26

  23

  1 Year ending March

  2 Owing to the change in counting rules on 1 April 1998, figures before and after this date cannot be directly compared

  3 Owing to a change in the counting rules for clear-ups, figures before and after 1 April 1999 cannot be directly compared

  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the incidence of crime in(a) rural and (b) urban areas since May 1997. [144618]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the reply given to the question the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr. Yeo) on 9 November 2000,Official Report, column 404W, and to the reply given to the question by my hon. Friend the Member for High Peak (Mr. Levitt) on 13 November 2000, Official Report, column 538W.

  The replies to these questions provide information derived from the British Crime Survey (BCS) on the level and trends in rural and urban crime. BCS incident rates for crime show that over the last decade there has been consistently less crime in rural areas than urban areas. The BCS also shows that between 1997 and 1999 crime has declined, in proportionate terms, at a similar or greater rate in rural areas than in other areas.

  BCS incident rates 1991–99 for burglary, vehicle-related thefts and violent crime

  1991

  1993

  1995

  1997

  1999

  Burglary incidents per 10,000 households

  Rural

  368

  481

  468

  429

  343

  Non-rural

  781

  976

  938

  859

  662

  Vehicle-related thefts per 10,000 vehicle owning households

  Rural

  1,660

  1,983

  2,052

  1,503

  1,207

  Non-rural

  2,912

  3,152

  3,006

  2,368

  1,947

  368W

  BCS incident rates 1991–99 for burglary, vehicle-related thefts and violent crime

  1991

  1993

  1995

  1997

  1999

  Violent crime incident rates per 10,000 adults

  Rural

  396

  511

  621

  597

  462

  Non-rural

  739

  1,017

  1,108

  887

  876

  Notes:

  For the purposes of BCS analyses, rural areas are identified by according ACORN—(A Classification of Residential Neighbourhoods) categories. ACORN classifies households according to the demographic, employment and housing characteristics of the surrounding neighbourhood. Rural areas are defined as those areas falling into Acorn types 1 to 9, and 27.

  Source:

  British Crime Survey 1992–2000.

  Tackling crime and the fear of crime in all areas, including rural areas, remains a high priority for this Government. Our approach in all areas is to assist the police and the local crime and disorder partnerships to address local crime effectively.

  The Home Office announced on 15 June 2000 that rural police forces were to benefit this year from an additional £15 million from the police modernisation fund. The money rises to £30 million next year, and is intended to help the police to meet the extra costs involved in policing rural areas. The money is in addition to the crime fighting fund, which is providing for an increase in police numbers across the board. It will make a real difference to the policing and crime reduction in rural districts, in particular by helping to increase the visibility of the police in those areas.
  369W
  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people in the United Kingdom have been unlawfully killed since 1971; and if he will make a statement. [144624]

  Unlawful killings

  Year

  Homicide total

  Child destruction

  Causing death by reckless/dangerous driving1

  Causing death by aggravated vehicle taking

  Overall total

  1970

  393

  0

  685

  0

  1,078

  1971

  459

  1

  728

  0

  1,188

  1972

  476

  0

  753

  0

  1,229

  1973

  465

  1

  769

  0

  1,235

  1974

  600

  2

  654

  0

  1,256

  1975

  515

  0

  690

  0

  1,205

  1976

  565

  0

  595

  0

  1,160

  1977

  482

  1

  602

  0

  1,085

  1978

  532

  2

  313

  0

  847

  1979

  629

  2

  225

  0

  856

  1980

  620

  2

  235

  0

  857

  1981

  558

  1

  234

  0

  793

  1982

  618

  0

  269

  0

  887

  1983

  550

  0

  189

  0

  739

  1984

  621

  0

  223

  0

  844

  1985

  616

  1

  258

  0

  875

  1986

  661

  0

  232

  0

  893

  1987

  688

  2

  292

  0

  982

  1988

  624

  8

  339

  0

  971

  1989

  641

  2

  393

  0

  1,036

  1990

  669

  0

  419

  0

  1,088

  1991

  725

  2

  416

  0

  1,143

  1992

  687

  0

  277

  19

  983

  1993

  670

  3

  292

  17

  982

  1994

  726

  7

  278

  14

  1,025

  1995

  745

  8

  242

  21

  1,016

  1996

  679

  2

  320

  34

  1,035

  1997

  739

  5

  291

  12

  1,047

  1997–982

  748

  6

  325

  18

  1,097

  1998–992

  750

  9

  349

  30

  1,138

  1998–992

  765

  1

  317

  37

  1,120

  April-September 2000

  445

  0

  169

  23

  637

  1 From 1 December 1997, the offences which qualified as causing death by reckless driving were reduced.

  2 Years ending March

  Paddy Ashdown

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Under the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 (as re-enacted by the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000) which came into effect on 1 December 1999, a mandatory prison sentence of three years minimum duration was introduced for third-time domestic burglary offenders.

  An offender would have to be apprehended, prosecuted and convicted on three separate occasions since 1 December 1999 to be subject to the mandatory sentence. Such action is likely to take some time.

  The Home Office's court proceedings databases for 1999 and for the first three-quarters of 2000 (which are provisional) show that no such sentences have yet been recorded.
  370W
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information requested for England and Wales is given in the table and relates to numbers of recorded crimes. Information relating to Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of notifiable offences were committed by young men between the ages of 14 and 24 years in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [144619]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Details of the number of notifiable offences committed by age and sex of offender are not available.

  However, information held centrally on the Home Office court proceedings database, showing the number of male offenders aged 14–24 who have been cautioned or convicted of indictable offences, is given in the table.

  Males aged 14–24 cautioned and or convicted at all courts for indictable offences: numbers and as a proportion of all offenders, England and Wales, 1997 to 1999

  Males aged 14–24

  Total all offenders

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  1997

  223,606

  44

  509,411

  100

  1998

  228,349

  43

  533,456

  100

  1999

  218,665

  43

  512,574

  100

  371W
  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) violent crime offences, (b) car crime offences, (c) robberies, (d) burglaries, (e) thefts and (f) criminal damage offences there were per 1,000 head of population for each police force area within England and Wales in each of the last three years. [144622]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The readily available information, for the calendar year 1997 and the financial years 1998–99 and 1999–2000, is given in the tables. Owing to the change in counting rules for recorded crime on 1 April 1998, the figures for the first year given are not directly comparable with the latter two years. The change in counting rules for recorded crime particularly impacted on violence against the person, which is included in the violent crime category.

