Written Answers of 24 January 2001

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Criminal Justice Review Group
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) if the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland has expressed his views about the Criminal Justice Review Group's recommendations on judicial appointments; [144664]

  (2) if the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland has expressed his views about the merit of recommendations made by the Criminal Justice Review Group. [144665]

  Mr. Lock
  The Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland did express views on the recommendations of the Criminal Justice Review Group. It is usual policy that views expressed by individuals in consultation exercises are treated in confidence, unless the individual wishes otherwise.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) if the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland has communicated with members of the Criminal Justice Review Group; [144663]

  (2) if the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland responded to the request for consultation made by the Criminal Justice Review Group. [144662]

  Mr. Lock
  I can confirm that the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland responded to the Criminal Justice Review Group's consultations and met members of the Group as part of its consultation exercise.

  Immigration Appeal Tribunal (North-east)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she plans to set up an immigration appeal tribunal in the North East Government Office for the Region. [146386]

  Jane Kennedy
  There are no plans for the Immigration Appeal Tribunal to sit in the north-east, but the Tribunal is investigating the potential for using video conferencing so that parties are not put to the expense and inconvenience of travelling long distances.

  Departmental Surveys
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will list for(a) 1992–93, (b) 1993–94, (c) 1994–95, (d) 1995–96, (e) 1996–97, (f) 1997–98, (g) 1998–99, (h) 1999–2000 and (i) 2000–01, (I) his Department's total spending on quantitative and qualitative surveys of policy issues by focus groups, opinion polling, task forces or other means and (II) the cost of each individual project. [146594]
  576W
  Jane Kennedy
  Spending by the Department on market and opinion research on policy issues for 1999–2000 was £161,004. Information so far available for spending in 2000–01 gives a total of £39,848. Figures for earlier years are not readily available. The individual projects and their cost are shown in the table.

  In addition, in 2000–01 the Department has provided funding for the Review of Tribunals being undertaken by Sir Andrew Leggatt to research and evaluate the views and experiences of recent applicants to a tribunal at a cost of £24,375.

  Projects undertaken

  £

  1999–2000

  Provision of Information Meetings: market research findings

  30,000

  Community Legal Service: strategy development research

  41,854

  Community Legal Service: quality market and brand identity evaluation

  49,150

  Total

  161,004

  2000–01

  Office for National Statistics Omnibus Module: non-pecuniary loss

  2,336

  Factors affecting the decision to apply for Silk and judicial office

  9,652

  The effects on magistrates of learning that the defendant has a previous conviction

  27,860

  Total

  39,848

DEFENCE

  Challenger II Transporters
  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the contract will be awarded in respect of the new transporters for the Challenger II tanks; and if he will make a statement. [147410]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Ministry of Defence has selected FASTTRAX—a consortium led by Brown and Root Ltd. of Leatherhead, Surrey—to be the preferred bidder for a private-sector financed heavy equipment transporter service for the Army that will provide UK production, support and service employment opportunities for the 20 years of the contract. The service will be based upon vehicles provided by the Oshkosh Truck Corporation of Wisconsin, USA, and King Trailers of Market Harborough, Leicestershire.

  The Defence Procurement Agency will now conclude its negotiations with FASTTRAX with the aim of achieving financial close and contract award by the middle of the year. This is the first programme to seek a solution under the Government's private finance initiative for an operational combat support vehicle requirement and is also one where a significant proportion of the service will be delivered using sponsored reserves.

  The contract value is around £300 million and will create or sustain up to 200 jobs in UK companies and sponsored reserves service units.

  Road Transport Operations
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date an amendment to Joint Services Publication 341
  577W
  (The Road Transport Operations Handbook) was issued requiring a certificate to be signed by a commanding officer when normal operating standards are to be exceeded; and how many such certificates have been issued in each month since that date. [146276]

  Mr. Spellar
  The amendment to Joint Services Publication 341 (Joint Service Road Transport Regulations) was issued in December 1999. This requires commanding officers to sign a certificate of waiver when authorising any change to maximum driving periods and minimum rest periods.

  Certificates are held at unit level for 12 months and are not recorded centrally. Information on the number of certificates issued each month since December 1999 could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.

  I would also refer the hon. Member to my previous reply to the hon. Member for Hereford (Mr. Keetch) on 20 October 1999, Official Report, column 583.

  Sexual Health
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what arrangements will be made for the availability and issue of the morning-after pill to female UK service personnel; and if he will make a statement; [146451]

  (2) how information about sexual health safety is communicated to UK service personnel; and if he will make a statement. [146452]

  Mr. Spellar
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Depleted Uranium
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if depleted uranium rounds are routinely carried by Challenger tanks on operations and training exercises. [146899]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 23 January 2001]Depleted uranium rounds are not carried by Challenger tanks on exercise and are moved to a theatre of operations only if the circumstances suggest that they may be needed. For example, each Challenger 1 carried DU ammunition when deployed to the Gulf in 1990–01. DU ammunition is not currently held in the Balkans, but could be flown out at short notice should the situation warrant it.

  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the arrangements are for the storage and handling of depleted uranium ammunition in service with UK armed forces; and if he will make a statement. [146898]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 23 January 2001]The Ministry of Defence places the utmost importance on the health and safety of all service and civilian employees. Accordingly, the Department maintains the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974, the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the Environment Act 1995 and associated legislation as minimum standards. Specifically, the MOD explosive storage and transport committee lays down the policy and standards for the storage and transportation of all conventional military explosives held by the UK MOD and this includes depleted uranium (DU) munitions. These standards are then enshrined as necessary in single service regulations and local depot procedures. The MOD would not consider 578W
  storing or handling munitions of any type until approved, satisfactory procedures were in place and, as such, they are a pre-requisite of acceptance. In the case of DU munitions, appropriate procedures have been in place since these munitions entered service and, as is common practice, they are routinely reviewed and updated as necessary. We have no evidence to suggest any inadequacy in our current procedures or arrangements for the storage and handling of DU munitions in service, nor of any safety-related incidents which give us cause for concern.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if depleted uranium ammunitions were(a) produced and (b) tested at Royal Ordnance, Chorley. [147050]

  Mr. Spellar
  Depleted uranium ammunitions have neither been produced nor tested at Royal Ordnance, Chorley.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if depleted uranium-based ammunition is authorised for use at(a) the Tain Air Weapons Range and (b) the Cape Wrath Range by (i) UK forces and (ii) overseas forces; and if he will make a statement. [145909]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 17 January 2001]Depleted Uranium (DU)-based ammunition is not authorised for use at Tain Air Weapons Range, or at Cape Wrath Range, by either UK forces or overseas forces.

  Hawk Aircraft Exports (India)
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the outcome of his most recent discussions with the Indian Government about the sale to them of Hawk aircraft. [146745]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 23 January 2001]During my recent visit to India, which was both productive and valuable, I was pleased to be able personally to assure the Indian Government of HMG's support for greater co-operation between UK and Indian defence companies. This includes BAE Systems' proposal to supply the Hawk advanced jet trainer aircraft to the Indian Government in conjunction with Indian Industry, on which the Indian Government have indicated that they intend to take a final decision shortly.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment he has made of the influence of issues relating to the supply of American components to the Indian Government on Indian policy concerning purchase of Hawk aircraft; [146746]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the influence of issues relating to the supply of US originated components for the Sea King helicopter on Indian policy with reference to a purchase of BAE Hawk aircraft. [146747]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 23 January 2001]Indian policy on the purchase of Hawk aircraft is a matter for the Indian Government. All relevant issues are taken into account in assessing how to maximise UK Government support for the BAE Systems Hawk proposals.

  Sierra Leone
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the reports that UNAMSIL peacekeepers will be deployed to the RUF-controlled areas of Sierra Leone. [146480]
  579W
  Mr. Hoon
  As part of the Abuja ceasefire, the RUF committed themselves to allow freedom of movement throughout the country. We urge them to implement this commitment. It is for the UN force Commander to decide how and when to deploy his forces.

  US National Missile Defence
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions have taken place between his Department and the incoming US Administration with regard to national missile defence. [146722]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 23 January 2001]We discussed national missile defence regularly with the previous US Administration and expect to do so with the new US Administration.

  Porton Down
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Erewash (Liz Blackman) of 21 November 2000,Official Report, column 101W, regarding Porton Down, (a) what plans his Department has to write to hospitals and general practices in the UK to inform them of these arrangements and (b) who will analyse the data from the consultations at St. Thomas' Hospital. [146686]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Department of Health sent an electronic message about the medical assessment programme for Porton Down volunteers to directors of public health in England on 21 November 2000. This message was then forwarded to general practitioners, chief executives of health authorities, chairs of primary care groups, primary care medical advisers, project managers/nurse leads in walk-in centres and leads at nurse-led personal medical services pilots. A copy of the message was also sent to the Library of the House and is available on the Department of Health website at www.doh.gov.uk/cmo/cmo3.htm. The Health departments of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have disseminated this message to OPs and health board directors of public health within their area of responsibility.

  The Porton Down volunteers' medical assessment programme has only just started and it is therefore too early to consider the analysis of its data. The data about specific individuals' referral to the medical assessment programme will be medically confidential. However, it is planned to aggregate and anonymise the data to form a case series for analysis. Such data could, with volunteers' consent, be made available to independent researchers.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if service volunteers under the age of 18 years have taken part in experiments at the chemical defence establishment, Porton Down, since 1971; and what analysis and research his Department has carried out into the ages of service volunteers who took part in experiments at the chemical defence establishment, Porton Down. [146648]

  Dr. Moonie
  The policy of the chemical and biological defence sector of DERA at Porton Down has always been to refuse any prospective participants of the service volunteer programme if they were proven to be under the age of 18. This policy has been published in Defence Council instructions dating from 1971 and in the later 580W
  1992 Army general and administrative instructions. Information on age limits was also included in information produced by Porton Down following the formalisation of their protocol systems in the 1980s.

  No formal analysis of the experimental records relating to the service volunteer programme has been undertaken to determine the ages of volunteers who have participated in the studies. However, there are some entries in the records which indicate that volunteers were returned to their units on the basis of their age being below an 18-year-old threshold.

  Meteorological Office
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what additional costs he anticipates arising from the geographical dislocation of the Meteorological Office from the European Meteorological Centre, following his decision to relocate the Meteorological Office to Exeter. [146768]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 23 January 2001]This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Meteorological Office. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Ewing to Mr. Nick Hawkins, dated 24 January 2001:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the relocation of the Met Office. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Met Office.
  You asked about the additional costs that will arise from the geographical dislocation of the Met Office from the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) at Shinfield Park, Reading, following our decision to move to Exeter in 2003. These will be limited to increased travel and subsistence costs due to the greater distance between Exeter and ECMWF and additional costs associated with maintaining our telecommunications link. We estimate that this will amount to no more than £80K per annum, compared with overall net annual operating cost savings as a result of the move to Exeter of up to £5.0M.
  We recognise the importance of maintaining and strengthening the close working relationship we have with ECMWF. We will also wish to maintain and develop close links with many other organisations throughout the United Kingdom and around the World. With modern communications we are firmly of the view that such relationships can be achieved very well indeed from Exeter.
  There were many factors, both financial and non-financial, to consider in deciding the best location for our new operational and administrative headquarters. It was not an easy decision, but, overall, Exeter is the best choice for the Met Office, its customers and the UK more generally.

  Veterans Cell
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the work of the Veterans Cell in his Department. [146466]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Ministry of Defence's "Policy for People", outlined in the 1998 Strategic Defence Review, highlighted the Department's commitment to place people at the heart of our plans. The Veterans' Advice Unit was established in October that year as an initiative resulting from this policy. Staffed by one Warrant Officer from each of the 3 Services, the unit provides a helpline where veterans and their dependants can seek guidance on how to obtain expert advice on matters which concern them. The unit has close links with other Government
  581W
  Departments and agencies, as well as with ex-service organisations. It plays an important part in helping us to gauge the views of veterans and to understand the problems they face. Since its foundation, the unit has received over 16,000 inquiries.

  Far East Prisoners of War
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many spouses of former far east prisoners of war have remarried and are thus ruled ineligible for the ex-gratia payment. [146740]

  Dr. Moonie
  As I indicated to the House on 7 November 2000,Official Report, column 165, where the surviving spouse of a former far east prisoner of war (or of a member of any of the other groups included in the scheme) has since remarried, he or she remains eligible for the ex-gratia payment which is being made to the surviving members of the British groups who were held prisoner by the Japanese during the second world war.

  Haslar Hospital
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact on military personnel and people in the Solent area from the closure of Haslar Hospital and expenditure at Queen Alexandra, Southampton and Winchester hospitals; and if he will make a statement. [146606]

  Dr. Moonie
  The decision and announcement in late 1998 that the Royal Hospital Haslar would close followed careful consideration of all the implications and subsequently has been a matter of extensive discussion between the Ministry of Defence, Department of Health and NHS locally. We are satisfied that the arrangements will be entirely appropriate in terms of treatment of service personnel. The impact of the closure of Haslar on the local civilian population and expenditure at Queen Alexandra, Southampton and Winchester hospitals is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health. We have reached agreement with the Department of Health on the funding we will transfer to compensate for the costs the Portsmouth and South-East Hampshire health authority will incur for NHS patients who have hitherto been treated at Haslar without charge to the health authority.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans there are to move service nurses to Selly Oak hospital from Haslar Hospital; and if he will make a statement. [146621]

  Dr. Moonie
  Nurses, doctors and other medical staff are moving from a number of defence medical units, including the Royal Hospital Haslar, to form the initial staffing of the Centre for Defence Medicine, which is being established in partnership with the University Hospital Birmingham NHS trust with its headquarters at the Selly Oak hospital. By April 2001, when the centre formally opens, Defence Medical Services personnel will be managing a surgical ward at the Selly Oak hospital, with other staff employed in the acute areas of the trust.

  Defence Medical Services
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his plans to develop the military ethos of Defence Medical Services. [146705]
  582W
  Dr. Moonie
  The Defence Medical Services have a strong military ethos as an integral part of the armed forces. Those employed in MOD hospital units (MDHUs), working in a predominantly civilian medical environment, continue to undertake military training and have opportunities to participate in service sport and adventure training. Where appropriate, additional facilities may be provided, as in the case of the fitness centre for DMS personnel at the Frimley Park MDHU, which is due to be completed in spring this year.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what level of medical support was available to ground troops preparing for a possible intervention in Kosovo; and what assessment he has made of the level of medical support available to service the UK's commitment to(a) NATO and (b) the rapid reaction force. [146707]

  Dr. Moonie
  Medical support for UK troops deploying to Kosovo was provided at sufficient levels to meet the specified requirements. The level of medical support required for UK forces committed to a NATO or European rapid reaction force deployment would similarly depend on the operational circumstances at the time and would be drawn from the available resources of the UK Defence Medical Services.

  Royal Army Medical College, Millbank
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in respect of the sale of the Royal Army Medical College at Millbank. [146887]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 23 January 2001]The Ministry of Defence consulted a number of other Government Departments, including the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, before a final decision was taken on the preferred bidder for the purchase of the site of the former Royal Army Medial College at Millbank.

  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the agreed selling price of the Royal Army Medical College at Millbank. [146882]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 23 January 2001]I am withholding details of the agreed selling price under exemption 7 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the contract to sell the Royal Army Medical College at Millbank has been signed. [146885]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 23 January 2001]The proposed date for exchange of contracts is 14 February, with completion due on 28 February.

  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what meetings Ministers in his Department have had with bidders for the purchase of the Royal Army Medical College at Millbank. [146886]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 23 January 2001]My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I, accompanied by the Minister for Education and
  583W
  Employment and the Minister for the Arts, received a presentation from each of the short-listed bidders on 21 September 2000.

  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the reasons for the elimination of each of the unsuccessful bids for the Royal Army Medical College at Millbank; [146884]

  (2) if the Royal Army Medical College at Millbank is to be sold to the highest bidder. [146883]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 23 January 2001]The Ministry of Defence selected the bid which best served the public interest, taking into account the presence of listed buildings on the Millbank site, its prominent location and proximity to Tate Britain.

  The guidelines for the disposal of heritage sites and listed buildings give Departments discretion to accept a lower bid where there are non-financial or wider environmental or cultural benefits.

  Departmental Property
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on the sale of surplus MOD property; and if he will make a statement. [146888]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 23 January 2001]Surplus Ministry of Defence property is disposed of in line with the overall economic objectives of the Government and within Treasury guidelines. This dictates that property is disposed of in a timely (usually within three years) and transparent manner (usually through open market testing) so that the interest of the tax payer is protected.

  Condoms
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's policy is in respect of the supply of condoms to UK service personnel; when the policy was last reviewed; and if he will make a statement. [146450]

  Mr. Spellar
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Adult Education
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if he will set out the basis on which the sums being held back from local education authorities funding in relation to adult education in 2001–02 have been calculated; [145226]

  (2) if he will set out for each local education authority their spending on adult education this year and the sum being top-sliced from their funding for adult education in 2001–02. [145227]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]No sums are being held back or top sliced from local education authorities' funding. For 2001–02 the Government are allocating up to £142 million to local education authorities, via the Learning and Skills Council, for Adult and Community Learning—an increase of 5.7 per cent. on what authorities are spending in 2000–01. To help pay for this,584W
  £127 million was removed at national level from Education Standard Spending for 2000–01, before the addition of over £1 billion for 2001–02.

  The following table sets out, for each local education authority, their estimated spending on adult education in 2000–01, and the maximum provisional allocation they would receive for this activity in 2001–02 from the Learning and Skills Council, as notified to LEAs on 29 November 2000.

  Final figures for the maximum allocations from the Learning and Skills Council are under discussion between my Department and a number of authorities.

