Written Answers of 23 January 2001

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Clergy Pay and Conditions
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, if he will make a statement on pay and conditions of the clergy. [144810]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  Pay and conditions vary slightly from diocese to diocese but the national average stipend for clergy of incumbent status as at July 2000 was £16,480. In addition, clergy receive free accommodation or a housing allowance, membership of a non-contributory pension scheme and should receive full reimbursement of all working expenses.

  Church Property
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what restrictions are placed on the sale of church property in inner urban areas. [144812]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  The Church Commissioners normally impose covenants on the new owner of a redundant church restricting its use to that approved and prohibiting unauthorised architectural changes, the disturbance of any human remains or memorials, and demolition. When a parsonage is sold there would normally be covenants to protect any adjacent church land.

  Agricultural Rents
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what the Commissioners' policy is in respect of agricultural rents on church-owned land. [144814]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  As a charity, the Commissioners are required to seek the best returns on their assets for the benefit of the Church of England clergy, serving and retired. They also seek to act as responsible landlords. In the case of agricultural tenants, the Commissioners fully recognise the crisis in farming and where there is hardship will consider how best to help. This is done on a case by case basis and tenants are free to discuss their difficulties with agents or staff.

  Vicarages and Rectories
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, if he will make a statement about the sale of vicarages and rectories. [144815]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  There are some 7,800 parsonages in England. During the last five years for which figures are available, a yearly average of 97 parsonages were sold, 42 purchased and 18 built.

  Redundant Churches
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, if he will make a statement on the number of redundant churches. [144816]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  1,623 Church of England churches have been declared redundant since 1 April 1969. However, the rate of closure has been falling and only 16 churches were declared redundant in 2000. Some 16,000 parish churches remain in use throughout England.

  Dismissed Clergy (Pensions)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, if he will make a statement on the pension entitlement of dismissed clergy. [144817]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  Anyone who ceases to be in service which is pensionable under the clergy scheme, for whatever reason other than retirement, is entitled to deferred benefits payable at age 65. The pension and retirement lump sum are calculated by reference to the period of pensionable service actually completed and pensionable stipend at the date of leaving. The benefits are revalued to age 65 in line with increases in the pensionable stipend. Once in payment, the pension is increased annually on the same basis as all other pensions in payment under the scheme.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  HIV/AIDS
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on progress made by the Accelerating Access Initiative facilitated by UNAIDS. [146248]

  Clare Short
  The United Nations programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) is making good progress on Accelerating Access to HIV/AIDS-related care and treatment. Over 20 countries have expressed interest in participating. Senegal and Uganda have negotiated significantly lower prices for antiretroviral medicines for their national HIV treatment programmes.

  There has been greater transparency of both the acceleration process in general, and of indicative prices in particular. Although progress is being made, much more needs to be done, both in terms of transparency in prices from suppliers, but also in respect of further discounts on prices. The Cabinet Office Performance and Innovation Unit (PIU) study will further contribute to increasing access to HIV/AIDS care and treatment.

  However, we must all remain clear that the complexity and toxicity of treatment and the weakness of health systems in many developing countries mean that such initiatives will have a limited impact.

  Disability Projects
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many projects whose principal focus was disability were funded by her Department in the last 12 months; what was the total sum thus expended; and what percentage of her Department's project finance that total represented. [146387]

  Clare Short
  Forty-two such projects were being funded by my Department in the last 12 months, calendar year 2000. The total sum spent through these activities was £58,078,800.

  Figures for total DFID programmes for the same period are not available. However, the figure for the last complete financial year (1999–2000) is £2,513,812,000.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Byers Committee
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the members of the Byers Committee. [146763]

  Mr. Byers
  No Committee of this name exists.

  Better Regulation Task Force
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will make a formal response to "Regulating Cyberspace—Better Regulation for E-commerce" published on December 2000 by the Better Regulation Task Force. [146854]

  Ms Hewitt
  The deadline agreed with the Better Regulation Task Force for submitting the formal Government response is 23 February 2001.

  Thousand

  Users of SBS services

  Q1 April-June 2000–01

  Q2 July-September 2000–01

  Local delivery, 0–49 employees (EC definition of a small business)1

  78.0

  80.5

  Local delivery, 50+ employees including no size information

  27.0

  23.9

  Local delivery, individuals1

  40.7

  37.6

  Nationally delivered services1,2

  4.2

  6.5

  Gateway to SBS services call centre2

  10.1

  8.3

  1 Only one use per business is recorded during each quarter.

  2 Breakdowns between individuals and business, and business size are not available.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Small Business Service has met its operational targets for(a) establishing an Index of Regulation on small business and (b) reviewing business support services and publishing the results. [146502]

  Mr. Byers
  The Small Business Service has studied the issue of the Index of Regulation and carried out preliminary consultations internally and externally. These highlighted a number of issues that need to be resolved before a decision can be taken on how to create an index. The SBS review of business support was issued as a consultative document on 2 October 2000. A revised document, taking account of comments received, was published on the internet www.businessadviceonline.org on 22 December 2000.

  Fireworks
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many successful prosecutions have taken place under the Firework (Safety) Regulations 1997 with respect to(a) sales of aerial shells, aerial maroons, bangers, mini-rockets and fireworks of erratic flight to the public and (b) sales of fireworks to under 18-year-olds. [146681]

  Dr. Howells
  This information is not held by the Department and could be obtained only by incurring disproportionate costs.

  Small Business Service
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the percentage of customers who were satisfied with performance of Small Business Service in each quarter since April 2000. [146503]

  Mr. Byers
  An independent survey undertaken for SBS by MORI in the first quarter of this financial year (April-June 2000) showed that 74 per cent. of all users of locally delivered business support services were satisfied or very satisfied.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many(a) individuals and (b) small businesses have used Small Business Service services in each quarter since April 2000. [146504]

  Mr. Byers
  The table shows a breakdown of total SBS usage. Data are available for Quarters 1 and 2 2000–01. In addition to the usage data given, on average 27,000 hits were received per day (April-June 2000) on the SBS website.

  Ilisu Dam
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with the Governments of Iran, Iraq, Syria and Turkey about the regional implications of building the Ilisu Dam; and what regional support there is for the project beyond that of the Turkish Government. [145071]

  Mr. Caborn
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has not yet had any discussions with the Governments of Iran, Iraq, Syria and Turkey about the regional implications of building the Ilisu Dam.

  We are of course aware that the Governments of Syria and Iraq (via the Jordanian Embassy) and the Arab League have expressed concern about the dam. When my

  503W
  right hon. Friend published the two reports which we commissioned on this project in December 1999, he also made it clear that before a decision is made on the availability of ECGD support, we will need to be satisfied on a number of conditions, including that of the downstream flow of the Tigris. My officials are in touch with the Turkish authorities regarding these conditions.

  A4E
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Hull Area Advice Centre Ltd. and its equivalent in Grimsby and Scunthorpe, the Hull Branch of the Federation of Small Businesses and the Humberside District Society of Chartered Accountants were among those organisations approached by A4E when applying for the small business links franchise for Humberside. [146429]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 22 January 2001]The award of contracts for local delivery of Business Link services is an operational matter for the Chief Executive of the Small Business Service. I have asked him to write to my hon. Friend with his response.

  Letter from David Irwin to Mr. Kevin McNamara:
  I have been asked by Stephen Byers to respond to the Parliamentary Question you have tabled concerning the Small Business Service's decision to make Action for Employment (A4E) the preferred bidder to deliver the new Business Link service in Humberside.
  In the Action for Employment bid to run the SBS Business Link in Humberside, there was no mention of contact with the Hull Area Advice Centre and its equivalent in Grimsby and Scunthorpe, the Hull branch of the Federation of Small Businesses or the Humberside District Society of Chartered Accountants.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Treasure Annual Report
  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he will publish the Treasure Annual report 1998–99. [147199]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The Annual Report covering the operation of the Treasure Act 1996 for the period from 24 September 1998 to 31 December 1999 was laid before Parliament earlier today.

  The Report is being launched tomorrow morning.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Benefits (Scotland)
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much was paid by each of his Department's administrative areas to(a) the elderly, (b) people with long-term illness or disability, (c) families, (d) unemployed people, (e) children and (f) others in Scotland in each of the last 10 years, indicating in each case the percentage of the budget spent on each group. [145674]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is not available.

  Benefit Fraud
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate, for each local authority, the total amount saved in benefit expenditure in the most recent year arising from anti-fraud initiatives; what this figure was as a percentage of the total expenditure on social security benefits administered by each local authority; and what his aggregate estimate is for Great Britain. [146318]

  Mr. Rooker
  We aim to ensure that all our anti-fraud initiatives are effective in combating fraud and error. It is not always possible to quantify the precise savings of some measures as they are often designed to prevent fraud occurring in the first place rather than detecting fraud after the event.

  However, the weekly benefit savings scheme provides a partial measure of benefit fraud based on what local authorities have detected. A table providing the information requested expressed in terms of weekly benefit savings for the most recent year available, 1998–99, was placed in the Library as part of my answer to the hon. Member on 9 June 2000, Official Report, column 409W.

  Winter Fuel Payments
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when Ms Williams of Tate and Mrs. Gosling of Chipping Sodbury, whose national insurance numbers have been supplied, will receive their Winter Fuel Payments for winter 2000. [146479]

  Mr. Rooker
  This is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Mr. Steve Webb, dated 22 January 2001:
  The Parliamentary Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to respond to your recent Parliamentary Question asking when Ms Williams of Tate and Mrs Gosling of Chipping Sodbury, whose national insurance numbers have been supplied, will receive their Winter Fuel Payments (WFP) for winter 2000.
  Ms Williams' WFP for 2000 was automatically sent to her home address and would have been delivered before Christmas 2000. If she has not received this payment she should contact the local Benefits Agency office who will take the necessary replacement action.
  Technical problems prevented Mrs Gosling from receiving her WFP for 2000 automatically, therefore, the payment has been issued clerically and will be delivered by 27 January 2001. Corrective action will be taken to ensure payment for 2001 will be sent on time.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what his reasons are choosing 12 December 2000 as the qualifying date for the winter fuel allowance. [146992]

  Mr. Rooker
  The date of 12 December 2000 has no relevance to the payment of the Winter Fuel Payment.

  To enable the right payments to be made before Christmas and avoid the Christmas post various processes need to be completed. These require a qualifying week of 18–24 September 2000.
  505W
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what complaints he has received regarding the clarity of Part 2 of the claim form for Winter Fuel Payment; and if he will make a statement. [146611]

  Mr. Rooker
  The helpline dealt with a number of people requiring help, but details are not recorded separately. We are currently designing a new set of forms for 2001. If the hon. Member has a particular aspect in mind perhaps he will write to me.

  NIRS2 (Stakeholder Pensions)
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the implications of the continuing NIRS2 problems for the implementation of stakeholder pensions. [146349]

  Mr. Rooker
  Stakeholder pensions are on target for introduction in April 2001. We do not anticipate that this will be affected by the NIRS2 computer system.

  Pensioner Incomes
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 18 December 2000,Official Report, columns 78–79W, what the average incomes of pensioner households for the United Kingdom were in each of the last four years for which figures are available. [146339]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information requested is not available for the United Kingdom. Information for Great Britain is shown in the table.

  Average net income before housing costs, Great Britain

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  All Pensioners: Mean

  174

  184

  186

  192

  All Pensioners: Median

  136

  145

  146

  148

  Pensioner Couples: Mean

  246

  265

  267

  272

  Pensioner Couples: Median

  194

  209

  209

  214

  Single Pensioners: Mean

  129

  133

  136

  141

  Single Pensioners: Medians

  111

  115

  117

  118

  Notes:

  1. All incomes are in £ per week and are at July 1998 prices.

  2. Pensioners are defined as single people over State Pension age (65 and over for men, 60 and over for women) and couples (married or cohabiting) where the man is over State Pension age.

  3. Estimates are based on survey data and therefore subject to sampling error. In particular, comparisons over short periods of time should be treated with caution, and regarded as only a broad indication of the trend.

  Source:

  Family Resources Surveys.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Knowsley, South (Mr. O'Hara) of 15 January 2001,Official Report, column 80W, on pensioner incomes, if he will reproduce the table disaggregated by age group for (a) pensioners aged 70 and under, (b) pensioners aged 71 to 75, (c) pensioners aged 76 to 80 and (d) pensioners aged over 80 years. [146889]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is in the table.
  506W

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

  Percentage

  All ages

  Aged 70 and under

  Aged 71 to 75

  Aged 76 to 80

  Aged over 80 years

  Single pensioners

  60

  51

  57

  62

  71

  Pensioner couples

  35

  28

  34

  47

  49

  All pensioners

  50

  40

  47

  57

  67

  Notes:

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

  2. Pensioners are defined as single people over state pension age (65 for men and 60 for women) and couples (married or co-habiting) where the man is over state pension age.

  3. Pensioner couples are allocated to age category based on the age of the man.

  4. Estimates should be treated with caution since they are based on small sample sizes and are subject to sampling error.

  Source:

  Family Resources Survey 1998–99.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security on the state pension, how many(a) single pensioners in receipt of the basic state pension and (b) pensioner couples in receipt of the basic state pension are not entitled to the full value of the appropriate basic state pension. [146890]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is not available.

  Minimum Income Guarantee
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the cost of increasing the rate of the basic state pension to the level of the minimum income guarantee in(a) the UK and (b) Scotland in each of the next five years. [146088]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 18 January 2001]The information is in the table.

  The cost of increasing the level of the basic state pension to the level of the MIG from April 2001 for Great Britain, and for Scotland

  £ billion

  Great Britain

  Scotland

  Cross

  Net

  Gross

  Net

  2001–02

  8.2

  6.3

  0.7

  0.5

  2002–03

  8.6

  6.7

  0.8

  0.6

  2003–04

  9.3

  7.3

  0.8

  0.6

  2004–05

  10.2

  8.1

  0.9

  0.7

  2005–06

  11.1

  8.8

  1

  0.7

  Notes:

  1. Costs are given in £ billion to the nearest £0.1 billion in constant 2000–01 prices.

  2. Gross costs are estimated by GAD.

  3. Net costs are given after income related benefit savings as estimated by the Policy Simulation Model.

  4. Costs for Northern Ireland are not included.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many retired pensioners living in the Tooting constituency qualify for the minimum income guarantee. [146497]

  Mr. Rooker
  I refer my hon. Friend to the Written Answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Knowsley, South (Mr. O'Hara) on 18 January 2001,Official Report, column 386W.
  507W
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the minimum income guarantee take-up campaign will come to an end; and when the final results will be made public. [146350]

  Mr. Rooker
  We expect to have the results form the 2000 campaign in the spring.

  Industrial Injuries
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the average duration in each of the last three years was of the(a) industrial injuries disablement benefit tribunal cases and (b) appeals against tribunal decisions; and if he will make a statement on trends in the length of cases in years. [145753]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information is not available.

  Stakeholder Review
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what changes he proposes to make to the stakeholder pensions regulations. [147207]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Stakeholder Pension Schemes (Amendment) Regulations 2001 (SI2001/104) have been laid today. Copies are available in the usual way and the regulations will also be available on the internet at www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk. The regulations include changes needed to allow certain types of scheme to register with the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority. A further set of amendments to the Stakeholder Pension Schemes Regulations 2000 will follow shortly.

  Pension Rights (Part-time Workers)
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the time scale for the House of Lords judgment on the back-dating of part-time workers' pension rights. [146897]

  Mr. Rooker
  The House of Lords considered the case relating to time limits for granting retrospective membership of occupational pension schemes on 24 July 2000. However, we do not know the precise date when their judgment will be handed down.

  Income Support
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if levels of Income Support limits for people in care homes will be uprated in line with increased Department of Health limits for charges. [146990]

  Mr. Bayley
  No. Local authority support is not relevant for the purposes of setting Income Support (IS) entitlement. From 2002, those cases which remain on IS will transfer to local authority responsibility.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claimants at the latest available date have preferred rights under the Income Support scheme; and if this trial can be broken down on a(a) regional and (b) constituency basis. [145694]

  Mr. Bayley
  [holding answer 16 January 2001]: Information on Income Support claimants in residential care or nursing homes with "Preserved Rights" by Government Office Region is in the table.
  508W
  It is not possible to quote figures for Preserved Rights at constituency level from the 5 per cent. sample as the numbers concerned are too small.

  Preserved Rights Income Support claimants as at August 2000

  Thousand

  Government Office Region

  Number of claimants

  All Great Britain

  71.9

  North East

  2.7

  North West

  9.6

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  6.7

  East Midlands

  5.1

  West Midlands

  5.7

  East

  5.0

  London

  4.8

  South East

  13.4

  South West

  10.7

  Wales

  3.3

  Scotland

  4.9

  Notes:

  1. Government Office Region figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling error.

  2. Government Office Region figures are rounded to the nearest hundred and are expressed in thousands. Total may not sum due to rounding Constituency data are rounded to the nearest five cases.

  Source:

  Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, August 2000 which is a point-in-time survey based on a 5 per cent. sample of Income Support claimants.

  Motability
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much funding the Government provided to Motability in each year since it was founded, broken down into(a) the equipment fund, (b) the administration fund and (c) any other payments. [146346]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information is as follows:

  Details of funding allocated to Motability since the scheme's inception

  £000

  Mobility equipment fund/drivers fund

  Administration

  Other

  1977–78

  —

  12

  —

  1978–79

  —

  168

  —

  1979–80

  —

  229

  —

  1980–81

  —

  290

  —

  1981–82

  —

  310

  —

  1982–83

  —

  333

  —

  1983–84

  —

  336

  —

  1984–85

  —

  348

  —

  1985–86

  —

  517

  —

  1986–87

  —

  660

  —

  1987–88

  —

  682

  —

  1988–89

  —

  780

  —

  1989–90

  —

  516

  15,000

  1990–91

  —

  1,112

  —

  1991–92

  1,000

  1,797

  —

  1992–93

  1,000

  1,835

  —

  1993–94

  2,000

  2,085

  —

  1994–95

  3,000

  3,940

  —

  1995–96

  3,000

  4,069

  —

  1996–97

  3,000

  4,488

  —

  1997–98

  3,000

  4,646

  —

  1998–99

  3,000

  4,646

  —

  1999–2000

  4,000

  3,897

  —

  2000–01

  5,700

  2,200

  —

  1 Interest-free loan to establish the Tenth Anniversary Trust

  509W
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what extra resources he will make available to Motability as a result of the extension of higher rate mobility to three and four-year-olds. [146358]

  Mr. Bayley
  About 6,000 children are estimated to gain from the extension of the higher rate Motability component to three and four-year-olds at annual cost of £15 million. They will be able to take the cash benefit or use it to pay for a standard vehicle through the Motability main scheme. Those that require an adapted vehicle will be able to make application to the Motability Equipment Fund (MEF), administered on behalf of the Government by Motability.