  Violent crime (violence against the person, sexual offences and robbery). Recorded offences per 100,000 population

  Police force

  1997

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Avon and Somerset

  830

  1,014

  1,079

  Bedfordshire

  823

  1,026

  1,100

  Cambridgeshire

  584

  872

  980

  Cheshire

  468

  776

  675

  Cleveland

  609

  762

  769

  Cumbria

  644

  1,199

  1,107

  Derbyshire

  651

  991

  1,149

  Devon and Cornwall

  502

  844

  892

  Dorset

  372

  484

  584

  Durham

  396

  883

  968

  Essex

  382

  620

  749

  Gloucestershire

  371

  688

  871

  Greater Manchester

  847

  1,774

  1,982

  Hampshire

  554

  809

  988

  Hertfordshire

  335

  446

  509

  Humberside

  875

  1,237

  1,218

  Kent

  573

  897

  933

  Lancashire

  390

  855

  814

  Leicestershire

  739

  1,261

  1,397

  Lincolnshire

  566

  772

  701

  Merseyside

  784

  1,112

  1,294

  Metropolitan Police District1

  1,157

  2,186

  2,640

  Norfolk

  459

  790

  898

  Northamptonshire

  610

  982

  957

  Northumbria

  453

  1,033

  1,118

  North Yorkshire

  393

  718

  755

  Nottinghamshire

  993

  1,387

  1,588

  South Yorkshire

  472

  629

  719

  Staffordshire

  775

  1,055

  1,379

  Suffolk

  452

  655

  881

  Surrey

  394

  626

  775

  Sussex

  514

  1,117

  1,264

  Thames Valley

  416

  623

  788

  Warwickshire

  327

  482

  509

  West Mercia

  377

  707

  806

  West Midlands

  675

  1,533

  2,094

  West Yorkshire

  593

  1,020

  1,071

  Wiltshire

  487

  832

  848

  Dyfed-Powys

  525

  1,054

  1,218

  Gwent

  1,104

  2,151

  2,601

  North Wales

  483

  787

  952

  South Wales

  670

  1,018

  1,129

  England and Wales

  667

  1,160

  1,341

  1 Including the City of London

  Car crime (theft of and from vehicles). Recorded offences per 100,000 population

  Police force

  1997

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Avon and Somerset

  2,843

  2,559

  2,312

  Bedfordshire

  2,333

  2,309

  2,595

  Cambridgeshire

  2,182

  1,858

  1,729

  372W

  Car crime (theft of and from vehicles). Recorded offences per 100,000 population

  Police force

  1997

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Cheshire

  1,362

  1,267

  1,237

  Cleveland

  2,842

  2,573

  2,342

  Cumbria

  1,469

  1,316

  1,098

  Derbyshire

  2,015

  2,100

  1,868

  Devon and Cornwall

  1,506

  1,435

  1,375

  Dorset

  1,689

  1,789

  1,653

  Durham

  1,827

  1,653

  1,502

  Essex

  1,472

  1,463

  1,332

  Gloucestershire

  2,471

  2,002

  1,838

  Greater Manchester

  3,232

  3,390

  3,412

  Hampshire

  1,587

  1,386

  1,319

  Hertfordshire

  1,854

  1,528

  1,432

  Humberside

  2,963

  2,871

  2,478

  Kent

  1,988

  1,871

  1,427

  Lancashire

  1,906

  1,647

  1,459

  Leicestershire

  2,154

  2,211

  2,039

  Lincolnshire

  1,238

  1,121

  1,103

  Merseyside

  1,993

  2,146

  2,394

  Metropolitan Police District1

  2,125

  2,146

  2,284

  Norfolk

  1,530

  1,384

  1,320

  Northamptonshire

  2,328

  2,305

  1,990

  Northumbria

  2,265

  2,057

  1,838

  North Yorkshire

  1,595

  1,307

  1,158

  Nottinghamshire

  2,806

  2,612

  2,396

  South Yorkshire

  2,728

  2,553

  2,264

  Staffordshire

  1,951

  1,836

  1,658

  Suffolk

  1,011

  967

  969

  Surrey

  1,160

  906

  948

  Sussex

  1,777

  1,703

  1,677

  Thames Valley

  2,412

  2,351

  2,404

  Warwickshire

  2,051

  1,779

  1,701

  West Mercia

  1,693

  1,436

  1,385

  West Midlands

  2,996

  2,818

  2,931

  West Yorkshire

  2,802

  3,036

  2,759

  Wiltshire

  1,268

  1,128

  1,090

  Dyfed-Powys

  498

  519

  460

  Gwent

  1,735

  1,750

  1,634

  North Wales

  1,206

  1,106

  1,141

  South Wales

  3,234

  2,967

  2,667

  England and Wales

  2,149

  2,064

  1,991

  1 Including the City of London

  Robbery. Recorded offences per 100,000 population

  Police force

  1997

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Avon and Somerset

  106

  124

  160

  Bedfordshire

  97

  96

  110

  Cambridgeshire

  50

  61

  76

  Cheshire

  33

  40

  47

  Cleveland

  91

  163

  151

  Cumbria

  21

  24

  18

  Derbyshire

  41

  52

  60

  Devon and Cornwall

  25

  30

  31

  Dorset

  30

  30

  35

  Durham

  23

  28

  39

  Essex

  29

  34

  41

  Gloucestershire

  66

  49

  52

  Greater Manchester

  244

  297

  335

  Hampshire

  32

  33

  41

  Hertfordshire

  33

  29

  48

  Humberside

  85

  95

  108

  Kent

  46

  45

  53

  Lancashire

  59

  69

  74

  Leicestershire

  95

  104

  110

  Lincolnshire

  17

  24

  29

  Merseyside

  151

  176

  189

  Metropolitan Police District1

  362

  346

  473

  Norfolk

  24

  28

  38

  Northamptonshire

  69

  73

  78

  Northumbria

  88

  94

  97

  North Yorkshire

  27

  23

  29

  373W

  Robbery. Recorded offences per 100,000 population

  Police force

  1997

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Nottinghamshire

  111

  127

  171

  South Yorkshire

  73

  75

  86

  Staffordshire

  47

  48

  66

  Suffolk

  21

  21

  33

  Surrey

  25

  22

  28

  Sussex

  46

  63

  68

  Thames Valley

  61

  64

  79

  Warwickshire

  29

  34

  44

  West Mercia

  26

  31

  32

  West Midlands

  255

  278

  384

  West Yorkshire

  128

  146

  146

  Wiltshire

  28

  33

  43

  Dyfed-Powys

  7

  9

  6

  Gwent

  28

  31

  39

  North Wales

  17

  19

  22

  South Wales

  41

  41

  42

  England and Wales

  121

  128

  161

  1 Including the City of London

  Burglary. Recorded offences per 100,000 population

  Police force

  1997

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Avon and Somerset

  2,127

  1,975

  1,868

  Bedfordshire

  1,619

  1,291

  1,422

  Cambridgeshire

  1,801

  1,791

  1,720

  Cheshire

  1,362

  1,336

  1,301

  Cleveland

  2,946

  2,973

  2,808

  Cumbria

  1,400

  1,181

  1,107

  Derbyshire

  1,799

  1,732

  1,602

  Devon and Cornwall

  1,298

  1,148

  1,110

  Dorset

  1,237

  1,338

  1,225

  Durham

  2,008

  1,666

  1,494

  Essex

  1,078

  985

  976

  Gloucestershire

  2,078

  1,808

  1,670

  Greater Manchester

  2,944

  3,079

  2,924

  Hampshire

  1,166

  1,125

  1,060

  Hertfordshire

  1,082

  958

  989

  Humberside

  4,079

  3,862

  3,650

  Kent

  1,653

  1,467

  1,253

  Lancashire

  1,960

  1,700

  1,497

  Leicestershire

  2,022

  1,853

  1,683

  Lincolnshire

  1,713

  1,656

  1,720

  Merseyside