  £000

  LEA number

  LEA name

  LEA estimated adult education expenditure 2000–01

  Proposed LSC allocation for adult education 2001–02

  201

  City of London

  409

  432

  202

  Camden

  804

  850

  203

  Greenwich

  1,327

  1,403

  204

  Hackney

  1,311

  1,386

  205

  Hammersmith

  1,369

  1,447

  206

  Islington

  457

  483

  207

  Kensington and Chelsea

  922

  975

  208

  Lambeth

  1,709

  1,806

  209

  Lewisham

  1,698

  1,795

  210

  Southwark

  778

  822

  211

  Tower Hamlets

  1,877

  1,984

  212

  Wandsworth

  1,356

  1,434

  213

  Westminster

  2,272

  2,402

  301

  Barking

  580

  613

  302

  Barnet

  203

  215

  303

  Bexley

  745

  787

  304

  Brent

  1,053

  1,113

  305

  Bromley

  934

  987

  306

  Croydon

  1,594

  1,685

  307

  Ealing

  219

  231

  308

  Enfield

  59

  62

  309

  Haringey

  1,498

  1,583

  310

  Harrow

  364

  385

  311

  Havering

  261

  276

  312

  Hillingdon

  436

  461

  313

  Hounslow

  824

  871

  314

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  538

  569

  315

  Merton

  654

  692

  316

  Newham

  1,077

  1,138

  317

  Redbridge

  754

  797

  318

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  311

  329

  319

  Sutton

  1,362

  1,440

  320

  Waltham Forest

  1,295

  1,369

  330

  Birmingham

  3,556

  3,759

  331

  Coventry

  2,358

  2,493

  332

  Dudley

  475

  503

  333

  Sandwell

  386

  407

  334

  Solihull

  68

  72

  335

  Walsall

  833

  880

  336

  Wolverhampton

  1,624

  1,716

  340

  Knowsley

  74

  78

  341

  Liverpool

  3,602

  3,807

  342

  St. Helens

  192

  203

  343

  Sefton

  261

  275

  344

  Wirral

  678

  717

  350

  Bolton

  1,719

  1,817

  351

  Bury

  589

  623

  352

  Manchester

  3,253

  3,439

  353

  Oldham

  1,074

  1,135

  354

  Rochdale

  969

  1,024

  355

  Salford

  135

  142

  356

  Stockport

  523

  553

  357

  Tameside

  168

  177

  358

  Trafford

  43

  45

  359

  Wigan

  32

  34

  370

  Bamsley

  781

  826

  371

  Doncaster

  120

  127

  372

  Rotherham

  232

  245

  373

  Sheffield

  457

  483

  380

  Bradford

  395

  417

  585W

  £000

  LEA number

  LEA name

  LEA estimated adult education expenditure 2000–01

  Proposed LSC allocation for adult education 2001–02

  381

  Calderdale

  694

  734

  382

  Kirklees

  450

  476

  383

  Leeds

  1,515

  1,601

  384

  Wakefield

  713

  754

  390

  Gateshead

  30

  31

  391

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  247

  261

  392

  North Tyneside

  744

  786

  393

  South Tyneside

  579

  612

  394

  Sunderland

  353

  373

  420

  Isle of Scilly

  43

  45

  800

  Bath and North-East Somerset

  330

  349

  801

  Bristol City

  497

  525

  802

  North Somerset

  108

  114

  803

  South Gloucestershire

  97

  103

  805

  Hartlepool

  335

  355

  806

  Middlesbrough

  643

  680

  807

  Redcar and Cleveland

  554

  586

  808

  Stockton-on-Tees

  775

  819

  810

  Kingston-upon-Hull

  762

  805

  811

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  723

  764

  812

  North East Lincolnshire

  26

  28

  813

  North Lincolnshire

  687

  726

  815

  North Yorkshire

  1,476

  1,560

  816

  York

  450

  476

  820

  Bedfordshire

  485

  513

  821

  Luton

  570

  602

  825

  Buckinghamshire

  1,706

  1,803

  826

  Milton Keynes

  408

  431

  830

  Derbyshire

  2,989

  3,159

  831

  Derby City

  1,347

  1,423

  835

  Dorset

  427

  452

  836

  Poole

  209

  221

  837

  Bournemouth

  458

  484

  840

  Durham

  52

  55

  841

  Darlington

  0

  0

  845

  East Sussex

  949

  1,003

  846

  Brighton and Hove

  450

  476

  850

  Hampshire

  486

  514

  851

  Portsmouth

  69

  73

  852

  Southampton

  122

  129

  855

  Leicestershire

  2,143

  2,265

  856

  Leicester City

  3,217

  3,401

  857

  Rutland

  217

  229

  860

  Staffordshire

  1,337

  1,413

  861

  Stoke-on-Trent

  542

  573

  865

  Wiltshire

  191

  202

  866

  Swindon

  122

  129

  867

  Bracknell Forest

  414

  438

  868

  Windsor and Maidenhead

  385

  407

  869

  West Berkshire

  291

  308

  870

  Reading

  613

  648

  871

  Slough

  128

  135

  872

  Wokingham

  345

  365

  873

  Cambridgeshire

  925

  978

  874

  Peterborough

  385

  407

  875

  Cheshire

  1,077

  1,138

  876

  Halton

  305

  322

  877

  Warrington

  200

  211

  878

  Devon

  2,023

  2,138

  879

  Plymouth

  501

  529

  880

  Torbay

  319

  337

  881

  Essex

  3,703

  3,914

  882

  Southend

  592

  626

  883

  Thurroek

  463

  489

  884

  Herefordshire

  45

  48

  885

  Worcestershire

  190

  201

  886

  Kent

  4,701

  4,969

  887

  Medway

  822

  869

  888

  Lancashire

  5,226

  5,524

  889

  Blackburn

  202

  214

  890

  Blackpool

  165

  174

  891

  Nottinghamshire

  1,541

  1,628

  892

  Nottingham City

  461

  487

  893

  Shropshire

  284

  300

  894

  Telford and Wrekin

  65

  68

  908

  Cornwall

  1,034

  1,093

  909

  Cumbria

  888

  939

  916

  Gloucestershire

  1,710

  1,807

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  £000

  LEA number

  LEA name

  LEA estimated adult education expenditure 2000–01

  Proposed LSC allocation for adult education 2001–02

  919

  Hertfordshire

  1,625

  1,718

  921

  Isle of Wight

  108

  114

  925

  Lincolnshire

  1,306

  1,381

  926

  Norfolk

  1,302

  1,376

  928

  Northamptonshire

  1,321

  1,396

  929

  Northumberland

  92

  98

  931

  Oxfordshire

  1,619

  1,711

  933

  Somerset

  2,566

  2,712

  935

  Suffolk

  1,692

  1,789

  936

  Surrey

  2,554

  2,700

  937

  Warwickshire

  1,254

  1,326

  938

  West Sussex

  1,404

  1,484

  Education Funding (Lancaster)
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the extra capital and revenue resources he has made available to(a) St. Martin's College, Lancaster and (b) Lancaster University since 1 May 1997. [145543]

  Mr. Wicks
  St. Martin's College received total recurrent and capital resources of £9.35 million from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and the Teacher Training Agency in the academic year 1996–97. In academic year 2000–01 it will receive total recurrent and capital resources of £16.1 million, an increase of 72 per cent. over the year 1996–97.

  Lancaster University received total recurrent and capital resources of £27 million from HEFCE in academic year 1996–97. In academic year 2000–01 it will receive total recurrent and capital resources of £33.2 million, an increase of 23 per cent. over the year 1996–97.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the average class size in secondary schools; and what was the average class size in 1997. [146362]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 22 January 2001]The size of the average secondary class in January 1997 was 21.7. The figure in 2000 was 22.0. Secondary classes still have about five fewer pupils on average than primaries. The size of the average secondary class was below 20 in 1989, and rose consistently throughout the nineties. The rate of growth has in fact slowed since 1997 as a result of the additional investment this Government are making.

  We are on course to deliver our infant class size pledge. In Wokingham just 4 per cent. of pupils were in classes of 31 plus in September 2000 compared with 25 per cent. in Berkshire, which consisted of Wokingham and five other Local Education Authorities, in January 1998.

  School Clothing
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will meet the National Association of Citizens' Advice Bureaux to discuss a statutory power to provide assistance with school clothing costs to low
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  income families; and if he will make a statement in respect of good practice guidance in school clothing grant schemes. [146486]

  Jacqui Smith
  I will be responding shortly to the National Association's correspondence about its report on school uniform costs. Local education authorities already have discretionary powers to offer grants towards school clothing costs in cases of hardship, and we have no current plans for further legislation. We have published good practice guidance on aspects of school uniforms, and I will be considering whether further guidance is needed.

  University Students
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many individuals who are full-time students at a university in the UK have parental homes in Sussex. [146697]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 23 January 2001]The latest data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency show that in 1999–2000 there were 19,276 full-time students in higher education institutions in the UK whose home domicile was either in East or West Sussex.

  Teacher Training
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many persons were recruited for secondary teacher training in(a) England and Wales and (b) England in (i) 1996–97 and (ii) 2000–01. [146943]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  For matters relating to teacher training numbers in Wales, I refer the hon. Member to the National Assembly for Wales.

  In England, in 1996–97, the total number of people recruited to ITT courses was 28,430, of whom 15,965 were on secondary ITT courses. The provisional figures for 2000–01 are 27,674 in total, with 14,525 on secondary courses. A further 1,058 people have been recruited so far this year onto the Graduate Teacher Programme, which started in January 1998; with 604 trainees on secondary courses. Further recruitment for a further 622 GTP is expected during the summer term. Taken with ITT recruitment for 2000–01 this would mean that by the end of the year, over 29,000 are expected to be training as teachers. This would represent an increase of over 2,500 on 1999–2000, and is the first time since 1992–93 that recruitment to initial teacher training has risen in England.

  On 30 March 2000, the Government announced training salaries and new-style Golden Hellos, which have increased graduate recruitment to initial teacher training courses by 12 per cent. compared with last year; and of extra funding for the Graduate Teacher Programme, which is being doubled in size.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many persons were training to be teachers in each of the last eight years for which figures are available. [146944]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Figures for recruitment to ITT courses in England for the years 1992–93 to 2000–01 are presented in the following table.
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  Total number of recruits

  1992–93

  29,507

  1993–94

  29,465

  1994–95

  29,252

  1995–96

  28,829

  1996–97

  28,430

  1997–98

  27,715

  1998–99

  26,207

  1999–2000

  25,967

  2000–011

  27,674

  1 2000–01 ITT recruitment figures are provisional figures

  Sources:

  1992–93 to 1993–94: DFE Recruitment Survey; 1994–95: HESES; 1995–96 onwards: Teacher Training Agency (TTA), Survey of ITT Providers

  These figures show the first rise in recruitment to ITT in eight years. In addition, extra funding is being provided to make nearly double the number of places on the Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP) available. The following table shows the latest figures for full-year recruitment to ITT, and autumn and spring term recruitment to GTP for 1999–2000 and 2000–01. It shows an increase in recruitment of over 2,250 so far this year, and further recruitment to GTP is expected in the summer term.

  Year of entry

  Recruitment numbers

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Total ITT

  25,967

  27,674

  Autumn and spring term GTP

  507

  1,058

  Total

  26,474

  28,732

  Notes:

  1. 2000–01 ITT recruitment figures are provisional figures, from Teacher Training Agency (TTA) Survey of ITT Providers.

  2. The 2000–01 GTP recruitment figures are provisional figures for recruitment during autumn and spring terms 2000–01.

  3. These latest 2000–01 GTP figures represent 63 per cent. of the total fully funded GTP places available this year. The 1999–2000 GTP figures are as recorded at the end of the spring term, which represented 58 per cent. of the end of year total recruitment.

  4. Recruitment figures represent head-counts; that is the total of full-time and part-time recruitment.

  The recruitment increases follow the announcement on 30 March of training salaries and new-style Golden Hellos, which have increased graduate recruitment to initial teacher training courses by 12 per cent. compared with last year; and of extra funding for the Graduate Teacher Programme, which is being doubled in size.

  Schools (Capital Expenditure)
  Mrs. Dean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the total capital expenditure available for schools in(a) Staffordshire and (b) Burton constituency for each year from 1990–91 to 2000–01. [146985]

  Jacqui Smith
  The information showing the schools in the Burton constituency which have benefited from investment through the New Deal for Schools programme, which commenced in 1997–98, is contained in tables, copies of which have been placed in the Library. This is the only constituency level information which is readily available. These allocations formed part of the
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  £20.151 million investment made so far in schools in Staffordshire local education authority under the New Deal for Schools programme.

  The New Deal for Schools was introduced as a new additional programme targeted specifically at addressing the backlog of urgent repairs in school buildings that had built up after 18 years of underfunding under the previous Administration. It has been in addition to other capital funds made available to Staffordshire local education authority.

  In total, since 1996, Staffordshire local education authority has received some £90.985 million of funding for capital investment in school buildings, as shown in a table which has also been placed in the Library.

  Nationally, investment in school buildings has tripled from £683 million a year in 1996–97 to over £2 billion in 2000–01. It will be £3.2 billion in 2003–04, including grant, credit approvals and Private Finance Initiative credits. There will be central Government investment of £7.8 billion in school buildings in total from 2001–02 to 2003–04.

WALES

  Coal Compensation Committee
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the names and affiliations of the members of the coal compensation monetary committee which he chairs. [145323]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  It was agreed at the 29 November meeting of the GB-wide coal health claims monitoring group to set up a specific Welsh monitoring group, which will bring together all those involved in the process in Wales to discuss ways of speeding up payments to our ex-miners.

  The membership of this Welsh sub-group of the coal health claims monitoring group include:
  Secretary of State for Wales (chairman)
  National Assembly for Wales Minister for Health and Social Services
  Members of Parliament representing the area of the South Wales coal field.

  Representatives from:
  NACODS (National Association of Colliery Overmen, Deputies and Shot-firers) in Wales;
  NUM (National Union of Miners) of Wales; and the British Coal Respiratory Disease Claimants Solicitors Group.

  In addition, officials from the Department of Trade and Industry (including representatives from their service providers), Wales Office (Office of the Secretary of State for Wales) and the National Assembly for Wales are in attendance.

  Departmental Surveys
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for(a) 1992–93, (b) 1993–94, (c) 1994–95, (d) 1995–96, (e) 1996–97, (f) 1997–98, (g) 1998–99, (h) 1999–2000 and (i) 2000–01, (I) his Department's total
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  spending on quantitative and qualitative surveys of policy issues by focus groups, opinion polling, task forces or other means and (II) the cost of each individual project. [146585]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Wales Office has not carried out any surveys of policy issues either through focus groups, opinion polling, task forces or any other means since it was established on 1 July 1999.

  Reliable, comparable and complete statistics are not available for the former Welsh Office for the period from 1992–93 until the end of June 1999. However, all public opinion research by Government is subject to strict rules, which ensure that spending represents good value for the taxpayer.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Unlicensed Televisions
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many homes in the UK are estimated to have television sets but no TV licence. [144940]

  Janet Anderson
  The estimated number of households in the United Kingdom with television sets but without a valid television licence is 1.95 million.

  BBC
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the total funds received by the BBC in 2000 from the European Union. [145014]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]In common with other broadcasters, regulators and broadcasting research bodies across Europe, the BBC takes part in a range of technical research projects which attract funding from the European Commission. According to the latest information provided by the BBC, during the financial year 2000–01 the corporation has received a total of £444,000 in connection with such projects, as detailed in the following table.

  £

  Project/Purpose of project

  EC funding to BBC

  ATLANTIC

  Research and Development (R&D)—Advanced TV at low bit rates

  95,000

  ASSAVID

  R&D—automatic segmentation and semantic annotation of sports videos

  30,000

  DRIVE

  R&D—Dynamic Radio for IP-services in vehicles

  50,000

  G-FORS

  R&D—developing a stanardised file format

  60,000

  Metavision

  R&D—metavision

  32,000

  myTV

  R&D—personalised TV services

  10,000

  SAMBITS

  R&D—advance multime ha broadcast and IT services

  20,000

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  £

  Project/Purpose of project

  EC funding to BBC

  STORiT

  R&D—storage interoperability technologies

  27,000

  PRESTO

  R&D—preservation of TV and radio material in archives

  60,000

  Schoolnet

  Development of a website for teachers across Europe

  60,000

  Total

  444,000

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when audited attendance figures for the Millennium Dome will be available; and if he will publish them. [145386]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 16 January 2001]Total visitor attendance at the Dome was 6,517,116 million as announced by the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) on 3 January 2001. In terms of the breakdown of that total (for example tickets sold and free entry) NMEC is in the process of reconciling ticket sales data across the various outlets (including train operating companies and river boat services), and visitor attendance data. The external audit of NMEC's operational year finances and ticket sales data are intended to commence in February and should be concluded by the end of March. The audited information will be incorporated in the company's next annual report and financial statements covering the period 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2000 which, under non-departmental public body requirements, will be published within six months of 31 December 2000.

  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many tickets for the Millennium Experience had been sold in(a) Wales, (b) Scotland and (c) Northern Ireland by 1 December 2000. [145893]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 16 January 2001]The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) has advised that the information sought is not available in the format requested. The nature of NMEC's ticket sales channels and the data arising from them do not allow definitive regional breakdowns covering all tickets sold. While postcode identification data are available from the call centre and national lottery outlets (which indicates that by 1 December 2000, 13,934 tickets had been sold in Northern Ireland, 52,053 in Scotland, 50,283 in Wales, and 3,634,272 in England), these figures do not include tickets purchased at the gate on the day of visits, nor do they include tickets sold as part of travel/visit packages by train operating companies or one-off coach company bookings.

  Also, not included in the call centre and national lottery statistics are those Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish schools who enjoyed visits to the Dome as part of the free school programme, and those schools and communities from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland who visited the Dome as part of the "Our Town" story initiative. In addition, many of the other outreach initiatives (under the national programme and the learning experience), developed and implemented by NMEC as an integral
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  part of the millennium experience, involved schools and communities across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

  Jean Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his oral answer of 22 January 2001,Official Report, column 646, if he will make a statement on the involvement of Ministers in the sponsorship of the Faith Zone at the Millennium Dome by the Hinduja brothers. [147442]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  In reply to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 22 January 2001,Official Report, columns 645–46, I stated that the sole involvement of my right hon. Friend the Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson) in Mr. S. Hinduja's application for British citizenship was for his then Parliamentary Private Secretary to inform Mr. Hinduja that his application would be dealt with in the normal way.

  As has now been made clear publicly, my right hon. Friend made inquiries about how an application might be viewed given the Government's wider policy of encouraging citizenship from long-standing residents who fulfilled the criteria, but did not make representations that an application be granted.

  New Millennium Experience Company
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on what criteria(a) current and (b) former members of the Board of Directors of the New Millennium Experience Company will be judged when deciding (i) whether these individuals will receive a bonus and (ii) the level of any bonus. [145413]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 16 January 2001]The non-executive directors of the board of the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) have never received remuneration and have never, therefore, been eligible for bonus payments. Among current executive directors, only Mr. P. Y. Gerbeau is eligible to be considered for a bonus. The past executive directors of the board have contracts which describe certain circumstances under which bonuses might be payable subject to the board's discretion. As is conventional in any contractual relationship between employer and employee, the criteria for such bonuses are confidential. However, as NMEC' s annual report and financial statements for the period ended 31 December 1999 (published July 2000) stated:"The performance related bonus scheme for executive directors includes critical success factors for the company covering the achievement of specified targets as well as an assessment of the personal contribution the individual has made to the success of the project. The total payable under the scheme to any director serving up to the end of 1999 is a maximum of 30 per cent. of contract earnings. The total payable to Mr. P. Y. Gerbeau is under review. Determination of the bonus payable will be entirely at the board's discretion and is based on its determination of performance against agreed criteria."

  The board's remuneration and recruitment committee is considering the issue of bonus payments to relevant directors and will be making its recommendations to the board in due course.

  Self-catering Accommodation
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if the new star rating system for self-catering accommodation is in operation in north-west England. [146819]

  Janet Anderson
  Yes. The new self-catering star rating system was launched throughout England on 27 September 2000.

  Digital Broadcasting
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the percentage of households which make use of(a) digital television and (b) digital radio. [146696]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 23 January 2001]From the figures declared by the service providers, we estimate that around 6 million households in the UK use digital television, which represents 26 per cent. of households with a television. Estimates for the take-up of digital radio are not available, but around 20,000 digital radio receivers have been sold in the UK to date.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Indonesia
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in Indonesia. [145911]

  Mr. Battle
  We continue to follow events in Indonesia closely, and have a detailed dialogue with the Indonesian Government. The challenge for Indonesia is to build on the foundations laid by the recent democratic process and to deliver human rights and economic prosperity that benefit everybody. We will play a full part in helping towards that goal.

  We welcome the commitment of the Indonesian Government to resolve the country's regional conflicts through dialogue and reconciliation. 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. We remain concerned about events in Maluku and Irian Jaya, and have made these concerns known to the Indonesian Government—I did so most recently with Foreign Minister Shihab on 12 December.

  Visa Applications
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many spouses of UK citizens living abroad have been refused a visa to enter the UK. [146164]

  Mr. Vaz
  I regret that the information requested is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Statistics are available for the number of spouses refused entry clearance to join husbands or wives settled in the UK, but they do not distinguish between spouses of UK citizens living abroad and others. For most non-settlement applications, statistics are not available distinguishing between spouses and others.
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  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many foreign relatives of UK citizens were denied visas to attend family weddings in the UK in the most recent year for which figures are available. [146165]

  Mr. Vaz
  I regret that the information requested is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Statistics are not collected on the number of applications for visas to attend weddings.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many initially refused applications for visas to enter the UK were(a) reconsidered and (b) approved, following intervention by hon. Members in the last three years. [146166]

  Mr. Vaz
  As Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with responsibility for entry clearance, I am replying on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.

  I regret that the number of visa applications reconsidered following intervention by hon. Members is not recorded centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  As a result of intervention by hon. Members, I have, since October 1999, approved the issue of 45 visas that had previously been refused. No records of such approvals were held before this date.