  From a base of £2 million per annum, an additional £2.4 million was made available to the MEF from 2000–01, and from 2001–02 an extra £1 million per annum is being provided which, with additional contributions from Motability's Tenth Anniversary Trust, is expected to meet overall demand over the next three years.

  Pensioner Poverty
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many(a) male and (b) female pensioners living in poverty there were, broken down by five-year age group, in the latest year for which figures are available. [146313]

  Mr. Rooker
  There is no single measure of poverty. The annual "Opportunity for All" reports include a range of indicators we are working to.

HEALTH

  Ambulance Service
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average number of 999 calls placed to the Ambulance Service was in each quarter of the last three years in each NHS region. [141561]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 18 December 2000]: Information about the number of 999 calls to National Health Service ambulance trusts in each NHS region for each of the last three years is contained in the Department of Health Statistical Bulletin "Ambulance Services, England 1999–2000". Copies are available in the Library and on the website www.doh.gov.uk/public/sb0014.htm.

  Electronic Health Records
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in what ways(a) patients and (b) patient groups are involved in pilot projects for the development of electronic health records. [144701]

  Ms Stuart
  A key component of the Electronic Record Development and Implementation Programme, which was launched in November 1999, was the inclusion of patient representatives in the selection of the sites. The National Health Service Information Authority (NHSIA) has encouraged the sites to involve their own patient communities through appropriate local mechanisms. In some instances this has involved condition-specific patient groups or patient representatives on project boards.
  510W
  To support this process the NHSIA has appointed Marlene Winfield as Head of Stakeholder Relationships: Patients and Citizens, to consult national patient groups in order to ensure an appropriate level of patient involvement in the programme at both national and local levels.

  Some sites have specific objectives in relation to involving patients, and have conducted patient surveys of attitudes to sharing information, confidentiality, the electronic health record, patient access and patient-held records and these results will be shared.

  In addition, a project involving two general practices is also being supported by the NHSIA in the development and implementation of the electronic health record. The general practitioner's practices involved in the project are Hadfield Health Centre in Derbyshire and Bury Knowles Health Centre in Oxford, and are exemplars in their involvement of patients within the practice. The practices are exploring issues around patient self-monitoring and access to the electronic record at the time of consultation; use of electronic records and their migration to electronic and hand-held patient information integrated into the record.

  Hospital Standards (Devon and Cornwall)
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the hospitals in Devon and Cornwall which failed to meet standards of basic hygiene according to the recent survey. [145365]

  Mr. Denham
  All hospitals in Devon and Cornwall achieved good or reasonable standards of hygiene in our initiative to improve standards of cleanliness in hospitals.

  Hospitals in the South West Region are implementing action plans to improve standards of cleanliness and our continuing programme of work will ensure that these standards are maintained in the future.

  Mr. Jim Norris
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consideration he has given to the case of Mr. Jim Norris of Fife Health Board; and what estimate he has made of the implications of this case for(a) health authorities and (b) patients in England and Wales. [145692]

  Ms Stuart
  This is a matter for the Scottish Executive Health Department and does not set a precedent for patients in England and Wales. There are no implications for health authorities and patients in England. Issues relating to Wales are for the Welsh Assembly.

  Fuel Costs (NHS)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the total cost of petrol to the NHS for each of the past three years. [145878]

  Mr. Denham
  It is not possible to calculate the cost to the National Health Service of petrol over the last three years.

  Ambulance Response Targets
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if an ambulance authority will be deemed to have met the eight minute target time for an emergency if attendance is by a volunteer under the first responder scheme. [145530]
  511W
  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]: Yes, providing any volunteer in a first responder scheme is equipped with a defibrillator, trained in basic life support and acting as part of an ambulance service's response system. A fully staffed and equipped ambulance must also arrive within 14 minutes in urban areas or 19 minutes in rural areas. What matters is that patients with life-threatening conditions or injuries get an emergency response as quickly as possible. Clinical evidence proves conclusively that early defibrillation and resuscitation saves more lives. Achievement of the eight minute target could save 1,800 lives each year in people under 75 years suffering acute heart attacks.

  Deep Vein Thrombosis
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of deep vein thrombosis have been recorded in each health authority in England and Wales in the last year for which figures are available; and how many there were in the preceding five years. [146095]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested has been placed in the Library.

  The table shows the number of admissions to National Health Service hospitals in England in 1995–96 to 1999–2000 by health authority of residence for the diagnosis phlebitis and thrombophlebitis of other deep vessels of lower extremities.

  The information relating to Wales is a matter for the devolved Administration.

  Herceptin
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the prescription rate of herceptin is in the(a) North of England, (b) south-east of England, (c) United Kingdom and (d) rest of the European Union; and if he will make a statement. [145935]

  Ms Stuart
  The drug received its marketing authorisation on 28 August 2000, and information about its use is not yet available. We have asked the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to conduct an appraisal of Herceptin (trastuzumab) and vinorelbine for breast cancer. We expect NICE to issue guidance this summer.

  NHS Pay
  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the real increase was in(a) nurses' pay and

  Average daily number of beds in wards open overnight, NHS trusts and units in Somerset Health Authority area and England, 1985 to 1999–2000

  East Somerset NHS Trust

  Taunton and Somerset NHS Trust

  Somerset Partnership NHS Trust

  Somerset DHA

  Total for Somerset HA area

  England

  1985

  —

  —

  —

  3,219

  3,219

  325,487

  1986

  —

  —

  —

  3,121

  3,121

  315,715

  1987–88

  —

  —

  —

  2,951

  2,951

  297,341

  1988–89

  —

  —

  —

  2,742

  2,742

  282,895

  1989–90

  —

  —

  —

  2,521

  2,521

  270,309

  1990–91

  —

  —

  —

  2,429

  2,429

  255,479

  1991–92

  559

  1,024

  —

  646

  2,229

  242,677

  1992–93

  508

  998

  —

  571

  2,077

  232,201

  1993–94

  464

  955

  391

  —

  1,810

  219,476

  1994–95

  445

  945

  441

  —

  1,831

  211,812

  1995–96

  418

  939

  431

  1,788

  206,136

  512W
  (b) ancillary staff pay for each of the periods (i) 1978–79 to 1982–83, (ii) 1982–83 to 1986–87, (iii) 1986–87 to 1991–92, (iv) 1991–92 to 1996–97 and (v) 1996–97 to 2001–02; and if he will make a statement. [144596]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 18 January 2001]: The table details the real-terms increases in pay for nurses and ancillary staff between 1985–86 and 2001–02.1985–86 is the earliest year for which comparable data are available.

  Percentage

  Real increase

  Nurses and midwives

  Ancillary staff

  1985–86 to 1986–87

  5.1

  2.9

  1986–87 to 1991–92

  13.9

  1.8

  1991–92 to 1996–97

  3.2

  1.2

  1996–97 to 2001–021

  6.5

  4.1

  1 The pay offers for 2001–02 have been included although they are still to be formally accepted

  The increases have been calculated using pay settlement data for each year. Figures for 1995–96 and 1996–97 are estimates as these pay settlements contained an element of local flexibility.

  Hospital Beds (Somerset)
  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital beds were in use by the(a) East Somerset NHS Trust and (b) Taunton NHS Trust for each year since 1985–86. [144598]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 18 January 2001]: The information requested is shown in the table. It shows the average daily number of available beds in wards open overnight for East Somerset National Health Service Trust and Taunton and Somerset NHS Trust from 1991–92 to 1999–2000.

  Figures from 1985 are not available in the form requested as the two organisations existed as NHS trusts only from 1991–92; therefore it is not possible to provide earlier separate figures.

  Prior to NHS trusts being established, bed numbers were collected by district health authority. To ensure as complete a picture as possible the table also includes figures for Somerset DHA for 1985 to 1992–93. For 1991–92 and 1992–93 the DHA figures are for the mental health and community units which gained trust status in 1993–94 (called Avalon in earlier years, now Somerset Partnership). For comparison the figures for England for the same period are also included.
  513W

  Average daily number of beds in wards open overnight, NHS trusts and units in Somerset Health Authority area and England, 1985 to 1999–2000

  East Somerset NHS Trust

  Taunton and Somerset NHS Trust

  Somerset Partnership NHS Trust

  Somerset DHA

  Total for Somerset HA area

  England

  1996–97

  405

  909

  431

  —

  1,745

  198,848

  1997–98

  423

  922

  424

  —

  1,769

  193,625

  1998–99

  405

  870

  419

  —

  1,694

  190,006

  1999–2000

  406

  853

  408

  —

  1,668

  186,290

  Source:

  DH form KH03

  Mortuaries
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance has been issued to NHS trusts about the use of refrigerated vans or lorries to store bodies when hospital mortuaries have insufficient capacity; and on what dates that guidance was issued. [146465]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 22 January 2001]: The joint Health Service/Local Authority Circular "Winter 2000–01: Capacity Planning for Health and Society Care" (HSC 2000/016: LAC 2000/14) issued on 23 May 2000 stated:
  NHS trusts should ensure that mortuary capacity is adequate to meet peaks in winter deaths and take steps to provide additional facilities where this is likely to be required. Temporary mortuary facilities must meet minimum standards to respect patients' dignity. Refrigerated vehicles or trailers must not be used.

  Copies are available in the Library.

  Director of Communications (Eastern Region)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons Nick Court, Director of Communications of the Eastern Region of the Department of Health, failed to respond to requests for a telephone conversation with Andy Lever, Editor of the Thurrock Gazette; and what the date and timing of each request was. [146300]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 22 January 2001]: I understand that Mr. Court did not fail to respond to Mr. Lever, editor of the Thurrock Gazette. He returned his call on 16 January 2001.

  Acute Beds
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many acute beds there were in the(a) Royal Berkshire and (b) Battle hospitals (i) in May 1997, (ii) in May 1998, (iii) in May 1999 and (iv) at the end of December 2000. [146364]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 22 January 2001]: Bed statistics are collected by National Health Service trusts, not individual hospital sites. Figures on the average daily numbers of beds for each NHS trust are published annually in "Bed Availability and Occupancy, England", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Waiting Lists (Berkshire)
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients are waiting to get onto a waiting list in Berkshire. [146363]
  514W
  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 22 January 2001]: Information is not available centrally in the form requested.

  Nursing Vacancies
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many nursing vacancies are(a) unfilled and (b) filled by agency and temporary staff in the NHS in England; [146366]

  (2) how many nursing vacancies at the Royal Berkshire Hospital are (a) unfilled and (b) filled by agency and temporary staff. [146365]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answers 22 January 2001]: Information on unfilled vacancies as at 31 March 2000 is shown in the table.

  Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff three month vacancies1

  Royal Berkshire and Battle Hospitals National Health Service Trust2

  80

  England

  9,870

  1 Posts that had been vacant for three months or more. Numbers are whole-time equivalents rounded to the nearest 10.

  2 The Trust covers the Royal Berkshire and Battle Hospitals.

  Source:

  Department of Health Vacancies Survey March 2000

  Information on how many of the national vacancies were filled by agency and temporary staff is not available centrally.

  Information from the Royal Berkshire and Battle Hospitals NHS Trust shows that in December 2000 all qualified nursing vacancies were covered by 99.15 whole-time equivalent agency and casual staff.

  Nurses' Pay
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average hourly rate of pay is of a junior nurse on the full-time payroll. [146367]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 22 January 2001]: The current hourly rate of pay for a newly qualified D grade nurse working full-time is £7.62 outside London and £9.16 in inner London including London Allowance.

  Keyhole Operations
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to ensure that the number of keyhole operations is not reduced on financial grounds. [146769]
  515W
  Mr. Denham
  It is for clinician s to make a clinical judgment as to the best course of treatment for a patient, taking into account clinical and cost-effectiveness as well as patient preference. When making this judgment, we would expect clinicians to take full account of any relevant national guidance, such as that issued by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people had(a) keyhole heart operations and (b) other heart operations on the NES in the last five years in England and Wales. [146770]

  Mr. Denham
  Until very recently cardiac procedures were not carried out using minimally invasive therapy (keyhole surgery). Research is currently under way into the use of such therapy for heart operations.

  The number of heart operations carried out in the National Health Service during the last five years rose by 20 per cent. The figures are:

  Number

  1995–96

  153,784

  1996–97

  162,186

  1997–98

  161,508

  1998–99

  177,711

  1999–2000

  184,671

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Agricultural Hereditments
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what his latest estimate is of the total value of the derating of agricultural hereditments calculated on the basis used in the oral answer given to the right hon. Member for Holborn and St. Pancras on 4 December 1980,Official Report, column 409. [145346]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]: Agricultural premises have been exempt from rates since 1929 and are not valued for rating purposes. There is therefore no reliable basis on which to make an estimate because a number of factors come into play but, very approximately, it is likely that rates would yield less than £140 million for England.

  Agrimonetary Compensation
  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has made to Her Majesty's Treasury to ensure that agrimonetary compensation is paid automatically each year. [145091]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]: No such representations have been made since the Council regulation providing for agrimonetary compensation expires at the end of this year.

  Fishing Industry
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many fishing vessels were registered on 1 January in each of the last five years. [146270]
  516W
  Mr. Morley
  The information is in the table.

  UK fishing fleet1

  Number of UK registered fishing vessels at 1 January

  Total

  1996

  9,720

  1997

  8,667

  1998

  8,458

  1999

  8,271

  2000

  8,040

  1 Including Channel Islands and Isle of Man

  Source:

  UK Sea Fisheries Statistics

  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent discussions he has had with sea fishing industry representatives with regard to stock recovery programmes in waters fished by UK registered boats. [146271]

  Mr. Morley
  The UK Fisheries Conservation Group discussed the west of Scotland and North sea cod and the Northern hake recovery plans on 10 January. I was present for part of the meeting and heard the industry's concerns first hand. The industry were present in Brussels during last week's discussions of the cod recovery plan and were kept fully informed and consulted as the negotiations proceeded. They will also be similarly involved in the continuing discussions on the cod recovery plan this week as well as on the hake plan.

  Mobile Homes (Flood Protection)
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce flood protection grants to mobile home owners towards the cost of raising the height of their homes above ground; and if he will make a statement. [146643]

  Mr. Morley
  I am replying as this Department is responsible for policy on flood and coastal defence. I have no plans to introduce such grants. Grant is available to operating authorities for capital defence schemes that meet specified criteria, and such schemes may provide flood alleviation for mobile home owners where it is sustainable to do so.

  Flood Defences (Gloucestershire)
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 15 January 2001,Official Report, column 60W, what plans he is making to improve flood defences in Gloucestershire; and if he will make a statement. [146608]

  Mr. Morley
  The responsibility for deciding which flood defence projects to promote and their timing rests with local operating authorities (the Environment Agency, Local Authorities and Internal Drainage Boards). The operating authorities have submitted bids for funds to accelerate river flood defences over the next three years, as part of the package of an additional £51 million announced following the recent flooding. The bids are being considered and decisions on allocations will be announced shortly.

  Fishing Vessels
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many fishing vessels were registered in the UK in(a) 1971 and (b) 2000. [146640]

  Mr. Morley
  At 31 December 2000 there were 7,243 registered fishing vessels in the UK fleet (excluding Channel Islands and Isle of Man).

  The available figures for the end of 1971 show there were 6,071 fishing vessels in the UK fleet.

  These figures are not directly comparable because the 1971 data covered only UK vessels known to be fishing commercially. Also the coverage of the inshore fleet was likely to have been incomplete.

  Source:

  UK Sea Fisheries Statistics.

  Farmers (Early Retirement)
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce an early retirement scheme for tenant farmers after 55 years of age; and if he will make a statement. [146149]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 22 January 2001]: After wide consultation we decided that the limited funds available for implementing the EU Rural Development Regulation would be better directed towards other measures to assist the industry, because the type of early retirement scheme available under the Regulation could not be targeted effectively towards those who should benefit.

  Smallholdings
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many agricultural holdings were registered as at 1 January; and of that number how many were classified as smallholdings. [146641]

  Ms Quin
  The number of agricultural holdings in England registered at 1 January 2001 is:Main holdings: 123,911
  Minor holdings: 31,012

  Notes:
  A holding is classified as minor if all the following criteria are true:

  a. the total area is less than 6 hectares

  b. there is no regular whole-time farmer or worker

  c. the estimated annual labour requirement is less than 100 days (of eight hours productive work by an adult worker under average conditions)

  d. the glasshouse area is less than 100 square metres

  e. the occupier does not farm another building.

  If any of these conditions is not satisfied, the holding is categorised as "main".

  Land (Productive Use)
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many acres were in productive use in(a) 1971 and (b) 2000. [146637]
  518W
  Ms Quin
  The information is as follows:

  Total area on agricultural holdings in England (including common rough grazing

  Year

  Hectares

  Acres

  1971

  9,985,399

  24,673,921

  2000

  9,496,827

  23,466,660

  Source:

  June agricultural and horticultural census.

  Depleted Uranium (Irish Sea)
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what monitoring his Department undertakes of the levels of depleted uranium in fish and shellfish caught in the Irish Sea. [144984]

  Ms Stuart
  I have been asked to reply.