  1,849

  1,875

  1,819

  Metropolitan Police District1

  1,869

  1,633

  1,685

  Norfolk

  1,407

  1,297

  1,296

  Northamptonshire

  1,884

  1,993

  1,835

  Northumbria

  2,411

  2,211

  1,856

  North Yorkshire

  1,546

  1,523

  1,401

  Nottinghamshire

  2,903

  2,789

  2,565

  South Yorkshire

  2,870

  2,635

  2,485

  Staffordshire

  2,228

  1,923

  1,805

  Suffolk

  921

  936

  926

  Surrey

  965

  883

  844

  Sussex

  1,399

  1,407

  1,297

  Thames Valley

  1,521

  1,474

  1,486

  Warwickshire

  1,658

  1,601

  1,528

  West Mercia

  1,461

  1,299

  1,260

  West Midlands

  2,930

  2,685

  2,617

  West Yorkshire

  3,209

  3,205

  2,787

  Wiltshire

  1,072

  1,023

  944

  Dyfed-Powys

  543

  547

  432

  Gwent

  1,646

  1,511

  1,374

  North Wales

  1,152

  1,102

  1,048

  South Wales

  2,203

  1,916

  1,625

  England and Wales

  1,952

  1,826

  1,729

  1 Including the City of London

  374W

  Theft and handling stolen goods (includes theft of and from vehicles). Recorded offences per 100,000 population

  Police force

  1997

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Avon and Somerset

  5,093

  4,875

  4,778

  Bedfordshire

  4,305

  4,089

  4,516

  Cambridgeshire

  4,555

  4,486

  4,456

  Cheshire

  2,839

  2,742

  2,758

  Cleveland

  5,614

  5,713

  5,442

  Cumbria

  3,304

  3,354

  2,980

  Derbyshire

  3,604

  3.806

  3,713

  Devon and Cornwall

  3,125

  3,209

  3,116

  Dorset

  3,382

  3,490

  3,423

  Durham

  3,391

  3,341

  3,264

  Essex

  3,024

  2,913

  2,950

  Gloucestershire

  4,630

  4,196

  4,242

  Greater Manchester

  5,168

  5,641

  5,668

  Hampshire

  3,519

  3,262

  3,282

  Hertfordshire

  3,035

  2,631

  2,659

  Humberside

  6,094

  6,543

  5,839

  Kent

  3,827

  3,660

  3,323

  Lancashire

  3,823

  3,504

  3,116

  Leicestershire

  4,046

  4,134

  4,011

  Lincolnshire

  3,261

  3,120

  3,138

  Merseyside

  4,120

  4,177

  4,415

  Metropolitan Police District1

  4,903

  5,090

  5,604

  Norfolk

  3,511

  3,281

  3,247

  Northamptonshire

  4,215

  4,751

  4,248

  Northumbria

  4,209

  4,357

  4,081

  North Yorkshire

  3,542

  3,472

  3,277

  Nottinghamshire

  5,398

  5,800

  5,872

  South Yorkshire

  4.606

  4,389

  4,221

  Staffordshire

  3,624

  3,576

  3,649

  Suffolk

  2,562

  2,565

  2,596

  Surrey

  2,497

  2,284

  2,401

  Sussex

  3,743

  3,873

  3,949

  Thames Valley

  4,161

  4,296

  4,580

  Warwickshire

  3,621

  3,506

  3,419

  West Mercia

  3,420

  3,234

  3,198

  West Midlands

  4,793

  4,788

  5,338

  West Yorkshire

  5,143

  5,466

  5,236

  Wiltshire

  2,834

  2,804

  2,766

  Dyfed-Powys

  1,501

  1,612

  1,538

  Gwent

  3,542

  3,722

  3,539

  North Wales

  2,644

  2,657

  2,684

  South Wales

  5,001

  4,669

  4,356

  England and Wales

  4,163

  4,197

  4,241

  1 Including the City of London

  Criminal damage. Recorded offences per 100,000 population

  Police force

  1997

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Avon and Somerset

  1,390

  1,394

  1,378

  Bedfordshire

  1,462

  1,429

  1,446

  Cambridgeshire

  1,315

  1,674

  1,682

  Cheshire

  1,143

  1,181

  1283

  Cleveland

  2,022

  1,922

  1,943

  Cumbria

  1,640

  1,708

  1,814

  Derbyshire

  1,392

  1,483

  1,568

  Devon and Cornwall

  987

  1,142

  1,186

  Dorset

  1,209

  1,208

  1,216

  Durham

  1,730

  1,828

  1,753

  Essex

  1,245

  1,237

  1,420

  Gloucestershire

  1,107

  1,175

  1,434

  Greater Manchester

  2,644

  2,607

  2,918

  Hampshire

  1,508

  1,424

  1,588

  Hertfordshire

  1,139

  1,168

  1,316

  Humberside

  2,275

  2,429

  2,348

  Kent

  1,544

  1,472

  1,575

  Lancashire

  1,879

  1,499

  1,596

  Leicestershire

  1,513

  1,630

  1,819

  Lincolnshire

  1,160

  1,248

  1,347

  Merseyside

  1,667

  1,943

  2,187

  Metropolitan Police District1

  1,861

  1,800

  1,977

  Norfolk

  1,259

  1,327

  1,389

  375W

  Criminal damage. Recorded offences per 100,000 population

  Police force

  1997

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Northamptonshire

  1,919

  1,929

  1,906

  Northumbria

  2,461

  2,212

  2,135

  North Yorkshire

  1,162

  1,135

  1,161

  Nottinghamshire

  2,730

  2,321

  2,297

  South Yorkshire

  1,806

  1,855

  1,940

  Staffordshire

  1,605

  1,478

  1,738

  Suffolk

  1,184

  1,185

  1,423

  Surrey

  844

  966

  1,093

  Sussex

  1,627

  1,602

  1,759

  Thames Valley

  1,238

  1,247

  1,364

  Warwickshire

  1,271

  1,368

  1,468

  West Mercia

  1,339

  1,363

  1,532

  West Midlands

  1,859

  1,916

  2,337

  West Yorkshire

  2,202

  2,333

  2,276

  Wiltshire

  965

  1,109

  1,181

  Dyfed-Powys

  943

  941

  921

  Gwent

  1,788

  2,099

  2,199

  North Wales

  1,713

  1,471

  1,537

  South Wales

  2,380

  2,445

  2,272

  England and Wales

  1,686

  1,685

  1,804

  1 Including the City of London

  Offences per police officer, year ending 30 September 20001

  Police force area

  Offences per officer

  Avon and Somerset

  50

  Bedfordshire

  50

  Cambridgeshire

  54

  Cheshire

  32

  Cleveland

  46

  Cumbria

  32

  Derbyshire

  47

  Devon and Cornwall

  37

  Dorset

  40

  Durham

  30

  Essex2

  37

  Gloucestershire

  44

  Greater Manchester

  55

  Hampshire

  40

  Hertfordshire2

  30

  Humberside

  60

  Kent

  40

  Lancashire

  34

  Leicestershire

  46

  Lincolnshire

  40

  London, City of

  10

  Merseyside

  36

  Metropolitan Police2

  41

  Norfolk

  42

  Northamptonshire

  52

  Northumbria

  36

  North Yorkshire

  40

  Nottinghamshire

  63

  South Yorkshire

  40

  Staffordshire

  48

  Suffolk

  39

  Surrey2

  26

  Sussex

  49

  Thames Valley

  50

  Warwickshire

  40

  West Mercia

  42

  West Midlands

  51

  West Yorkshire

  54

  Wiltshire

  32

  Dyfed-Powys

  22

  Gwent

  45

  North Wales

  33

  South Wales

  39

  Total

  43

  1 Based on number of offences for year ended 30 September 2000, and numbers of police officers as at 31 March 2000.

  2 Based on estimated number of offences had pre-1 April 2000 boundaries been in effect.

  376W
  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his estimate is of the proportion of people released from prison in England and Wales in each of the last five years who reoffended within two years; and if he will make a statement. [144644]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information on reoffending rates is not available.