  Biological Weapons Convention
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library copies of the most recent returns relating to confidence-building measures submitted by states which are parties to the biological weapons convention. [146428]

  Mr. Hain
  The confidence-building measures (CBMs) drawn up by the states part to the biological weapons convention (BWC) are first submitted to the United Nations centre for disarmament and then shared on a Government-to-Government basis. The UK does not therefore presently have agreement to make the contents of these documents public. This can only be given by the BWC review conference which next takes place on 19 November to 17 December 2001 in Geneva. The UK will press for wider dissemination of this information on that occasion.

  A decision to place a copy of the UK CBMs in the House of Commons Library will be made after the necessary consultations with the other Government Departments, laboratories, and commercial companies which contribute to the UK's returns. I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Sub-Saharan Africa
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support the British Government provide to support air traffic control monitoring in the air space in Sub-Saharan Africa. [146833]

  Mr. Hain
  We do not at present provide support for air traffic control monitoring in the air space of Sub-Saharan Africa.
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  We have urged all members of the United Nations Security Council to consider what help we can provide in the region.

  Departmental Policies (Slough)
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [146933]

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

  Nigeria
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance the Government have provided for Nigeria's human rights violations investigation commission. [146829]

  Mr. Hain
  Although we have not provided specific assistance to Nigeria's human rights violations investigation commission, we have directly funded several projects for Nigeria's permanent human rights body, the Nigerian human rights commission. We have also supported human rights projects through a number of NGOs and have helped NGOs attend Senate public hearings aimed at developing a national policy on human rights.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will disclose information collected by the British security services in Nigeria between 1966 and 1998 for the use of Nigeria's Human Rights Violations Investigations Commission. [147051]

  Mr. Hain
  We have received no requests for information from the Nigerians. It is not Government policy to comment on intelligence matters.

  Democratic Republic of Congo
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the prospects for a ceasefire in the Democratic Republic of Congo following the death of President Kabila; and if he will make a statement. [147018]

  Mr. Hain
  The UK condemns all acts of political violence, including the assassination of President Laurent Kabila. The political situation in DRC is still not clear, but it is vital that the new leadership restores stability and seizes the opportunity fully to implement the Lusaka agreement, including facilitating the deployment of UN personnel in DRC territory and the establishment of national dialogue. We are urging all parties to the conflict not to take military advantage of the current uncertainty and to give new impetus to fulfilling their commitments under the Lusaka agreement.

  Southern Sudan
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many reports he has received of aerial bombings of civilian targets in Southern Sudan. [147052]

  Mr. Hain
  We received several reports of aerial bombings of civilian targets in southern Sudan last month from NGOs and church representatives. Our ambassador in Khartoum has made our concerns clear to the Sudanese authorities. We will continue to urge both sides to return to the negotiating table and agree a comprehensive ceasefire.

  Depleted Uranium
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of(a) the health risks and (b) actual health damage to people in Iraq arising from exposure to depleted uranium used for bombing. [143502]

  Mr. Hain
  The Government are aware of claims of an increase in ill-health (including alleged deformities, cancers and birth defects) in southern Iraq, and that some have attributed this to the use of depleted uranium (DU)—based ammunition by UK and US forces during the Gulf conflict of 1991. The principal problem is lack of detailed information about the health situation not just in that area but throughout Iraq. However, we have encouraged the World Health Organisation to work with the Iraqis on a proper study—only then can particular problems be properly addressed.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  IACS Regulations (Flooding)
  Mr. Curry
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he will take to ensure that farmers whose land has been affected by flooding meet the requirements of the IACS regulations. [144884]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]In addition to the measures announced by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary on 7 November, we have been evaluating with fanning organisations here and with the European Commission in Brussels the extent to which further flexibility may be needed in applying certain CAP scheme rules.

  The EU' s Cereals Management Committee has approved a derogation from Article 19(3) of Commission Regulation 2316/1999 to extend the latest date for harvesting crops from land to be set aside in 2001 from 15 January to 28 February, with a further extension to 31 March in the specific cases of sugar beet and potatoes.

  We have also put to the Commission proposed changes to our national implementing rules for the Arable Area Payments Scheme (AAPS) designed to allow farmers on whose land winter crops have either been lost, or could simply not be planted, the option of trying to establish spring sown crops after 15 January, retaining the possibility of entering such land into set-aside up to the 15 May IACS claim deadline if the attempts prove unsuccessful. Similarly we are proposing to treat flood damaged winter crops which are either ploughed in or

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  otherwise destroyed by 15 May as meeting our green cover requirements for entry into set-aside if no other crop is feasible. We will be making further detailed announcements about this in the light of the Commission's response.

  We will be exercising our national discretion under Council Regulation 1251/1999 to extend the relevant latest sowing dates from 15 May to 31 May 2001 and will keep open the possibility of seeking extensions if necessary.

  We have also requested that all farmers who consider their cropping plans to have been affected by the recent extreme weather conditions should let their local MAFF Regional Service Centre have details of the circumstances so that these are on record when subsequent area payment claims come to be assessed.

  The position on other IACS schemes remains under review.

  Potato and Sugar Beet Crops
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received on the impact of recent severe weather conditions on potato and sugar beet crops. [146234]

  Ms Quin
  There have been a small number of representations specifically addressing the impact of the recent severe weather on potato crops although none specifically in relation to sugar beet. The National Farmers Union has also made representations about these crops where they are on land which is to be set aside under the Arable Area Payments Scheme in 2001. Under EU rules, these crops have to be harvested by 15 January to allow the land to be set aside. However, as the bad weather has seriously delayed the harvest, my right hon. Friend the Minister wrote to Commissioner Fischler. As a result, the Commission has made a regulation which, where the adverse weather has prevented an earlier harvest, permits any crop to be harvested up to 28 February and potatoes and sugar beet to be harvested up to 31 March on land which is to be set aside in 2001. As required by the EU regulation, any farmer who wishes to take advantage of this should contact his/her MAFF Regional Service Centre.

  Floodline
  Ms Kingham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many staff were employed on the Environment Agency's Floodline programme during the period October to December 2000. [145472]

  Mr. Morley
  The Floodline service is operated at a BT call centre where callers can either listen to pre-recorded information or speak to a live operator. Calls are initially taken by a BT operator who will try to respond to the call. If this is not possible, or if the call relates to a particular flooding emergency, they will refer the caller to the relevant Environment Agency office (to which there is a 24-hour link for emergencies).

  The call centre is normally staffed with up to 10 positions, but during the recent flooding that number was increased to 20 operators with a total of 42 trained to cover the whole day's shift (8 am to 12 am). The agency
  598W
  estimates that some 5,000 hours were spent by BT call centre staff on Floodline during the period October to December 2000.

  The agency's offices receiving calls from Floodline, or direct from the public, will have been staffed at variable levels during the flooding period. Some staff would have been dedicated to dealing with such calls, others would have combined this with other work. In total the agency estimates that its staff spent some 8,200 hours on Floodline work during October to December 2000.

  Floodline received a total of 689,838 calls during the same three month period. This compares to some 102,000 calls in the first year of the service's operation.

  The operation of Floodline will be included in the "lessons learned" report that the agency will be producing on the flooding.

HEALTH

  Accident and Emergency Departments
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what proportion of patients waited in accident and emergency for more than two hours, once a decision had been made that they need a bed for each quarter for the last two years in each NHS Trust or Health Authority, by NHS region. [141507]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 13 December 2000]National summary information on emergency admissions through accident and emergency departments for the period Quarter 1 1998–99 to Quarter 2 2000–01 is given in the table and is available in the Library.

  Information by health authority and National Health Service trust is not routinely published.

  Year and quarter

  Total number admitted through A&E in quarter

  Number of patients admitted to ward more than 2 hours

  Percentage of patients admitted to ward more than 2 hours

  2000–01

  Quarter 1

  511,782

  116,550

  23

  Quarter 2

  516,977

  120,785

  23

  1999–2000

  Quarter 1

  486,909

  85,630

  18

  Quarter 2

  497,277

  90,629

  18

  Quarter 3

  523,318

  112,139

  21

  Quarter 4

  527,615

  126,978

  24

  1998–99

  Quarter 1

  480,669

  83,279

  17

  Quarter 2

  473,681

  80,380

  17

  Quarter 3

  501,767

  103,223

  21

  Quarter 4

  497,662

  103,545

  21

  Food Standards Agency
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the areas of policymaking for which the Food Standards Agency is responsible and those areas of policymaking for which his Department is responsible. [144122]
  599W
  Ms Stuart
  Under Section 6 of the Food Standards Act 1999, the Food Standards Agency is responsible for developing policies relating to matters connected with food safety or other interests of consumers in relation to food. The Department is responsible for improving and protecting the health and social well being of the people of England, tackling the causes of ill-health and modernising the National Health Service and personal social services.

  In certain subject areas, such as nutrition, the two Departments have a shared interest. Details of the relative responsibilities of the two Departments in such areas are set out in a concordat, copies of which have been placed in the Library.

  Waiting Lists (Barnet)
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients are on NHS waiting lists in the Barnet Health Authority area; how many were on such lists in May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [146509]

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

  Total inpatient waiting list—Barnet Health Authority

  Total

  March 1997

  7,321

  June 1997

  7,198

  November 2000

  5,360

  Source:

  QF01 quarterly return/monthly returns

  In 1999–2000 both inpatient waiting lists and the number of outpatients waiting over 13 weeks, nationally were reduced. This demonstrates that waiting is being attacked on a broad front, and one is not being reduced at the expense of the other.

  The inpatient waiting list is currently 137,000 below the level inherited, and at September 2000, the number of outpatients waiting over 13 weeks fell by 9,000 since the last quarter.

  Digital Hearing Aids
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to add other NHS trusts in Hampshire to the list of trusts providing digital hearing aids. [146512]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 22 January 2001]The Department will study the results of the modernising National Health Service hearing aid services project at the twenty participating NHS trusts to determine how changes to hearing aid services are rolled out to the NHS. Pending the outcome of the project other hospitals are able to access the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency contract for digital hearing aids where the service criteria are met.

  Salaries
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what salary is being paid to the holder of the office of Chief Executive of the NHS and Permanent Secretary to the Department of Health. [146955]
  600W
  Ms Stuart
  Information concerning the salaries of all permanent secretaries is published in the annual Senior Salaries Review Body report. For the purposes of the report the pay ranges applicable to permanent secretaries are divided into £5,000 bands. It is not normal practice to publish the actual salary in payment to individual permanent secretaries. The salary of Nigel Crisp, Chief Executive of the National Health Service and Permanent Secretary to the Department of Health, falls within the range £145,000-£149,999.

  London Ambulance Service
  Mr. Horam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will increase the funding of the London Ambulance Service, to improve pay and conditions of staff. [146625]

  Ms Stuart
  Ambulance staff on national terms, including those employed by the London Ambulance service, have been offered an above inflation increase of 3.7 per cent. from 1 April 2001. We are currently awaiting a response from trade unions on this offer. National Health Service trusts have the flexibility to pay still more where there are proven recruitment and retention difficulties.

  This year an extra £6 million was given to the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust. Discussions are underway over additional funding for 2001–02.

  High-energy Drinks
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received on the side-effects of high-energy drinks; what research he has commissioned into these products; and if he will make a statement. [145953]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 22 January 2001]We have not received any recent representations on the side-effects of high-energy drinks and the Department and the Food Standards Agency have not commissioned any research in this area.

  Mortality Rates
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish his Department's clinical indicators and the CHKS tables of mortality rates by hospital trust. [146490]

  Mr. Denham
  The last set of clinical indicators published by the Department was issued in July 2000 in "Quality and Performance Indicators".

  CHKS is a private sector organisation, which collects data from a proportion of trusts in the United Kingdom.

  Keyhole Operations
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recommendations have been made by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence about reducing keyhole operations on financial grounds; and if he will make a statement. [146767]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 23 January 2001]The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has given guidance on the use of laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer and inguinal hernia. The details of this guidance can be obtained from NICE.
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  When undertaking its appraisals NICE takes into account both clinical and cost effectiveness in accordance with Directions from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health and the National Assembly for Wales.

  Nursing Care Costs
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer concerning nursing care, on 17 January 2001,Official Report, columns 246–47W, if he will set out for each local authority with social services responsibilities the amount that has been deducted from their SSA to reflect the change in responsibility for paying for nursing care. [146702]

  Mr. Hutton
  No amount has been deducted from local authorities' standard spending assessment to reflect the planned change in responsibility for paying for nursing care. If Parliament agrees to change the way nursing care in nursing homes is funded, we will ensure the appropriate financial arrangements are made.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 15 January 2001,Official Report, column 5W, on nursing home charges, how frequently the needs of a person will be assessed by a registered nurse. [146455]

  Mr. Hutton
  We plan to issue guidance to the effect that reassessment will take place three months after the first assessment of registered nurse input and then at intervals of no more than 12 months. The guidance will also outline the circumstances which will trigger immediate reassessment. The registered nurse whom is providing care to the individual will be monitoring the person's condition and will make any immediate changes to care that are necessary.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 17 January 2001,Official Report, column 247W, concerning payment of fees, if he will set out the forecasts for fee levels in residential and nursing homes for the spending review period. [146704]

  Mr. Hutton
  A wide range of factors were taken into account in the spending review for future changes in costs and functions faced by social services authorities. This does not attempt to forecast a fee level for nursing homes or residential homes. That is matter for negotiation between each home and its client, or the responsible local or health authority.

  Waiting Lists
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many out-patients were waiting for treatment for more than six months in each of the last 10 years in the(a) Sutton and Cheam constituency and (b) Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth Health Authority. [146378]

  Mr. Denham
  The data requested are not held by constituency.

  Data on outpatients were not collected prior to 1997.

  The number of patients waiting longer than six months for a first outpatient appointment resulting from a general practitioner referral in Merton Sutton and Wandsworth as at 31 March is as follows:
  602W

  Year

  Number of patients waiting

  1997–98

  185

  1998–99

  1,014

  1999–2000

  1,273

  NHS Finances
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his most recent forecast is of the(a) turnover, (b) surplus or deficit and (c) surplus or deficit as a percentage of the turnover, for (i) each health authority, (ii) each NHS trust, (iii) each NHS region and (iv) England in the current financial year and in 1999–2000. [146377]

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

  Hospital Funding (Lancashire)
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the extra capital and revenue resources he has made available to(a) Royal Lancaster Infirmary and (b) Blackpool Victoria Hospital since 1 May 1997. [145542]

  Mr. Denham
  The extra capital and revenue resources which have been made available to the Morecambe Bay Hospitals National Health Service Trust (which is now responsible for the Royal Lancaster Infirmary) and Blackpool Victoria Hospital NHS Trust is as follows:

  Morecambe Bay Hospitals NHS Trust1,2

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Total overall income (£ million)

  48.5

  50.3

  111.3

  123.9

  ercentage increase on total income

  3.81

  —

  11.35

  —

  The Morecambe Bay Hospital Trust has also received £15.3 million for capital investment3

  1 The Morecambe Bay Hospitals NHS Trust was formed on 1 April 1998 following the merger of three acute hospital trusts (Furness General Hospitals NHS Trust, Lancaster Acute Hospitals NHS Trust and Westmoreland Hospital NHS Trust). In addition, the information for the years 1996–97 and 1997–98 is specific to the former Lancaster Acute Hospitals NHS Trust only.

  2 The overall income of trust includes non-recurrent one-off allocations.

  3 The figure of £15.3 million also includes £4.1 million which relates to capital investment schemes at the then Lancaster Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

  Blackpool Victoria Hospital NHS Trust1,2

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Total Overall Income (£ million)

  79.8

  84.8

  128.5

  184.1

  Percentage increase on total income

  6.31

  51.52

  43.20

  —

  The Blackpool Victoria Trust has also received £11.3 million for capital investment

  1 The overall income of trust includes non-recurrent one off allocations.

  2 Blackpool Victoria Hospital Trust receives income from the training consortium which has been included within its overall operating income and the increase in this income accounts for the large percentage increases year on year on total income.

  Children (Christmas Holidays)
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many non-resident parents were denied the opportunity to see their children over Christmas and New Year holiday as a result of decisions made by parents with care; and how many children were thus affected. [146168]

  Jane Kennedy
  I have been asked to reply.

  This information is not available.

  Porton Down
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what methods his Department is using to alert the NHS and GPs to the existence of the Medical Assessment Programme for volunteers who took part in experiments at the chemical defence establishment, Porton Down. [146649]

  Dr. Moonie
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Department of Health sent an electronic message about the Medical Assessment Programme for Porton Down volunteers to Directors of Public Health in England on 21 November 2000. This message was then forwarded to General Practitioners, Chief Executives of Health Authorities, Chairs of Primary Care Groups, Primary Care Medical Advisers, Project managers/Nurse leads in Walk-in Centres and Leads at nurse-led Personal Medical Services Pilots. A copy of the message was also sent to the Library of the House and is available on the Department of Health website at www.doh.gov.uk/cmo/cmo3.htm. The Health Departments of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have disseminated this message to GPs and Health Board Directors of Public Health within their area of responsibility.

  The Porton Down Volunteers' Medical Assessment Programme has only just started and it is therefore too early to consider the analysis of its data. The data about specific individuals' referral to the Medical Assessment Programme will be medically confidential. However, it is planned to aggregate and anonymise the data to form a case series for analysis. Such data could, with volunteers' consent, be made available to independent researchers.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  GM Crops
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will assess the benefits of introducing a liabilities regime in respect of contamination and damage from GM crops. [144224]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 17 January 2001]I shall be considering this year a range of options concerning possible new provisions for liability in respect of any damage from GM crops. In this regard I will take into account the European Commission's proposals on environmental liability due later this year. My review will assess the benefits of such provisions as well as the difficulties that would have to be addressed.

  Such benefits might include reassurance for the public and nearby fanners, an effective mechanism for ensuring the remediation of environmental damage, and greater
  604W
  responsibility by producers of GM seeds and growers of GM crops in assessing their obligations to other farmers and the public.

  Unsafe Vessels
  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what powers of intervention his representative has to allow the entry of unsafe vessels to ports. [146157]

  Mr. Hill
  A harbour master may give directions under the Dangerous Vessels Act 1985 prohibiting the entry into, or requiring the removal from, the harbour of any vessel if its condition, or the nature or condition of anything it contains, is such that its presence in the harbour might involve a grave and imminent danger to the safety of persons or property or a risk that the vessel may, by sinking or foundering in the harbour, prevent or seriously prejudice the use of the harbour by other vessels. Such directions given by the harbour master may be over-ridden by the Secretary of State or his representative. There are also powers in Sections 137 and 138 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, as amended by the Merchant Shipping and Maritime Security Act 1997 and the Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Pollution) (Foreign Ships) Order 1997. These powers enable the Secretary of State, or his representative, to give directions to allow, or if appropriate refuse, the entry of a vessel to a port for the purpose of preventing or minimising pollution, or the threat of pollution, following a maritime accident.

  Traffic Changes
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the year on year changes were in(a) all road traffic, (b) non-motorway traffic, (c) passenger rail use, (d) rail freight, (e) motorcycle use and (f) bicycle use (i) between 1997 and 1999 and (ii) since October 2000; and what the latest forecasts for changes in these categories are. [147027]

  Mr. Hill
  The information requested is as follows:

  Percentage change on previous year

  Great Britain

  1998

  1999

  All traffic (vehicle kilometres)

  1.5

  1.7

  Non-motorway traffic (veh-kms)

  0.9

  1.5

  Passenger rail use (passenger kms)

  4.7

  6.2

  Rail freight (tonne-kms)

  2.4

  4.1

  Motorcycle use (veh-kms)

  -5

  18

  Bicycle use (veh-kms)

  -2

  5

  Information about road traffic since October 2000 is due to be published on 8 February 2001; information about rail passenger use and rail freight since October 2000 will be published in March 2001.