  Monitoring the radioactive contamination of fish and shellfish caught in the Irish Sea is the responsibility of the Food Standards Agency. It does not undertake monitoring for depleted uranium contamination specifically but does monitor levels of total uranium contamination arising from discharges from Sellafield and other sources. This monitoring indicates that levels of uranium in fish and shellfish are only slightly enhanced above that expected from natural background. Detailed results of such monitoring are given in the annual Radioactivity in Food and the Environment report published jointly by the Food Standards Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Millennium Bug
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the President of the Council if she will make a statement on the(a) cost to Her Majesty's Government and (b) impact on the UK of the millennium bug. [146698]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the oral statement on the millennium bug, which I made on 20 January 2000,Official Report, columns 975–83, and the update, which I provided on 28 February 2000, Official Report, columns 135–36W, and 20 April 2000, Official Report, column 596W. No significant problems have been reported since then.

  The estimated cost of the millennium bug to central Government was £380 million. The Government's preparations were an outstanding success, with the UK almost untouched by the bug. However, things did not go right by accident. The bug was shown to have the capacity to wreak havoc among essential services. The Government's objective was to ensure that the bug did not cause material disruption to these services. That objective was achieved.

  The work has wide-reaching benefits which were drawn out in a command paper, "Modernising Government in Action: Realising the benefits of Y2K", which I placed in the Libraries of the House on 18 April 2000, as stated on 18 April 2000, Official Report, column 425W.

  Liaison Committee
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the President of the Council when the Government will implement proposals set out in the First report from the Liaison Committee, Session 1999–2000, HC 300; and if she will make a statement. [145535]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I have nothing to add to the Government response to the Liaison Committee Report, which was set out in Cm 4737.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Flood Damage (Roads)
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what steps he is taking to ensure cooperation between the public and private sectors in reacting to flood damage to major roads; [144842]

  (2) what his powers are in relation to the combating of prolonged flooding of major roads; [144841]

  (3) what role has been played by the Environment Agency in connection with the recent flooding of the A22 in Whyteleafe; [144843]

  (4) what action he has taken over the recent flooding of the A22 at Whyteleafe; and if he will make a statement. [144844]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 11 January 2001]: The A22 at Whyteleafe is a local road for which Surrey county council is the highway authority. As the highway authority, the county council are responsible for the maintenance of the road, including dealing with any flooding problem. The Secretary of State does not have powers under the Highways Act 1980 to direct a local highway authority in the discharge of its maintenance duties under the Act.

  The flooding of the A22 at Whyteleafe was caused by a periodic flow of the Bourne due to the rising groundwater levels in the chalk aquifer as a result of the heavy autumn rainfall. The Bourne is normally a dry watercourse and records show it has flowed on only three occasions in the past 20 years. On this occasion the water was prevented from draining away as a result of blockages downstream of the A22. The water backed up to form a lake that covered the road which was closed for safety reasons on police advice. Alternative diversion routes were set up by Surrey county council and the London borough of Croydon.

  To deal with the A22 flooding the Surrey county council and Tandridge district council set up a pumping arrangement to bypass the blockages and take away the excess Bourne water. This was not a straightforward operation and factors such as the need to protect the Kenley water works had to be considered. The pumping operation was successful and the road re-opened to traffic on 8 January.

  A hydrogeologist from the Environment Agency visited the site of the flooding on 20 December and has liaised with officials of Tandridge district council. The Bourne watercourse is not a "Main River" and is therefore the
  520W
  responsibility of the riparian landowners. Tandridge district council and Surrey county council staff have been working to remove the blockages from the course of the Bourne and Tandridge district council have taken the lead in bringing together key organisations to minimise the risk of a repetition of the local flooding. The Environment Agency have provided advice to some individuals who contacted them about the flooding of their properties.

  In response to the countrywide flooding problems experienced as a result of the heavy autumn rainfall the Government have established a Hoods Task Force, chaired by the MAFF Minister for Fisheries and the Countryside, which draws together all relevant departments and aims to ensure effective co-ordination of central Government's support for communities recovering from the effects of flooding. The Task Force will share examples of good practice.

  Trains (Disabled Access)
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he(a) has taken and (b) plans to take to help ensure that trains are designed to provide better access for people with disabilities, with particular reference to wheelchair and power scooter users. [145394]

  Mr. Hill
  We are fully committed to providing a public transport system which is accessible to disabled people, providing them the same opportunities to travel as other members of society. We are introducing technical regulations under Part V of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA), to require new trains, as well as buses and coaches and taxis, to be accessible to disabled people, including wheelchair users.

  The Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations have applied to all new rail vehicles entering service since 1 January 1999. These Regulations considerably improve access for disabled passengers to new rail vehicles and include, among other features, a requirement for a boarding aid, either a ramp or lift (where the gap exceeds prescribed dimensions), dedicated wheelchair spaces and on-board accessible toilets for those trains in which toilet facilities are provided.

  The Regulations specify the maximum wheelchair dimensions that can be accommodated in regulated vehicles. The dimensions of the occupied "reference" wheelchair are set at an overall width of 700 mm, length of 1,200 mm and height of 1,350 mm. These dimensions are based on the international wheelchair standard. This is bigger than the majority of wheelchairs in this country and is able to meet the needs of almost all wheelchair users. There may be some scooters which exceed these dimensions, or in addition, there may be operational reasons why some scooters cannot safely be carried on trains. These dimensions were set after extensive consultation and with the agreement of our statutory advisers on the transport needs of disabled people, the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee. The dimensions also have to be technically achievable within the constraints of vehicle design and operation.

  The DDA does not allow for an "end" date to be set by which all rail vehicles must comply with the Regulations. However, the Disability Rights Task Force, in their report to the Government, have recommended that this point

  521W
  should be addressed in any future disability legislation. We are now in discussion with the industry about how that recommendation can be taken forward.

  For existing trains, the Rail Regulator is currently revising his Code of Practice, "Meeting the needs of Disabled Passengers", which I understand will deal with refurbishment of existing vehicles.

  Clearly, disabled people need to have reliable information about whether their mobility equipment can be accommodated. My Department is therefore working with the wheelchair manufacturing industry to ensure that disabled people are able to make their choice of a scooter or wheelchair based on their particular life style, including their transport needs.

  Housing (Leeds)
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the annual capital spending on housing by Leeds city council for each of the last 20 years. [146000]

  Mr. Mullin
  Information on housing capital expenditure, reported by Leeds city council to the Department as part of their annual Housing Investment Programme submissions, is set out in the table.

  Housing capital expenditure by Leeds city council 1980–81 to 1999–2000

  £000

  1980–81

  29,202

  1981–82

  24,212

  1982–83

  41,337

  1983–84

  37,023

  1984–85

  29,903

  1985–86

  26,631

  1986–87

  33,465

  1987–88

  36,933

  1988–89

  39,708

  1989–90

  41,469

  1990–91

  32,419

  1991–92

  34,174

  1992–93

  37,894

  1993–94

  34,713

  1994–95

  41,136

  1995–96

  44,212

  1996–97

  43,736

  1997–98

  26,861

  1998–99

  30,852

  1999–2000

  35,068

  Notes:

  1. All figures are in cash prices

  2. Figures since 1994–95 are on an accruals basis

  Source:

  DETR Housing Investment Programme returns

  Road Schemes
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many road schemes were(a) accepted, (b) provisionally accepted and (c) rejected in the Local Transport Settlement 2000. [146038]

  Mr. Hill
  Three road schemes were accepted, 36 provisionally accepted and one rejected. In addition, we were unable to take decisions on 34 schemes bid for by authorities because they had provided insufficient information about them. These schemes have been treated 522W
  as work in progress and there will be an opportunity for authorities to resubmit them with their first-year progress reports on their local transport plans this July.

  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those major road schemes(a) accepted and (b) provisionally accepted in the Local Transport Financial Settlement 2000 which may affect a nationally designated site of environmental importance, indicating the designation in each case. [146037]

  Mr. Hill
  (a) None.

  (b) The following schemes will have a direct or indirect affect on designated sites. All the schemes which authorities bid for were assessed using the New Approach to Appraisal and in deciding to accept these particular schemes for funding it was judged that the benefits they would confer outweighed the impacts on the designated sites.

  Scheme

  Site directly or indirectly affected

  Barnstaple Western Bypass

  River Taw Estuary SSSI

  Camelford Bypass

  River Camel SSSI

  Carlisle Northern Development Route

  River Eden Coastal Plain Zone

  East Kent Access Phase 1

  Pegwell Bay SSSI

  Nar Ouse Regeneration Route

  River Nar SSSI

  Salisbury Transport Package:

  Brunel Link

  River Nadder SAC

  Haraham Relief Road

  West Harnham Chalk Pit SSSI

  Sunderland Southern Radial Route

  Durham Coast SSSI

  Weymouth Relief Road

  Lorton and Lodmoor SSSIs and AONB

  Railtrack
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment. Transport and the Regions (1) on how many occasions the Government have traded shares in Railtrack; [146003]

  (2) what plans he has to dispose of the Government's equity stake in Railtrack; [146002]

  (3) when Her Majesty's Government took a 0.2 per cent. equity stake in Railtrack. [146004]

  Mr. Hill
  The Government's holding of Railtrack shares originates from the time of the Railtrack flotation in 1996 when some 4 million shares were held back in order to meet a contractual obligation to distribute bonus shares to shareholders who held their shares for three years. Some 3 million were distributed as bonus shares on 31 May 1999. The residual shareholding represents 0.2 per cent. of Railtrack's share capital of 500 million shares.

  Apart from the specific arrangements for the flotation of Railtrack, including the issue of bonus shares, the Government have not traded in Railtrack shares. The Government have no current plans for disposing of their residual shareholding.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what quality control checks are in place to ensure that the re-railing of track meets the industry's standards; and if he will make a statement. [146005]
  523W
  Mr. Hill
  Railtrack has prime responsibility for the safety and security of the railway it controls and for the health and safety of those who are affected by its activities.

  Railtrack's contracts for infrastructure maintenance and track renewal require contractors to be compliant with specified standards designed to ensure safe and secure operation. The contractors are required to inform Railtrack of any deficiencies found and of any remedial work they consider necessary.

  In order to continue to discharge its statutory safety obligations under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, Railtrack must accept responsibility for all decisions that relate to infrastructure maintenance, repair and track renewal works.

  Transport Accidents
  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many(a) road and (b) rail accident fatalities there have been in the United Kingdom since 1971; and if he will make a statement. [144607]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 18 January 2001]: Figures for fatalities in rail and road accidents are published by the Department in the annual publication "Transport Statistics Great Britain". The latest figures for Great Britain are set out as follows:

  Rail accident fatalites

  Road accident fatalities

  Number

  Of which: died on trains

  Number

  1971

  112

  13

  7,699

  1972

  83

  20

  7,763

  1973

  82

  18

  7,406

  1974

  72

  6

  6,883

  1975

  115

  57

  6,366

  1976

  79

  18

  6,570

  1977

  73

  12

  6,614

  1978

  98

  22

  6,831

  1979

  94

  20

  6,352

  1980

  59

  7

  6,010

  1981

  65

  7

  5,846

  1982

  51

  11

  5,934

  1983

  63

  10

  5,445

  1984

  71

  30

  5,599

  1985

  61

  6

  5,165

  1986

  68

  27

  5,382

  1987

  67

  10

  5,125

  1988

  93

  40

  5,052

  1989

  59

  18

  5,373

  1990

  73

  4

  5,217

  19911

  60

  11

  4,568

  19921

  32

  5

  4,229

  19931

  33

  6

  3,814

  19941

  39

  12

  3,650

  19951

  24

  7

  3,621

  19961

  21

  1

  3,598

  19971

  42

  10

  3,599

  19981

  32

  3

  3,421

  19991

  60

  33

  3,423

  1 Since April 1991 rail fatality statistics have been collected by financial year, for example the rail death figures shown for 1991 were for the financial year 1991–92.

  524W
  The rail fatality figures include passenger and staff fatalities and the total includes those killed in incidents involving the movements of trains (although excluding trespassers and suicides) as well as those travelling on trains.

  The road fatality figures include pedestrians killed as well as vehicle occupants.

  Oil Pollution
  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will consider recommendations for oil pollution to be subject to MARPOL standards and legislation. [146158]

  Mr. Hill
  The relevant provisions of the MARPOL Convention and its Annexes, notably "Annex I: Prevention of pollution by oil", have been incorporated in UK law through regulations under Merchant Shipping legislation and are in force.

  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what provision his Department makes available to meet the costs of oil pollution in ports. [146159]

  Mr. Hill
  My Department does not make provision to meet the costs of oil pollution in ports. Compensation for oil pollution damage resulting from spills of persistent oil carried in bulk as cargo by tankers is available from the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund, under the framework of the 1992 Protocols to the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage 1969 and the International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage 1971, UK legislation applies strict liability for all oil pollution from shipping, and this therefore obliges non-tanker owners to meet the costs up to the limits according to the ships' tonnage under the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims 1976.

  London Underground
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the dates on which parts of the(a) Bakerloo, (b) Central, (c) Circle, (d) District, (e) East London, (f) Hammersmith and City, (g) Jubilee, (h) Metropolitan, (i) Northern, (j) Piccadilly and (k) Victoria London Underground lines were closed to passengers during 2000; and if he will set out in relation to each closure the stretch of line closed and the purpose of the closure. [145703]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 18 January 2001]: This is an operational matter for London Underground (LUL) but they have provided the information in the table.

  LUL keep a variety of records of incidents on the London Underground system. For the purpose of answering this question, LUL have taken
  line closure to passengers during 2000
  to mean formal closures of lines or sections of lines for planned works.
  525W

  Line/Purpose of closure

  Location

  Dates during 2000

  Bakerloo

  Railtrack Works

  Queens Park to Harrow and Wealdstone

  8–10 January, 15–17 January, 22–24 January, 29–31 January

  Railtrack Works

  Queens Park to Willesden Junction

  5–7 February, 12–14 February, 19–21 February, 26–27 February, 4–6 March, 11–13 March, 18–20 March, 1–2 April

  Railtrack Works

  Queens Park to Stonebridge

  27–28 March, 3–4 June, 10–11 June

  Railtrack Works

  Queens Park to Wembley Central

  16–19 June, 23–26 June 30 June-3 July, 7–10 July

  Railtrack Works

  Stonebridge Park to Harrow and Wealdstone

  22–23 July, 29–30 July, 5–6 August, 12–13 August, 19–20 August, 26–27 August, 2–3 September, 9–10 September, 16–17 September

  Hungerford Bridge

  Piccadilly Circus to Elephant and Castle

  21–23 October, 4–6 November

  Millennium Project

  17–20 November, 24–27 November

  Track Works

  Paddington to Elephant and Castle

  21–23 October, 4–6 November

  Railtrack Works

  Harrow and Wealdstone to Watford Junction

  8–9 April, 29–30 April, 6–7 May, 20–21 May

  Central

  Track Works

  Epping to Loughton

  14–17 January, 21–24 January, 28–31 January, 25–28 February, 3–6 March, 10–13 March, 17–20 March

  Track Works

  Holborn to Liverpool Street

  4–7 February

  Track Works

  Woodford to Epping

  19–22 May, 26–30 May

  Track Works

  Leytonstone to Hainault

  16–19 June, 23–26 June

  Track Works

  North Acton to Northolt/Ealing

  7–10 July

  Track Works

  Bethnal Green to Leytonstone

  14–17 July, 8–11 September

  Track Works

  Hainault to Woodford

  3–6 November

  District

  Track Works

  Putney Bridge to Wimbledon

  18–21 February, 31 March-3 April, 7–10 April, 5–8 May, 2–5 June

  Track Works

  Turnham Green to Richmond

  26–27 March; 22–25 September

  Track Works

  Parsons Green to Wimbledon

  31 March-3 April, 7–10 April

  Track Works

  Parsons Green to Putney Bridge

  2–5 June

  Track Works

  Plaistow to Whitechapel

  17–20 November

  East London

  No Planned Works

  Hammersmith and City

  No Planned Works

  Jubilee

  No Planned Works

  Metropolitan and City

  Track Works

  Raynors Land to Uxbridge

  4–7 February, 11–14 February, 24–27 March

  Track Works

  Harrow-on-the-Hill to Wembley Park

  18–21 February, 28–31 July

  Track Works

  Harrow-on-the-Hill to Northwood

  5–8 May, 1–4 September

  Track Works

  Rickmansworth to Amersham/Chesham

  8–11 September, 15–18 September, 22–25 September, 29 September-2 October

  Track Works

  Moor Park to Amersham/Chesham

  13–16 October

  Track Works

  Chorleywood to Rickmansworth

  27–30 October, 10–13 November, 24–27 November, 1–4 December

  Northern

  Track Works

  Tooting Broadway to Morden

  9–12 June, 21–24 July

  526W 527W

  Line/Purpose of closure

  Location

  Dates during 2000

  Track Works

  Camden Town

  27 August

  Track Works

  Camden Town to Kennington (via Bank)

  11–17 November, 20–24 November, 27 November-24 December (after 9.45 pm)

  Piccadilly

  Track Works

  Heathrow Terminal 4

  4–6 March

  Track Works

  Acton Town to Alperton

  12–15 May

  Victoria

  Track Works

  Victoria to Brix on

  4–26 August

  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what impact the adoption of the accounting requirements of Financial Reporting Standard (FRS) 15 had on London Underground Ltd.'s annual accounts for 1999–2000; and what impact they will have on its accounts for 2001–01. [147206]

  Mr. Hill
  The accounts of London Underground Ltd. are prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 1985, which requires compliance with all accounting standards. Financial Reporting Standard (FRS) 15, issued by the Accounting Standards Board, became mandatory for accounting periods ending on or after 23 March 2000 and has consequently been adopted by London Underground in its accounts for the year ended 31 March 2000.

  FRS15 sets out the principles of accounting for tangible fixed assets. As well as imposing stricter rules on the allocation of overheads to capital projects, the standard requires that expenditure previously treated as renewals must now either be charged to cost of operations, or capitalised as an addition to fixed assets.

  The revised accounting policies have reduced London Underground Ltd.'s gross operating margin for 1999–2000 to £153.6 million (from £293.6 million1), and increased its operating loss before grants to £145.2 million (from £101.2 million1). These are, however, purely accounting changes. Neither affects the amount of cash available, or Government grant paid, to London Underground Ltd.