  However, it is estimated that 57 per cent. of people released from prison in England and Wales during the first quarter of 1997 were reconvicted for a standard list offence within two years of release.

  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many notifiable offences were committed in Avon and Somerset within the last two years by people released from prison under early release schemes; and if he will make a statement. [144643]

  Mr. Boateng
  There are two statutory early release schemes:

  Parole: prisoners serving a sentence of four years or more are entitled to be considered for discretionary conditional release on parole licence at the halfway point of their sentence. Those who are refused parole are released automatically at the two thirds point of their sentence on non-parole licence. Information about prisoners who are released on parole licence and who commit a further offence during the currency of that licence is not currently held centrally.

  Home Detention Curfew
  most prisoners serving a sentence of less than four years and more than three months are eligible to be considered for the home detention curfew scheme, which commences up to 60 days before the halfway point of the sentence. Information about prisoners who are subject to the scheme, who have been released to an address in either Avon or Somerset and who have committed an offence during the currency of the scheme is not immediately available. The Prison Service has made further inquiries of the electronic monitoring contractors for the South West of England and I will write to the right hon. Member with this information as soon as it is available. A copy will be placed in the Library.

  Early release schemes are designed to ensure a better transition between custody and the community. Prisoners are only placed on the schemes after a careful risk assessment, in which the overriding concern is the safety of the public.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the correspondence sent to him concerning Damira Majic of Hope raised with him on 11 July 2000 and acknowledged by card reference number 13706/0 of 21 July 2000; and if he will make a statement. [146047]

  Mrs. Roche
  I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 17 January. I am sorry that he did not receive an earlier reply.

  Young Offenders
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average time was from
  377W
  arrest to sentence for persistent young offenders (a) on the latest date for which figures are available and (b) in 1997; and if he will make a statement. [145704]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The latest average time from arrest to sentence for persistent young offenders is an estimated 94 days for the month of October 2000. In October 1997, the average was 130 days. The figure for the whole of 1997 was 141 days. Substantial progress has been made towards the Government's target of halving the average time, from 142 days in 1996 to 71 days.

  Criminal Records
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the organisations and individuals from whom he has received representations on the plan to charge for criminal records checks. [146051]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  We have received a substantial number of representations, both direct and via right hon. and hon. Members, over many months, about the fees which will be charged by the Criminal Records Bureau for criminal record checks when they become available, in most cases for the first time, to assist in recruitment decisions and protect the welfare of vulnerable people. These have come principally from voluntary organisations, larger (such as the Scout Association and the St. John Ambulance) and smaller in size, which are involved in working with those under 18 or other vulnerable people, and from individuals involved in volunteering. There have also been ad hoc meetings at both ministerial and official levels with the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), with individual groups, and with groups of organisations such as national sports bodies; and the NCVO represents the voluntary sector on the board which oversees and advises Ministers on the programme to establish the Criminal Records Bureau.

  EU (National Elections)
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what the eligibility criteria are in each EU member state for foreign nationals to participate in that member state's national elections; [146083]

  (2) if he will introduce legislation to allow EU citizens resident in the United Kingdom to vote in British general elections. [146082]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Those entitled to vote at parliamentary elections in the United Kingdom are British citizens and those citizens of other Commonwealth countries and of the Republic of Ireland who are resident in the United Kingdom. Resident citizens of other European Union member states are not eligible to vote at parliamentary elections but may vote in local government and European parliamentary elections. I have no plans to change the current arrangements.

  It is for each member state to determine who is eligible to vote in its national parliamentary elections. We do not keep records of the arrangements in other member states.

  Firearms
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals in each of 378W
  the last three years have been (a) arrested for and (b) convicted of (i) wounding and (ii) killing with a legally held shotgun. [145950]

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

  Information, taken from the data collection "Recorded crime in which firearms were reported to have been used or misappropriated" on the number of homicides and other injuries caused by the use of shotguns in the last three years are recorded is follows:

  1997

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Homicide

  16

  11

  19

  Injuries—shotgun fired

  44

  48

  61

  Injuries—shotgun used as a blunt instrument

  11

  14

  20

  Information is not available as to whether the shotgun was legally held or not.

  Police Manpower
  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers there were in England and Wales in each of the years 1978–79 to 2000–01; and if he will make a statement. [144648]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information is set out in the table. The latest available figures for 2000–01 are those for 30 September 2000. They show that police numbers at the end of September 2000 were 444 higher than in the March of that year.

  With funding from the crime fighting fund— £454 million over the three years 2000–01 to 2002–03— forces will be able to recruit 9,000 police officers over and above the number they had otherwise planned to recruit in that period. This funding should enable police numbers to reach their highest ever level by 2003–04.

  Police numbers 1978–79 to 2000–01

  Year1

  Total number of police officers

  1978–79

  111,133

  1979–80

  114,543

  1980–81

  118,102

  1981–82

  119,973

  1982–83

  121,003

  1983–84

  121,053

  1984–85

  120,116

  1985–86

  120,848

  1986–87

  122,236

  1987–88

  124,080

  1988–89

  125,631

  1989–90

  126,777

  1990–91

  127,495

  1991–92

  127,627

  1992–93

  128,290

  1993–94

  127,897

  1994–95

  127,222

  1995–96

  126,901

  1996–97

  127,158

  1997–98

  126,814

  1998–99

  126,096

  1999–2000

  124,170

  20002

  124,614

  1 As at 31 March

  2 30 September

  379W
  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many special constables there were in(a) Avon and Somerset and (b) the Yeovil constituency area for each quarter since September 1995; and if he will make a statement. [144616]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Police personnel statistics are collected by the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate only every six months—as at 30 September and 31 March each year. The figures are collected per force and not at constituency level. The figures available for the Avon and Somerset special constabulary from September 1995 to September 2000 are as follows:

  Number

  September 1995

  676

  March 1996

  688

  September 1996

  662

  March 1997

  759

  September 1997

  629

  March 1998

  621

  September 1998

  584

  March 1999

  547

  September 1999

  482

  March 2000

  459

  September 2000

  416

  I understand from the chief constable of Avon and Somerset that it is not possible to provide information about the numbers of special constables specifically for the Yeovil constituency area as such information is not collected. Year-end figures are available for the number of specials in post from April 1997 for the East Somerset police district, which incorporates the Yeovil constituency, and these are:

  Number

  April 1997

  73

  April 1998

  101

  April 1999

  86

  April 2000

  75

  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers there were in England and Wales in(a) March 1992 and (b) March 1997; and if he will make a statement. [144645]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  On 31 March 1992, there were 127,627 police officers in England and Wales. By 31 March 1997 this had declined by 469 to 127,158 officers.