  The latest forecasts are those prepared for the Government's 10-year-plan for transport, published in July 2000. They take into account the expected effect of the measures set out in the plan. There are no forecasts of motorcycle use, as there is at present insufficient evidence of its relationship with economic or other variables on which to base sound forecasts.
  605W

  Percentage change 2010 compared to 2000

  All traffic (vehicle-kms England)

  17

  Non-motorway traffic

  15

  Passenger rail use (passenger km, GB)

  50

  Rail freight (tonne-km, GB)

  80

  Bicycle use (trips, England)

  200

  Buses
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many buses running on(a) road fuel gases and (b) other alternative fuels there were at the latest date for which figures are available. [147029]

  Mr. Hill
  Figures provided by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency show that, for the end of the third quarter of 2000, 114 buses were registered as being powered by road fuel gases. There were also eight buses registered as being powered solely by electricity. Data for other types of alternative fuel are not collected.

  Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the average levels of new car carbon dioxide emissions were in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) the EU in (i) 1995 and (ii) 1999. [147028]

  Mr. Hill
  The following table shows average new car carbon dioxide emissions in grams per kilometre for the UK and the EU for both 1995 and 1999.

  g/km

  UK

  EU

  1995

  191.5

  186.4

  1999

  185.4

  175.9

  Alleyways
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce legislation to allow local authorities to close off alleyways causing a public nuisance if requested to do so by the police; and if he will make a statement. [146577]

  Mr. Hill
  The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 gives local highway authorities powers to make special extinguishment and special diversion orders for closing or diverting public rights of way (which may include alleyways) for the purpose of preventing or reducing crime where premises near a right of way are affected by high levels of crime and the existence of that right of way is facilitating the persistent commission of offences.

  Regeneration (Wandsworth)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much public funding has been allocated for regeneration purposes to the London Borough of Wandsworth since May 1997. [146500]
  606W
  Ms Armstrong
  The information requested is, as far as possible, given in the following paragraph:Single Regeneration Budget—£25.588 million

  Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) funding figures relate to the lifetime amount awarded to schemes since round 3 (round 3 being the 1997–98 award period). As these are lifetime figures this does not reflect the annual amount spent; rather the figures represent the amount paid plus the amount outstanding within the award. However where an award is agreed, in principle, funding is released on an annual basis and this release is dependent upon the total available budget at the time of the annual review. Figures are given for those schemes where the relevant Borough Council is the Accountable Body. Funding may have been awarded to organisations within the borough, or working within the borough, over and above these figures. Figures provided reflect the amounts which were awarded directly to the Local Authority only—source London Development Agency.

  London Borough Councils
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the London borough councils that follow a cabinet system of administration in their local authority area. [146939]

  Ms Armstrong
  This information is not held centrally.

  Rent Tribunals
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many members of rent tribunals covering the Greater London area come from an ethnic community background. [146938]

  Mr. Mullin
  There are 10 members from ethnic minorities appointed to sit on rent tribunals in the Greater London area. This represents 10 per cent. of the total membership of the London rent assessment panel, from which rent tribunals are drawn.

  Abandoned Vehicles
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if his Department intends to monitor the number of abandoned vehicles on public highways and private property over the forthcoming year and the associated removal costs incurred by local authorities; [146514]

  (2) what measures his Department intends to introduce to assist local authorities with the removal of abandoned vehicles on public highways and private property. [146513]

  Mr. Mullin
  My officials are currently in discussion with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), the Local Government Association (LGA) and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) to address the growing problem of abandoned vehicles.

  The Government have improved registration arrangements to require the seller to notify DVLA of a change of ownership. DVLA is encouraging local authorities to link electronically with them so that vehicle keeper information can be obtained more quickly. DVLA will also shortly issue a circular to all local authorities on the procedures for dealing with abandoned vehicles.
  607W
  Last year the LGA carried out a survey on the scale of the problem, how it was being managed locally and the operating costs involved. A LGA/ACPO working group has been convened, involving Government officials, to produce (i) a good practice guide for local authorities and police forces on the management of abandoned vehicles and (ii) a Memorandum of Understanding between LGA and ACPO. At this stage, we believe a separate Government monitoring exercise on abandoned vehicles would create unnecessary duplication.

  Thameslink
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about the frequency and reliability of Thameslink services from Mill Hill, Bushey and Hendon. [146732]

  Mr. Hill
  Most rail services have been subject to delay and cancellations due to adverse weather conditions and the speed restrictions imposed for safety reasons by Railtrack in the aftermath of the tragic accident at Hatfield. Improved services on the cross-London route began to take effect from 8 January and Thameslink is now running a near normal service.

  London Underground Escalators
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many escalators are installed at London Underground stations; how many are out of action; and what is the average length of time taken to bring unserviceable units back into service. [146642]

  Mr. Hill
  This is an operational matter for London Underground (LUL) who inform me that the total number of escalators on the network is 403 (plus six at Canary Wharf which are commissioned but not yet in passenger service).

  I understand from them that at the 8 January 2001, 26 machines were unavailable for customer service. There are three basic causes for an escalator to be out of service—planned maintenance or replacement, casualty repair and work to rectify any extraordinary safety issues such as top-shaft replacement. Of the 26 out of service, 14 were part of planned maintenance or refurbishment programmes. In most cases where an escalator is out of order there will be a parallel escalator which is in operation to minimise passenger inconvenience and disruption. This generally enables stations to remain open while the works are in progress and at all times safety is the priority.

  There is a range of types of escalators, and the mixture of types of work which may be needed on them varies significantly as indicated above. It is therefore difficult to estimate the average length of time taken to bring unserviceable units back into service This is because the snapshots of various moments in time which reflect different escalators affected, and the different types of work involved, may lead to significantly different estimates.

  Cyclists
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment 608W
  he has made of the effect of cyclists using bus lanes in terms of (a) delay caused to buses, (b) danger to other road users due to buses overtaking cyclists and (c) danger to cyclists. [146964]

  Mr. Hill
  As part of an ongoing research project, my Department has commissioned a study of the use of bus lanes by cyclists. The emerging results indicate that in bus lanes of less than 3.5m, buses may be delayed by cyclists, but that this is only a significant problem if cycle flows are high. The Department's guidance on bus lanes, Local Transport Note 1–97 "Keeping Buses Moving", is that they should be designed to the recommended width of 4.25m wherever possible. That width allows buses to overtake cyclists safely, and reduces the likelihood of interference from general traffic in the adjacent lane. Pedal cyclists are allowed to use withflow bus lanes because they would be more likely to be involved in an accident if required to ride in the main traffic lane with buses passing on their nearside. Results of attitude surveys of cyclists indicate that cycling in a bus lane was considered to be safer than cycling on a similar road without a bus lane.

  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to require cyclists to use cycle lanes where these are provided. [146963]

  Mr. Hill
  None. We recommend that cyclists use cycle lanes on the carriageway because of the protection they can offer cyclists from other traffic. However, decisions on whether and when to use cycle lanes are for individual cyclists to take.

  Rents
  Mr. Linton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects rent officers and rent assessment panels to complete the process of(a) revising rents and (b) recovering overpaid rent paid by registered tenants affected by the House of Lords decision on the Maximum Fair Rent Order. [146493]

  Mr. Mullin
  We expect the Rent Service to complete revision of registrations affected by the judgment which fall to rent officers by the end of February. The rent assessment panels are considering what action committees should take on the small percentage of cases which fall to them in the light of the guidance issued by my Department.

  Rent officers and rent assessment committees are not able to act to recover overpaid rent. This is a matter between landlords and tenants.

  Travellers
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library details of the numbers of incidents of illegal trespass by travellers reported by local authorities for the last three years(a) in total and (b) for each local authority. [146866]

  Mr. Prescott
  Information in this form is not collected centrally. On behalf of the Department, local authorities undertake both a twice-yearly count of authorised and
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  unauthorised gypsy caravans and an update of the list of local authority gypsy sites. Copies of these are routinely placed in the Library of the House of Commons.

  Housing Associations (Durham)
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the financial allocation from his Department is to housing associations in the City of Durham for the(a) 2000–01 and (b) 2001–02 financial years. [146822]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Housing Corporation has allocated £807,000 grant to schemes in the city of Durham for the 2000–01 financial year. Allocations have not yet been made for the 2001–02 financial year.

  Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he had with representatives of Gloucestershire fire and rescue service before announcing their standard spending assessment; and if he will make a statement. [146610]

  Ms Armstrong
  [holding answer 23 January 2001: I announced the provisional local government finance settlement for 2001–02 on 27 November last year. Under our proposals, Gloucestershire's fire standard spending assessment increased by £0.166 million or 1.4 per cent. Consultation finished on Tuesday 9 January and I have been considering all responses, including the representations received from Gloucestershire county council, as I take final decisions. The House will have the opportunity to debate our proposals—this is provisionally set for Wednesday 31 January.

  Neighbourhood renewal fund allocations

  NRF

  LA names

  Share of the new £million

  Revised NRF allocation 2001–02(£ million)

  Allocation 2002–03 (£ million)

  Allocation 2003–04 (£ million)

  Total over three years (£ million)

  Allerdale

  0.214

  0.428

  0.642

  0.855

  1.925

  Ashfield

  0.241

  0.482

  0.723

  0.964

  2.168

  Barking and Dagenham

  0.408

  0.816

  1.225

  1.633

  3.673

  Barnsley

  1.361

  2.722

  4.083

  5.444

  12.249

  Barrow-in-Furness

  0.460

  0.92

  1.379

  1.838

  4.137

  Birmingham

  5.511

  11.022

  16.533

  22.043

  49.598

  Blackburn with Darwen

  1.084

  2.168

  3.251

  4.335

  9.754

  Blackpool

  0.752

  1.504

  2.256

  3.008

  6.768

  Bolsover

  0.367

  0.734

  1.102

  1.469

  3.305

  Bolton

  1.356

  2.712

  4.069

  5.426

  12.207

  Bradford

  2.453

  4.906

  7.359

  9.812

  22.077

  Brent

  0.570

  1.14

  1.709

  2.279

  5.128

  Brighton and Hove

  0.342

  0.684

  1.027

  1.369

  3.08

  Bristol

  0.891

  1.782

  2.674

  3.565

  8.022

  Burnley

  0.318

  0.636

  0.955

  1.273

  2.865

  Camden

  1.055

  2.11

  3.164

  4.219

  9.492

  Coventry

  1.322

  2.644

  3.967

  5.290

  11.901

  Croydon

  0.145

  0.29

  0.436

  0.581

  1.307

  Derby

  0.813

  1.626

  2.438

  3.250

  7.314

  Derwentside

  0.371

  0.742

  1.112

  1.482

  3.336

  Doncaster

  2.197

  4.394

  6.592

  8.790

  19.777

  Dudley

  0.380

  0.76

  1.140

  1.521

  3.421

  Ealing

  0.229

  0.458

  0.688

  0.917

  2.063

  Motor Fuels
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions by what means he intends to facilitate competition between independent petrol retailers and oil companies for the provision of motor fuels at motorway service areas. [147048]

  Mr. Hill
  My Department requires the operators of all motorway service areas to meet a range of minimum standards. This includes a requirement that fuel should be available 24 hours a day every day of the year. How this requirement should be met, however, and which brand or brands of fuel should be available, are matters for service area operators.

  Neighbourhood Renewal Fund
  Maria Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the neighbourhood renewal fund. [147368]

  Mr. Prescott
  £800 million is already available over the next three years through the neighbourhood renewal fund to help the authorities in the most deprived areas, and therefore under the most pressures, to begin to make progress raising standards in core services. This complements the major increase in investment and new floor targets for public services announced in the spending review.

  We published our action plan on neighbourhood renewal last week. Our aim is that within 10–20 years no one is disadvantaged because of where they live. We all want to see fast and effective progress on this and I am pleased to announce that we are increasing the NRF provision for 2001–02 from £100 million to £200 million. This means that the action plan will get off to a strong start next financial year with even more positive action taking place at a local level.

  The revised allocations under the NRF are set out as follows.
  611W

  Neighbourhood renewal fund allocations

  NRF

  LA names

  Share of the new £million

  Revised NRF allocation 2001–02(£ million)

  Allocation 2002–03 (£ million)

  Allocation 2003–04 (£ million)

  Total over three years (£ million)

  Easington

  1.108

  2.216

  3.325

  4.433

  9.975

  Enfield

  0.465

  0.93

  1.395

  1.860

  4.184

  Gateshead

  1.161

  2.322

  3.482

  4.643

  10.447

  Great Yarmouth

  0.497

  0.994

  1.490

  1.987

  4.471

  Greenwich

  0.970

  1.94

  2.911

  3.881

  8.733

  Hackney

  2.941

  5.882

  8.824

  11.765

  26.472

  Halton

  0.982

  1.964

  2.946

  3.928

  8.839

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  0.258

  0.516

  0.775

  1.033

  2.325

  Haringey

  1.334

  2.668

  4.001

  5.335

  12.004

  Hartlepool

  0.784

  1.568

  2.353

  3.138

  7.059

  Hastings

  0.344

  0.688

  1.031

  1.375

  3.094

  Hyndburn

  0.323

  0.646

  0.970

  1.294

  2.91

  Islington

  1.568

  3.136

  4.703

  6.270

  14.108

  Kensington and Chelsea

  0.270

  0.54

  0.811

  1.081

  2.431

  Kerrier

  0.403

  0.806

  1.208

  1.610

  3.624

  Kingston upon Hull

  1.877

  3.754

  5.630

  7.507

  16.892

  Kirklees

  0.748

  1.496

  2.244

  2.992

  6.732

  Knowsley

  1.848

  3.696

  5.543

  7.391

  16.63

  Lambeth

  0.605

  1.21

  1.816

  2.422

  5.448

  Leeds

  2 099

  4.198

  6.297

  8.396

  18.89

  Leicester

  2 094

  4.188

  6.283

  8.377

  18.848

  Lewisham

  0 613

  1.226

  1.839

  2.453

  5.518

  Lincoln

  0 100

  0.2

  0.300

  0.400

  0.9

  Liverpool

  5 033

  10.066

  15.100

  20.133

  45.298

  Luton

  0 377

  0.754

  1.132

  1.510

  3.397

  Manchester

  5 149

  10.298

  15.446

  20.595

  46.339

  Mansfield

  0 575

  1.15

  1.724

  2.299

  5.172

  Middlesbrough

  1 312

  2.624

  3.937

  5.249

  11.811

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  1 711

  3.422

  5.132

  6.843

  15.397

  Newham

  3 333

  6.666

  9.999

  13.332

  29.997

  North Tyneside

  0 768

  1.536

  2.305

  3.074

  6.915

  Nottingham

  2 311

  4.622

  6.934

  9.246

  20.803

  Oldham

  1 168

  2.336

  3.505

  4.674

  10.516

  Pendle

  0 490

  0.98

  1.471

  1.961

  4.412

  Penwith

  0.207

  0.414

  0.622

  0.829

  1.865

  Plymouth

  0.529

  1.058

  1.586

  2.114

  4.757

  Portsmouth

  0.239

  0.478

  0.717

  0.957

  2.152

  Preston

  0.630

  1.26

  1.890

  2.520

  5.671

  Redcar and Cleveland

  0.868

  1.736

  2.604

  3.472

  7.812

  Rochdale

  1.219

  2.438

  3.658

  4.878

  10.975

  Rotherham

  0.917

  1.834

  2.751

  3.669

  8.254

  Salford

  1.360

  2.72

  4.081

  5.441

  12.242

  Sandwell

  2.013

  4.026

  6.038

  8.051

  18.114

  Sedgefield

  0.285

  0.57

  0.854

  1.139

  2.563

  Sefton

  1.408

  2.816

  4.223

  5.631

  12.671

  Sheffield

  2.395

  4.79

  7.186

  9.581

  21.557

  South Tyneside

  1.346

  2.692

  4.037

  5.382

  12.11

  Southampton

  0.215

  0.43

  0.646

  0.862

  1.939

  Southwark

  1.978

  3.956

  5.934

  7.912

  17.803

  St. Helens

  0.968

  1.936

  2.905

  3.873

  8.714

  Stockton-on-Tees

  0.963

  1.926

  2.889

  3.852

  8.667

  Stoke-on-Trent

  1.008

  2.016

  3.025

  4.034

  9.075

  Sunderland

  1.791

  3.582

  5.373

  7.164

  16.119

  Tameside

  0.335

  0.67

  1.005

  1.340

  3.015

  Tower Hamlets

  2.656

  5.312

  7.968

  10.624

  23.903

  Wakefield

  1.110

  2.22

  3.329

  4.439

  9.989

  Walsall

  1.780

  3.56

  5.341

  7.122

  16.024

  Waltham Forest

  0.638

  1.276

  1.915

  2.553

  5.745

  Wandsworth

  0.100

  0.2

  0.300

  0.400

  0.9

  Wansbeck

  0.345

  0.69

  1.034

  1.379

  3.104

  Wear Valley

  0.427

  0.854

  1.280

  1.706

  3.839

  Westminster

  0.374

  0.748

  1.123

  1.497

  3.369

  Wigan

  0.681

  1.362

  2.044

  2.725

  6.131

  Wirral

  1 269

  2.538

  3.806

  5.075

  11.419

  Wolverhampton

  1 482

  2.964

  4.446

  5.928

  13.339

  Total

  100.000

  200.000

  300.000

  400.000

  900.000

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Asylum Applications
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in each of the last five years, how many initial asylum decisions were made, how many and what proportion were dismissed on grounds of incorrect or delayed applications and how many and what proportion were appealed against; and if he will make a statement. [145712]

  Mrs. Roche
  Information for the latest five years for which data are available is given in the table.

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  19991

  Number of decisions

  27,005

  38,960

  36,045

  31,570

  33,720

  Refused on non compliance grounds2

  2,085

  2,015

  3,615

  2,995

  1,085

  Proportion (percentage)

  8

  5

  10

  9

  3

  Appeals received3

  14,035

  22,985

  20,950

  14,320

  6,615

  Proportion (percentage)

  52

  59

  58

  45

  20

  1 Provisional figures. All figures rounded to the nearest five.

  Initial decisions1 on asylum applications, excluding dependants, by year of application

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  19992,3

  Applications received

  43,965

  29,640

  32,500

  46,015

  71,160

  Recognised as a refugee and granted asylum4

  2,190

  1,460

  3,390

  3,925

  355

  Proportion (percentage)

  5

  5

  16

  9

  1

  Not recognised as a refugee but granted exceptional leave4

  6,435

  2,330

  1,665

  1,945

  403

  Proportion (percentage)

  15

  8

  5

  4

  1

  Refused asylum and exceptional leave4

  22,045

  14,540

  14,725

  13,235

  4,580

  Proportion (percentage)

  50

  49

  45

  29

  6

  1 Figures (other than percentages) rounded to the nearest five.

  2 1999 figures may exclude some cases lodged at Local Enforcement Offices.

  3 Provisional figures.

  4 Includes cases decided under measures aimed at reducing the pre 1996 asylum application backlog.

  Asylum appeals1 received by the Home Office, excluding dependants, and proportion of appeals upheld by adjudicators at the IAA, by year

  Year

  Cases appealed

  Proportion of appeals won2(percentage)

  1995

  14,035

  3

  1996

  22,985

  4

  1997

  20,950

  6

  1998

  14,320

  9

  19993

  6,615

  27

  1 Figures (other than percentages) rounded to the nearest five.

  2 Appeals upheld as proportion of appeals determined in same year.

  3 Provisional figures.

  Citizenship Applications
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average time taken for granting citizenship was in each of the last five years. [145713]

  Mrs. Roche
  The average time taken for granting citizenship in each of the last five years is shown in the table.
  614W
  2 Non-compliance refusals (under paragraph 340 of the immigration rules and paragraph 180F prior to October 1994) are for failure to provide evidence to support the asylum claim within a reasonable period. From November 1991 these include refusals for failure to respond to invitations to interview to establish identity under the measures introduced then

  3Appeals received do not necessarily relate to decisions made in any given time period.

  Provisional information for the year 2000 will be published on 25 January 2001 on the Department's web site at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/index.htm.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what proportion of asylum applications in each of the last five years resulted in(a) asylum status and (b) exceptional leave to remain after an initial decision; in each year how many cases were appealed and hat proportion of appeals were won by applicants; and if he will make a statement. [145714]

  Mrs. Roche
  The latest information available is given in the tables.