  In 2000–01, the changes in allocation of cost will reduce London Underground Ltd.'s gross operating margin and the value of its investment programme from the budgeted values published in the LT Annual Business Plan to £135.6 million (from £260 million) and £360.6 million (from £400 million) respectively. However, as these are again purely accounting changes, neither the External Finance Limit for the year, nor physical delivery of the investment programme, will be affected.

  The actual figures for 2000–01 will be published in due course.

  1 The amounts reported in the accounts of London Regional Transport, which are prepared in accordance with the London Regional Transport Act 1984, and were published as part of the LT Annual Report 1999–2000, "Improving London's transport", document on 28 June 2000.

  Railway Lines
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the location of gauge corner cracks of the railhead on the lines 528W
  between London Waterloo and Exeter via Salisbury; what speed restrictions were imposed; and what the age of the track was. [146338]

  Mr. Hill
  This is an operational matter for Railtrack. I understand from Railtrack that, since Hatfield, 17 speed restrictions were imposed on the lines between London Waterloo and Exeter. Three of these restrictions remain in place but are expected to be withdrawn by 28 February. Of the 17 restrictions, six were on the slow lines over which trains from Waterloo to Exeter do not normally run. The remaining restrictions are north of Basingstoke. The age of the rail affected varied.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the railway lines between London Waterloo and Exeter were last tested ultrasonically. [146337]

  Mr. Hill
  This is an operational matter for Railtrack. I understand from Railtrack that the rails along the route between London Waterloo and Exeter are tested at various frequencies depending on the speed and number of trains. Teams work continuously testing all routes, so the date that the rail was last tested could only be given for a specific location.

  A38
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects the outcome of the SWARMMS investigation into a possible bypass for the A38 at Dobwalls. [146624]

  Mr. Hill
  The SWARMMS London to south west and south Wales multi-modal study is due to report around the end of 2001. The consultants have been asked to provide an early report on the Dobwalls bypass and I will ensure there are no unnecessary delays in reaching a decision.

  Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the strategy and aims which will underpin the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act 2000 will be published. [146857]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Government's fuel poverty strategy will be published shortly for consultation. The strategy document will set out the Government's fuel poverty aims and objectives, and the policies to achieve them.

  Stakeholder Pensions
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions under what powers local government pension funds are prevented from offering stakeholder pensions. [146487]

  Ms Armstrong
  Local authorities do not, at present, have the statutory power they would need to offer stakeholder pensions. If proposals for such legislation emerge, they would be considered carefully.

  Seat Belts
  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to introduce guidance on extending the seat belt requirement to all school transportation. [146711]

  Mr. Hill
  All coaches and minibuses that carry groups of children on organised trips must have seat belts available. This applies whether or not they are being used for school transport. Guidance on this requirement was issued in 1996, and copies are available from my Department on request as well as being available on the DETR website.

  We will also be requiring seat belts to be provided in all new buses, coaches and minibuses, apart from those specifically designed to carry standing passengers. These regulations will be made shortly, and we intend that they will apply to vehicles first used on or after 1 October 2001. We intend to prepare guidance for businesses on complying with this legislation.

  No other guidance is planned on this subject.

  Farm Plastic Waste
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will introduce a national waste collection scheme for the disposal of waste farm plastics; and if he will make a statement; [146469]

  (2) what action he is taking in respect of the disposal and recycling of waste farm plastics; [146471]

  (3) what representations he has received concerning a mandatory national waste collection scheme governing the disposal of waste farm plastics. [146468]

  Mr. Mullin
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 15 January 2001,Official Report, column 23W, to the hon. Member for Ashford (Mr. Green).

  Coalfields Regeneration Trust
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to extend the life and funding of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust. [146597]

  Ms Armstrong
  I have been encouraged by the progress made by the Trust since it was set up in September 1999, and the role it has taken in the regeneration of the coalfield areas. In the light of this progress, we are currently discussing options with the Trust for its longer-term funding and hope to make an announcement shortly.
  530W
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much in(a) cash and (b) percentage terms of the money so far allocated by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust has been given to projects in the Cannock Chase area. [146598]

  Ms Armstrong
  The Coalfields Regeneration Trust has made awards of £36,804,666, of which the Cannock Chase area has been allocated £646,283 (1.76 per cent.). To date a total of £9,418,877 has been paid out, with Cannock receiving £80,855 (0.86 per cent.).

  GM Seeds
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what and how many official spot checks were carried out on imported seed supplies with the purpose of detecting the adventitious presence of GM varieties in 2000.[146408]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 22 January 2001]: The Central Science Laboratory (CSL) has delegated functions under part VI of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to carry out inspection and enforcement with respect to the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms. The GM inspectorate at CSL carried out audits of 14 seed importing companies during 2000. The inspectors concentrated on auditing companies importing oilseed rape seeds for sowing in autumn 2000. All of the main rape seed importers (13 companies) were inspected. The inspectors have now turned their attention to the importers of beet seeds and spring sown oilseed rape. One beet seed importer had been audited before 31 December 2000. The inspections are continuing.

  In all cases the GM inspectors checked the companies' records to confirm whether they were operating proper checks and procedures to ensure that no unauthorised GM material was being imported. No problems were identified.

  Marine Conservation
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recommendations the working party evaluating the successes of previous marine nature conservation measures have made; and if their report will be published. [146926]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Review of Marine Nature Conservation Working Group has not made any recommendations yet. I hope that a report of the Group's deliberations to date will be submitted to Ministers shortly. Once Ministers have seen the report, a decision will be made on how to make it publicly available.

  Planning Law
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to change planning law, with particular reference to the rights of objectors. [146991]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We have no immediate plans to introduce planning legislation which would affect the rights of objectors.

  New Forest
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what
  531W
  administrative arrangements he plans to put in place to resolve potential overlapping responsibilities between the proposed New Forest park authority and the Lymington harbour commissioners regarding the management scheme for salt marsh and mud flats designated as a special area of conservation. [145150]

  Mr. Mullin
  Under Regulation 34 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats etc.) Regulations 1994, a single Management Scheme has to be prepared for each European Marine Site. That for the Solent is in the early stages of preparation and is currently planned to be published in November 2003. The Management Scheme, which will be drawn up as a partnership exercise by all the relevant authorities involved, should provide an agreed protocol on which authority should take the lead where responsibilities would otherwise overlap.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the proposed New Forest national park authority will be a relevant authority for the purposes of the habitat regulations in respect of the salt marsh and mud flats special area of conservation which is the responsibility of the Lymington harbour commissioners. [145151]

  Mr. Mullin
  If a New Forest National park authority is the local planning authority in relation to land or waters within or adjacent to a european marine site, it will be a relevant authority for the purposes of the habitats regulations. Neither the boundary of a possible New Forest national park nor the precise administrative arrangements for a New Forest national park authority have yet been set.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what arrangements he proposes to put in place to administer the structure of coastal management in the Solent between the European maritime site and the proposed New Forest national park. [145152]

  Mr. Mullin
  The arrangements for coastal management will depend on the boundary of a New Forest national park, currently being considered as part of the designation process, and the precise administrative arrangements adopted for a New Forest national park authority.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the, Regions what effect his proposals for a New Forest national park will have upon the jurisdiction and responsibilities discharged by the Lymington harbour commissioners. [145153]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Lymington harbour commissioners constitute an independent statutory body under their own Act of Parliament, the Pier and Harbour Order (Lymington) Confirmation Act 1951. It is not expected that the creation of a national park would amend the provisions of that Act.

  National Air Traffic Services Ltd.
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he has received advice from the economic regulation group of the Civil Aviation Authority on the economic regulatory regime for the public/private partnership for National Air Traffic Services Ltd.; and if he will make a statement.[147157]
  532W
  Mr. Mullin
  The monopoly services provided by the National Air Traffic Services Ltd. public/private partnership will be subject to price regulation by the RPI-X method, which is the standard model for monopoly regulation in the United Kingdom. The charge cap, or "X" factor, will be set for a period of five years and will, for the first five year period only, be set by the Government.

  We received advice from the CAA in August which set out how they proposed to approach the economic regulation of NATS and recommended that the "X" factor for NATS' UK monopoly services be set at 5 per cent. per year for each of the first five years. We have considered this advice carefully, alongside representations from NATS and the projections of bidders as the sale process developed, and have decided to set charge capping at 2.2 per cent. for 2001, 3.0 per cent. for 2002, 4.0 per cent. for 2003, and 5.0 per cent. for each of 2004 and 2005. There will thus be a progressive tightening across the initial years following the introduction of the PPP.

  Furthermore, since delays are a major concern to airlines, we have decided that the charge cap should include a delay term, so that the "X" factor will automatically tighten, thereby reducing NATS' revenues, if delays increase beyond their present level. We are setting the maximum delay term at £2 million per year for 2001–02, and £5.7 million per year for 2003–05.

  The CAA's advice on the charge cap was based on a well-considered and comprehensive analysis of NATS' operational and investment plans and the potential for efficiency savings. And we are satisfied that the advice fully reflected the Government's, and the CAA's, commitment to giving the highest priority to safety.

  In reaching our decision, we have been concerned to achieve a smooth transition to the PPP, which we believe will be encouraged by such price control in its first few years. This will better enable NATS' management to focus on getting the change and investment programmes right during the early years of the PPP, including the commissioning of the Swanwick Centre, the development of the New Scottish Centre, and further investment in the capacity wanted by airlines.

  NATS' management accept that efficiency gains of the level required to meet the charge cap we are setting, while challenging, are achievable without detriment to NATS operations.

  Policy Action Teams
  Mr. White
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to make available an audit of how the recommendations made by the 18 policy action teams have been implemented. [147158]

  Ms Armstrong
  A report by the Social Exclusion Unit, "The National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal: Policy Action Team Audit" will be published tomorrow and copies will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Eighteen Policy Action Teams (PATs) were set up in 1998 to fast track policy development on some of the most intractable problems facing deprived neighbourhoods and had all reported by April 2000.
  533W
  It is a companion document to "A New Commitment to Neighbourhood Renewal: the National Strategy Action Plan" that was published on 15 January. The work and recommendations of the Policy Action Teams formed the foundation on which the National Strategy Action Plan is built.

  Collectively, the PATs made almost six hundred recommendations, the majority of which are now part of Government policy. The document that will be published tomorrow reports on progress in implementing these recommendations and gives details about which Departments are responsible for ensuring their continued implementation.

  Listed Buildings
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many listed buildings are used primarily as places of worship, broken down by religious affiliation. [146323]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  I have been asked to reply.

  There are 14,802 listed buildings in England that are currently being used, or have previously been used, as places of worship. Our records do not provide a comprehensive breakdown of this figure by religious affiliation.

WALES

  MS
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about funding for disease modifying therapies for relapsing/remitting MS. [145078]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I meet the First Secretary regularly to discuss a range of issues, including the Health Service in Wales.

  I understand that decisions about the funding of particular forms of treatment are matters for individual Health Authorities and NHS Trusts within the broad framework of their Long Term Agreements.

  Barnett Formula
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the current value is of the block grant under the Barnett Formula to central Government funding for Wales; what it was in 1997–98; and what the forecast is for 2003–04. [145198]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The current value of the Departmental Expenditure Limit (DEL) for the National Assembly for Wales is £7.7 billion. In 1997–98 it was £6.5 billion and in 2003–04 it is forecast to be £9.8 billion.

DEFENCE

  Contracting Arrangements (Scotland)
  Mr. Hepburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to advertise the proposed prime contracting arrangements for Scotland. [147205]
  534W
  Dr. Moonie
  Firms are to be given an opportunity to express an interest in the Prime Contract for property management and capital works programmes associated with the Defence estate in Scotland (sometimes called the One Stop Shop, Scotland). The advert will appear in the Defence Estates Works Services Opportunities Bulletin on 24 January.

  The Regional Prime Contract Scotland represents a new and innovative way of doing business for Government and the Ministry of Defence. It will involve a single arrangement between the MOD and a contractor and is based around collaborative working. The MOD is in the vanguard of wider Government initiatives aimed to change the construction industry, and provide better quality of service and greater value for money.

  Iraq (No-fly Zone)
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's estimate is of the number of Iraqi civilians killed as a result of coalition aircraft responding 10 threats in(a) the northern and (b) the southern no-fly zone in Iraq between (i) 1 April 1991 and 16 December 1998 and (ii) since 20 December 1998 through (A) collateral damage, (B) attack on an unintended target and (C) malfunction of ordnance; what percentage of attacks in the no-fly zones resulted in civilian casualties over each of these periods, and if he will make a statement. [145423]

  Mr. Hoon
  I refer the right hon. and learned Member to the answer I gave on 6 June 2000,Official Report, columns 168–69W.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions coalition aircraft patrolling the(a) northern and (b) southern no-fly zone in Iraq have hit targets different from the intended target since 20 December 1998; on what dates each attack took place; what percentage these represented of overall attacks during this period; and if he will make a statement.[145425]

  Mr. Hoon
  The coalition goes to exceptional lengths to avoid hitting anything other than the intended target, including through the use of very strict target clearance procedures and precision guided munitions. We also routinely conduct painstaking battle damage assessment after every bomb is dropped. For these reasons we are confident that, in the vast majority of cases, ordnance released by coalition aircraft lands on or very close to its intended target.

  I am withholding detailed information on the activity undertaken by coalition aircraft in accordance with Part II of Section 1c of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  For the period 20 December 1998 to 12 May 2000, I refer the right hon. and learned Member to my answer to his question on 6 June 2000, Official Report, columns 168–69W. There have been no further occasions of ordnance from UK aircraft appearing to hit unintended targets. The weapons released on these two previous occasions still represents some 1 per cent. of ordnance released by UK over this period.
  535W
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions(a) coalition and (b) UK aircraft patrolling the southern no-fly zone in Iraq have released ordnance in response to violations since 1 November 2000 indicating in percentage terms for this period the (i) nature of the threat (ii) category of the target attacked and (iii) tonnage of ordnance released on each category of target (A) in total and (B) as proportion of the overall tonnage released in this period; and if he will make a statement. [145461]

  Mr. Hoon
  Between 1 November 2000 and 12 January 2001 coalition aircrew conducting legitimate humanitarian patrols in the southern no-fly zone were directly threatened by the Iraqi air defence forces on 24 occasions and responded in self-defence on nine occasions against Iraqi military facilities posing a direct threat to coalition forces. UK aircraft released ordnance on four occasions. Details of the threats to coalition aircraft, broken down by percentage, are:

  (i) Nature of threat by percentage
  Aircraft Violations of Southern no-fly zone: 3 per cent.
  Anti-Aircraft Artillery/Surface to Air Missile Firings: 97 per cent.
  (ii) Category of Target Attacked by percentage
  Integrated Air Defence System: 100 per cent.
  (iii) UK Weapons Released against Integrated Ground Based Air Defence System

  (a) By tonnage: 4 tonnes

  (b) By percentage: 100 per cent.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions since 20 December 1998 his Department has been able to verify the claims of civilian casualties due to coalition aircraft activity over the no-fly zones made by the Government of Iraq; what percentage of Iraqi claims of civilian dead his Department considers to be accurate in relation to(a) number of dead and (b) occasions when coalition activity has resulted in casualties; and if he will make a statement. [145468]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Ministry of Defence has no objective means of verifying Iraqi claims of civilian casualties. I am not therefore in a position to provide the precise information requested by the right hon. and learned Member.

  Coalition aircraft conducting legitimate, entirely humanitarian patrols of the Iraqi no-fly zones are being repeatedly attacked by Iraqi forces. Faced with these acts of aggression coalition aircraft, acting entirely in self-defence, only ever target Iraqi military facilities that pose an immediate and serious threat to their safety. It is deeply regrettable that they are forced to take this action, but they are only acting in self-defence. The risk of civilian casualties is always a major consideration during the very careful target selection process and only precision-guided weapons are used where there is any risk of civilian casualties.

  As the right hon. and learned Member implies, Saddam Hussein routinely claims that civilian casualties have been caused as a result of coalition activity over the no-fly zones. It is in his interests to do so. We learnt long ago not to give too much credence to these allegations. We conduct careful battle damage assessment (BDA) after every incident; this analysis demonstrates in the majority of cases that the coalition weapons have, acting in self-defence, in fact hit their intended military target. The
  536W
  Iraqis regularly claim that there have been civilian casualties on days when the coalition has not even patrolled, let alone dropped any ordnance, and we know that they routinely claim that civilians have been killed when the casualties were actually military personnel. We know also that Saddam has claimed the coalition was responsible for casualties that were in fact caused by Iraqi air defence weapons.

  Gulf Operations
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much additional expenditure has been incurred by his Department as a direct result of operations in the Gulf(a) between 1 August 1992 and 15 December 1998 and (b) since 16 December 1998, indicating in each time period the percentage of that expenditure relating to (i) personnel, (ii) base expenses, (iii) munitions, (iv) aircraft and fuel, (v) intelligence and (vi) other; and if he will make a statement. [145424]

  Mr. Hoon
  The information is not available in the form requested. The table sets out the total additional expenditure incurred by the Ministry of Defence as a direct result of operations in the Gulf from 1992–93 onwards.

  Year

  £ million

  1992–93

  551

  1993–94

  179

  1994–95

  58

  1995–96

  14

  1996–97

  6

  1997–98

  16

  1998–99

  35

  1999–2000

  28

  2000–011

  24

  1 Estimate

  This expenditure relates to residual costs incurred during the Gulf War, the enforcement of the no-fly zone since 1991 and the associated deployments of naval, air and ground forces in support of our policy of containing Iraq. These figures do not include routine naval deployments to the Gulf.

  War Graves at Sea
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many(a) war ships and (b) merchant marine ships sunk as a result of hostilities in the 20th Century, which are also war graves, are situated within (i) the United Kingdom's territorial waters and (ii) the waters of UK overseas territories; and if a list of such vessels is published; [146060]

  (2) how many British (a) warships and (b) merchant marine ships sunk as a result of hostilities in the 20th Century, which are war graves, are situated within the territorial waters of the Irish Republic; and if a list of such vessels is published. [146059]

  Dr. Moonie
  There is no centrally held list of British wrecked military vessels that lie in UK territorial waters, international waters or the territorial waters of other countries.
  537W
  There is no single source of reference which identifies all vessels lost in the service of the Admiralty or on Government Service since 1914. The returns to Parliament, following the end of both World Wars, Navy losses and Merchant Shipping losses, list some 12,000 vessels. No distinction is made between those vessels in Government Service or Mercantile vessels. Only one list identifies vessels where lives were lost. These records have not been updated in the intervening years.