  With funding from the crime fighting fund— £454 million over the three years 2000–01 to 2002–03— forces will be able to recruit 9,000 police officers over and above the number they had otherwise planned to recruit in that period. As a result, recruitment is up. 5,268 recruits entered the police training colleges in the first nine months of the current financial year compared to 3,030 in the same period in 1999–2000. And by 30 September 2000, police numbers stood at 124,614,444 higher than at the end of March that year.

  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what the actual strength was of the East Somerset Division of Avon and Somerset Constabulary for each quarter since 1995; [144646]
  380W
  (2) what his estimate is of the number of police officers in (a) Avon and Somerset and (b) the Yeovil constituency area for each quarter or half year, as available, since September 1995; and if he will make a statement. [144649]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The table sets out the actual number of officers in the Avon and Somerset constabulary and the East Somerset division since September 1995. Information on police numbers is available on a half-yearly basis only (March and September).

  I understand from the chief constable that it is not possible to provide information about the number of officers in the Yeovil constituency as such information is not held. Although information has been provided from September 1995 for the East Somerset division, I understand from the chief constable that restructuring and changes to territorial divisions in 1997 prevent like-with-like comparisons being made with the number of officers in the East Somerset division for the periods before 1997.

  Avon and Somerset constabulary

  Year/month

  Total force strength1

  East Somerset division (police numbers)1

  30 September 1995

  2,986

  193

  31 March 1996

  2.981

  196

  30 September 1996

  3,004

  200

  31 March 1997

  2,989

  230.5

  30 September 1997

  2,973

  240

  31 March 1998

  2,976

  243.4

  30 September 1998

  2,966

  238

  31 March 1999

  2,999

  240.9

  30 September 1999

  2,989

  239

  31 March 2000

  2,934

  234.7

  30 September 2000

  2,941

  239

  1 Full-time equivalent numbers

  Denise Eckersley
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to reach a decision on the West Yorkshire Coroner's request for an order to be issued to allow an inquest to be held into the death of Denise Eckersley. [146103]

  Mr. Boateng
  An order was issued on 10 January.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Pensions (Overseas Residents)
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list those countries where British citizens who have retired receive frozen state pensions. [145177]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is as follows:

  Afghanistan

  Albania

  Algeria

  American Samoa

  Andorra

  Angola

  Anguilla

  Antarctica

  Antigua and Barbuda

  381W

  Antilles (Netherlands)

  Argentina

  Armenia Republic of

  Aruba (Netherlands)

  Ascension Island

  Australia

  Azerbaijan, Republic of

  Azores (Portugal)

  Bahamas

  Bahrain

  Bangladesh

  Belarus, Republic of

  Belize

  Benin

  Bhutan

  Bolivia

  Botswana

  Brazil

  British Virgin Islands

  Brunei Darussalam

  Bulgaria

  Burkina Faso

  Burundi

  Cambodia (aka Kampuchea)

  Cameroon

  Canada

  Cape Verde

  Cayman Islands

  Central African Republic

  Chad

  Chile

  China

  Colombia

  Comoros Islands

  Congo

  Cook Islands

  Costa Rica

  Cuba

  Czech Republic

  Djibouti

  Lesotho

  Liberia

  Libya Arab Jamahiriy

  Lithuania, Republic of

  Macau

  Madagascar

  Malawi

  Malaysia

  Maldives

  Mali

  Marshall Islands

  Martinique

  Mauritania

  Mexico

  Micronesia, Fed Stat

  Moldova, Republic of

  382W

  Monaco

  Mongolia

  Monserrat

  Morocco

  Mozambique

  Myanmar (formally Burma)

  Namibia

  Nauru

  Nepal

  New Caledonia

  New Zealand

  Nicaragua

  Niger

  Nigeria

  Niue

  Norfolk Island

  Northern Mariana Islands

  Oman

  Pakistan

  Palau Islands

  Panama

  Papua New Guinea

  Paraguay

  Peru

  Poland

  Qatar

  Reunion

  Romania

  Russian Federation

  Rwanda

  Saba

  San Marino

  Sao Tome and Principe

  Sarawak (Malaysia)

  Saudi Arabia

  Senegal

  Seychelles

  Sharjah (UAE)

  Sierra Leone

  Singapore

  Slovakia

  Solomon Islands

  Somalia

  South Africa

  Sri Lanka

  St. Helena

  St. Kitts and Nevis

  St. Lucia

  St. Martins

  St. Vincent and The Grenadine

  Sudan

  Suriname

  Swaziland

  Syrian Arab Rep.

  Tahiti

  Taiwan

  Tajikistan, Republic of

  383W

  Tanzania

  Thailand

  Togo

  Tonga

  Trinidad and Tobago

  Tristan Da Cunha

  Tunisia

  Turkmenistan, Republic of

  Turks and Caicos Islands

  Tuvalu

  Uganda

  Ukraine

  United Arab Emirates

  Uruguay

  Uzbekistan, Republic of

  Vanuatu

  Vatican City (Holy See)

  Venezuela

  Vietnam

  Western Sahara

  Western Samoa

  Yemen, Republic of

  Zaire

  Zambia

  Zimbabwe.

  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the method adopted to judge whether a claimant's combined savings and debts make them eligible to claim Jobseeker's Allowance. [145279]

  Angela Eagle
  Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) consists of both contribution-based and income-based elements. The personal rate of contribution-based JSA is payable for six months irrespective of the amount of savings a person and their partner has. Those who do not qualify for, or whose needs are not met by the contributory element, can claim income-based JSA. Claims to JSA are referred to an independent Decision Maker for a decision on entitlement which is based on the facts of each individual case.

  Income-based JSA is available to unemployed people whose resources are insufficient to meet their day-to-day living expenses and are below a level approved each year by Parliament. Generally, capital up to £3,000 is ignored and people can have up to £8,000 capital, including their partner's capital, and still get some income-based JSA. Debts or liabilities are not usually offset against a person's assets when assessing capital for Income Support purposes.

  Fraud
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people were prosecuted for social security fraud in each year from 1989–90 to 1999–2000. [145200]
  384W
  Mr. Rooker
  The number of people sanctioned or prosecuted for committing benefit fraud increased by nearly 60 per cent. in 1999–2000 compared to the previous year.

  The number of prosecutions over five years old is not available. Such information as is available is in the table.

  Year

  Prosecutions

  Cautions and penalties as an alternative to prosecution

  Total

  1995–96

  10,677

  —

  10,677

  1996–97

  12,863

  —

  12,863

  1997–98

  12,009

  —

  12,009

  1998–99

  11,185

  2,835

  14,020

  1999–2000

  9,977

  12,332

  22,309

  Notes:

  1. The figures do not include sanctions for benefit fraud by authorities administering Housing and Council Tax Benefits.

  2. The Social Security Administration (Fraud) Act 1997 introduced penalties as an alternative to prosecution, these came into effect in December 1998.

  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the total cost of benefit fraud in Scotland in each year since 1992 in(a) cash terms and (b) 1999–2000 prices. [145648]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information requested is not available.

  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many cases of benefit fraud were discovered in each constituency in Scotland in each of the last five years. [145677]

  Mr. Rooker
  Information on benefit fraud is not available by constituency.