  Provisional information for the year 2000 will be published on 25 January 2001 on the Home Department's website www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/index/htm.

  Year

  Average time1

  1996

  13.4

  1997

  14.3

  1998

  18.2

  1999

  18.8

  2000

  16.8

  1 Months

  As at the current date the average time taken for granting citizenship has been further reduced, and is now at 13.1 months.

  Sewerage Costs (Home Office Estate)
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason the sewerage costs on the Home Office Estate in Denbury, South Devon, have increased in 2000; and if he will make a statement. [146680]

  Mr. Boateng
  Prior to the current financial year (2000 –01) a flat rate annual charge for sewerage costs was made which did not reflect the actual cost to the Prison Service of providing the service. The charge for this financial year is based on the rateable value of each property and is equivalent to the charge which would be made by the local water authority.

  Drugs
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Police Foundation Inquiry's recommendations concerning the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. [147053]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Following the publication of the Police Foundation's report last year, the Home Office issued a statement rejecting the inquiry's recommendations for the reclassification of cannabis, cannabinols, Ecstasy or LSD. The report contains a large number of other recommendations and raises many issues. The United Kingdom anti-drugs co-ordinator, Keith Hellawell, was asked to chair a committee to consider these. The report of his committee's findings is currently with Ministers.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had with his US counterparts regarding UK domestic drug laws. [147054]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The only recent meeting with United States of America counterparts was in July 2000 when the Attorney-General, Janet Reno, visited London. She met with my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and my hon. Friend the Minister of State, but domestic drug laws were not discussed.

  Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority
  Mr. Bailey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children made application to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority in each of the last five years. [146766]

  Property and vehicle crime in South Buckinghamshire and England and Wales

  Crimes per 1,000 population

  Property crime

  Vehicle crime

  Quarter ending

  South Buckinghamshire

  England and Wales

  South Buckinghamshire

  England and Wales

  December 1999

  22.9

  20.4

  8.7

  4.8

  March 2000

  26.2

  21.3

  12.2

  5.0

  June 2000

  24.3

  20.7

  9.1

  4.7

  September 2000

  25.4

  19.6

  8.7

  4.4

  Property crime comprises burglary, theft and handling (including vehicle crime), fraud and forgery, and criminal damage. The vehicle crime figures relate to theft of vehicles and theft from vehicles.

  Immigration Detainees
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is on detaining people in prison for immigration irregularities; and if he will make a statement. [145165]

  Mrs. Roche
  As far as possible, people detained under powers set out in the Immigration Act 1971 are held in discrete accommodation in Immigration Service detention
  616W
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 23 January 2001]The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority advise that the number of applications in respect of persons aged under 18 years at the date of application was as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1995–96

  11,969

  1996–97

  11,187

  1997–98

  11,216

  1998–99

  10,454

  1999–2000

  10,583

  Mr. Bailey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was paid out in compensation by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority(a) in total and (b) on average to each applicant (i) in 2000 and (ii) in 1995. [146765]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 23 January 2001]In 1995–96, the total compensation paid was £179 million and the average award was £4.066. In 1999–2000, the total compensation paid was £206 million and the average award was £4,738.

  Crime Rates
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the monthly rates are of(a) property and (b) car crime (i) nationally and (ii) in the South Buckinghamshire District Council in the latest year for which figures are available. [146995]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 23 January 2001]Details for the year ending September 2000 for property crime and vehicle crime are given in the table. Police force area figures, and therefore national figures, are collected quarterly, and these are compared with the equivalent South Buckinghamshire figures.

  centres or designated prison accommodation. A number are also held in prisons for reasons of geography or security (or control). For example convicted prisoners subject to deportation action at the end of their sentence may be held in prison pending their removal. However, use of detention centres is preferable to prisons in the vast majority of cases and, in principle, the Government prefer to use detention centres.

  In addition we are currently housing some immigration detainees in prisons on a short-term basis, to meet the shortfall in spaces in dedicated accommodation for immigration detainees. The Prison Service has made available up to 500 spaces for immigration detainees, pending the availability later this year of detention space in new immigration detention centres.

  Metropolitan Police
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many civilians were employed by the Metropolitan police Service in each year since 1995; and if he will make a statement. [144966]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]The data requested are in the table.

  Number of civilian staff employed by the Metropolitan police

  Number

  September 1995

  14,138

  September 1996

  13,890

  September 1997

  12,902

  September 1998

  12,033

  September 1999

  10,935

  September 2000

  10,147

  Note:

  The decrease in the number of civilians in the Metropolitan police is at least in part a result of administrative work being outsourced.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people within his Department work specifically on(a) science and technology matters, (b) competition and consumer offers, including energy, telecoms and environment, (c) trade and export, (d) manufacturing and (e) labour markets; and what is the total number of staff of his Department. [145209]

  Dr. Howells
  The total core Department of Trade and Industry staff as at 1 December 2000 is 6,736.

  The further disaggregated information is not held centrally within the Department in the format requested. However, the following split identifies the number of staff in the DTI Groups:

  Area

  Number of DTI staff

  Science and Technology

  133

  Competition and Markets Group

  2,478

  of which:

  Consumer Affairs

  88

  Competition Policy

  49

  Energy Group

  423

  Business Competitiveness Group

  679

  of which:

  Environment

  45

  Trade Policy Group

  305

  British Trade International

  650

  Enterprise and Innovation Group

  796

  Small Business Service

  219

  Legal Services Group

  144

  Resources and Services Group

  804

  Other staff (incl. Ministerial Parliamentary Support Team)

  105

  Total number of staff in core Department of Trade and Industry1,2

  6,736

  Engineering Industry (Skills Shortage)
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to address skill shortages in the engineering industry. [146232]
  618W
  Mrs. Liddell
  The DTI, working in collaboration with the industry and with national training organisations such as EMTA, is supporting a number of initiatives to explore and address the skill needs of the engineering industry. For example, the Training Networks for Engineering Technicians Programme, worth £1 million, is bringing together networks of small firms to improve the technical and managerial skills of engineering technicians working in the manufacturing sector ranging across a wide variety of engineering areas, from automotive components to textiles to casting. Several activities are focused on tackling engineering skills shortages in IT, electronics and communications (ITEC) sectors. These include a work placement scheme for electronics engineering students, a project to look at the best way to train printed circuit board designers and a pilot programme to improve the skills of electronics teachers.

  In addition, DTI is involved, with DfEE, in major reforms that will support vocational training and boost the supply of engineers, notably setting up the learning and skills councils; a £100 million drive to set up vocational centres of excellence in further education colleges; and the strengthening of modern apprenticeships and national training organisations.

  Retail Petrol Industry
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the retail petrol stations which he has visited since January 2000 to discuss matters affecting their businesses; and if he will make a statement. [147046]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Department keeps in touch regularly with representatives of the petrol retailing industry, and such discussions would include factors affecting business performance.

  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the present policy of the EU is on vertical control in the retail motor fuels industry. [146975]

  Mrs. Liddell
  New EC competition rules covering supply and distribution agreements containing vertical restraints came into effect on 1 July 2000 (see Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2790–1999 of 22 December 1999 and Commission Notice 2000/C 291–01 of 13 October 2000). The new rules supersede previous sector-specific rules, including some which applied to the retail motor fuels industry.

  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what his policy is on vertical pricing control by oil companies in the retail motor fuels market; and if he will make a statement; [146969]

  (2) what is his policy on vertical control in the UK retail motor fuels industry. [146974]

  Dr. Howells
  Under UK competition legislation, the Director General of Fair Trading is responsible for monitoring markets and considering allegations of anti-competitive behaviour and has power to act against harmful vertical agreements.

  The Director General of Fair Trading reported his conclusions concerning the wholesale petrol market on 21 November 2000. He found no evidence of anticompetitive behaviour but said that he will continue to monitor this market very closely.
  619W
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to meet representatives of the retail petrol industry and oil companies to discuss a code of practice; and if he will make a statement. [146967]

  Mrs. Liddell
  My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary with responsibility for consumers and corporate affairs, will be meeting representatives of the independent petrol retail sector and oil companies shortly to discuss a code of practice.

  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how the value and tax of the vapour which passes from retail petrol stations' tanks back into the fuel tanker when motor fuels are delivered is accounted for. [146972]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Evaporative losses occurring between loaded petrol from a storage terminal and delivering it to a retail site have been minimised by the use of vapour recovery systems. Under EC Directive 94/63/EC all storage and distribution terminals delivering more than 50,000 tonnes per annum of petrol already operate vapour recovery equipment, and all other terminals will have to comply by 2001 or 2004 (depending on the volume of their deliveries). In December 1996, the directive was implemented in England, Scotland and Wales through regulations and directions made under Part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. It is being implemented separately in Northern Ireland through the Industrial Pollution Control (Northern Ireland) Order 1997.

  Prior to this legislation, vapours will have been lost. These vapour losses were part of the delivered volume of petrol. The oil companies at the point at which oil leaves the refinery pay excise duty on mineral oils. As vapour recovery systems are put in place after the duty point, duty has been already paid on the vapour when it is delivered in a tank to the retail site. Since implementation of vapour recovery, vapours are returned to the delivery

  Generator

  Site Name/Location

  Capacity MW DNC

  Wales

  Scottish Power plc

  Moel Rhiwlug Wind Farm, Pentrefoelas, Clwyd

  8.278

  Scottish Power plc

  Llyn Alwen Wind Farm, Pentrefoelas, Clwyd

  8.278

  Renewable Energy Systems Ltd

  Mynydd Clogau Wind Farm, Nr Adfa, Newtown, Powys

  4.253

  South Wales Power Ltd/SWALEC

  Gelligaer 'A' Wind Farm, Mynydd Fochriw, Fochriw. Mid Glamorgan

  4.214

  South Wales Power Ltd/SWALEC

  Gelligaer 'B' Wind Farm, Mynydd Fochriw, Fochriw, Mid Glamorgan

  4.214

  National Wind Power Ltd

  Jordanston Wind Farm, Fishguard, Dyfed

  4.214

  National Wind Power Ltd

  Mynydd Yr Hendre Wind Farm, Cefn Coch, Newtown, Powys

  12.492

  Windjen Power Ltd

  Mynydd Glyn Lws Wind Farm, Betws yn Rhos, Colwyn Bay, Clwyd

  1.542

  Powergen Renewables Ltd

  Nant Carfan Wind Farm, Machynlleth, Powys

  8.951

  Cambrian Wind Energy Ltd

  Cefn Croes, Devils Bridge. Ceredigion, Dyfed

  16.555

  Windjen Power Ltd

  Tir Mostyn and Foel Goch, Nantglyn, Denbigh, Clwyd

  9.149

  Windjen Power Ltd

  Blaen Bowi Windcluster, Moelfre, Capel Iwan, Dyfed

  1.524

  Windjen Power Ltd

  Llethercynnon Farm, Nr Garthbrengy, Powys

  3.049

  Ecogen Ltd

  Blaencorrwg Wind Farm, Port Talbot, West Glamorgan

  8.303

  B W Ops Ltd

  Fforch, Nant Y Moel, Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan

  0.937

  Three Way Wind Ltd

  Rhoscrowther Wind Cluster, Angle, Pembroke, Dyfed

  0.947

  Renewable Development Co Ltd

  Bryn Du, Bryn Du Hills, South Of A44 At Pont Rydgaled, Powys

  7.059

  England

  Ecogen Ltd

  Humble Hill Wind Farm, Humble Hill, Kielder Forest, Hexham, Northumberland

  33.746

  Econet Ltd

  Stockton Wind Turbine, East of Layden Lane Track, Norwich, Norfolk

  0.632

  Econet Ltd

  Brundish Wind Turbine, East of Brandish Road, Stockton, Beccles, Suffolk

  0.632

  620W
  tanker. These are not accounted for as they represent less than 0.2 per cent. of delivered volume and consist mainly of butane rather than petrol.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate in percentage terms the amount of electricity generated from(a) onshore windfarms, (b) offshore windfarms, (c) tidal generation, (d) hydro-electric generation and (e) biomass generation for (i) Wales, (ii) England and (iii) Scotland. [146475]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The information requested is as follows and relates to 1999. Information on electricity generation is not available separately for Wales and England and so separate percentages cannot be calculated. However, it is estimated that about 60 per cent. of onshore wind generation in England and Wales was in Wales, over 85 per cent. of hydro generation in England and Wales was in Wales, but less than 1 per cent. of generation from biomass in England and Wales was in Wales. There was no tidal or offshore wind generation in 1999.

  Percentage of total electricity generation from each renewable source

  England and Wales

  Scotland

  Onshore wind

  0.2

  0.3

  Hydro electricity

  0.1

  10.4

  Biomass

  1.2

  0.1

  Source:

  DTI and ETSU estimates

  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish a list of pending applications for windfarm developments in(a) Wales, (b) England and (c) Scotland, giving their (i) location and (ii) proposed output in Kw hours. [146474]

  Mrs. Liddell
  A list of proposed windfarm developments awaiting planning decisions is provided in the table. Declared net capacity in MW is provided for each proposal, since this rather than projected output is the basis on which NFFO and SRO contracts are awarded.
  621W

  Generator

  Site Name/Location

  Capacity MW DNC

  Farm Energy Ltd

  Outstray Farm Wind Project, Sunk Island, Humberside

  0.765

  Wind Prospect Ltd

  Coldham, Cws Coldham Estate, March, Cambridgeshire

  0.843

  Wind Prospect Ltd

  Sears, Sears Farm, Manea, Cambridgeshire

  0.843

  Wind Prospect Ltd

  Honey Hill, Honey Hill Farm, Chatteris, Cambridgeshire

  0.843

  Anglian Water Engineering Services Ltd

  Mablethorpe STW, Mile Road, Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire

  0.256

  Border Wind Ltd

  Holmside Hall, Burnhope, Stanley, County Durham

  0.962

  Border Wind Ltd

  Hedley Hope, High Hedley Farm, Tow Law, Bishop Auckland, County Durham

  0.962

  Westmill Wind Ltd

  Westmill Windcluster, Watchfield Airfield, Watchfield, Swindon, Wiltshire

  0.636

  The Old Racecourse Windfarm Ltd

  The Old Racecourse, Bratton Fleming, North Devon

  0.947

  Three Way Wind Ltd

  Hore Down Windfarm, Ilfracombe, North Devon

  0.947

  Scotland

  PowerGen

  Roughside Hill, Peebles, Borders

  6.17

  PowerGen

  Eredine Forest, Loch Awe/Loch Fyne, Argyll

  6.17

  PowerGen

  An Suidhe, Eredine Forest, Loch Awe/Loch Fyne, Argyll

  6.17

  Renewable Energy Systems

  Meikle Carewe, Rickarton Farms, Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire

  5.740

  Renewable Energy Systems

  Ark Hill, Chamberwells, Glamis, Tayside

  5.100

  Her R Von Pezold

  Meall Mhor Wind Farm, Kintarbert, Argyll

  0.960

  Fivestone Ltd

  Hill of Lybster, Forss, Caithness

  0.850

  Ecogen

  Little Kilmain, East Ayrshire

  0.960

  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate in percentage terms the amount of electricity generated from all renewable sources in(a) Wales, (b) England and (c) Scotland. [146476]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Information on electricity generation is not available separately for Wales and England and so separate percentages cannot be calculated. In England and Wales together in 1999 it is estimated that about 1.5 per cent. of electricity was generated from renewable sources, and in Scotland about 10.8 per cent. In the UK as a whole 2.8 per cent. of electricity generation was from renewable sources.

  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action his Department is taking to support the development of biomass energy. [146472]

  Mrs. Liddell
  To date, the Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation (NFFO) and the Scottish Renewables Orders (SRO) have been the chief means through which the Government have stimulated the development of renewable energy capacity in the UK. In total 32 biomass projects, totalling 255 MW capacity, have received NFFO/SRO contracts. To date, seven of these projects, with a total capacity of 72 MW have been commissioned. These include the Arbre (8 MW short rotation coppice) and Ely (36 MW straw) power plants.

  The Government are currently considering the responses to the recent preliminary consultation on the renewables obligation. The obligation is the key mechanism for achieving the UK target of 10 per cent. of electricity being supplied from renewables in 2010, subject to the cost to consumers being acceptable. It is proposed that biomass will be an eligible source of renewable electricity under the obligation. The Government are also analysing responses

  Genrator

  Site name/Location

  MW DNC

  Output

  Wales

  National Wind Power Ltd.

  Mynydd Cemmaes, Cwith-Lliniad, Powys

  3.096

  —

  Ecogen

  Penrhyddlan Windfarm, Llandinam, Powys

  5.325

  —

  Ecogen

  Llidiartywaun Windfarm, Llandinam, Powys

  7.43

  —

  Ecogen

  Rhyd-y-Groes 1 and 2, Rhosgoch, Anglesey, Gwynedd

  3.591

  —

  622W
  to the consultation on the new opportunities fund proposals for £50 million capital grants to bring forward early energy crop and offshore wind projects. In addition, the Government are proposing to exempt electricity from renewable sources, other than large-scale hydro, from the climate change levy. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has also announced support of £30 million over seven years towards establishment grants for short rotation coppice and miscanthus and aid to help short rotation coppice growers establish producer groups.

  The Department's new and renewable energy programme has allocated a budget of £2 million in 2000–01 to support biomass research and development projects. This is expected to rise to £2.8 million in 2001–02. Priority areas for biomass projects are the supply chains for energy crops and agricultural and forestry residues and the adoption of advanced technologies for the conversion of biomass into electricity and heat.

  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of electricity generated in each of the county council areas in Wales was from renewable sources. [146477]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Information at country council area level is not centrally available and could not be collected without disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish a list of all windfarm sites in operation in(a) Wales, (b) England and (c) Scotland, giving their (i) location and (ii) output in Kw hours. [146473]

  Mrs. Liddell
  A list of windfarm sites in operation is provided in the table. Declared net capacity in MW is shown for each site and annual output in Kw hours where figures are available.
  623W

  Genrator

  Site name/Location

  MW DNC

  Output

  East Midlands Electricity Ltd.

  Taff-Ely Wind Farm, Mid Glamorgan

  3.842

  —

  National Wind Power Ltd.

  Llangwyryfon Windfarm, Dyfed

  2.58

  —

  National Wind Power Ltd.

  Bryn Titli: Windfarm (Marchi), Rhayader, Powys

  4.257

  —

  New World Power Company (Dyffryn Brodyn)

  Dyffryn-Brodyn, Blaenwaun, Whitland, Dyfed

  2.348

  —

  National Wind Power Ltd.

  Mynydd Gorddu Wind Farm, Elerch, Tal-y-Bont, Ceredigion, Dyfed

  4.18

  28,835,026

  National Wind Power Ltd.

  Carno 'A' Windfarm, Cwm Cledan, Carno, Powys

  6.321

  34,081,715

  National Wind Power Ltd.

  Llanbabo Wind Farm, Llyn Alaw, Anglesey, Gwynedd

  9.181

  51,821,038

  National Wind Power Ltd.

  Trysglwyn Windfarm, Trysglywn Fawr, Rhosbol, Anglesey, Gwynedd

  2.36

  14,834,504

  National Wind Power Ltd.

  Carno 'B' Windfarm, Cwm Cledan, Carno. Powys

  6.321

  34,518,238

  Powergen plc

  Rheidol Windfarm, Bane Bwa Drain, Goginan, Aberystwyth, Dyfed

  1.001

  6,336,316

  Wind Energy Group Ltd.

  Mynydd Glandulas Wind Farm, Pantperthog, Machynlleth, Powys

  0.119

  334,720

  Huw Smallwood

  Hafotty Ucha Wind Farm, Near Cerrig-y-Drudion, Clwyd

  0.257

  1,692,000

  England

  Wood Green Enterprises Ltd.

  Kings Bush Farm, Godmanchester, Huntingdon, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire

  0.097

  —

  Powergen plc

  Richborough Power Station, Richborough, Kent

  0.43

  —

  National Wind Power Ltd.