  The UK Hydrographic Office has records of those vessels located in the vicinity of the Irish Republic during surveys between 1840 to 1935. Records of subsequent sinking are obtained from Irish maritime sources. This list is not published but is available, at a charge, from the Hydrographic Office at Taunton, Somerset.

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with other foreign Ministers about the plundering of ocean war graves; and if he will make a statement. [145041]

  Dr. Moonie
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Hereford (Mr. Keetch) on 26 October 2000,Official Report, column 159W.

  Discussions continue with other like-minded Governments in the lead up to the next meeting of interested parties to the UNESCO Draft Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage in March/April 2001.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action is being taken to agree and enforce an international convention to prevent the looting and trespassing by divers of sunken war ships and merchant vessels which are war graves; and if he will make a statement. [146062]

  Dr. Moonie
  My officials continue to negotiate through UNESCO for the inclusion of warships and, in particular military maritime graves in the Draft Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what artefacts and structural parts have been removed from the sunken HMS Prince of Wales; who authorised their removal; and if he will make a statement. [146061]

  Dr. Moonie
  There are unsubstantiated reports that items have been removed from the wreck site of HMS Prince of Wales. Our High Commissions in Singapore and Malaysia have investigated these reports, but they remain unsubstantiated. Assistance in monitoring activities on the wreck has been sought form the Singapore and Malaysian authorities.

  My Department has not authorised the removal of any item from this wreck.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action is being taken to obtain bilateral agreement with(a) the USA, (b) Commonwealth countries, (c) the Republic of Ireland and (d) the former belligerent countries of the First and Second World Wars to prevent divers looting and trespassing on sunken war ships and merchant ships which are war graves, and situated within United Kingdom territorial waters. [146053]
  538W
  Dr. Moonie
  My Department continues to talk with many other countries in several different forums in order to take forward the protection of sunken military vessels. The issue of protection of military remains is presently under review and a consultation process is taking place. The consultation document will be issued to other Governments who may have military graves that lie in UK territorial water.

  Depleted Uranium
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if depleted uranium ammunition has been test fired at(a) the Pendine Land Range and (b) the Castlemartin Range. [146749]

  Mr. Spellar
  Depleted uranium ammunition has not been test fired at either the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency range, Pendine or the Army's Castlemartin range.

  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Royal Navy has tungsten-based ammunition for its Phalanx CIWS. [146901]

  Mr. Spellar
  I confirm that the Royal Navy does have tungsten-based ammunition for its Phalanx CIWS. Tungsten-based ammunition was brought into service with the Royal Navy in 1997.

  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on which exercises in each of the past 10 years depleted uranium ammunition has been fired by(a) the Army and (b) the Royal Navy. [146900]

  Mr. Spellar
  No ordnance containing depleted uranium has ever been fired by the Army during exercises.

  Each of the Royal Navy's Type 42 destroyers and Assault Ships are fitted with the Phalanx weapon system and this system is capable of firing both depleted uranium and tungsten ammunition. These vessels are required to conduct Pre-Action Calibration checks, system sensitivity firings and an annual target firing against a towed target. Such firings may on occasion take place during exercises. A detailed interrogation of individual ship logs to determine which firings took place during specific exercises, or which utilised tungsten since its introduction to service, could not be undertaken without disproportionate cost.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those local authority areas in which depleted uranium-tipped ammunition was(a) tested and (b) used by HM forces; if the local authorities were informed of such testing and firing; what the incidence of leukaemia and other cancer-related illnesses is (i) in those areas and (ii) in similar local authority areas where such firing and testing has not taken place; and if he will make a statement. [146427]

  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. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what depleted uranium weapons manufactured in the United Kingdom have been tested at sites abroad; and when and where the tests were. [145284]

  Mr. Spellar
  The 120mm anti-armour rounds Challenger Armament 1 (CHARM 1) for Challenger 1 Main Battle Tank and Challenger Armament 3 (CHARM 3)
  539W
  for Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank are the only operational ammunition natures of UK manufacture using depleted Uranium (DU) that have been fired abroad.

  The following non-operational firings have taken place outside the United Kingdom:

  Ammunition

  Location

  Date

  CHARM 1

  Saudi Arabia

  Early 19911

  CHARM 3

  France

  July 19902

  CHARM 3

  United States of America

  September 19902

  CHARM 3

  United States of America

  October 20003

  1 Operation Granby/work up training

  2 Development trial

  3 In-service trial

  A technology Demonstration Programme for an enhanced DU round led to the following testing:
  United States of America—March 1991 (concept trial).
  United States of America—September 1991 (concept trial).

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many representations he has received concerning a ban on the use of depleted uranium ammunition by the armed forces. [145937]

  Mr. Spellar
  Between Christmas 2000 and 22 January 2001, my Department has received 77 written representations from members of the public expressing concern over depleted uranium (DU) ammunition. Of these, 14 called for a ban on the use of DU.

  Cluster Bombs
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what dates for the procurement of(a) Brimstone and (b) Maverick guided munitions have been set. [145464]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Brimstone development and production contract was let to GEC-Marconi Rada and Defence Systems (now Alenia Marconi Systems) in November 1996 and the system is due to enter service in October 2002.

  A contract was signed with Raytheon Corporation on 12 September 2000 for an off-the-shelf purchase of Maverick anti-armour missiles as a result of key lessons learned from the Kosovo campaign. Missiles are currently being delivered, and we expect to have these in service by the middle of February, once the necessary ground and aircrew training has been completed.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what effect the procurement of(a) Brimstone and (b) Maverick guided munitions will have on the armed services' requirement to employ cluster bombs. [145465]

  Dr. Moonie
  The introduction into service of the Brimstone and Maverick weapon systems will give us an enhanced capability against single targets, particularly those which are heavily armoured. Cluster bombs will retain a utility against a concentration of lighter armoured vehicles and area targets such as surface-to-air missile sites and logistics storage depots. Brimstone, Maverick and cluster bombs are complementary systems and in any future conflict the weapon considered to be most appropriate to the circumstances would be employed.
  540W
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what plans he has for further procurements of cluster bombs, indicating the(a) type, (b) cost and (c) manufacturer involved; [145466]

  (2) how many cluster bombs, and of what tonnage, are held by British armed services; and what is their current value.[145467]

  Dr. Moonie
  There are currently no plans to procure any further cluster bombs.

  Stockholdings of munitions are held at an authorised War Reserve stock figure. Details of the precise numbers of weapons held in stock could provide a potential adversary with information that could undermine our defence capabilities. This information is therefore withheld in accordance with Exemption 1 (Defence, Security and International Relations) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what extensive awareness training has been given by British armed services to local populations with regard to cluster bomb deployments; and what has been the cost of these training programmes. [145469]

  Mr. Spellar
  In common with other military and civilian organisations, British Service personnel do not give specific awareness training on cluster munitions. The British Army has given, and continues to give, training to the local populations of Bosnia and Kosovo which deals with the recognition and avoidance of all types of unexploded ordnance. This training is carried out at no charge to the local population.

  DERA
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he intends to publish the legislation for the DERA PPP described in his Department's performance report 1999–2000.[145402]

  Mr. Hoon
  I refer the hon. Member to the announcement I made in the House on 24 July 2000,Official Report, columns 777–79, about our intention to proceed with the implementation of the Core Competence model for the DERA public-private partnership. Under Core Competence, around three-quarters of the current DERA organisation will be turned into a company, referred to as NewDERA. For strategic reasons, the remainder will be retained within the Ministry of Defence to carry out functions that could not appropriately be transferred to the private sector.

  The necessary legislation to amend the existing DERA Trading Fund Order to remove those operations which will form the basis of the new company was laid before Parliament on 17 January 2001. Copies of the draft Defence Science and Technology Laboratory Trading Fund Order 2001 are available from the House of Commons Vote Office.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the vesting date will be for NewDERA plc; who the directors of the company are; and if he will place in the Library the articles of association of the company. [145403]

  Mr. Hoon
  I can advise the hon. Member that, subject to the approval of the amended Trading Fund Order laid before Parliament on 17 January 2001, the vesting day for
  541W
  NewDERA will be 1 July 2001. The chief executive of the new company will be Sir John Chisholm who is the chief executive of the current DERA organisation. In December 2000 it was announced that Sir John Egan will become the chairman of the new company. The other members of the Board will be chosen in due course. A copy of the articles of association will be placed in the House at the point of vesting.

  Crown Censures
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will indicate(a) the circumstances of the death or injury on each occasion a Crown censure has been issued in the last 10 years and (b) the remedial action and compensation awarded in each case. [146462]

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

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Correspondence
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter of 23 December from the hon. Member for North-East Derbyshire requesting that he meet a delegation from the Derbyshire Fire Authority. [146096]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I wrote to my hon. Friend on 18 January.

  Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority
  Mr. Bailey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he received on the level of Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority awards; and if he will make a statement. [146764]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  In 1999 we mounted a public consultation exercise seeking views on ways in which the tariff-based criminal injuries compensation scheme might be improved for the benefit of victims of violent crime. Thirty-three respondents made some comment about the level of awards, either generally or in the context of awards for particular offences or injuries. Since the public consultation exercise we have had correspondence from 33 Members of Parliament about levels of awards, mostly related to individual cases.

  We hope to be in a position to announce soon what improvements we shall be inviting the Westminster Parliament and the Scottish Executive to make to the scheme in the light of the consultation exercise and subsequent developments.

  Murders (East Sussex)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many murders were committed in East Sussex(a) in each of the last 25 years and (b) in each month of the last year for which figures are available. [146700]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The available information relates to currently recorded offences of homicide (murder, manslaughter and infanticide) in the Sussex police force area. Data from the homicide database are available from 1977.
  542W
  The information from 1977 to 1999 and for financial year 1999–2000 is shown in the table.

  Year

  Currently recorded homicides

  1977

  8

  1978

  16

  1979

  9

  1980

  8

  1981

  12

  1982

  10

  1983

  8

  1984

  16

  1985

  17

  1986

  14

  1987

  10

  1988

  10

  1989

  16

  1990

  16

  1991

  18

  1992

  16

  1993

  10

  1994

  15

  1995

  7

  1996

  16

  1997

  13

  1998

  25

  1999

  15

  1999–2000

  17

  The currently recorded figure includes all homicides because when an offence is recorded by the police, it is not generally known whether an offence of murder, manslaughter or infanticide has been committed.

  The monthly data cover the period April 1999 to March 2000 for the Sussex police force area and are shown in the table.

  Month recorded by the police

  Currently recorded homicides

  April 1999

  1

  May 1999

  0

  June 1999

  0

  July 1999

  2

  August 1999

  3

  September 1999

  3

  October 1999

  0

  November 1999

  1

  December 1999

  3

  January 2000

  0

  February 2000

  2

  March 2000

  2

  Press Officers
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many press officers there were in his Department in each year since 1992. [146694]

  Mr. Straw
  Detailed staff profiles for the period prior to 1997 are not held centrally and, as I informed the House on 23 March 2000,Official Report, column 677W, the cost of providing this information would be disproportionate as it would require the Home Office pay branch to conduct a detailed search of all staff records for the periods in question. Payroll records would not, in any event, provide accurate press officer staffing levels which throughout the period in question were enhanced by attachments and secondments and would not necessarily have been reflected in payroll information.
  543W
  For numbers of press officers employed at the Home Office since May 1997, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Aylesbury (Mr. Lidington) on 17 March 2000, Official Report, column 380W, which detailed staff numbers as of 1 January for the years 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000.

  For the current number and projected number, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for North-East Hertfordshire (Mr. Heald) on 15 January 2001, Official Report, column 106W.

  Travellers
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice and guidance he has given in the last 12 months to chief constables about the treatment of travellers. [146678]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Last August, the Government announced and published revisions to the Joint Home Office and Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions guidance on managing unauthorised camping. The revised version removed the term "toleration" in relation to the decision as to whether to take action to evict travellers. It also clarified the guidance on eviction, setting out the statutory powers and taking into account court rulings on the use of those powers. I understand that the Association of Chief Police Officers has revised its operational guidelines to reflect these changes.

  Rape
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those persons who have been jailed in the last 10 years, as a result of(a) a conviction for rape and (b) a charge of rape and who were released as a result of withdrawal of the accusation by the alleged victim. [144925]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  It is not possible to answer this question on the basis of routinely collected data. A special data collection exercise would involve disproportionate cost. Police and magistrates court records indicate that in 1999 just over 40 per cent. of those charged or referred to court on a rape charge were held or remanded in custody, although these data are of poor quality. Of those committed to the Crown court, more than half (53 per cent.) were held in custody. Due to the seriousness of the offence, those bailed would invariably be subject to conditions—36 per cent. in recent Home Office research. Home Office research also suggests that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) discontinues very few rape cases after charge on the basis of a withdrawal by the alleged victim. Where victims withdraw, this usually occurs while the case is still under investigation by the police, leading either to the categorisation of the case as a "no crime" or to no further police action.

  No information is available about the number of convicted and jailed rape offenders who are released following a withdrawal by the alleged victim. In such cases, release would usually follow a reference of the case back to the Court of Appeal by the Criminal Cases Review Commission and the Commission does not maintain statistics on a basis which would enable the question to be answered.
  544W
  The CPS Inspectorate and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary are due to begin a thematic review of the investigation and prosecution of rape cases in April, reporting in September. Among other issues, the review will examine to what extent cases are dropped after charge or overturned following conviction on the basis of withdrawal by the alleged victim.

  We fully recognise the need for the law to be both effective in prosecuting the guilty but also fair to the accused. That is why the review on sex offences we set up was tasked with providing clear and coherent sex offences which will be fair and non-discriminatory in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998. We published the recommendations to Government of the Review—contained in "Setting The Boundaries"—in July last year. The consultation period closes on 1 March.

  Policing Performance League Table
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what response his Department has made to the publication by Channel 4 Television of the policing performance league table; and if he will make a statement. [146994]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  No response has been made.

  Criminal Cases Review Commission
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases have been referred to the Criminal Cases Review Commission in each year since its establishment; how many cases have been fully dealt with in each year; how many outstanding cases at the end of each year and on the last date for which figures are available there were; and if he will make a statement. [145711]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  In its first year of operation (April 1997–March 1998), the Criminal Cases Review Commission received 1,383 applications (including 248 cases referred to the Commission from the Home Office and Northern Ireland Office), decided 311, and had 1,072 outstanding. In its second year of operation (April 1998–March 1999), it received 1,037 applications, completed 492, and had 1,620 outstanding. In its third year of operation (April 1999–March 2000), it received 774 applications, completed 1,010, and had 1,381 outstanding. In the nine-month period April to December 2000, it received 599 cases, completed 744, and had 1,236 outstanding.

  Computer and Mobile Phone Theft
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many recorded crimes involving theft of(a) computers and (b) mobile phones took place in (i) 1979, (ii) 1997 and (iii) 2000. [146989]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Harlan UK Ltd.
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent investigations he has commissioned into operating conditions at Harlan UK Ltd. and if he will make a statement. [146612]
  545W
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I refer the hon. Member to my answers of 8 March 2000,Official Report, column 661W and 30 March 2000, Official Report, column 213W. An investigation by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate was commissioned following allegations about Harlan which were made available to the Home Office by the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV) on 29 June 1999.

  I received the Chief Inspector's report on 17 December after a thorough investigation into a complex series of allegations. Generally, the establishment was found to be well-run and the level of compliance good. One breach of a condition of certification was confirmed—two animal rooms were not identified in the documentation as having been checked as required on two dates during the last two years. The Certificate holder received an admonition, and reassurances from the management about staffing levels were sought and received.

  Copies of the final version of the Home Office instigative report, from which only those sections containing commercially sensitive information and details of individuals and third parties are withheld, were laid in the Library on 20 March 2000.

  Like all licensed establishments, Harlan remains subject to regular scrutiny by the Inspectorate. I am informed that appropriate action has been taken to correct the weaknesses and deficiencies identified in the Chief Inspector's report.

  Gun Crime
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to reduce gun crime; and if he will make a statement. [146615]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The use of firearms in crime in this country is low in relation to overall national crime figures and international standards. Nevertheless; the Government fully understand public concerns about the criminal misuse of guns and are committed to supporting the police and Her Majesty's Customs in their work to combat this problem through a range of measures which include:Proactive intelligence gathering on sources of weapons used in crime through the Forensic Science Service, the National Criminal Intelligence Service and Her Majesty's Customs and Excise;
  Targeted policing measures against particular groups of criminals associated with armed violence;
  The establishment of national database of certificate holders and the possibility of recording the registration details of all legally held firearms;
  Local and possibly national amnesties to reduce the number of illegal guns in the 'grey market' which might fall into criminal hands;
  Good security in respect of legally held firearams to prevent them being stolen;
  Wider controls on de-activated weapons to prevent them being restored to working order;
  Stronger intelligence sharing between the enforcement authorities and the reputable gun trade.

  The Government are also supporting international efforts to negotiate a United Nations protocol against the illicit manufacture of and trafficking in firearms.
  546W
  Armed crime cannot be tackled in isolation from other criminal activities, in particular wider violent crime. Our strategy for tackling Violent crime through a wide-ranging action programme was published earlier this month.

  Asylum Support
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the number of supported asylum seekers in each category of support system in each district in the county of Tyne and Wear, distinguishing between those placed by the National Asylum Support Service partnership and those placed by NASS outside the partnership. [146384]

  Mrs. Roche
  As at the end of December 2000, the number of bedspaces in National Asylum Support Service accommodation in the county of Tyne and Wear allocated to asylum seekers and their dependants was as follows:

  Area

  Allocated bedspaces

  Gateshead

  1440

  Newcastle Upon Tyne

  11,120

  North Tyneside

  1200

  South Tyneside

  160

  Sunderland

  1760

  1 Figures rounded to the nearest ten

  Additionally at the end of December there were 201 asylum seekers (including dependants) who were allocated voucher-only support and were located in the north-east region which includes Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Durham and Cleveland. Information on the number of these who were staying in the county of Tyne and Wear is not available.