  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the level of benefit fraud by(a) number of claimants and (b) value (i) in total and (ii) as a percentage of total benefit payments for each benefit in (A) the UK and (B) Scotland. [145637]

  Mr. Rooker
  Information on the level of fraud on different benefits is derived from national and area benefit review exercises. Reports on these are placed in the Library as they become available. The latest report, "The Results of the Area Benefit Review and the Quality Support Team from April 1999 to March 2000" (for income support and jobseeker's allowance), was published on 18 January 2001. This contains information on Great Britain as a whole as well as specific information on Scotland.

  Workless Households
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of children lived in workless households in Scotland in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [145673]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information is in the table.
  385W

  Percentage of children living in workless households in Scotland

  Year

  Percentage

  1996

  19.5

  1997

  18.6

  1998

  17.9

  1999

  16.8

  2000

  16.7

  Notes:

  1. Children refers to all children aged under 16.

  2. A workless household is a household that includes at least one person of working age where no-one is in employment.

  3. The percentages given in the reply have not been adjusted for the small proportion of households where the household economic activity is not known.

  Source:

  Labour Force Survey, spring quarters (covering March to May). The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is a quarterly sample survey of over 60,000 households in the United Kingdom.

  Winter Fuel Payments
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will arrange for application forms for winter fuel payments to be available at post offices. [145620]

  Mr. Rooker
  Winter fuel payment claim forms are available either by contacting the winter fuel payment helpline or from the departmental website or the internet. The administrative arrangements for the scheme in the 2001–02 winter have not yet been established, but I will bear my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind.

  Mr. Hurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much the Government spent on the winter fuel allowance in each of the years(a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) 2000. [145611]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is in the table.

  Expenditure on winter fuel payments

  Year

  Expenditure

  1997–98

  £191 million

  1998–99

  £194 million

  1999–2000

  £902 million

  2000–01

  £1.701 billion

  Source:

  Administrative statistics

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assumptions his Department makes about the proportion of the winter-fuel payment that will be used by(a) low-income and (b) other households to defray the cost of their winter fuel bills. [145765]

  Mr. Rooker
  The winter fuel payment is intended to help elderly people defray their winter heating costs. This winter's £200 payment represents more than one third of the annual average fuel bill for a pensioner household.

  Mr. Hurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioner households will receive the winter fuel allowance this financial year. [145612]

  Mr. Rooker
  Over eight million households containing at least one person aged 60 or over will have benefited from winter fuel payments in the current financial year.

  Minimum Income Guarantee
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many retirement pensioners are receiving the minimum income guarantee in(a) Great Britain, (b) each region of Great Britain and (c) each parliamentary constituency. [145110]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]: The information has been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the administration costs of the minimum income guarantee have been for each year for which figures are available [146089]

  Mr. Rooker
  Administration costs for the minimum income guarantee (MIG), which is paid through income support, are not collated separately from other forms of income support.

  Social Security Budget
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much of the social security budget was spent in Scotland, broken down by the expenditure headings of the departmental budget, in the last three years. [145675]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information has been placed in the Library.

  Pensioners
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of pensioners(a) in the United Kingdom and (b) in Scotland live in a low-income household. [145676]

  Mr. Rooker
  Definition of low income households vary. Such information as is available can be found in the Households Below Average Income 1994–95 to 1998–99 and the Annex to the Scottish Social Justice Annual Report 2000, copies of which are held in the Library.

  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has for separating work relating to pensioners in Benefits Agency offices from work relating to other clients. [145109]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]: Providing a service more tailored to the requirements of the different groups of customers served by the DSS is a top priority for my Department.

  I have already ensured that policy functions at the DSS are divided into three distinct divisions: children, pensioners and working age. This change has produced a greater focus in the Department's work on its three separate customer groups and their very different needs.

  As the next stage in the process I am setting up a new pensions organisation—with responsibility for everything from policy development to front-line service delivery. Today's and tomorrow's pensioners will receive a distinct and responsive service, dedicated to their needs, that uses modern technology to provide the most up-to-date delivery of benefits and advice.

  In parallel—as my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has announced—my Department is working with the Department for Education and Employment to establish a new working age agency. This will bring together the

  387W
  Employment Service and those parts of the Benefits Agency which currently deal with people of working age. The new agency will have a clear focus on work— providing advice, support and assistance to help those who can work back into jobs.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what action he proposes to take to ensure that everyone has an adequate supplementary pension over and above the state pension. [145914]

  Mr. Rooker
  We are taking a number of steps to ensure as many people as possible retire with a decent second pension on top of their basic state pension.

  In April this year, we will introduce stakeholder pensions which will increase access to private pensions for people on middle incomes who do not have access to good occupational pension schemes. In addition, in 2002, we plan to introduce the state second pension, which will result in around 18 million people building up bigger second pensions than they would have got from SERPS, including certain carers and disabled people who are currently excluded from additional pension altogether.

  We have announced plans to introduce a new pension credit which will reward savings. These changes will be supported by improving pensions education, including advertising to raise awareness about pensions issues, and an improved pensions forecasting service to ensure people of working age are in a position to make informed choices about saving for their retirement.

  Far East Prisoners of War
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many former Far-East prisoners of war residing in(a) Renfrewshire and (b) Scotland have made applications to the War Pensions Agency for compensation; and when they will receive the compensation. [144502]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. We expect to start sending out ex-gratia payments at the beginning of February.

  Family Income (Benefits)
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Paisley, South (Mr. Alexander) of 11 January 2001,Official Report, column 607W, on family incomes, if he will revise the table to include those families dependent on (a) family income supplement, (b) family credit and (c) working families tax credit. [146012]

  Mr. Bayley
  Information on family income supplement is not available in the format requested. However, information on the number of families receiving family income supplement is in the table.

  Number of families receiving Family Income Supplement, Great Britain 1978–79 to 1987–88

  Number of families (000)

  1978–79

  78

  1979–80

  86

  1980–81

  110

  1981–82

  139

  1982–83

  182

  388W

  Number of families receiving Family Income Supplement, Great Britain 1978–79 to 1987–88

  Number of families (000)

  1983–84

  202

  1984–85

  199

  1985–86

  201

  1986–87

  218

  1987–88

  213

  Note:

  1. Family Income Supplement was replaced by Family Credit in April 1988

  2. Figures are at March of each year

  Children in families receiving Family Credit, Great Britain 1988–99

  Number of children (000)

  Proportion of children under 16 in Great Britain (%)

  1988

  388.5

  3.5

  1989

  591.6

  5.3

  1990

  629.9

  5.6

  1991

  691.2

  6.1

  1992

  772.7

  6.8

  1993

  923.4

  8.0

  1994

  1,044.2

  9.0

  1995

  1,141.5

  9.8

  1996

  1,291.8

  11.1

  1997

  1,396.4

  11.9

  1998

  1,428.3

  12.2

  1999

  1,462.1

  12.5

  Notes:

  1. Numbers are given at a point in time of May each year

  2. Children are defined as aged 0–15

  3. Number are based on a 5 per cent. sample data and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling error

  4. Caseload figures for 1988 to 1990 are not completely accurate and they therefore may be a slight underestimate

  Source:

  Family Credit Statistics Quarterly Enquiries, May 1988-May 1999

  Children in families receiving Working Families' Tax Credit, Great Britain, 2000

  Number of children (000)

  Proportion of children under 16 in Great Britain (%)

  2000 (May)

  1,856.9

  15.9

  2000 (August)

  1,976.1

  16.9

  Notes:

  1. Numbers are given at a point in time. Two sets of information are given for 2000: May and August, which is the latest available date

  2. Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred and are expressed in thousands

  3. Working Families' Tax Credit replaced Family Credit in October 1999

  4. Children are defined as aged 0–15 at the application date

  5. Numbers are based on a 1 in 20 sample and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling error

  Duplicate Payments
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will place in the Library a copy of the audit investigation into the computer error in October 1999 that led to £1.32 million worth of duplicate Income Support payments; [146010]

  (2) how much of the £1.32 million of duplicated Income Support payments in October 1999 has been recovered. [146011]
  389W
  Mr. Bayley
  Our latest estimate suggests the losses were slightly more than half the initial estimate. The cause of the problem was identified and a computer fix was implemented in February 2000. Because the losses to individuals were relatively small, recovery was deemed not to be cost-effective.