  Kirkby Moor, Nr. Ulverston, Cumbria

  1.935

  —

  Yorkshire Water Services Ltd.

  Chelker, Skipton Road, Addingham, Ilkley, West Yorkshire

  0.516

  —

  Yorkshire Windpower Ltd.

  Thornton, Oxenhope, Keighley, Denholme, West Yorkshire

  3.87

  —

  Windelectric Ltd.

  Deli, Nr Delabole, Cornwall

  1.72

  —

  Fivestone Ltd.

  St. Marys Road, Ramsey, Cambridgeshire

  0.095

  —

  Border Wind Ltd.

  Blyth Harbour, Northumberland

  1.13

  —

  Beacon Energy Ltd.

  Orton Airport, Wiggonby, Cumbria

  1.29

  —

  Century Steels Ltd.

  Century Works, Penistone, South Yorkshire

  0.083

  —

  Cornwall Light and Power Company Ltd.

  Goonhilly Downs Wind Farm, Cury, Helston, Cornwall

  2.348

  —

  D. Gillson and Son (Haworth) Ltd.

  Naylor Hill Quarry, Howarth, Keighley, West Yorkshire

  0.095

  —

  The New World Power Company (Four Burrows) Ltd.

  Four Burrows, Blackwater, Truro, Cornwall

  2.002

  —

  Ecogen

  St. Breock, St. Breock Downs, Cornwall

  2.127

  —

  National Wind Power Ltd.

  Cold Northcott Windfarm, Launceston, Cornwall

  2.826

  —

  Euros Power Ltd.

  Blood Hill, Winterton-on-Sea, Norfolk

  0.946

  —

  Renewable Energy Systems Ltd.

  Carland Cross Wind Farm, Mitchell, Cornwall

  2.535

  —

  Renewable Energy Systems Ltd.

  Coal Clough Farm, Cornholme, West Yorkshire

  4.055

  —

  J. Stobart and Sons Ltd.

  J. Stobbart and Sons, Heskett—1, Wigton, Cumbria

  0.251

  —

  J. Stobart and Sons Ltd.

  J. Stobbart and Sons, Heskett—2 (Combined with 98), Wigton, Cumbria

  0

  —

  New World Power Company (Caton Moor) LTD.

  Caton Moor, Lancaster, Lancashire

  1.677

  —

  West Beacon Farm Power

  West Beacon Farm, Woodhouse Eaves, Loughborough, Leicestershire

  0.022

  —

  Windcluster (Haverigg) Ltd.

  Haverigg, Kirkstanston Airfield, Millon, Cumbria

  0.478

  —

  Yorkshire Water Services

  Royd Moor Farm, Thurlstone, Penistone, South Yorkshire

  2.492

  —

  Powergen plc

  Far Old Park Farm, Ireleth, Askam-in-Furness, Cumbria

  2.303

  11,099,923

  Windprospect

  Oldside Wind Farm, Workington, Cumbria

  2.303

  14,424,381

  Windprospect

  Siddick Wind Farm, Workington, Cumbria

  1.791

  10,346,130

  Windprospect

  Lowca Wind Farm, Lowca, Nr Workington, Cumbria

  2.047

  4,480,281

  Windcluster Ltd.

  Royal Seaforth Dock Wind Farm, Port of Liverpool, Bootle, Sefton, Liverpool, Merseyside

  1.535

  9,391,256

  Western Windpower

  Lynch Knoll Wind Farm, Partfield Farm, Tinkley Lane, Nympsfield, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire

  0.213

  1,022,285

  Border Wind Ltd.

  Great Eppleton Farm, North Lane, Hetton le Hole, Tyne and Wear

  1.277

  4,984,237

  Windprospect

  Kirkstanton Airfield, Hemplands Farm, Haverigg, Nr Millom, Cumbria

  1.023

  5,334,730

  Cumbria Wind Farms Ltd.

  Great Orton Wind Farm, Great Orton Airfield, Great Orton, Nr Wiggonby, Carlisle Cumbria

  1.018

  4,278,972

  Farm Energy Ltd.

  Harlock Hill Wind Farm, Pennington, Nr Ulverston, Cumbria

  1.488

  5.471,970

  Econet Ltd.

  Bood Hill Wind Turbine, Somerton, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk

  0.632

  497,747

  Western Windpower

  Ecotech WTG, East of West Acre Road, Swaffham, Norfolk

  0.632

  3,844,038

  Border Wind Ltd.

  Kirkheaton Wind Farm, West Farm, Kirkheaton, Northumberland

  0.768

  536,033

  Cumbria Wind Farms Ltd.

  East Town End Farm, Winscales, Workington, Cumbria

  0.845

  3,795,092

  Cumbria Wind Farms Ltd.

  Great Orton, Near Carlisle, Cumbria

  0.845

  1,980,823

  Scotland

  National Wind Power Ltd.

  Gallow Rig Windfarm, Windy Standard, Carsphairn, Gallow Rig, Kirkcudbrightshire, Dumfries and Galloway

  4.21

  28,457,922

  National Wind Power Ltd.

  Beinn Ghlas Windfarm, Cairn Gaibhre, Beinn Ghlas, Argyll

  3.37

  19,453,190

  National Wind Power Ltd.

  Bendealt Windfarm, Novar Estate, Evanton, Ross and Cromarty, Highlands

  3.79

  25,167.064

  National Wind Power Ltd.

  Meall an Tuirc Windfarm, Novar Estate, Evanton, Ross and Cromarty, Highlands

  3.37

  20,900,784

  National Wind Power Ltd./Fred Olsen Ltd

  Polwhat Rig Windfarm, Windy Standard, Carsphairn, Gallow Rig, Kirkcudbrightshire, Dumfries and Galloway

  4.21

  30,161,386

  Scottish Power Technology Wind Farm Operations and Maintenance

  Hagshaw Hill Wind Farm (S10), Douglas, Lanarkshire

  2.12

  16,681,722

  Scottish Power Technology Wind Farm Operations and Maintenance

  Hagshaw Hill Wind Farm (SI5), Douglas, Lanarkshire

  4.06

  10,595,141

  Renewable Energy Systems

  Dun Law, Borders

  8.290

  5,237,200

  NEG Mikon (UK) Ltd.

  Thorfin Wind Farm, Burgar Hill, Orkney

  0.980

  2,055,275

  624W 625W
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the effect the fall in electricity forward agreement wholesale generation prices will have on the additional costs of the Government's renewables obligation; and if he will make a statement. [146744]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The DTI consultation document issued in October 2000 estimated that the cost of the renewables obligation would be up to £600 million by 2010. This represents about 3.7 per cent. of the total amount paid by all electricity consumers in Great Britain in 1998.

  Our proposals for the obligation include a buy-out price which would limit the absolute cost (in £ millions) of the obligation to electricity consumers. Our current proposal for that buy-out price (3 p/kWh) was made against the background of wholesale generation prices being expected to be around 2 p/kWh, broadly equivalent to the current price in forward markets.

  Ceramics Industry
  Mr. Stevenson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures he has taken and what resources are available to support exports of ceramics from the United Kingdom. [146573]

  Mr. Caborn
  Ceramics manufacturers benefit from the general support provided by Trade Partners UK for trade missions and groups at overseas trade events. A number of specific missions and events are regularly supported in the building and construction and giftware sectors, both of which cover ceramics.

  One such mission to Japan, including ceramics companies, was supported in the current financial year and five missions in the sectors including ceramics are planned for 2001–02, in addition to a mission to Vietnam, which will be dedicated to ceramics and sponsored by the North Staffordshire chamber of commerce. Nineteen groups at exhibitions and seminars in the sectors including ceramics were supported in 2000–01, at a cost of £884,435 and there are plans to support a further 22 such events in 2001–02, at a projected cost of £1,115,220. It is not possible to break these figures down to identify the number of companies in ceramics sub-sectors supported in these events.

  Among the export promoters currently seconded from industry to Trade Partners UK to assist British companies seeking to export, one has a portfolio that includes giftware and seven the building and construction sector.

  Miners (Compensation Payments)
  Mr. Stevenson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many offers have been made between(a) £3,000 to £5,000, (b) £5,001 to £7,000, (c) £7,001 to £10,000 and (d) over £10,000 following the setting of revised financial limits under the fast-track procedures of the emphysema and chronic bronchitis compensation scheme for ex-miners. [146574]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Under the fast-track procedures I announced at the end of September last year, the Department has made 15,247 revised and new offers, totalling some £83.7 million. These are broken down as follows.
  626W

  Offer amount

  Number of offers

  Less than £3,000

  3,672

  £3,001 to £5,000

  4,588

  £5,001 to £7,000

  2,602

  £7,001 to £10,000

  2,776

  Over £10,000

  1,608

  In total, the Department has now made over 71,600 individual payments, including interim and full and final settlements, to claimants in respect of compensation for respiratory and vibration-related diseases, totalling some £320 million. The Department is now paying out around £1 million per day in compensation.

  Small Business Service
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of valid invoices have been paid by the Small Business Service within 30 days in each quarter since April 2000. [146501]

  Mr. Byers
  I have been informed by David Irwin, Chief Executive of the Small Business Service that the information requested is as follows:

  Per cent.

  April-June

  97

  July-September

  97

  October-December

  99

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of letters the Chief Executive of the Small Business Service has replied to within 10 working days in each quarter since April 2000. [146510]

  Mr. Byers
  I am informed by David Irwin, Chief Executive of the Small Business Service, that the details are as follows:

  Quarter

  Per cent, of all letters replied to within 10 days

  April-June 2000

  96

  July-September 2000

  86

  October-December 2000

  91

  Electricity
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what change in electricity forward agreement wholesale generation prices has occurred since the intention to implement new electricity trading arrangements was announced in the October 1998 Energy White Paper. [146742]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Prices in the electricity pool were around 2.5p/KWh in the period leading up to the White Paper. At that time trading in the electricity forward agreement (EFA) market was very limited, with no established price reporting. EFA prices and pool prices are not strictly comparable since the balance of risks associated with trading EFAs is different to that arising from exposure to pool prices.
  627W
  Price reporting of EFA markets emerged during 1999 as trading volumes rose. In mid-l999, one-year forward contracts to supply baseload electricity from October 1999 were trading at about 2.4p/KWh. Currently, prices to supply baseload electricity for one year from April 2001 are about 2.0p/KWh. This is a fall of around 17 per cent. in cash terms and 21 per cent. in real terms from 1999.

  Fireworks
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people have accessed his Department's website concerning firework safety. [146682]

  Dr. Howells
  The DTI's fireworks safety schools website achieved over 1,500 visits between October 2000 and early January 2001. Other DTI websites that provide information on fireworks are the consumer affairs and home safety network sites. Information on visits to the latter two sites cannot be broken down separately into fireworks alone.

  Coal Industry (State Aid)
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received on coal supply contracts that contain provisions for adjustment in coal prices in the event of state aid being paid; and if he will make a statement. [146752]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The UK coal operating aid scheme, as notified to the Commission on 26 July 2002, explained that subsidy will not be available in respect of any contracts which replace contracts that have been cancelled or re-negotiated because of Government policy on coal State aid unless that cancellation or renegotiation was expressly permitted by a clause in the existing contract.

  In a letter dated 21 November 2000 to coal producers who have expressed an interest in the scheme (and published on the DTI website) www.dti.gov.uk/support/coal.htm, the Department also explained that:
  Any contract [signed on or after 1 January 2000] containing terms which are conditional or otherwise linked (in any way) to:

  (a) the 1PP to be determined by the Panel in respect of that particular contract;

  (b) the IPP to be determined by the Panel in respect of any other contract; or

  (c) the IPP published in respect of any other contract;

  will automatically be disqualified from consideration under the UK Coal Operating Aid Scheme.

  I have received no representations on either of these provisions, although there have been inquiries about how they will be operated.

  Government Chemist Report
  Dr. George Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he received the 2000 Annual report of the Government Chemist; and if he will make a statement. [147369]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  I have just received the fourth annual report of the Government Chemist and copies will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Export Credits Guarantee Department
  Ms Kingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what procedures are in place to check that contracts being considered for Export Credits Guarantee Department support are subject to competitive tendering. [145470]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Export Credits Guarantee Department has no procedures for checking that contracts considered for support have been won as a result of competitive tendering, as it is not a requirement of its support that contracts be awarded as the result of such a process.

  Ms Kingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the United Kingdom companies that received support from the Export Credits Guarantee Department in the(a) last and (b) current financial year to date. [145471]

  Mr. Caborn
  The lists do not include the many UK subcontractors who will have benefited from ECGD cover provided to a UK main contractor or to a bank which makes payment to a number of UK exporters on behalf of overseas buyers. They do, however, include the UK branches of overseas companies who have been the beneficiaries of ECGD guarantees.

  UK companies that have received ECGD cover in 1999–2000

  ABC International Bank Plc

  ABN Amro Bank NV

  AF-QPS Ltd.

  AGCO Ltd.

  Alcatel Submarine Networks Ltd.

  Alstom Automation International Ltd.

  Alstom Power Plants Ltd.

  Alstom Power Plants Services Ltd.

  Alstom Power UK Ltd.

  Alstom UK Ltd.

  Amec International Construction Ltd.

  Amec Plc

  Anglian Water Plc

  Anzef Ltd.

  Arab Bank Plc

  Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.

  Babcock International Group Public Ltd. Company

  BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd.

  BAE Systems Plc

  Balfour Beatty Construction International Ltd.

  Balfour Beatty Group Ltd.

  Bank of America National Trust & Savings Association

  Bank of China

  Bankgesellschaft Berlin AG

  Barclays Bank Plc

  Bayerische Landesbank Girozentrale.

  Bechtel Ltd.

  BICC General UK Cables Ltd.

  BNP Paribas

  Boss Group Ltd.

  Bostock & Bramley Transmission Ltd.

  British Arab Commercial Bank Ltd

  British Gas Exploration and Production Ltd.

  Brooke Industrial Holdings Plc

  Carmichael Holdings Ltd.

  629W

  Chase Manhattan Bank

  Chase Manhattan International Ltd.

  CIBC World Markets Plc

  Citibank International Plc

  Citibank N.A.

  Commerzbank AG

  Construction Machinery Supplies (UK) Ltd.

  Credit Agricole Indosuez.

  Credit Lyonnais

  Denge Ltd.

  Dennis (Malaysia) Ltd.

  Deutsche Bank AG

  Devoran Engineering Ltd

  Dresdner Bank AG.

  Duco Ltd.

  Dunlop Oil & Marine Ltd.

  Edmund Nuttall Ltd.

  ERF Ltd.

  European Marine Contractors Ltd.

  FIN Machine Company Ltd. (the)

  Fitzpatrick Contractors Ltd.

  GEI Processing & Packaging Machinery Ltd.

  GKN Export Services Ltd.

  GKN Westland Helicopters Ltd.

  Gulf International Bank Bsc

  Halcrow Holdings Ltd.

  Halifax Plc

  Hamburgische Landesbank-Girozentrale

  Heaton Power Ltd.

  Hengelmolen Engineering Ltd.

  HSBC Bank Plc

  HSBC Investment Bank Plc

  Industrial Bank of Japan Ltd.

  John Reid & Sons (Strucsteel) Ltd.

  Kleinwort Benson Ltd.

  Kvaerner Construction International Ltd.

  Lagan Holdings Ltd.

  Land Rover Exports Ltd.

  Leyland Exports Ltd.

  Lloyds TSB Bank Plc

  Lodgewood Construction Ltd.

  Mabey & Johnson Ltd.

  Marconi Communications International Ltd.

  Marconi Corporation Plc

  Marconi Radar Projects Ltd.

  Matra BAE Dynamics (UK) Ltd.

  Mesco(UK) Ltd.

  Midco International (WA)

  Miller Group Ltd.

  Ministry of Defence

  Mitsui Babcock Energy Ltd.

  Motherwell Bridge Projects Ltd.

  National Westminster Bank Plc

  NCM Credit Insurance Ltd.

  Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale

  Novara Plc

  NSG Exports Ltd.

  O.M.K. Design Ltd.

  Odebrecht Oil And Gas Services Ltd.

  630W

  Omega Foundry Machinery Ltd.

  Park Air Electronics Ltd.

  Parker Plant Ltd.

  Pegson Ltd.

  Powergen UK plc

  Purac Ltd.

  PW Group Ltd.

  PW Ltd.

  R-B International Plc

  Radial Ltd.

  Ralph Martindale & Co. Ltd.

  Rendel Palmer & Tritton Plc

  Riverhead International Construction Ltd.

  Rolls-Royce Plc

  Royal Ordnance Plc

  Rugby Group Plc (the)

  Salbeck Ltd.

  SAS International Ltd.

  Shell International Ltd

  Sir William Halcrow & Partners Ltd.

  Skanska Africa Ltd.

  Societe Generale

  Specialist Vehicles Ltd.

  Standard Chartered Bank

  Strachan Henshaw Machinery Ltd.

  Tandberg Television Ltd.

  Tate & Lyle Investments Ltd.

  Taylor Woodrow International Ltd.

  Telematics Internatioral Ltd.

  Thermo Black Clawson Ltd.

  Trade Credit Finance (no.2) Ltd.

  Trane (United Kingdom) Ltd.

  Universal Advanced Technology Ltd.

  VAI Industries (UK) Ltd.

  Various

  Vickers Engineering Plc

  Volvo Bus Exports (UK) Ltd.

  Waterhouse-Parker & Co. Ltd.

  Weir Westgarth Ltd.

  Westdeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale

  William Cook Burton Ltd.

  Woldtare Export Ltd.

  UK companies that have received ECGD cover in the current financial year to date—(2000–01 to 31 December 2000)

  ABN Amro Bank NV

  Aeromatic-fielder Ltd.

  Alstom Combined Cycles Ltd.

  Alstom Controls Ltd.

  Alstom Power UK Ltd.

  Alstom Traction Ltd.

  Alstom UK Ltd.

  Amec International Construction Ltd.

  Amec Plc

  Angloco Ltd.

  Anzef Ltd.

  Arab Bank Plc

  631W

  Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.

  BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd.

  Balfour Beatty Construction International Ltd.

  Balfour Beatty Group Ltd.

  Balfour Beatty International Ltd.

  Balfour Beatty Projects & Engineering Ltd.

  Bank of America International Ltd.

  Bank of China

  Bankgesellschaft Berlin AG

  Barclays Bank Plc

  Bayerische Hypo-und Vereinsbank AG

  Bayerische Landesbank Girozentrale.

  Bice Supertension Cables (1980) Ltd.

  BNP Paribas

  British Mediterranean Airways Ltd.

  Chiyoda-Foster Wheeler Partnership

  Citibank International Plc

  Citibank N.A.

  Corus UK Ltd.

  Credit Agricole Indosuez.

  Credit Lyonnais

  Cruickshanks Ltd.

  Deutsche Bank AG

  Dresser Kellogg Energy Services Ltd.

  DSD Dillinger Engineering And Construction Great Britain Ltd.

  Duco Ltd.

  Duple (Metsec) Ltd.

  Enrico Ltd.

  European Marine Contractors Ltd.

  Fairbank Brearley Ltd.

  Fitzpatrick Contractors Ltd.

  Flightlease Holdings (Guernsey) Ltd.

  Gall Thomson Environmental Plc

  Gateway (Textiles) Ltd.

  Halcrow Group Ltd.

  Halifax Plc

  Howden Sirocco Ltd.

  HSBC Bank Plc

  HSBC Investment Bank Plc

  Kier Group Plc

  Kier International Ltd.

  Kier/Mabey (Kingston) Joint Venture

  Kleinwort Benson Ltd.

  Kvaerner Construction International Ltd.

  Lagan Holdings Ltd.

  Lloyds TSB Bank Plc

  Mabey & Johnson Ltd.

  Mabey Holdings Ltd.

  Marconi Communications International Ltd.

  Marconi Corporation Plc

  Miller Group Ltd.

  Mitsui Babcock Energy Ltd.

  Mivan Kier Joint Venture Ltd.