  Information on the number of asylum seekers accommodated by the Regional Consortium and the number accommodated by private sector companies is not available. Information on the number of asylum seekers dispersed to the county of Tyne and Wear by local authorities under the voluntary dispersal scheme is not held centrally.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if it is his policy to allow NASS dispersal partnership partners to issue vouchers to asylum seekers directly. [146385]

  Mrs. Roche
  It is not currently National Asylum Support Service (NASS) policy to allow our partners in dispersal areas to issue vouchers directly to NASS-supported asylum seekers. At present, vouchers are issued by NASS and by Post Office Counters Ltd. NASS issues initial emergency vouchers directly to asylum seekers, until arrangements can be made for them to receive regular vouchers via the voucher supplier, Sodexho Pass UK. Post Office Counters Ltd., under contract to Sodexho Pass UK, provides a network of post offices where asylum seekers can collect their regular vouchers.

  In the interest of expanding the voucher distribution network and improving the service to asylum seekers, NASS officials are currently exploring with interested local authorities, including those in Tyne and Wear, the prospect of piloting local authority distribution of regular vouchers. NASS has also been approached by private

  547W
  sector providers wishing to discuss the scope for local distribution of vouchers in emergencies. We will be giving this proposal careful consideration.

  In addition, Glasgow city council is exceptionally issuing Sodexho Pass vouchers to asylum seekers as part of a special exercise instigated by NASS. These vouchers are the property of Glasgow city council. They are being issued to asylum seekers who have yet to be accepted for NASS support as an alternative to the full board arrangements normally provided for asylum seekers in emergency accommodation.

  There are also a number of local authority schemes under the interim arrangements that make use of Sodexho Pass vouchers.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much his Department has made available to the National Asylum Support Service to date. [146114]

  Mrs. Roche
  The National Asylum Support Service became operational on 3 April 2000 as part of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate of the Home Office. For its first year of operation, to 31 March 2001, it has been allocated the following moneys: a budget of £20 million for its staffing and related administration costs and £22 million for grants to voluntary organisations working with asylum seekers.

  It also has responsibility for administration of the Asylum Support budget of £664 million. This funds payments to the Department of Social Security and local authorities for the support of asylum seekers (including unaccompanied asylum seeking children) and support provided by the National Asylum Support Service.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total cost of the issuing of asylum vouchers was in the last 12 months. [145426]

  Mrs. Roche
  Vouchers were introduced on 3 April 2000 when the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) became responsible for providing support to destitute asylum seekers.

  The total value of vouchers issued in the first nine months of this financial year (2000–01) was £15.1 million.

  Total staffing and related administrative costs of the National Asylum Support Service for the same period, including the costs of processing application forms, allocating accommodation and administering the voucher scheme was £9.2 million. This includes payments made under the voucher contract. However, vouchers are printed and distributed by third-party providers under contract to the Home Office and the costs of this service are commercially confidential. The figure excludes the face value of the vouchers and the costs of providing accommodation and travel.

  Police Recruitment
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his estimate is of the total number of police officers that will have been recruited in England and Wales by the end of the financial year arising from money allocated for police recruitment from the Crime Fighting Fund; and if he will make a statement. [142599]
  548W
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 15 December 2000]: Under the Crime Fighting Fund (CFF), 3,000 additional police officers have been allocated to police forces in England and Wales, over and above their existing recruitment plans for 2000–01.

  Returns from forces suggest that 2,750 recruits deemed to be CFF officers will have been recruited by 31 March 2000.

  The number of recruits deemed to be CFF officers is calculated as a proportion of total recruitment. Total recruitment may vary depending on the success of forces in attracting applicants and processing applications. If total recruitment for the year varies from force projections, the number of deemed CFF officers may also change.

  Crime Fighting Fund
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much of the money for tackling crime announced on 27 March 2000 has been spent. [145557]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]: Of the additional £285 million which my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced on 27 March 2000 for tackling crime and the causes of crime, nearly £243 million was specifically allocated to the Home Office.

  Expenditure as at 31 December against that allocation was just under £51 million.

  Expenditure on many of the projects for which money was allocated was not scheduled to begin until 2001–02.

  Police (Costs)
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what estimates he has made of the national cost to the Police service of(a) pay, (b) pensions, (c) capital financing and (d) national crime fighting agency levies, in (i) 2000–01 and (ii) 2001–02; [145019]

  (2) what assessment he has made of real terms differences in the costs of (a) pay, (b) pensions, (c) capital financing and (d) national crime fighting agency levies to local police forces between 2000–01 and 2001–02; [145022]

  (3) what estimates he has made of the average cost to local police forces of (a) pay, (b) pensions, (c) capital financing and (d) national crime fighting agency levies in (i) 2000–01 and (ii) 2001–02. [145020]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]: Detailed estimates of police service costs are made annually by individual police authorities and forces. Each makes its own projections to pay and pensions' costs. In formulating projections of the total financial provision the Government are able to support, careful account is taken of advice from the Association of Police Authorities and the Association of Chief Police Officers of emerging trends. Account is also taken of estimated pay inflation and pension costs.

  Total Standard Spending (TSS) for 2000–01 is £7,354.2 million. The provision TSS for 2001–02 is £7,731.8 million, an increase of 5.1 per cent. in cash terms of 2.6 per cent. in real terms. Allocation between police authorities of TSS is by formula, and is unhypothecated.
  549W
  I make no estimates of an average cost to local police forces of individual parts of the overall settlement.

  The police services received £144.43 million in capital grants and supplementary credit approvals in 2000–01. Provision was made in the Spending Review for a further £13 million in supplementary credit approval in 2001–02, making £157.43 million in total. This is an increase of 9 per cent. in cash or 6.3 per cent. in real terms. In addition to their share of this direct central provision and support, police authorities may incur additional capital expenditure from their own resources.

  Levies for the National Crime Squad and the National Criminal Intelligence Service totalled £148.97 million in 2000–01. For 2001–02 they will be £163.54 million. This is an increase of 9.8 per cent. in cash or 7.1 per cent. in real terms.

  Crime Statistics (Lancaster and Wyre)
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reductions have been achieved in each category of crime in Lancaster and Wyre constituency since 1 May 1997. [145615]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 22 January 2001]: The Lancashire constabulary have provided information on the numbers of recorded crimes for this area for the years ending March 1997 and March 2000, which is given in the table. It should be noted that there was a change in counting rules for recorded crime on 1 April 1998, which means that direct comparisons cannot be made between data for before and after this date. Nationally, the change in counting rules impacted most on violence against the person (which, for example, now includes common assault and assault on a constable), fraud and forgery, and drug and other offences, the latter two of which are combined here as "other" offences. The numbers of recorded crimes in these three categories were inflated nationally by the change in counting rules by 118 per cent., 61 per cent. and 215 per cent. respectively. The change in counting rules resulted in an increase in overall recorded crime figures of 14 per cent. for England and Wales as a whole.

  Lancaster and Wyre parliamentary constituency—recorded crime

  Year ending

  March 1997 (Number of offences)

  March 2000 (Number of offences)

  Percentage change

  Violence against the person

  530

  1,321

  149

  Sexual offences

  106

  74

  -30

  Robbery

  84

  112

  33

  Burglary

  3,894

  3,043

  -22

  Theft and handling

  8,199

  6,605

  -19

  Fraud and forgery

  451

  483

  7

  Criminal damage

  1,950

  3.218

  65

  Other offences

  219

  691

  216

  Total

  15,433

  15,547

  1

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the asylum applications awaiting an initial decision have been outstanding for(a) between six months and one year, (b) between one and two years and (c) more than two years. [145434]
  550W
  Mrs. Roche
  The information is not available in the form requested. As at the end of November (the latest date for which figures are available) the number of asylum applications made within the previous six months where a decision has not been made was approximately 25,500. The number of asylum applications made more than six months ago where a decision has not been made is estimated to be 44,400.

  A very small number of cases involving applications made before 1996 continue to be identified although the vast majority have been dealt with. These cases are being decided as a high priority.

  Any further information could be obtained only by examination of individual case records and is, therefore available only at disproportionate cost.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Children's Fund
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will announce the areas that have been selected to participate in the first wave of the Children's Fund. [146858]

  Mr. Boateng
  I am pleased to announce today the 40 areas that have been selected to benefit from the first allocations of the Children's Fund, amounting to £194 million over three years.

  The Children's Fund is an important element of the Government's wider strategy to tackle child poverty and social exclusion. It is run by the interdepartmental Children and Young People's Unit, based in DfEE. £380 million is available over three years to fund services to prevent children and their families suffering the consequences of poverty. It will form part of a range of measures to ensure that vulnerable children get the best start in life, remain on track in their early years, flourish in secondary school and choose to stay on in education and training at 16.

  The 40 areas across England, which have been invited to participate in the first wave of the fund, include those with the highest levels of need and disadvantage among children and young people along with some areas of particular disadvantage associated with rural and coastal areas. By April 2004 all areas across England will have access to the fund.

  The amount of funding each area will be able to apply for will reflect the numbers of children in poverty in each area, but will vary according to the content and quality of the proposals. A typical amount an average area could receive might be between £1.5 to £2 million each year over three years.

  Guidance outlining the first steps necessary to establish a Children's Fund has today been sent to each area invited to participate in the first wave. Each area will develop preventive services for children between 5–13 and their families. By intervening early we can help children before they are caught by the cycle of poverty and disadvantage. The types of services areas will be asked to develop include mentoring support, counselling and advice services, parent education, out of school activities and

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  work with individual children through multidisciplinary teams in schools or health centres. The following areas have been invited to participate:

  Birmingham

  Blackburn with Darwen

  Blackpool

  Bolton

  Bradford

  Bristol

  Camden

  Cornwall

  Doncaster

  Gateshead

  Greenwich

  Hackney

  Halton

  Haringey

  Hartlepool

  Islington

  Kent

  Kingston upon Hull

  Knowsley

  Lancashire

  Leeds

  Leicester

  Lincolnshire

  Liverpool

  Manchester

  Middlesbrough

  Newham

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  Norfolk

  Nottingham

  Oldham

  Portsmouth

  Rochdale

  Salford

  Sandwell

  Sheffield

  Southwark

  Stockton on Tees

  Sunderland

  Tower Hamlets.

  Where a Children's Fund area is also developing a project under the On Track programme aimed at children at risk of getting involved in crime, it will be incorporated into the Children's Fund. On Track projects which currently fall outside the first wave of Children's Fund areas will continue to receive funding as planned.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have written to the right hon. and hon. Members in whose constituencies these areas fall.

  Higher Education
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what(a) the projected revenue to higher education institutions from student tuition fees and (b) the notional revenue on the assumption that no fees were rebated on account of low
  552W
  income will be for the next three financial years; and if he will indicate how the difference is scored in the presentation of Government statistics. [145737]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 18 January 2001]: The projected income to higher education institutions in England from tuition fees governed by the student support regulations, the mandatory award regulations and for those post-graduate students funded by the research councils is shown in table 1:

  Table 1

  £ million

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  Public contributions to fees

  498

  493

  500

  Student contributions to fees1

  350

  376

  400

  Total

  848

  869

  900

  1 The student contributions are net of an estimated 5 per cent. cost for collection and any default

  If exemption from fee contributions for those students from low-income families were to be removed then forecast fee income would be as follows:

  Table 2

  £ million

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  Public contributions to fees

  74

  61

  62

  Student contributions to fees1

  753

  786

  815

  Total

  827

  847

  877

  1 The student contributions are net of an estimated 5 per cent. cost for collection and any default

  Note that under such circumstances public contributions would be paid only in relation to students funded under the mandatory award regulations, PGCE students who are exempt from paying contributions towards fees and those students funded by the research councils. The difference in total fee income relates solely to the increased cost of collection and default.

  In relation to the presentation of statistics the public contributions and student contributions to fees are usually shown separately.

  Tax Reform (Students)
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what consultations he has had with ministerial colleagues concerning the recent report of the low income tax reform group of the Chartered Institute of Taxation entitled "Students-The Case for Making Life Easier"; and if he will make a statement. [145738]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 18 January 2001]: We received a copy of the report very recently and will consider the recommendations of concern to DfEE carefully, consulting other Departments as appropriate.

  Numeracy and Literacy
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will estimate the percentage of adults with the lowest numeracy and literacy skills in each region and nation of the UK. [145863]
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  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 16 January 2001]: In 1998 a Basic Skills Agency 'benchmarking' survey provided estimates of literacy and numeracy rates in England by region. This identified three attainment groups, all of

  Percentage

  Literacy

  Approaching level 1 (Minor difficulties)

  Between entry and level 1 (Significant difficulties)

  Below entry (Serious difficulties)

  Total with poor skills

  East of England

  14.7

  4.0

  3.6

  22.2

  East Midlands

  15.4

  4.6

  4.4

  24.4

  London

  13.4

  4.6

  4.9

  22.9

  North East

  16.3

  5.4

  5.4

  27.2

  North West

  15.7

  5.1

  4.9

  25.6

  South East

  14.5

  3.7

  3.4

  21.6

  South West

  15.2

  3.7

  3.5

  22.4

  West Midlands

  15.7

  5.1

  5.1

  25.9

  Yorkshire and Humber

  15.9

  5.1

  5.0

  25.9

  National average

  15

  5

  4

  24

  Percentage

  Numeracy

  Group A (low)

  Group B (lower)

  Group C (very low)

  Total with poor skills

  East of England

  11.0

  6.3

  4.6

  21.8

  East Midlands

  12.3

  7.1

  5.6

  25.0

  London

  10.7

  6.6

  5.8

  23.0

  North East

  13.3

  8.3

  6.8

  28.4

  North West

  12.6

  7.6

  6.2

  26.5

  South East

  10.5

  6.0

  4.4

  20.8

  South West

  10.7

  6.8

  5.3

  22.7

  West Midlands

  12.8

  7.7

  6.4

  26.9

  Yorkshire and Humber

  12.7

  7.8

  6.3

  26.7

  National average

  12

  7

  5

  24

  Note:

  Small errors of ±0.1 per cent. may exist due to rounding

  The international adult literacy surveys published as "Adult Literacy in Britain" (1997) and "Adult Literacy in Northern Ireland" (1998), used a different methodology to provide data for adults of working age (16–65) who are at level 1 or below for literacy and numeracy. These show that levels of literacy and numeracy were, England (21 per cent. to 23 per cent.), respectively Wales (24 per cent. to 25 per cent.), Scotland (23 per cent. to 24 per cent.) and Northern Ireland (24 per cent. to 25 per cent.).

  Since these surveys were carried out new standards for basic skills have been published by the QCA that establish equivalencies between basic and key skills. A key element of our new national strategy for basic skills, which will be launched in February, is a new baseline survey based on these standards that will provide us with a clearer understanding of the challenge we face to raise the levels of adult literacy and numeracy.

  Driver Training Courses
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many young people received funding for driver training courses under the New Deal between 1 January and 30 September 2000; and how many passed their tests. [146052]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 22 January 2001]We do not collect detailed statistics on the number of young people who received funding for driver training courses under the New Deal. Support for driving lessons is one of
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  which have levels of literacy and numeracy below that expected of an average 11-year-old. The results are contained in the following tables.

  many forms of discretionary support advisers can offer young people on an individual basis if that will help them find a job.

  AS-levels
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary to State for Education and Employment what representations he has received on the AS level examination, and on its implications for university admissions; and if he will make a statement. [146238]

  Mr. Wicks
  One representation has been received since September. We introduced the AS level qualification as part of the "Qualifying for Success" reforms. The reforms have generally been welcomed by HEI institutions. This is the first year of the reforms and we have been impressed by the response of schools, colleges, and students to them.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received on the levels of grades required at AS level to secure admission to universities. [146239]

  Mr. Wicks
  None.

  Holocaust Memorial Day
  Mr. Butterfill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how he is planning to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day. [146374]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 22 January 2001]In the week preceding Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) we will raise awareness of the day through a series of articles about the Holocaust on the Department's electronic News Centre. We will also he placing backdrops and posters referring to HMD in the reception areas of each of the Department's main sites. A number of our staff will be representing the Department at the HMD national ceremony on 27 January.

  An Education Pack to support the commemoration of HMD in schools was launched on 9 November. Copies of the pack will be available for those staff within the Department who wish to understand more about what can be learned from the Holocaust and the issues it raises.

  New Deal
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) on what basis the time spent by Employment Service staff on New Deal activities is apportioned to the appropriate New Deal budget; [146423]

  (2) how much expenditure was undertaken by the Employment Service in relation to the New Deal and apportioned to New Deal budgets in each of the last three financial years. [146424]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 22 January 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 21 December 2000, Official Report, columns 264–65W.

  Tuition Fees
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make it his policy to abolish tuition fees for full-time students. [146692]

  Mr. Wicks
  No. The student finance arrangements that we introduced share the cost of higher education fairly between students, their families and taxpayers generally, and provide essential resources for investment in universities and colleges. The Government have invested £1.7 billion (18 per cent. in real terms) in additional planned resources in higher education in England over the six years between 1998–99 and 2003–04. Next year, for the first time since the 1980s, the higher education sector will receive a real increase in funding per student.

  School Playing Fields
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many school playing fields and what total land area of school playing fields have been sold in(a) the Lewes constituency and (b) East Sussex as a whole in each of the last 10 years. [146693]

  Jacqui Smith
  Before October 1998, there was nothing to prevent a local authority selling a school playing field if it wanted to. An estimated 40 playing fields a month were sold in this way under the previous Government. Section 77 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 was introduced, with effect from 1 October 1998, to stop the indiscriminate sale of school playing fields. Local authorities and governing bodies of al maintained schools are now required to obtain the Secretary of State's consent before disposing of playing fields, or any part of a playing field.