  Poverty
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the Government will set a timetable for the elimination of poverty in the UK. [146021]

  Mr. Bayley
  Our strategy for tackling poverty is set out in the annual publication "Opportunity for All", the second volume of which was published on 21 September and called "Opportunity for All One Year On: Making a Difference".

  Pensions (Yeovil)
  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners in Yeovil constituency have a weekly gross income of under(a) £100, (b) £150, (c) £200, (d) £500 and (e) £1,000. [144586]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is not available.

  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners in Yeovil constituency receive the over-80s premium on the basic state pension; and if he will make a statement. [144588]

  Mr. Rooker
  There are 2,321,800 elderly people living either in Great Britain or overseas who have an entitlement to basic state pension and who receive the over-80s addition. Among them, 5,500 are resident in the parliamentary constituency of Yeovil.

  Notes:

  1. The case count figures quoted are in thousands and are rounded to the nearest hundred.

  2. Includes all retirement pensioners resident in Great Britain and overseas.

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

  Citizens Advice Bureaux
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the benefit claims forms that referred claimants to the Citizens Advice Bureaux Service for assistance and advice in their completion as at 31 December 2000; what percentage of documents issued referred benefits claimants to Citizens Advice Bureaux in each year from 1996 to 2000; and what discussions the Government have had with the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux in respect of the inclusion of such references to advice. [146091]

  Angela Eagle
  DSS claim packs and forms refer customers to Citizens Advice Bureaux (CABs) for general advice. They do not direct them to CABs for claim pack or form completion.

  These references have been discussed with the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux (NACAB).

  At present, 40 forms out of a total of 52 contain a reference to the CABs ie 76.92 per cent. Figures for the years 1996 to 2000 are not available.
  390W
  The claim forms that refer to CABs for advice and assistance are listed as follows:
  Attendance Allowance

  DS2

  DS2A

  DS1140

  DS263

  The Child Benefit claim pack
  Disability Living Allowance

  DLA1

  DLA1A

  DLA434

  DLA580

  DLA581

  DLA582

  and child versions of each of the DLA forms

  Guardian's Allowance

  BG1

  Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit

  NHB1A

  Invalid Care Allowance

  DS700

  Incapacity Benefit

  SC1

  SSP1

  Income Support

  A1

  Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit

  BI100-A

  BI100-B

  BI100-C

  BI100-E

  BI100-OA

  BI100-OD

  BI100-PN

  Jobseeker's Allowance

  JSA1

  JSA2

  JSA3

  JSA4

  JSA4A

  Severe Disablement Allowance

  SDA1

  Social Fund

  SF100

  SF300

  SF401

  SD500.

  Benefit Payments (Yeovil)
  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of people of working age in Yeovil constituency receive(a) Income Support and (b) disability benefits; and if he will make a statement. [144587]
  391W
  Mr. Bayley
  The administration of benefits is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to the right hon. Member.

  Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Paddy Ashdown, dated 18 January 2001:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what percentage of people of working age in Yeovil constituency receive (a) Income Support and (b) disability benefits; and if he will make a statement.
  The data is not available in the requested format, however, the information which is available is supplied in the table below.

  Recipients of working age on Income Support and disability benefits in Yeovil parliamentary constituency as at May 20001

  Benefit

  Total receiving benefit

  Income Support (IS)

  2,500

  Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

  1,700

  Incapacity Benefit (IB)

  1,700

  Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA)

  600

  IB, SDA or DLA2

  2.800

  1 Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred.

  2 Number of people who receive one or more of these benefits.

  Source:

  Client Group Analysis of DSS ASDI 5 per cent. statistical samples relating to May 2000

  I hope this is helpful.

PRIME MINISTER

  Social Exclusion (Wales)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the recommendation in the Third report of the Welsh Affairs Committee, on social exclusion in Wales, concerning the availability of disaggregated statistical information relating to Wales. [146019]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I have been asked to reply.

  A great deal of statistical information is already available in geographically dis-aggregated form—and the Committee specifically paid tribute to the recent publication of the "Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation", which brings together some new small area data for Wales. The National Assembly hopes to extend the amount of information available at the local level in collaboration with the Office for National Statistics' Neighbourhood Statistics Service to be launched shortly.

  The Government are carefully considering all of the Select Committee's recommendations, including this one, and will respond fully to the report in due course.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Debt Recovery
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will review the Government's debt recovery policies to ensure that they support the aims of its social inclusion strategy. [146014]

  Mr. Lock
  The Lord Chancellor is not involved in large-scale debt recovery, but is responsible for the courts and the enforcement of civil court judgments.
  392W
  The Lord Chancellor's Department is currently carrying out a review of enforcement of civil court judgments. The final report of phase 1 was published on 26 July 2000 and phase 2 is still continuing. My Department has been and will continue to involve colleagues working on social exclusion issues and debt advice agencies throughout the review process and will take account of their views.

  Legal Services Commission
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the costs of the recently completed research project into the Legal Services Commission's publicly-funded family mediation pilot project were; how many copies of the full research report were printed and what plans he has to publish more copies of the research; what the cost of the recently completed research project into the provision of divorce information was; when the divorce information research report will be published; and if he will make a statement. [144885]

  Jane Kennedy
  The cost of the research into the pilot contacts for the provision of publicly funded family mediation commissioned by the Legal Services Commission was £785,700. The LSC printed 100 copies of the full report and 500 copies of a summary of the report's findings for distribution at the time of publication on 20 December 2000. Further copies are in the process of being printed. In addition, the fully report and summary are available on the LSC's website.

  The total cost of the information meeting pilots under Part II of the Family Law Act 1996 was £6,338,799, of which £2,183,996 related to the cost of evaluating the pilots. The final evaluation report was published on 16 January 2001, and I refer my hon. Friend to the written answer that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hammersmith and Fulham (Mr. Coleman) on that date, Official Report, column 219W.

  CAFCASS
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department on what date CAFCASS will open; and when(a) a training manual and (b) introductory booklets and leaflets will be made available. [144853]

  Jane Kennedy
  CAFCASS will begin operation on 1 April 2001. The continued training and development of staff will be a priority for the new service and CAFCASS will have a training strategy. There are no plans to produce a prescriptive training manual as the service involves complex judgments which require flexible approaches in each case. Instead, there will be available a wide range of guidance from 1 April. This guidance is based on the work which has been carried out as part of the CAFCASS development programme and includes that developed jointly with key stakeholders. CAFCASS plans to publish a number of leaflets covering general introductory issues and specific subjects such as mediation and complaints procedures. There will also be leaflets aimed specifically at children. These will be available from each CAFCASS office from 1 April 2001.