  Monarch Airlines Ltd.

  Motherwell Bridge Engineering Ltd.

  Motherwell Bridge Holdings Ltd.

  National Westminster Bank Plc

  NSG Exports Ltd.

  Riverhead International Construction Ltd.

  632W

  Rolls-Royce Plc

  Rolls-Royce Power Ventures (Meghna) Ltd.

  Rolls-Royce Power Ventures Ltd.

  Saipem UK Ltd.

  Sir William Halcrow & Partners Ltd.

  Societe Generale

  Sonsub Ltd.

  Specialist Vehicles Ltd.

  Stadco Ltd.

  Standard Chartered Bank

  Thales Training & Simulation Ltd.

  Thames Water Overseas Ltd.

  Universal Advanced Technology Ltd.

  VA Tech Reyrolle Projects Ltd.

  VAI Industries (UK) Ltd.

  Volvo Bus Exports (UK) Ltd.

  Vosper Thornycroft (UK) Ltd.

  Weatherwise Ltd.

  Weir Westgarth Ltd.

  William Hare Ltd.

  York International Ltd.

  Insolvency Service
  Mr. Patrick Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has made a decision on the future of the Insolvency Service. [147366]

  Dr. Howells
  The first stage of the Insolvency Service's quinquennial review has now been completed. I am pleased to say that the review found the Insolvency Service customer-focused and responsive. The standard of the service's work has improved significantly and is well regarded. The service has exceeded or met most of its performance objectives. It has contributed to the achievement of wider Government objectives and is effective in providing policy advice to Ministers. Its standards of customer service are very high. The service has taken a proactive approach to customer satisfaction with many initiatives to identify and meet customer needs. This has been recognised by awards including Chartermark, Investors in People and Plain Language Commission accreditation for its leaflets.

  The Insolvency Service will continue as an executive agency of the DTI. The current functions of the service form a coherent block that benefit from being managed as a whole. The review found that agency status was widely thought to have worked well.

  Customer needs and continuing efficiency will remain priorities for the service and will be taken forward in response to the Government's modernising agenda. The review supports the service in meeting these objectives by making recommendations relating to options for funding, benchmarking, selective tendering, reorganisation, and clarifying its advisory role. These include:
  Reviewing The Service's current funding regime to establish the most appropriate means of financing and delivering future services to the benefit of customers.

  633W
  Identifying benchmarking partners to ensure The Service's operations continue to offer quality and cost-effective services.
  Through selective tendering inviting private sector partners to carry out some of the service's investigation work relating to potential director disqualification.
  Addressing issues of recruitment and retention by investigating the scope for centralising some administrative functions in areas of lower growth and high unemployment, taking advantage of IT and modern communications technology. Reviewing the scope for using new technology to reduce the costs of accommodation, achieve economies of scale in administrative work and at the same time get closer to customers by remote working and the establishment of regional centres of expertise.
  Working to ensure the service's role in the area of advice to business and individuals is appropriately defined and joined up with those who already provide this advice in government and elsewhere.
  Continued development of the service's research function to enhance policy advice and operational strategy.
  Reviewing the continuing need for the Secretary of State (rather than authorised professional bodies) to authorise individual Insolvency Practitioners, thereby freeing the service to oversee the regulatory framework for Insolvency Practitioners and effectiveness of their Recognised Professional Bodies.

  Stage 2 of the review is now starting and will consider whether any changes should be made to the way in which the Insolvency Service operates, including its aims and objectives, targets and financial controls.

  Nursling Power Station
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will make a decision on the mini-power station at Nursling, near Southampton. [147367]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I have today given clearance under section 14 (1) of the Energy Act 1976 to Nursling Generating Ltd. to build a 49 MWe gas-fired power station at Nursling, near Southampton.

  The developer has been exploring with interested parties the application of the heat from it for a community heating scheme supplying the Millbrook area of Southampton where it could provide heat for council housing, schools and local businesses and is committed to facilitating that.

  The proposal is fully consistent with the new requirement that developers considering new power station proposals explore opportunities to use combined heat and power (CHP) and energy policy clearance has therefore been given. CHP can make a major contribution to reducing emissions as well as bringing other benefits such as increased efficiency.

  Copies of the press notice and decision letter are being placed in the Library of the House.

  Small Businesses (Coventry)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals he has to assist small businesses with management and ITC needs; and in what ways these will help small businesses in Coventry. [146334]

  Ms Hewitt
  The SBS provides business support, advice, or access to experts, through the Business Link partnerships on every aspect of support a person might need to run their own business, including: management; innovation and technology; business planning; exporting;634W
  quality; employment issues; training and development; design; information and communication technology and e-commerce.

  Business Link Coventry and Warwickshire was successful in bidding to deliver a service in the Coventry and Warwickshire area and are currently developing a business plan for approval.

  Improved management skills are a recognised requirement among a large number of businesses and a range of support and initiatives are available in Coventry through the Business Link and its partners. ICT services figure prominently in the BL plan. Building on the DTI's UK Online for Business development, they currently have a network of UK4B centres in the area, including Coventry. This support will cover ICT needs for the day to day running of a business and explore the potential for E Commerce.

  MOX Fuel
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if the MOX fuel assemblies owned by the Swiss nuclear company NOK are to be re-imported into the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement; [146902]

  (2) if the MOX fuel assemblies at Pruessen Electra's Unterwesen Reactor are to be re-imported into the United Kingdom following its closure; and if he will make a statement. [146903]

  Mrs. Liddell
  These are matters for the companies concerned.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. is responsible for the shipment of Belgonucleaire/Cogema manufactured mixed oxide fuel to Japan. [146904]

  Mrs. Liddell
  BNFL is jointly responsible, along with the French company COGEMA, for the sea transport for Belgonucleaire/Cogema manufactured mixed oxide fuel to Japan.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many contracts British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. has secured for the supply of mixed oxide fuel since June 1999. [146906]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Contracts and contracted terms between BNFL and its customers for the supply of goods and services are commercial matters for the parties concerned.

  Everything but Arms Initiative
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much sugar by weight and value was exported from each nation covered by the Everything But Arms proposals to(a) the United Kingdom and (b) the European Union. [146414]

  Mr. Caborn
  [holding answer 22 January 2001]EU tariffs on imports of sugar are set at a prohibitively high level. Although they have been progressively decreasing as a result of the Uruguay round, additional safeguard duties ensure that imports cannot undercut the EU support price. Therefore the vast majority of sugar from developing countries that does enter the EU does so in the form of duty-free quotas under two preferential
  635W
  arrangements, the sugar protocol and the special preferential sugar arrangement. The sugar protocol quotas are fixed, the special preferential sugar quotas vary annually.

  Of the 48 least developed countries (LDCs) that stand to benefit from the LDC market access proposal, only four have quotas for sugar under these two schemes, as follows:

  Tonnes

  Sugar protocol

  Special preferential sugar (2000–01)

  Madagascar

  10,760

  1,606

  Malawi

  20,824

  13,109

  Tanzania

  10,186

  1,521

  Zambia

  —

  11,707

  Uganda1

  —

  —

  Total

  41,770

  27,943

  1 Uganda is a signatory to the protocol but does not have a quota. This is so that if the other signatories are unable to fill their quotas, Uganda can be invited to make up the shortfall.

  Thus the total amount of sugar imported into the EU from LDCs is some 70,000 tonnes, or 0.004 per cent. of total EU production of 17,680,000 tonnes (1999–2000).

  As for value, there are guaranteed minimum prices for imports of sugar under both these access arrangements related to EU intervention prices. However it is difficult to be precise across the whole of the EU, since importers may (and some do) pay a premium on top of the guaranteed price. This is a commercial decision for the importers and companies concerned. As an indication, the world sugar price (based on spot prices for 18 January 2001) is some 264 euros per tonne, raw and white. EU intervention prices are 646 euros per tonne for white sugar (UK) and 524 euros per tonne for raw sugar, about two and a half times the world price.

  The UK (Tate and Lyle) takes about 64 per cent. of all cane imported into the EU for refining.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry from which non-Everything But Arms countries sugar can be imported into an EBA nation and then re-exported to the European Union at the EBA tariff rate. [146399]

  Mr. Caborn
  [holding answer 22 January 2001]None, legally. The EU's "Rules of Origin", which apply to those developing countries eligible for trade preferences under the EU's generalised system of preferences (GSP) scheme, preclude this type of carousel trade.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Industrial Injuries
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has mate of the length of delays in matters being listed for hearing at tribunals concerning claims for industrial injuries disablement benefit; and if he will make a statement. [145754]
  636W
  Mr. Bayley
  The information is as follows:

  The average time for an industrial injuries disablement benefit appeal to reach first hearing

  Weeks

  Average time between lodgement by the appellant and first hearing

  1/10/97 to 30/09/98

  35.7

  1/10/98 to 30/09/99

  35.9

  1/10/99 to 30/09/2000

  30.8

  Notes:

  1. Figures from the GAPS system are subject to updating on a quarterly basis and may differ from previously published figures.

  2. Figures are provisional and may be subject to revision.

  3. The overall average waiting time has improved in the period of 1 October 1999 to 30 September 2000 following the introduction of the new arrangements for decision making and appeals.

  Source:

  100 per cent. download from the Appeals Service Generic Appeals Processing System (GAPS)

  Child Support
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the new child support scheme indicates the categories of expenditure covered by the Child Support Agency maintenance payment. [146121]

  Mr. Rooker
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Bethnal Green and Bow (Ms King) on 6 November 2000,Official Report, column 99W.

  Minimum Income Guarantee
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security for what reasons pensioner families in the top income decile are eligible for the minimum income guarantee, as indicated in chart 5.3 of the latest Pre-Budget report. [146345]

  Mr. Rooker
  Entitlement to the Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) is determined on a Benefit Unit basis and hence it is possible for pensioners with MIG entitlement to live with others who have incomes sufficiently high to place the household in the top decile. Chart 5.3 in the latest pre-Budget report measures income gains by household equivalised income. This definition means that income is equivalised across all members of the household.

  Pensioners (Australia)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Erewash (Liz Blackman) of 21 December 2000,Official Report, column 260W, concerning pensioners with a period of residence in Australia, when the arrangements to protect their position will be put in place; what the arrangements will be; and what steps will be taken to notify people with periods of residence after 5 April 2001. [146391]

  Mr. Rooker
  Arrangements are in place to protect the basic state pension position of people with periods of residence in Australia, which began during the currency
  637W
  of the Social Security Agreement with Australia, on their return to live permanently in the United Kingdom. The arrangements are that these people can use periods of residence in Australia up to 5 April 2001 as periods for which National Insurance contributions have been paid. The termination of the Agreement has been publicised in the media and in leaflets.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 17 January 2001,Official Report, column 283W, on Disability Living Allowance, what information is collated by his Department; and if he will publish it. [146703]

  Whole-time jobs by DSS Agency and Location

  Agency

  Newcastle

  Durham

  Wearside

  South Tyneside

  Longbenton

  Arden House, Newcastle

  Grand total

  31 March 2000

  BA

  183

  109

  22

  166

  3,996

  131

  4,607

  ITSA

  —

  —

  —

  —

  529

  —

  529

  DSSHQ

  —

  —

  —

  —

  146

  —

  146

  CSA

  —

  —

  —

  27

  744

  —

  771

  WPA

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4

  4

  Grand total

  183

  109

  22

  193

  5,415

  135

  6,057

  31 March 1999

  BA

  181

  114

  22

  167

  3,882

  90

  4,456

  CA

  —

  —

  —

  37

  3,728

  —

  3,765

  ITSA

  —

  —

  —

  —

  530

  —

  530

  DSS HQ

  —

  —

  —

  —

  130

  —

  130

  CSA

  7

  —

  —

  49

  559

  —

  615

  WPA

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  2

  Grand total

  188

  114

  22

  253

  8.829

  92

  9,498

  31 March 1998

  BA

  169

  87

  27

  167

  3,464

  145

  4,059

  CA

  —

  —

  —

  36

  3,672

  —

  3,708

  ITSA

  —

  —

  —

  —

  509

  —

  509

  DSSHQ

  —

  —

  —

  —

  154

  —

  154

  CSA

  12

  —

  —

  29

  463

  —

  504

  WPA

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Grand total

  181

  87

  27

  232

  8,262

  146

  8,935

  31 March 1997

  BA

  173

  104

  63

  183

  3,420

  186

  4,129

  CA

  —

  —

  6

  51

  3,741

  —

  3,798

  ITSA

  —

  —

  —

  —

  521

  —

  521

  DSSHQ

  —

  —

  —

  —

  160

  —

  160

  CSA

  13

  —

  —

  29

  453

  —

  495

  WPA

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  2

  Grand total

  186

  104

  69

  263

  8.295

  188

  9,105

  31 March 1996

  BA

  206

  79

  56

  212

  3,554

  179

  4,286

  CA

  —

  —

  13

  34

  3,892

  —

  3,939

  ITSA

  —

  —

  —

  —

  547

  —

  547

  DSS HQ

  —

  —

  —

  —

  161

  —

  161

  CSA

  10

  3

  —

  9

  292

  —

  314

  WPA

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4

  4

  Grand total

  216

  82

  69

  255

  8,446

  183

  9,251

  BA: Benefits Agency

  CA: Contributions Agency

  ITSA: Information Technology Services Agency

  DSSHQ: Includes information in respect of Independent Statutory Bodies

  CSA: Child Support Agency

  WPA: War Pensions Agency

  Notes:

  1. Information is included for CA (Contributions Agency) up to 31 March 1999; CA transferred to Inland Revenue on 1 April 1999

  2. Information on ITSA is included for the whole period—outsourcing not completed until September 2000
  638W
  Mr. Bayley
  A range of information about Disability Living Allowance is collated. Details of claims, reviews, appeals and awards, together with success rates, are published in the Department's Disability Care and Mobility Quarterly statistical Enquiry which is available in the Library.

  Agency Jobs (Tyne and Wear)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many whole-time jobs there were in each agency within his Department in each district of Tyne and Wear in each of the last five years. [147008]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information available is shown in the table. This relates to the number of jobs filled on a whole-time basis for each of the last complete financial years.

  War Widows
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he intends to reply to the letter of 18 October 2000 from Mr. Parett concerning war widows. [147039]

  Mr. Bayley
  A reply was sent on 24 January with an apology for the delay that has occured.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Peace Process
  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on international support for developing the peace process in Northern Ireland. [145477]

  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on international support for the peace process in Northern Ireland. [145495]

  Mr. Mandelson
  There continues to be widespread international support for our attempts to bring about a lasting peace in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the peace process in Northern Ireland. [145482]

  Mr. Dobbin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on developments in the peace process in Northern Ireland. [145490]

  Mr. Mandelson
  We are continuing to make progress on the commitments made in May last year fully to implement the Good Friday agreement. We still have some way to go, but the discussions between the Northern Ireland political parties and the Prime Minister last week were constructive and I believe there is a desire from all quarters to move forward.

  Saville Inquiry
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much the Saville inquiry has cost to date. [145478]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Up until 31 December 2000, the cost of the Bloody Sunday inquiry amounted to £33,834,904.

  Crime
  Mr. Michael Jabez Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on what steps are being taken to tackle organised crime in Northern Ireland. [145479]

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on steps he is taking to prevent criminals from profiting from unlawful activities in Northern Ireland. [145483]

  Mr. Ingram
  On 25 September, the Secretary of State announced the establishment of a multi -agency task force in Northern Ireland to tackle organised crime. The task force and its subgroups continue to meet to prepare a640W
  Northern Ireland organised crime strategy for 2001–02. I should also mention that the police and other agencies in Northern Ireland continue with successful operations against organised criminals. In answer to a question on 20 December, I gave just two examples. Customs and Excise had seized 45 million illegal cigarettes in the first three quarters of this financial year; and had closed 13 fuel plants, thereby preventing some 40 million litres of illicit fuel entering the Northern Ireland economy.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the Government's policy is for reducing violent crime in Northern Ireland. [145481]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Government have set a specific target within the current policing plan for 2000–01 to achieve a detection rate for violent crimes of at least 50 per cent. Provisional figures for the period April 2000 to September 2000 indicate a clearance rate of 53.6 per cent.

  Decommissioning
  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many illegal weapons have been decommissioned by each of the terrorist organisations in Northern Ireland since the Belfast agreement. [145484]

  Mr. Ingram
  Since the signing of the Belfast agreement, the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning has reported carrying out one decommissioning event.

  Nine weapons were included in the list of items belonging to the Loyalist Volunteer Force that was decommissioned in accordance with commission procedures on 18 December 1998.

  Also included was a quantity of ammunition, five detonators, two pipe bombs, two weapons stocks, and assorted magazines.

  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made on the decommissioning of illegally held arms and explosives in Northern Ireland. [145487]

  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on decommissioning of arms in Northern Ireland. [145493]

  Mr. Tynan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the progress made concerning the decommissioning of paramilitary weapons. [145494]

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress there has been towards arms decommissioning; and if he will make a statement. [145492]

  Mr. Ingram
  Mr. Ramaphosa and Mr. Ahtisaari have reported that they have completed their second inspection of several IRA arms dumps. It represents further progress and an honouring of commitments given at the beginning of May. I am confident the inspectors will report any further progress that has been made when they deem it appropriate to do so.

  Further progress still needs to be made by both Republican and Loyalist paramilitaries to meet their commitments to bring a lasting peace to Northern Ireland.
  641W
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what further discussions have been held with General John de Chastelain about the decommissioning of illegally held weapons in Northern Ireland. [145488]

  Mr. Ingram
  Under the Good Friday agreement, the Decommissioning Commission operates as an independent body to resolve the decommissioning issue. The commission has provided written reports on progress on a number of occasions.

  Mr. Pound
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the prospects for removing illegally held weapons in Northern Ireland. [145473]

  Mr. Ingram
  Efforts are still continuing to seek a way forward to enable decommissioning to occur as soon as possible.

  For their part, the Government are continuing to meet their commitments as agreed with the Irish Government to take the steps necessary for full implementation of the Belfast agreement by June 2001.

  Police Reform
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress in implementing the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000. [145485]

  Mr. Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made on reform of policing in Northern Ireland. [145486]

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress he is making in reforming the police service in Northern Ireland. [145501]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Government remain committed to the new beginning in policing in Northern Ireland. This requires the implementation of the Police Act and a wide range of other changes. A revised, detailed implementation plan setting out the position on the recommendations of the Independent Commission on Policing in Northern Ireland, including the extensive progress that has already been made, will be published shortly.

  Security Situation
  Mr. Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what further steps he is taking to create a normal security environment in Northern Ireland. [145489]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Chief Constable recently announced a number of further normalisation measures including the demolition of the six Fermanagh patrol bases, the closure and demolition of Long Kesh army base and the closure of Strand road holding centre. Three of the Fermanagh patrol bases have been demolished and work has begun on the remaining three.

  In the longer term, the number of army bases will reduce to no more than 20. This includes sites in Londonderry, Belfast, Coleraine and Dungannon.
  642W
  However, these further measures will very much depend on the removal of the threat from dissident republicans and continued progress towards a normal civil society.

  Provisional IRA
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of Provisional IRA involvement in recent terrorist incidents. [145491]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Secretary of State keeps the status of all ceasefires under continual review. We receive regular briefings on the security situation from the Chief Constable and senior security advisers. He will not hesitate to act against any organisation not observing a complete and unequivocal ceasefire.

  Inward Investment
  Judy Mallaber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland NA what assessment he has made of the impact of the peace process on inward investment in Northern Ireland. [145496]

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

  On-street Violence
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he plans to hold with the Chief Constable concerning the level of on-street violence in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [145497]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Secretary of State regularly discusses a range of issues with the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. The Secretary of State is confident that the Chief Constable is doing everything possible, within the resources he has available, to tackle incidents of violent crime in the Province.

  Parades
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to help achieve agreement between interested parties which will enable previously controversial parades to proceed without causing public disorder in future. [145498]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Government are still firmly of the opinion that the most satisfactory resolution to problem parades is agreement at local level. If all sides work constructively together on the last initiative led by Mr. Currin, there may be hope for a successful outcome in the future.