  Applications to dispose, or change the use, of school playing fields are approved only when it is clear that any proceeds will be returned to education or used to improve or enhance sports provision. From this spring, all applications will be scrutinised by a new panel that has been set up, comprising representatives of the National Playing Fields Association, the Central Council of Physical Recreation, Learning through Landscapes, the National Association of Head Teachers and the Local Government Association.

  Since October 1998, there have been no applications to sell playing fields in either (a) the constituency of Lewes or (b) East Sussex as a whole.

  Notes:

  1. All sale proceeds are used to provide new or improved sports or education facilities at maintained schools.

  556W

  2. 37 per cent. of approved applications were in respect of sports pitches at closed or closing schools.

  3. In 62 per cent. of cases at operating schools, the sale proceeds have been used to provide new or enhanced sports facilities, including sports halls, all-weather pitches or improved grass sports pitches.

  4. 'Sports pitch' means an area of open grassed land which is equal to, or larger than, the Football Association's recommended 2,000 sq m area for games played by under-10s and which has a configuration making it suitable for sports, whether laid out as a sports pitch or not.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  EU Decision-making Process
  Dr. Ladyman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the objectives of the Swedish presidency to increase the transparency of decision making in the European Union. [145048]

  Mr. Vaz
  This Government, like Sweden, place a very high priority on increasing transparency in the European Union. One of the presidency's key objectives will be to reach agreement on the draft regulation on public access to Council, Commission and European Parliament documents by May of this year. We will do all we can to support them in securing arrangements which provide greater openness and a user-friendly system.

  Western Sahara (Peace Process)
  Ms Kingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement regarding recent developments in the peace process for Western Sahara. [145049]

  Mr. Hain
  The UN is continuing its peace efforts in the Western Sahara through the Secretary-General who has expressed frustration with both main parties—Morocco and the Polisario Front—for lacking the political will to settle the dispute. We urge both sides to bring meaningful proposals to their next talks, now expected sometime in February.

  EU Charter of Fundamental Rights
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the EU charter of fundamental rights. [145050]

  Mr. Vaz
  The charter was proclaimed on 7 December at the Nice European Council.

  Promotion of human rights is something to be proud of. The charter sets out for the first time, clearly and in a single document, a range of fundamental rights, freedoms and principles recognised within the EU. People need to know their rights, and the EU institutions need to respect them. The charter will help on both counts.

  The charter is a political declaration; it is not legally binding. It was neither incorporated, nor attached nor referred to in the treaties, just as we said.

  The Government have made clear their support for the charter. We have also made clear our view that it should remain a political declaration.

  HIV/AIDS (Southern Africa)
  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the role of his Department in the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic in southern Africa. [145051]

  Mr. Hain
  We worked hard to put HIV/AIDS high on the agenda of the G8 summit in Okinawa last year and to raise the profile of the issue in the United Nations. We are also working closely with the Department for International Development to ensure the extensive UK aid programme in southern Africa has the political support it needs.

  UK-US Relations
  Mr. Donald Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to meet the new United States Secretary of State to discuss arms control. [145052]

  Mr. Hain
  The United States is Britain's closest ally and we enjoy excellent co-operation across a wide range of defence and security issues. NATO provides the cornerstone of our relationship. Co-operation between Britain and the US will continue after the change of US Administration, not least because a close working relationship is the best way of advancing our mutual interests and safeguarding our collective security.

  Dr. George Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the new Administration in the US on the future role of NATO. [145054]

  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the incoming United States Administration on national missile defence proposals. [145059]

  Mr. Savidge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the new United States Administration on issues relating to defence and disarmament. [145061]

  John Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the new United States Administration on strategic defence and disarmament. [145065]

  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on UK-US defence co-operation. [145043]

  Mr. Vaz
  The United States is Britain's closest ally and we enjoy excellent co-operation across a wide range of defence and security issues. NATO provides the cornerstone of our relationship. Co-operation between Britain and the US will continue after the change of US Administration, not least because a close working relationship is the best way of advancing our mutual interests and safeguarding our collective security.

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in Zimbabwe. [145055]
  558W
  Mr. Hain
  We remain very concerned about both political and economic developments in Zimbabwe. Violence again marred election campaigning in the run-up to the by-election earlier this month. We condemn all acts of violence and urge the Government and Opposition to work to ensure that elections are the free choice of the people of Zimbabwe, without violence, intimidation or fear.

  The economic situation in Zimbabwe continues to deteriorate with the key indicators pointing to a deepening crisis in 2001: more job loses, high inflation, shrinking growth, and shortages of foreign exchange. We look to the Government of Zimbabwe to take determined action to reverse Zimbabwe's economic decline.

  Tibet
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on recent discussions he has had with China on the future of Tibet. [145056]

  Mr. Battle
  We regularly discuss the future of Tibet with the Chinese authorities and urge them to engage in a meaningful dialog re with the Tibetan people, including the Dalai Lama, on a long-term political solution. During the last round of our bilateral human rights dialogue with China, held in London between 16 and 18 October, the Chinese side briefed us on the resumed contacts with representatives of the Dalai Lama. We welcomed this development and regent indications that the dialogue was continuing to take place. We will continue to press the Chinese authorities to advance the dialogue to a satisfactory conclusion.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the(a) extent of and (b) implications of migration of Han Chinese into Tibet. [146720]

  Mr. Battle
  We are monitoring the extent and causes of Han migration into Tibet. We addressed the issue during the last round of the UK/China human rights dialogue held in London between 16–18 October. We stressed the importance of ensuring that indigenous Tibetans benefit from the economic development driving the migration, and the need to preserve and promote Tibetan cultural, traditional and religious practices.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to recognise the Tibet in Government in exile if the Chinese authorities continue to refuse to engage in meaningful dialogue with the Dalai Lama. [146715]

  Mr. Battle
  We do not recognise the Tibetan "Government in Exile", nor do we have any plans to revise this position.

  We welcome recent indications that the Chinese authorities and representatives of the Dalai Lama have resumed a dialogue. We will continue to stress to the Chinese the importance this Government places on the two sides reaching agreement on a long-term political solution in Tibet.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the human rights situation in Tibet. [146718]
  559W
  Mr. Battle
  The human rights situation in Tibet remains a matter of deep concern Restrictions on the freedoms of religion, expression and association, the harsh treatment of dissidents and the erosion of Tibetan culture and traditional practices continue. We have welcomed the re-establishment of contacts between the Chinese authorities and representatives of the Dalai Lama since mid-2000, and hope that these will go on to address these important issues.

  Tibet remains a major focus of our critical engagement with the Chinese authorities, at ministerial level and through the regular UK/China human rights dialogues. We will continue to press for a long-term political solution in Tibet between the Chinese authorities and the Dalai Lama, and the full respect for human rights in Tibet.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the impact of current Chinese policy on the culture and historic environment of Tibet. [146748]

  Mr. Battle
  We continue monitoring the effects of Chinese policy towards the cultural heritage and traditional practices in Tibet. Of particular concern is the "re-education" programme of Buddhist monks and nuns, restrictions on freedom of religion and the handling of Han migration into Tibet. We raise these and other issues relating to Tibet, in detail during our regular UK/China human rights dialogues.

  With EU partners, we supported a demarche by the French ambassador in Beijing in August 2000, expressing concern at the expulsion of representatives of the Tibet heritage fund, which works to preserve religious sites in Lhasa.

  We will continue to press the Chinese to work towards maintaining the unique culture and heritage of Tibet. We will do so again during the next dialogue round in Beijing between 12–14 February.

  Export Licences
  Mr. David Taylor
  To ask the secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what factors underlay the advice given by his Department to the Department of Trade and Industry in respect of the declined export licence applications 14478 and 14146. [145057]

  Mr. Hain
  We do not comment on the specific factors underlying refusal of the individual export licence applications. The company concerned has been given the reason for refusal.

  All export licence applications are considered on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria and in the case of India and Pakistan against the Lloyd Statement of 10 July 1998. In the application of the above criteria, account is taken of reliable evidence, including, for example, reporting from diplomatic posts, relevant reports by international bodies, intelligence and information from open sources and non-governmental organisations.

  Democratic Republic of Congo
  Mr. Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a560W
  statement on the failure of the 1999 Lusaka peace accord to maintain a stable peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo. [145058]

  Mr. Hain
  We continue to support the Lusaka agreement, which remains the only viable means of achieving a just and stable peace in the region. The death of President Kabila has provided a new chance of peace. We have urged the new DRC leadership and all other parties to seize this opportunity to implement Lusaka in full.

  Middle East
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the peace process in the middle east. [145062]

  Mr. Hain
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given in the House earlier today by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to my hon. Friend the Member for Ellesmere Port and Neston (Mr. Miller).

  Lorry Deaths (Dover)
  Mr. Prosser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress he has made in reaching agreement with the Chinese Government for the return to China of the remains of the 58 young people found dead at Dover. [145063]

  Mr. Battle
  The bodies of the 58 Chinese nationals who died at Dover were repatriated to China on 18 January. We reached agreement with the Chinese Government that the bodies should be returned to the Fujian province of China, their place of origin, to be laid to rest by the immediate relatives there.

  Diplomatic Estate
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many ambassadorial and consular offices and houses(a) have been and (b) are due to be sold since May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [145064]

  Mr. Battle
  From 1 April 1997 to date, four Embassy/Consular buildings, eight official residences and 99 other units of residential accommodation have been sold.

  It is not possible to provide details of properties which might be sold in the future. The estate is regularly reviewed to ensure that all our properties provide value for money. We also seek to modernise the estate to meet the needs of the 21st century.

  Cuba
  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about relations with Cuba. [145066]

  Mr. Battle
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Angela Smith),Official Report, columns 788–89.

  Iraq
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with opposition groups in Iraq about the effect of sanctions. [145067]

  Mr. Hain
  Ministers and officials keep in regular contact with representatives of the Iraqi opposition on all aspects of our Iraq policy. The Iraqi National Congress, perhaps the most significant opposition grouping, makes clear that it holds Saddam Hussein directly responsible for the suffering of the Iraqi people, and wishes to ensure that he can never again attack his own people or his neighbours with weapons of mass destruction.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Iraq. [145069]

  Mr. Hain
  Ten years after the outbreak of the Gulf war, we remember the allied service-men who lost their lives in the successful operation to expel Iraq from Kuwait. Kuwait is now prospering free from Iraqi tyranny. However, we should not forget the Kuwaitis missing since the occupation. I urge Iraq to co-operate with the Tripartite Commission, which is tracing the Kuwaiti missing.

  Since the Gulf war, our policy has contained the threat posed by the Iraqi regime. In the last 10 years, Iraq has not used chemical weapons against the Kurds or Iran or invaded its neighbours. Nor has it fired Scud missiles at Israel or Saudi Arabia. Before sanctions, Iraq did all of these. That is why Britain will continue to support sanctions and the no-fly zones until Iraq no longer represents a threat. This anniversary should be a reminder to us all of why it is necessary to contain the Iraqi threat now as it was 10 years ago.

  United Nations Security Council resolution 1284 offers Iraq a way out of sanctions. It allows for the suspension of sanctions in return for Iraqi co-operation with UN weapons inspectors. Britain wants to see sanctions suspended. Critics of sanctions should unite with us in calling on the regime to take up this offer rather than playing into Saddam's hands by supporting his defiance of the UN and international law and prolonging sanctions. Sanctions could be suspended in a matter of months if UN weapons inspectors are allowed into Iraq to control Saddam's biological, chemical and nuclear weapons capabilities, which are threatening the region.

  Sierra Leone
  Mr. Tynan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the United Nations Security Council expert panel report on the link between diamonds and the arms trade in Sierra Leone. [145068]

  Mr. Hain
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Warrington, North (Helen James),Official Report, columns 792–931.

  North American Free Trade Agreement
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations 562W
  he has received from (a) the new US administration and (b) Republican members of the US Congress about the UK strengthening links with NAFTA. [145070]

  Mr. Vaz
  None.

  Iran (Jewish Population)
  Ms Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the treatment of Jews in Iran. [145072]

  Mr. Hain
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Crewe and Nantwich (Mrs. Dunwoody),Official Report, column 794.

  Turkey
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met his Turkish counterpart; and what issues they discussed. [R] [145053]

  Mr. Vaz
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary had a bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister Cem in the margins of the OSCE Ministerial Council in Vienna in November. They discussed the EU/Turkey accession partnership, the UN sponsored Cyprus settlement talks and European defence. They also met at the NATO Foreign Ministers meeting in Brussels in December.

  Denmark
  Dr. Palmer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of relations between the UK and Denmark; and if he will make a statement. [145060]

  Mr. Vaz
  Relations are excellent. Last year, Queen Margrethe II paid a highly successful State visit to Britain, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary visited Copenhagen for bilateral talks, and eight other ministerial visits took place. My right hon. Friend had talks in London with the new Danish Minister last week.

  Bangladesh
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representation he has made to(a) Ministers in Myanmar and (b) Ministers in Bangladesh on Bangladesh's latest offer of peace talks; and if he will make a statement. [146879]

  Mr. Battle
  No British representations have been made in the dispute between Burma and Bangladesh. We understand that the Governments of Burma and Bangladesh have had several contacts about the recent clashes. We hope that these and future discussions will resolve any outstanding problems.

  Krishna Maharaj
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department has received from Clive Stafford Smith OBE, the Justice Center and others in relation to intervention in the Florida capital case of the British citizen, Krishna Maharaj; and if he will make a statement. [144464]
  563W
  Mr. Hain
  Clive Stafford Smith was in regular contact with our consular staff in Atlanta and Ministers in London during Maharaj's hearings in 1997. Additionally, Mr. Stafford Smith met briefly with Linda Nassar, our vice consul in Orlando, while attending the hearings. He also discussed the case informally with Sir John Kerr, then our ambassador to Washington. Since then he has been in occasional contact with consular staff in Atlanta.

  Most recently officials in the FCO's consular division met with him and others on 4 January to discuss Mr. Maharaj's case. This followed a series of communications in December, written and oral, between officials and Mr. Stafford Smith and others.

  Depleted Uranium
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has had from the People's Republic of China about the use of depleted uranium weapons by NATO. [146437]

  Mr. Vaz
  [holding answer 22 January 2001]The Foreign Secretary has had no representations from the People's Republic of China on this issue.

  Panchen Lama
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress he has made in identifying the location and condition of the Panchen Lama. [146721]

  Mr. Battle
  We take every suitable opportunity to press the Chinese authorities to allow access to Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the Dalai Lama's choice as Panchen Lama, by an independent and respected figure to assess his health and living conditions. They maintain that the parents of the boy do not want him exposed to international attention. During the last round of the EU/China human rights dialogue in September 2000, the Chinese Government indicated that the boy was living in Nagqu.

  During the last round of the UK/China human rights dialogue (16–18 October 2000) the Chinese side displayed two photographs purporting to be of the boy, but declined to provide copies. I have personally stressed to the Chinese ambassador in London the importance of releasing the photographs. We will press this point again during the next round of the UK/China human rights dialogue, scheduled for 12–14 February in Beijing.

  China (Human Rights)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the compliance of the Chinese Government with those agreements with human rights aspects agreed by that Government since 1997. [146717]

  Mr. Battle
  The Chinese Government signed the international covenants on economic, social and cultural rights, and on civil and political rights, in October 1997 and 1998 respectively.

  China is not bound by the provisions of both covenants until instruments of ratification have been submitted to the UN Secretary-General. The Chinese authorities are yet to fully comply with a number of provisions, in both
  564W
  covenants, including those pertaining to freedom of religion, the use of the death penalty and establishment of free trade unions.

  We continue to urge the Chinese to move promptly towards ratification and implementation of the covenants, with a minimum of reservations. We are working with them to identify areas in which we can provide technical assistance to help move this process forward.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will support a resolution condemning the Chinese Government at the 57th meeting of the UN Commission on Human Rights. [146716]

  Mr. Battle
  We and our partners are considering the EU' s approach towards China at the forthcoming 57th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights to be held in Geneva between 19 March and 27 April. This process has not yet been concluded.

  Mercenary Activity
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to publish the Green Paper on mercenary activity; and if he will make a statement. [145583]

  Mr. Hain
  Officials are continuing work on the Green Paper. The issue is new and complex. It is important to work through the details.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the(a) non-governmental organisations, (b) commercial interests, companies and service organisations, (c) foreign Governments and (d) academic or other experts who his Department has formally consulted regarding the Green Paper on mercenary activity; and if he will make a statement. [145463]

  Mr. Hain
  In working on the Green Paper, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office are drawing on material from a variety of sources, including academic writers, NGOs and others. They are also looking carefully at examples of relevant action in other countries.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the representations he has received on the(a) timing and (b) content of the Green Paper on mercenary activity from (i) non-governmental organisations, (ii) commercial interests, companies and service organisations, (iii) foreign Governments and (iv) other categories; and if he will make a statement. [145462]

  Mr. Hain
  I refer the right hon. and learned Member to the answers I gave today to his other questions on the subject of the Green Paper.

  Sri Lanka
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to appoint a special envoy to hold talks with Sri Lankan leaders on the peace process; and if he will make a statement. [146870]

  Mr. Hain
  There are no plans. Norway has appointed an envoy who is actively engaged in trying to facilitate peace negotiations, which we fully support.
  565W
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to(a) Norway and (b) Sri Lanka, on the talks of the Norwegian special envoy with Sri Lankan leaders on the peace process; and if he will make a statement. [146873]

  Mr. Hain
  We maintain frequent contact with both Sri Lanka and Norway and will do all we can to support Norway's attempts to facilitate peace negotiations between the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE.

  China (Missile Base)
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representation he has made to Chinese Ministers regarding the building by China of a base in the south eastern Fujian province for the deployment of advanced Russian-made S-300 ground-to-air missiles; and if he will make a statement. [146878]

  Mr. Battle
  We have made no representations to the Chinese Government on any such deployment.

  India (Missiles)
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with Indian Ministers regarding the test firing of intermediate range ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads; and if he will make a statement. [146874]

  Mr. Hain
  We have not had the opportunity yet to have discussions with the Indian Government regarding the missile test on 17 January. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office issued the following statement on the day of the test:"The UK regrets India's decision to test the Agni II Medium Range Ballistic Missile on 17 January. The UK believes that restraint in developing nuclear weapons and possible delivery systems is in the long-term interests of India and the region. The UK continues to urge India to take the steps set out in UNSCR 1172. The test sends the wrong signal within the region and beyond".