  Public Trust Office
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps he has taken to
  393W
  ensure that the funds transferred from a former client of the receivership division of the Public Trust Office to a nursing home owner under the special exercise relating to clients with less than £10,000 are subsequently applied for the benefit of the former client. [145684]

  Jane Kennedy
  Of the cases where the involvement of the Public Trust Office has ceased as a result of the review exercise, only four have had capital passed to a nursing home. The Public Trust Office ensures that strict criteria are applied before any proposals are put to the Court of Protection to transfer client's assets to a nursing home, to be applied for the client's benefit. A nursing home would be approached only in exceptional cases, where there is no one else suitable or willing to act. The circumstances of every case are considered individually. When the nursing home is approached, they are informed that the capital must be held in an account in the client's name. The home must also advise the Public Trust Office how they will monitor the account and what audit checks are in place to ensure proper use of the funds. All people of whom the Public Trust Office is aware, who have an interest in the client, as well as all relatives, are advised of the new arrangements. Each case is considered by the Court of Protection, which makes an order discharging the Public Trustee and pays the capital to the nursing home. The Court will make such an order only if it is of the opinion that the client's interests are best served by the proposed new arrangements. Of the cases where the involvement of the Public Trust Office has ceased as a result of the review exercise, only four have had capital passed to a nursing home.

  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many casual and agency staff are employed in the Public Trust Office in clerical and administrative grades; and how many have authority to issue cash payments from clients' funds. [145685]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Public Trust Office has 10 casual and 112 agency staff in clerical and administrative grades. Of these, three casual staff and one agency staff are on the authorised signatory list for payments from client's funds. However, two signatures are required in all cases to authorise such payments.

  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how much has been paid to outside consultants working at the Public Trust Office in the last year; and how many consultants there are. [145682]

  Jane Kennedy
  The amount paid to outside consultants in the year to November 2000 was £288,000. This was for seven consultants.

  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what progress has been made in putting out to tender the last resort receivership work carried out by the receivership division of the Public Trust Office. [145678]

  Jane Kennedy
  I refer my hon. Friend to the written answer that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Doncaster, Central (Ms Winterton) on 21 December 2000,Official Report, column 272W, announcing publication of "The Way Forward and an Analysis of the Consultation". The Lord Chancellor has decided not to conduct a competitive tender for last resort work. Instead, we will put in place an approved list of receivers to whom cases can be transferred where it is in the client's best interest.
  394W
  Applications to be on this list were advertised at the beginning of January and an evaluation of the responses received will start shortly.

  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many staff formerly employed in the mental health division of the Public Trust Office have left the Agency in the six month period to 1 December 2000; and what was the equivalent figure for(a) the previous six months and (b) the same period in (i) 1998 and (ii) 1991 [145680]

  Jane Kennedy
  During the six month period to 1 December 2000, 37 staff, formerly employed in the mental health division of the Public Trust Office, left the office. The equivalent figure for the preceding six months was 33. The number of staff leaving the office in the six month period to 1 December 1998 was 28, and for the same period in 1997, 26 staff.

  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary. Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to bring forward legislation to transfer the role of the Public Trustee to the Official Solicitor. [145689]

  Jane Kennedy
  No legislation is required to transfer the role of the Public Trustee to the Official Solicitor.

  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many staff formerly employed in the mental health division of the Public Trust Office have been transferred to other duties connected with(a) customer services and (b) the change directorate. [145681]

  Jane Kennedy
  Responsibility for customer service was formerly spread out among many staff in the mental health division but is now the responsibility of 7.5 full-time equivalent staff in the customer service division. The change directorate no longer exists; all staff who worked in the change directorate now work in the mental health division.

  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the rate of remuneration paid to the highest paid consultant at the Public Trust Office is. [145683]

  Jane Kennedy
  The highest paid consultant is an investment consultant, who is paid £180 per hour. His services are used on an ad hoc basis for approximately 10 hours per month.

  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps have been taken to ascertain the opinions of(a) clients and (b) carers of clients of the receivership division on the proposals to tender out the last resort receivership work. [145686]

  Jane Kennedy
  Letters were sent both to clients and their carers in May 2000. These contained a summary of the proposals for the last resort receivership service and sought their views. There was very little response, but some concerns were expressed and the Government no longer propose to conduct a tender for these cases.

  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how much has been paid out to clients of the Public Trust Office in compensation for errors made in the six-month period to 1 December 2000; and what was the equivalent figure for the same six-month period in(a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 1999. [145679]
  395W
  Jane Kennedy
  The Public Trust Office has paid out the following amounts in compensation for errors: in the six month period to 1 December 2001), £261,434, of which £223,879 was in respect of one case (concerning an error discovered in June 1998); in the six months to 1 December 1999, £46,118; in the six months to 1 December 1998, 60,192; and in the six months lo 1 December 1997, £51,521. It should be noted that the errors to which these payments relate would have occurred in earlier periods.

  Flat Fee System
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the cost to public funds of the flat fee system. [145687]

  Jane Kennedy
  The cost to public funds of the flat fee system will arise through the introduction of fee remissions for those unable to pay. For 2001–02, this is estimated at a maximum of £2.4 million, reducing in future years. The actual cost will be monitored. The cost of administering the new flat fee system will be approximately £0.8 million less than the previous system.

  Public Guardianship Office
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how much he plans to allocate to setting up and maintaining the new Public Guardianship Office. [145688]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Lord Chancellor's Department plans to allocate £20.6 million cash costs to setting up the Public Guardianship Office during financial years 2000–01 and 2001–02. The cash cost that the Lord Chancellor's Department plans to allocate to running the Public Guardianship Office in 2001–02 is currently £11.8 million.

  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what meetings he has had with trade union representatives on proposals to change the terms and conditions of staff at the Public Guardianship Office. [145690]

  Jane Kennedy
  I have had no meeting with the trade union representatives on this subject.

  Royal Records
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how he defines the term public interest in relation to the early release of royal records. [145755]

  Mr. Lock
  Under current access criteria, there is no public interest test. Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, there will be a public interest test. That test will be the same for royal records as for any other records.

  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what discretion the Lord Chancellor has in deciding whether to release royal records relating to King Edward VIII. [145756]

  Mr. Lock
  The criteria in relation to the release of public records are set out in Annex C to the Open Government White paper (July 1993). The guiding principle is that all records not retained in Departments should he released after 30 years unless it is possible to establish that actual damage would be caused by release and that the damage would fall within the three criteria set out in that Annex. The Lord Chancellor has discretion on the interpretation of these criteria which he exercises in the light of advice from his Advisory Council on Public Records.

  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what criteria will be used to determine the release of the records relating to King Edward VIII. [145757]

  Mr. Lock
  The criteria governing closure of public records including those relating to King Edward VIII are set out in Annex C to the Open Government White Paper (July 1993).

  Guidance on the length of time that royal records remain closed to the public is under review in the light of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

  Trials
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the circumstances under which a recent High Court trial was abandoned as a result of the liaison of a police officer with a member of the jury. [145740]

  Jane Kennedy
  The re-trial of the case in question, which commenced on 15 December 2000, was halted by His Honour Judge Crawford Lindsay QC when the court received information to the effect that a female juror was in a relationship with one of the police officers who had been assigned as her jury protection officer.

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