  We will, of course, support the Parades Commission on any efforts they may have on finding a solution to this issue.

  Paramilitary Arms
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimates he has made of the volume of arms under the control of paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland. [145499]
  643W
  Mr. Ingram
  For obvious reasons, it is not our practice to disclose such intelligence matters. I can, however, say that substantial amounts of firearms, munitions and explosives are held by various groups in Northern Ireland.

  Economic Development
  Ms Southworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the impact of a stable security environment on economic development. [145500]

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

  Paramilitary Activity
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the level of paramilitary activity in Northern Ireland. [145502]

  Mr. Ingram
  We believe that the main ceasefires are holding. However, there remains a threat from dissident republicans as evidenced by the recent attack on the security forces at Cookstown and the explosives find in South Armagh. Paramilitary organisations on both sides continue to carry out assaults, shootings and acts of intimidation. So far this year there have been 15 such attacks: eight attributed to Loyalists and seven attributed to Republicans.

  Terrorist Incidents
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) punishment beatings, (b) punishment shootings and (c) murders there were in Northern Ireland in (i) each week and (ii) each month from 1 October 2000 until 31 December 2000, indicating for each week and month how many of those crimes were committed by (x) Republican and (y) Loyalist groups. [144650]

  Mr. Ingram
  The table shows the number of paramilitary-style attacks and deaths due to the security situation in Northern Ireland during the period 1 October 2000 to 31 December 2000.

  Paramilitary style attacks

  Shootings

  Assaults

  Date

  By Loyalist

  By Republican

  By Loyalist

  By Republican

  1–7 October

  5

  3

  —

  —

  8–14 October

  3

  —

  1

  1

  15–21 October

  1

  —

  1

  2

  22–28 October

  1

  1

  —

  —

  29 October to 4 November

  —

  2

  —

  1

  5–11 November

  1

  1

  —

  —

  12–18 November

  1

  1

  —

  1

  19–25 November

  1

  —

  3

  2

  26 November to 2 December

  —

  1

  2

  1

  3–9 December

  1

  2

  2

  1

  10–16 December

  3

  2

  —

  1

  17–23 December

  4

  1

  —

  2

  24–30 December

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Totals

  October

  10

  5

  2

  3

  November

  3

  4

  4

  5

  December

  8

  5

  5

  5

  644W

  Deaths due to the security situation

  Date

  By Loyalist

  By Republican

  1–7 October

  —

  —

  8–14 October

  —

  1

  15–21 October

  —

  —

  22–28 October

  1

  —

  29 October–4 November

  3

  —

  5–11 November

  —

  —

  12–18 November

  —

  —

  19–25 November

  —

  —

  26 November–2 December

  —

  —

  3–9 December

  1

  1

  10–16 December

  —

  —

  17–23 December

  1

  —

  24–30 December

  —

  —

  Deaths due to the security situation

  Totals

  October

  4

  November

  1

  December

  3

  Notes:

  1. Includes all deaths as a result of the security situation.

  2. 2000 Statistics are provisional and may be subject to minor adjustment

  Pipe Bomb Attacks
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pipe bomb attacks occurred in each town in Northern Ireland during 2000. [145932]

  Mr. Ingram
  The table shows the number of such attacks across the province. Outside Belfast the information is given by Royal Ulster Constabulary sub-divisional area.

  Security situation statistics

  Blast bombs 1 January 2000 to 30 September 2000

  Pipe bombs 1 October 2000 to 31 December 2000

  Belfast

  7

  6

  Carrickfergus

  —

  1

  Antrim

  1

  1

  Newcastle

  —

  2

  Armagh

  2

  —

  Portadown

  1

  —

  Dungannon

  1

  —

  Coleraine

  5

  9

  Magherafelt

  1

  2

  Ballymena

  2

  1

  Ballymoney

  3

  2

  Larne

  1

  1

  Notes:

  1. It should be noted that up to 30 September 2000 pipe bombs were recorded in the category of blast bombs, which includes devices such as "coffee jar bombs" which have been used during public disorder. Since 1 October 2000 pipe bombs have been recorded in their own right.

  2. Figures include explosions and defusions.

  Bishopscourt
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will grant an ex-gratia payment to the local community association in Bishopscourt/Ballyhornan in order to assist with the demilitarisation of the area. [145943]
  645W
  Mr. Mandelson
  I believe the question may refer to usage of the former RAF base at Bishopscourt which was taken out of use and sold in 1991. The Northern Ireland Office does not operate any scheme which permits the making of an ex-gratia payment in this instance.

  Riots
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) deaths and (b) injuries have been inflicted on members of the (i) RUC and RUCR and (ii) armed services as a result of rioting during each year since 1983. [144689]

  Mr. Ingram
  The table lists the number of armed service personnel wounded/injured as a result of all types of incidents including bombs, shootings and public order. Public order incidents includes riots, physical assaults (on and off duty) and single stoning incidents. There were no deaths as a result of rioting.

  Year

  Army

  UDR/R Irish

  1983

  66

  22

  1984

  64

  22

  1985

  20

  13

  1986

  45

  10

  1987

  92

  12

  1988

  211

  18

  1989

  175

  15

  1990

  190

  24

  1991

  206

  47

  1992

  302

  18

  1993

  153

  28

  1994

  120

  6

  1995

  8

  5

  1996

  58

  1

  1997

  137

  14

  1998

  66

  20

  1999

  20

  16

  20001

  16

  4

  1 2000 statistics are provisional and may be subject to adjustment

  The following table lists the number of police deaths as a result of the security situation and serious public disorder.

  Year

  RUC

  RUCR

  1983

  9

  9

  1984

  7

  2

  1985

  14

  9

  1986

  10

  2

  1987

  9

  7

  1988

  4

  2

  1989

  7

  2

  1990

  7

  5

  1991

  5

  1

  1992

  2

  1

  1993

  3

  3

  1994

  3

  —

  1995

  1

  —

  1996

  —

  —

  1997

  3

  1

  1998

  1

  —

  1999

  —

  —

  2000

  —

  —

  The following tables list the number of police injuries as a result of the security situation and serious public disorder. Please note that up to 1994 information on injuries was not broken down into gunshot wound,
  646W
  explosion or other. The category 'other' refers to injuries resulting from serious public disorder and includes officers assaulted or hit by missiles, including petrol bombs and stones.

  Year

  RUC/RUCR

  1983

  142

  1984

  267

  1985

  415

  1986

  622

  1987

  246

  1988

  218

  1989

  163

  1990

  214

  1991

  139

  1992

  148

  1993

  147

  1994

  170

  RUC injuries

  Year

  Gunshot wounds

  Explosions

  Other

  Total

  1995

  —

  —

  285

  285

  1996

  1

  —

  353

  354

  1997

  4

  1

  283

  288

  1998

  1

  22

  338

  361

  1999

  —

  —

  311

  311

  20001

  —

  31

  319

  350

  1 2000 statistics are provisional and may be subject to minor adjustment

  RUCR injuries

  Year

  Gunshot wounds

  Explosions

  Other

  Total

  1995

  —

  —

  85

  85

  1996

  3

  —

  102

  105

  1997

  3

  —

  66

  69

  1998

  —

  2

  72

  74

  1999

  —

  —

  84

  85

  20001

  —

  12

  84

  96

  1 2000 statistics are provisional and may be subject to minor adjustment

  Plastic Baton Rounds
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) deaths and (b) injuries have arisen as a result of the use of plastic baton rounds for each year since 1983. [144688]

  Mr. Ingram
  The following table provides the information requested.

  Alleged PBR death/injuries

  Deaths

  Injuries

  1983

  —

  8

  1984

  1

  41

  1985

  —

  12

  1986

  1

  59

  1987

  —

  40

  1988

  —

  22

  1989

  1

  25

  1990

  —

  12

  1991

  —

  10

  1992

  —

  8

  1993

  —

  14

  1994

  —

  13

  647W

  Alleged PBR death injuries

  Deaths

  Injuries

  1995

  —

  7

  1996

  —

  73

  1997

  —

  25

  1998

  —

  26

  1999

  —

  —

  2000

  —

  3

  Total

  3

  398

  Police Officers
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) officers, (b) male officers and (c) female officers are serving in the full-time RUCR; how many had (i) under one year, (ii) under two years and more than one year and (iii) between two and three years of their contracts remaining at the latest date for which information is available; how many (A) male and (B) female officers have served (1) under five years, (2) five to 10 years, (3) 10 to 15 years and (4) over 15 years in the full-time RUCR; and how many officers in each of these cohorts now qualify for (x) early retirement and (y) enhanced redundancy payments. [141525]

  Mr. Ingrain
  The following tables provide the information requested as at 3 January 2001:

  Gender

  Total

  Male

  2,330

  Female

  226

  Total

  2,556

  Contract expiry

  Contract expiry

  Total

  Less than 1 year

  65

  1–2 years

  1,648

  2–3 years

  843

  Total

  2,556

  Service breakdown by gender

  Service

  Male

  Female

  Total

  Less than 5 years

  180

  117

  297

  5–10 years

  402

  85

  487

  10–15 years

  506

  24

  530

  Over 15 years

  1,242

  —

  1,242

  Totals

  2,330

  226

  2,556

  Number of RUC FTR eligible to apply for voluntary severance arrangements

  Service

  Officers eligible1

  10–15 years

  3

  15–20 years

  57

  20–25 years

  126

  25–30 years

  63

  Total

  249

  1 Applies to Year 1 (ending 31 March 2001) and Year 2 (ending 31 March 2002) only.

  648W
  Background
  Only officers in the RUC full-time who joined prior to 1995 are eligible to apply for the RUC Voluntary Early Retirement and Severance Scheme. Fifteen officers applied and will leave during Year 1; it is not yet possible to indicate how many will apply for the scheme during Year 2.

SCOTLAND

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many asylum seekers are being supported by each local authority in Scotland.[142436]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 12 December 2000]610 principal asylum seekers were being supported by local authorities in Scotland prior to 3 April 2000, when the national asylum support service assumed responsibility for all new asylum seekers under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him of 18 April 2000,Official Report, column 473W, for details by each local authority. These figures are collected annually, in February, and I understand that there has been no substantial change since then.

  In addition, under separate arrangements with London boroughs, before the 1999 Act came into effect, Glasgow placed in accommodation in the region of 140 principal asylum seekers (570 individuals). Such placements ceased in June, since when four units of accommodation have been vacated.

  Glasgow City is currently the only local authority in Scotland providing services for asylum claimants under the 1999 Act. At 8 December it was accommodating 683 principal asylum seekers (1,094 individuals) under the new arrangements.

  Departmental Projects
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the projects undertaken for his Department by(a) outside consultants, (b) academic researchers and (c) university departments since 1 May 1997, giving the total expenditure incurred in each category.[144073]

  Dr. Reid
  Information on individual projects undertaken by consultants, academic researchers and university departments for the former Scottish Office is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  The Scotland Office was established in its present form on 1 July 1999. We have commissioned one report, from Colin Buchanan and Partners of Edinburgh, to compare motor taxation across Europe. The cost of the work was £5,464. I have arranged for copies of the report to be placed in the Library and on the Department's website.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Sexual Offences
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Solicitor-General against what criteria the public interest in prosecutions relating
  649W
  to (a) buggery, (b) indecent assault and (c) gross indecency, relating to males aged under 16 years, is measured. [146443]

  The Solicitor-General
  The Crown Prosecution Service reviews each case on its own facts and merits in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors. There is a presumption in favour of proceeding in all cases in which there is sufficient evidence, unless there are public interest factors which clearly outweigh those factors in favour of a prosecution. There are a number of public interest factors which may be considered, depending on the circumstances of each individual case. A prosecution would usually be in the public interest where there is any element of seduction or corruption of the young.

  Other relevant public interest considerations would include the relative ages of the parties; the nature of the relationship; any duty of care or breach of trust and whether there is any element of child abuse.

  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Solicitor-General what changes in prosecution policy have been made in respect of the offences of(a) buggery, (b) indecent assault and (c) gross indecency, relating to males aged under 16 years, since 1997. [146444]

  The Solicitor-General
  The Crown Prosecution Service reviews each case in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors. This sets out the two-stage test which is applied in every case. The first stage is the evidential test. Only when that test is passed do prosecutors proceed to the second stage and consider whether it is in the public interest to proceed.

  Since 1997 there have been two relevant pieces of legislation. The Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2000 came into force on the 8 January 2001. This Act reduces the age of consent for buggery and certain homosexual acts from 18 to 16 in England and Wales. It also decriminalises the conduct of the party under the age of consent where the other party is 16 years or older.

  Part II of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 came into force on 11 January 2001. Section 39 of this Act extends the age of the child against whom the offence of indecency with children can be committed from under 14 to under 16 years of age. Crown Prosecutors continue to apply both tests in accordance with the Code and with current legislation.

TREASURY

  Opposition Policies
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer from the Minister for the Cabinet Office of 11 December 2000,Official Report, columns 47–48W, (1) concerning special advisers, which exercises referred to in the answer have been co-ordinated by the Treasury since January 2000; and if he will place details of the resulting documents in the Library; [144703]

  (2) what costings of (a) Liberal Democrat and (b) Conservative Party policies his Department has (i) undertaken and (ii) advised upon in the previous 12 months; and if he will place copies of such costings and relevant background documents in the Library; [146666]
  650W
  (3) what costings of (a) Liberal Democrat and (b) Conservative Party policies his Department has (i) undertaken and (ii) co-ordinated in the previous 12 months; and if he will place copies of such costings in the Library; [146671]

  (4) if special advisers in his Department have been involved in (a) co-ordinating, (b) costing and (c) presenting costings of policies of Opposition parties; and if he will make a statement. [146670]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 11 January 2001]The Minister for the Cabinet Office set out in her answer of 11 December 2000,Official Report, columns 47–48W, the long-standing arrangements under successive administrations applying to the costing of policies and pledges of Opposition parties. The Treasury is from time to time consulted by other Departments to ensure that these costings are accurate. It is for individual Ministers to determine the form of presentation.

  Departmental Land (Harrow)
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the land owned by his Department bounded by Honeypot Lane, Whitchurch Lane, the Jubilee Line and Edgware Brook in the London Borough of Harrow, what was(a) the date upon which contracts were exchanged between the property agents for the civil estates and the Asha Foundation for the purchase of the property, (b) the purchase price of the property detailed in the contract, (c) the survey valuation of the property prior to the date of the contract and (d) the latest valuation of the property. [146281]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 22 January 2001]The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive to the Property Advisers to the Civil Estate (PACE). I have asked her to reply.

  Letter from Vivien Bodnar to Sir Sydney Chapman, dated 24 January 2001:

  Land at Honeypot Lane
  The Chief Secretary of the Treasury has asked me as Chief Executive of the Property Advisers to the Civil Estate to reply to your Parliamentary Question about the land at Honeypot Lane, because PACE has responsibility for disposal of this property.
  The contract with the Asha Foundation was exchanged on 26 January 2000.
  The information that you requested on the purchase price and the survey valuation is commercially confidential and subject to contractual restrictions. There has been no valuation since the contracts were exchanged.

  Motor Fuels
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how fuel tax is accounted for when motor fuels are delivered to retail petrol stations at temperatures in excess of 15 degrees centigrade. [146971]

  Mr. Timms
  Fuel duty is not accounted for when motor fuels are delivered to petrol stations, but when the fuel leaves the refinery or import warehouse. At that point both its volume and temperature are recorded. Using internationally agreed conversion tables, the volume for excise duty purposes is calculated as it would be at a standard temperature of 15 degrees Centigrade.

  Agricultural Vehicles
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the use of agricultural vehicles in public demonstrations means they are no longer used exclusively for agriculture for the purposes of the Hydrocarbon Oil Duties Act 1979; and if he will make a statement. [146741]

  Mr. Timms
  Schedule 1 to the Hydrocarbon Oil Duties Act 1979 defines categories of vehicle allowed to use red diesel. Customs and Excise aim to iterpret this law in a reasonable and proportionate way.

  Single Parent Families
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many single parent families there are where the sole parent is(a) the mother and (b) the father; [144129]

  (2) how many children under the age of five years are living in a one parent family. [144138]

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

  Letter from John Kidgell to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 24 January 2001:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Questions on the numbers of lone mother and lone father families and also the numbers of children aged under five within these families (144129, 144138). I am replying in his absence.
  The latest available, most reliable estimates are from the 1996 General Household Survey. An explanation of the method used in making these estimates can be found in the article entitled "One-parent families and their dependent children in Great Britain" published in Population Trends 91.
  Using this method, it has been estimated that there were 1.60 million lone-parent families with dependent children in Great Britain in 1996. From this provisional estimate, the numbers of lone mother and lone father families are estimated to be 1.46 million and 0.14 million, respectively.
  The comparable 1996 estimate for the number of children aged under five living in one-parent families, in Great Britain is 0.73 million.

  Earnings Statistics
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportions of full-time workers in(a) Britain, (b) Scotland and (c) each local authority area in Scotland have hourly gross earnings (i) including and (ii) excluding overtime, below (1) £7.15, (2) £6.58, (3)£4.94 and (4)£3.60 for the categories (A) male manual, (B) male non-manual, (C) all male, (D) female manual, (E) female non-manual, (F) all female, (G) all manual and (H) all non-manual; and what the figure is for all workers. [146240]
  652W
  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. Alasdair Morgan, dated 24 January 2001:
  As National Statistician. I have been asked to reply to your recent question on hourly earnings for workers in Britain, Scotland and the unitary authorities in Scotland (146240).
  The best estimates for the number and proportion of jobs paid below low hourly rate thresholds are provided by combining data from the New Earnings Survey (NES) and Labour Force Survey (LFS). The following estimates on this basis are available:
  All jobs paid at below (1) £3.60, (2) £4.90, (3) £6.60 and (4) £7.00 in UK
  All jobs held by men/women paid at below £3.60 in UK.
  For Scotland and areas within Scotland no information consistent with these estimates is available.
  The estimates are posted on the National Statistics website at: www.statistics.gov.uk/themes/labour_market/nmw_lowpay_tables.asp.

  Offshore Financial Centres
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by whom Her Majesty's Government are represented on the working group on offshore financial centres established following the recent meetings held in Barbados. [147166]

  Dawn Primarolo
  High-level consultations on the OECD's harmful tax competition initiative took place in Barbados on 8–9 January 2001 between OECD and Commonwealth countries. A working group was established to carry forward the dialogue. Her Majesty's Government will be represented on the group by the Inland Revenue.

  Far East Prisoners of War
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the compensation to former Japanese internees will be included in their estate for the purposes of calculating inheritance tax. [146488]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I am today announcing an Extra Statutory Concession which will protect these awards from IHT. In strict law, the compensation as such would not form part of a person's estate unless they die before the claim is paid out. Once they have received their compensation in cash, what shows up in their estate for IHT purposes would obviously depend on whether they choose to save it. In the very exceptional circumstances of these cases, however, we think that claimants should be able to decide that without concern for the IHT consequences. We will therefore be allowing an extra£10,000 relief from inheritance tax for every eligible claimant, whether or not they have yet received it, and whatever they choose to do with it subsequently.

  Motor Vehicle Exports to EU
  Motor Vehicle Exports to EU
  Crime Reduction Targets
  Crime Reduction Targets
  Shotgun Certificates: Requirement to Show Good Reason
  Shotgun Certificates: Requirement to Show Good Reason
  Bicycle Riders: Fixed Penalty Notices
  Bicycle Riders: Fixed Penalty Notices
  Firearms Legislation: Dealer's Registration Fee
  Firearms Legislation: Dealer's Registration Fee
  Tank Transporter Procurement
  Tank Transporter Procurement
  Motor Industry: Collective Redundancy Notices
  Motor Industry: Collective Redundancy Notices
  Depleted Uranium Exposure: Screening Programme
  Depleted Uranium Exposure: Screening Programme
  Neo-natal Hearing Screening
  Neo-natal Hearing Screening