  Eiman April Grant
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to(a) Philippine leaders and (b) the family of Eiman April Grant regarding her whereabouts; and if he will make a statement. [146877]

  Mr. Hain
  The British Ambassador and his staff in Manila have been in close contact with senior Philippine Government Ministers and officials, the military and investigators working on the case. The British embassy is also in contact with Mr. Grant to update him on developments. The embassy helped to co-ordinate a very effective operation by the armed forces of the Philippines to evacuate Eiman's British half-sister to Manila.

  The embassy will continue to press for a peaceful and speedy resolution.

  Aceh
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has 566W
  made to President Wahid on his support for a new month-long truce with rebels in the province of Aceh; and if he will make a statement. [146881]

  Mr. Battle
  We welcome the recently agreed moratorium on violence in Aceh. We hope this will allow both sides to find a peaceful solution to the conflict, through dialogue rather than force. The European Union issued a statement on 12 January calling on both sides to abide by the terms of the moratorium on violence and to show the utmost restraint on the ground. We will continue to watch developments closely.

  Kaliningrad
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to(a) Russian leaders, (b) the American Administration and (c) NATO leaders regarding the movement of short-range nuclear weapons to Kaliningrad; and if he will make a statement. [146875]

  Mr. Vaz
  We have discussed this issue with NATO allies, including the United States.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will support international inspections of military nuclear facilities at Kaliningrad. [146876]

  Mr. Vaz
  Inspections of Russian military deployments in Kaliningrad can be carried out under a range of existing arms control treaties. However these do not extend to military nuclear facilities.

  Indonesia
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to Indonesian Ministers on tear gas fired by police at protesters on 17 January; and if he will make a statement. [146880]

  Mr. Battle
  We understand that there was a demonstration by several thousand protesters outside the Indonesian Parliament calling for President Wahid to step down. When the demonstrators tried to force their way into the grounds of the Parliament on 17 January, the security forces responded with tear gas. We are not aware of any clashes or casualties. While we have concerns at the human rights record of the Indonesian police, on this occasion they appear to have been legitimately protecting Government buildings and staff. We have not made any representations to the Indonesian authorities on this particular event, but we continue to monitor closely events in Indonesia.

  European Council
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) which parts of the provisional text of the treaty of Nice provide the Presidencies for 2001 with political tasks and initiatives on behalf of the European Council; and for what reasons these duties were supported by Her Majesty's Government; [144777]
  567W
  (2) if he will list the parts of the provisional text of the Treaty of Nice which provide the presidencies for 2001 with political tasks and initiatives on behalf of the European Council, indicating the reasons for Her Majesty's Government's support in each case. [146025]

  Mr. Vaz
  A declaration agreed at Nice, and contained in Annexe IV of the draft treaty, deals with work on the future institutional development of the EU.

  The conference calls for a deeper and wider debate about the future development of the European Union, involving all with an interest including the peoples of Europe and the candidate countries. The Swedish and Belgian Presidencies have been mandated to take this consultative exercise forward. In Warsaw, the Prime Minister said that we should start the debate about Europe with the question of what the people of Europe want, and the Government strongly support the consultative exercise.

  Drug Trafficking
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his EU colleagues about combating drug trafficking within the European Union. [145322]

  Mrs. Roche
  I have been asked to reply.

  I have regular meetings with European Union colleagues, where the issue of combating drug trafficking is discussed, including attendance at the European Union Justice and Home Affairs Council and other forums. Last year, the United Kingdom successfully negotiated key elements of the Prime Minister's initiative on drugs, aimed at strengthening the European Union response to drugs problems, into the European Union Action Plan on Drugs 2000–04. The United Kingdom is also playing a central role in European Union-funded drugs twinning projects in Bulgaria and Romania designed to block the Balkans drug trafficking route into the European Union.

TREASURY

  Census 2001
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about Government policy and administrative practice with regard to the destruction of the questionnaire forms that are to be delivered to households for the 2001 census of population for England and Wales. [146448]

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

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. John M. Taylor, dated 23 January 2001:
  As National Statistician and Registrar General for England and Wales I have been asked to reply to your recent request for a statement about the Government's policy and administration practice with regard to the destruction of the 2001 Census forms in England and Wales (146448).
  The traditional practice has been to retain the original completed census forms as a permanent public archive under the provisions of the Public Records Act 1958. As you are aware, such records are closed for 100 years under the further provision of the Lord Chancellor's Instrument no. 12 (1966).
  568W
  In agreement with the Public Records Office (PRO), it has been decided that it is more cost effective to archive the 2001 Census forms on microfilm for retention by the Office for National Statistics until the records are transferred to the PRO. This decision is entirely consistent with the PRO's current programme of microfilming its records of previous censuses, which is currently underway.
  Microfilming the 2001 Census returns will be carried as part of the contractual arrangements with Lockheed Martin for processing the 2001 Census. The 2001 Census forms themselves will be destroyed under strictly controlled and secure conditions once we are content that all the data has been captured and checked.

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the measures he(a) has taken and (b) is planning to take to prevent and detect fraudulent claims of working families tax credit. [146993]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The measures taken to prevent and detect fraudulent claims to the Working Families Tax Credit include redesigned application forms and guidance to make applications easier to complete while warning of the consequences of incorrect and fraudulent applications. Staff dealing with tax credit applications have been trained to explain the importance of providing correct and complete information. Staff also have powers to obtain information in support of an application where required and to check information provided by applicants against the relevant details already held. Risk assessments of applications based on accumulated Inland Revenue and DSS experience of fraudulent claims are also carried out, together with formal inquiries by specialist staff into applications identified as requiring further investigation. Where fraud is found to have taken place, financial penalties can be imposed and in the most serious cases applicants may be prosecuted.

  As to future plans, I refer my right hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 16 November 2000, Official Report, column 758W.

  Climate Change Levy
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the regulatory impact assessment for the climate change levy. [146419]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 22 January 2001]It was published in April 2000.

  Departmental Policies (Slough)
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Slough constituency, the effects on Slough of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [146935]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Slough parliamentary constituency, along with the rest of the United Kingdom, is benefiting from the long-term action we have taken to build economic stability and secure high and stable levels of growth and employment. Since the General Election, claimant unemployment in the constituency has fallen by 1,078, or 40 per cent.; youth unemployment is down by 83 per cent., and long-term unemployment has fallen by 73 per cent. The claimant count rate in December 2000 was only 2.1 per cent., well below the UK average.
  569W
  Macro-economic stability is being complemented at the micro-economic level by the Government's policies to ease the transition from welfare into work and to make work pay. To the end of October 2000, the New Deal for 18 to 24-year-olds had helped 824 young people in the Slough constituency to gain valuable skills and experience—371 (45 per cent.) of whom had moved into employment. The Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC), introduced in October 1999, is helping to make work pay for low and middle-income families. In August 2000, 1,400 families in Slough constituency were benefiting from WFTC.

  The Government are also committed to developing policies which enable all pensioners to share in the country's rising prosperity. As a result of the recent pre-Budget report, all pensioners, including 13,300 in the Slough constituency, will receive an above-inflation increase in the basic state pension from April 2001. Single pensioners will receive an extra £5 a week, and couples will receive an extra £8 a week. All pensioners age 75 or over have also been entitled to a free TV licence since November 2000—including around 8,000 in the Slough constituency.

  Health Spending
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of UK GDP his Department expects will be devoted to total health spending in the fiscal year 2004–05. [146960]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  In last year's Spending Review, the Chancellor provided for a significant increase in UK health expenditure for the years up to 2003–04. Based on the current GDP forecast, total health spending could therefore reach around 7.6 per cent. of GDP in 2003–04.

  As the public spending plans for 2004–05 will not be announced until nearer the time, in the normal way, it is not yet possible to provide a figure for total health care in 2004–05.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guidance he has issued to other Departments about the rights to receive windfall profits as part of Private Finance Initiative deals; and how many Departments have agreed such deals(a) in accordance and (b) not in accordance with such guidance. [146839]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Guidance on the refinancing of PFI projects is contained in the Standardisation of PFI Contracts publication produced by the Treasury Taskforce in 1999. This was supplemented by Treasury guidance in July 2000 which alerted Departments to emerging issues in this area; and by guidance from the Office of Government Commerce in November, which proposed that Departments seek an equitable share of refinancing benefits where their consent was required, and where the contract did not cover the terms of that consent. The OGC expects to publish further guidance shortly. Detailed contractual information is not held centrally.

  Children's Tax Credit
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reason the Inland Revenue did not access the child benefit records held by the Benefits Agency before issuing claim forms for the children's tax credit. [146108]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 22 January 2001]Existing data on taxpayers were more likely to produce a better match to those eligible to claim the Children's Tax Credit. A large proportion of Child Benefit recipients are non-taxpayers.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 8 January 2001,Official Report, column 458W, on the children's tax credit if he will make a statement on the publicity which has been undertaken; how much it cost; how much he proposes to spend by the end of February on further publicity; and what form that further publicity will take. [146321]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 22 January 2001]To date, the publicity campaign for the Children's Tax Credit has consisted of radio and press advertising. It has been conducted over two phases and cost £3 million.

  A further phase of publicity is planned in February which includes TV, as well as radio and press. It is estimated that this will cost just under £4.7 million.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many completed children's tax credit forms have been returned from each region of the United Kingdom. [146355]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The information is not available.

  Child Benefit
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the revenue yield of taxing child benefit(a) for upper rate tax payers and (b) at the marginal rate for all tax payers. [146252]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The estimated yield of taxing child benefit in 2000–01 is published in "Inland Revenue Statistics 2000", a copy of which is held in the House of Commons Library. The full year yield of taxing child benefit for higher rate taxpayers in 2000–01 is estimated to be £60 million.

  Capital Gains Tax
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 9 November 2000,Official Report, column 343W, concerning capital gains tax indexation, what estimate he has made of the behavioural effects arising from re-introducing indexation and abolishing taper relief, while reintroducing retirement relief on the revenue yield. [146153]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 22 January 2001]: The Government remain committed to the system of taper relief within capital gains taxation so no detailed analyses of the behavioural effects of abolishing taper relief while reintroducing indexation and retirement relief have been made.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of capital gains tax is paid by income tax payers with a taxable income below(a) £10,000, (b) £20,000 and (c) £30,000 per year. [146260]
  571W
  Dawn Primarolo
  For 1997–98, the latest available year, the distribution of capital gains tax (CGT) liabilities of individual CGT taxpayers, by range of their taxable income, is as follows:

  Capital gains tax: individuals 1997–98

  Taxable income: Lower limit

  Proportion of total capital gains tax (Per cent.)

  £0

  10.6

  £10,000

  6.3

  £20,000

  6.4

  £30,000

  76.8

  All ranges

  100

  Note:

  For 1997–98, 140 thousand individual takpayers had total CGT liabilities of £1,637 million.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the average benefit of(a) the exemption of capital gains tax on first homes and (b) the annual exempt amount of capital gains tax and the number of people who will benefit from each in 2001–02. [146258]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Tentative estimates of the total cost of these exemptions for 2000–01 are given in the Tax Ready Reckoner, November 2000, which is available in the House of Commons Library. Estimates for 2001–02 are not yet available.

  Mapeley Ltd.
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the STEPS contract between his Department and Mapeley Ltd. for the transfer to Mapeley Ltd. of the ownership and management of the combined estate of the Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise has yet been finalised; and when the planned starting date is. [147030]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The two Departments and Mapeley are finalising a few technical details.

  The implementation programme is on schedule for the contract to start as planned.

  Pensions
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the revenue yield of restricting the value of the(a) employee pension contributions and (b) employer pension contributions to (i) the basic rate of taxation and (ii) 10 per cent. [146257]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Estimates of the full year yield for 2000–01 of restricting income tax relief for employees' and employers' contributions to occupational and personal pensions (including additional voluntary contributions) are given in the table. They do not take account of any behavioural effects which are likely to result from such changes.

  £ billion

  Yield from restricting income tax relief to:

  Relief for pension contributions

  22 per cent.

  10 per cent.

  Employees1

  1.3

  3.3

  Employers2

  1.9

  5.3

  572W

  1 Based on a projection, consistent with pre-Budget Report 2000, of the 1998–99 Survey of Personal Incomes and other survey and administrative data

  2 Based on a projection, consistent with pre-Budget Report 2000, of figures compiled by the Office for National Statistics from a variety of sources

  Termination of Employment Payment
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the revenue yield of reducing the exemption of the first £30,000 of payments on the termination of employment to(a) £15,000, (b) £10,000 and (c) nil. [146256]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Estimates of the income tax yield in a full-year from reducing the exemption on the first £30,000 of payments on the termination of employment are shown in the table. These estimates do not allow for possible behavioural effects.

  Reducing exemption to:

  Tax yield (£ million)

  £15,000

  350

  £10,000

  500

  Nil

  1,100

  Plant and Machinery (Capital Allowances)
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the estimates and outturns for the allowances for plant and machinery in the Budgets for the years(a) 1998–99 and (b) 1999–2000 and the estimated outturn for 2000–2001. [146851]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the published Financial Statement and Budget Reports for the estimated revenue effects of the Budget changes made to capital allowances for plant and machinery.

  Outturn figures are not available.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Saville Inquiry
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total cost from 30 September to 30 December 2000 of the Saville Inquiry was; if he will break down the costs by(a) salaries of staff, (b) travel and subsistence, (c) accommodation, (d) hearing/witness costs, (e) fees to solicitors representing those killed, (f) solicitors representing others, (g) banisters representing those killed, (h) banisters representing others, (i) IT/communications and (j) miscellaneous, including general office expenditure; and if he will provide the totals of each heading and the total costs since this inquiry began. [145525]

  Mr. Ingram
  My Department's expenditure on the Bloody Sunday Inquiry for the period 1 October to 31 December 2000 is summarised in the table. The figures for moneys paid to solicitors and banisters cannot be readily provided separately, nor can the payments for their professional services be separated from other expenses. However these payments have been split between those to lawyers representing families and those to other lawyers, including Counsel to the Inquiry.
  573W

  £

  Spend for period 1 October to 31 December 2000

  Spend since 1997–98 to 31 December 2000

  Salaries

  371,307

  2,440,962

  Travel and subsistence

  98,010

  636,602

  Accommodation

  343,689

  2,281,318

  Hearing/Witness Costs

  195,892

  1,658,848

  Payments to lawyers representing the families of those dead or wounded

  1,479,359

  5,650,150

  Payments to other lawyers (including Counsel) to the Inquiry

  516,477

  11,666,091

  IT/Communications

  1,118.484

  8,183,302

  Miscellaneous including general office expenditure

  129,818

  1,317,631

  Total

  4,253,035

  33,834,904

  Departmental Projects
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the projects undertaken for his Department by(a) outside consultants, (b) academic researchers and (c) university departments since I May 1997, giving the total expenditure incurred in each category. [144075]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The information requested is contained in the table:

  £

  Project/Consultant

  Expenditure since 1 May 1997

  (a)Outside Consultants

  Strategic Skills for Senior Women

  Office for Public Management

  46,276.10

  Management Development Programme

  KHCA Ltd.

  98,409.05

  Health and Safety

  ACT Associates

  4,650.77

  Liberty Risk

  822.50

  Manual Handling

  235.00

  Total

  5,708.27

  Investors in People

  Solutions Insight

  12,789.64

  Focus Quality Services

  11.586.10

  PI Management Ltd.

  1,724.90

  Total

  26,100.64

  Away Days/Teambuilding

  Chameleon Consultancy

  10,316.50

  H. Campbell Cons.

  900.00

  HMC Communications

  2,000.00

  Total

  13,216.50

  Deaf Awareness

  Royal National Institute for Deaf People

  531.10

  Diversity Awareness Training

  Domino Consultancy

  2,123.23

  574W

  £

  Project/Consultant

  Expenditure since 1 May 1997

  360 Degree Feedback Development Programme

  ITS

  2,255

  Total expenditure

  194,619.89

  (b) Academic Researchers

  0

  (c) University Departments

  Human Rights Act Specialist Training

  Queens University

  3,790.56

  Equality Awareness Training

  R. Steele, Queens University

  1,650.00

  Total Expenditure

  5,440.56

  Police Training
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the(a) joint FBI and RUC funded police training programmes since 1990 and their costs and (b) if he will make a statement on the future of joint FBI and RUC training programmes under the new Police Service of Northern Ireland. [142317]

  Mr. Ingram
  The information requested is available only from 1994. Details of the expenditure is not readily available and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.

  Since then a total of five officers from the Royal Ulster Constabulary have attended training at the FBI National Academy. A further 25 officers have attended FBI conferences in Europe. In 1999, 25 RUC officers attended the FBI Joint Leadership Development Programme.

  The Police Service of Northern Ireland in common with other police services throughout the world will take every opportunity offered to it to share and learn best practice.

  Civil Society Challenge Fund
  Civil Society Challenge Fund
  River Danube: Clearance
  River Danube: Clearance
  Blundeston Prison and Hollesley Bay YCC: Possible Evacuation
  Blundeston Prison and Hollesley Bay YCC: Possible Evacuation
  Lawfully Held Firearms and Public Safety
  Lawfully Held Firearms and Public Safety
  Dogs Kept in High Rise Tower Blocks
  Dogs Kept in High Rise Tower Blocks
  National Air Traffic Services Ltd: Regulatory Regime
  National Air Traffic Services Ltd: Regulatory Regime
  House of Lords Smoking Policy
  House of Lords Smoking Policy
  UK Current Account and Reserve Asset Levels 1990–2000
  UK Current Account and Reserve Asset Levels 1990–2000
  EMU: Conditions for Stage 3 Participation
  EMU: Conditions for Stage 3 Participation
  Sterling-Deutschmark Exchange Rate 1996–2001
  Sterling-Deutschmark Exchange Rate 1996–2001
  Treasure Annual Report
  Treasure Annual Report