Written Answers of 26 January 2001

DEFENCE

  Sierra Leone
  Mr. Rammell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future provision of training for the Sierra Leone army. [147833]

  Mr. Hoon
  Since June 2000, British forces have provided short-term training to Sierra Leone. Some 6,500 members of the Sierra Leone Army (SLA) have been given basic infantry skills. The training programmes have gone well, with the SLA demonstrating its ability to strengthen control of Government-held areas.

  To consolidate the achievements to date, provide more officer/NCO and specialist training and put the SLA in a position to train itself in future, we are planning a further package of training by British teams until September. This will prepare the way for handing over the international military advisory and training team (IMATT), announced by the Prime Minister in March 2000, which will take on the continuing training task. Some six countries, including a sizeable British contingent, are expected to be represented in the IMATT. We plan to increase the IMATT's overall size from the 90 posts originally envisaged to 126. This reflects a detailed assessment of what will be required to consolidate the excellent work that British forces will have achieved through the short-term training teams. We also plan to maintain an operational headquarters in Sierra Leone for the rest of the year, and to demonstrate, through periodic exercises, the availability of the over-the-horizon rapid reaction capability. These measures will increase the cost of our training and equipment programme by some £5 million.

  These further measures demonstrate the Government's continuing commitment to help the Government of Sierra Leone and the UN to restore peace and stability throughout Sierra Leone.

  Civil Airports
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the programme of closures of meterological outstation observing offices at civil airports; when he expects this to be complete; and what arrangements are being made to continue the provision of the information which these offices previously provided to their internal and external customers. [146644]

  Dr. Moonie
  This is a matter for the chief executive of the Meteorological Office. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.
  728W
  Letter from Peter Ewins to Mr. David Atkinson, dated 26 January 2001:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the closure of meteorological outstation observing offices at civil airports. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Met Office.
  The Met Office has been pursuing a policy of increasing automation of observing for a number of years now. We are currently conducting trials to assess the feasibility of extending the automation process into areas where, up to now, manual observations have been the only means of meeting our operational requirements. The trials are due to finish in April this year. Subject to a successful outcome we will, over the following twelve months, withdraw our observing staff from eleven of our observing sites throughout the UK, three of which are located at civil airports, namely Tiree, Stornoway and Kirkwall. In addition, we have recently withdrawn our observers from Bournemouth airport following the installation of automatic observing equipment. The functionality of this equipment, however, is not as high as that in prospect at Tiree, Stornoway and Kirkwall since some of the data we need continues to be collected manually. However, following a network review, we found that this could be done more cost-effectively from our nearby observing sites at Yeovilton and Lee-on-Solent, rather than from Bournemouth.
  It is important to note that observations will continue from all the affected sites, with the exception of Hemsby in Norfolk, where our network review has shown that the observations we need can be collected more cost-effectively from a neighbouring site, without compromising data coverage. Moreover the technical developments required to enable and support our programme of automation will also allow us to exploit other existing locations from where automated data may be gathered much more frequently at little extra cost, further improving the observations network and raising service quality. The loss of manual observations will not, therefore, compromise the availability or quality of our forecasts. On the contrary, ultimately we believe our plans will further improve forecasting accuracy.
  At civil airports, manual observations are also carried out for the provision of Aerodrome Meteorological Reports (METARs). METARs are necessary for airport operations and it is important to note that responsibility for producing them rests entirely with the airport operator not the Met Office. Prior to the automation of our site at Bournemouth, the airport operator, Bournemouth International Airport (BIA), Limited, fulfilled this responsibility by asking our observers to make the observations in return for providing us with accommodation free of charge. Since the handover of observing services at Bournemouth, BIA's own Air Traffic Control (ATC) staff have been making the observations. Our observers are also currently carrying out the necessary observations at Tiree, Stornoway and Kirkwall on behalf of the Highlands and Islands Airport Limited (HIAL). We are working with HIAL to help them ensure that their staff are suitably prepared in terms of both training and equipment to enable them to take over the observing task. This is not a new arrangement. Observations are already carried out by ATC staff for the provision of METARs at many other civil airports throughout the UK.
  We will continue to keep our own requirements under constant review and look for further opportunities for automation in order to ensure that the observations network is being run in the most cost-effective manner possible, without compromise to quality.

  DERA
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the value of DERA's assets is; and what percentage of these assets are in Scotland. [147013]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 25 January 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to him on 22 January 2001, Official Report, column 423W.

  Pegasus Engines
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost is of the upgraded Pegasus engines for the Royal Air Force's future fleet of BAE System Harrier GR9A; and if he will make a statement. [147079]

  Mr. Spellar
  The estimated cost of upgrading Pegasus engines for the Royal Air Force Harrier aircraft will be approximately £120 million. Aircraft equipped with the upgraded engine will be designated GR9a.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  French Beef
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the report of the French food agency into the screening of French cattle for BSE; and if he will make a statement. [144332]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: My officials have studied this report, which details the interim analysis of the results of the first 15,000 cattle investigated in an intended study of 40,000 cattle in the regions of Lower Normandy, Brittany and the Loire. The survey is intended to target the populations of cattle where there may be an increased probability of finding BSE cases—found dead, culls and emergency slaughtered cattle.

  This comprehensive report indicates that there probably has been significant under-reporting of suspect BSE cases in France in the past. The targeted surveillance programme identified 32 positive cases, whereas in the same regions and over the same time period (7 August to 24 October 2000), the clinical surveillance programme identified only 11 BSE cases.

  Fishmeal
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to seek a UK derogation on the EU ban on fishmeal in animal feed. [146406]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 22 January 2001]: I will consider the UK position in the light of the outcome of the current consultation exercise on the feed ban, the results of Commission missions to member states, and other developments.

  Beef Imports
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which Government department is responsible for monitoring imports of over-30-month beef at its point of entry into the UK. [146409]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 22 January 2001]: Over-30-month beef does not have to be monitored at the point of import as there are no import requirements relating to the age of beef. Controls on the age of beef relate to its sale for human consumption which is a matter for the Food Standards Agency.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what record the Government keeps of how much imported over-30-month beef is entering the United Kingdom. [146410]
  730W
  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 22 January 2001]: Records of beef imports into the UK are not broken down by age.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Solicitor-General if it is his policy that the Crown Prosecution Service should pay compensation to the victims of crime whose cases are the subject of administrative maladministration by the Crown Prosecution Service and who suffer loss as a result; and if he will make a statement. [147034]

  The Solicitor-General
  The Crown Prosecution Service is committed to delivering a modern, first class, public service. The Crown Prosecution Service has set clear standards for performance and has a readily available complaints procedure together with systems to provide appropriate redress for citizens when administrative maladministration occurs. Redress may take a variety of forms—an apology, a correction of the error, an undertaking to improve procedures or systems, a payment, or a combination of these actions.

  In the majority of cases, an apology and correction of the error will be the appropriate form of redress. On the occasions when a victim suffers a financial loss, an appropriate compensation payment may be made. Every case is considered on its merits. During this financial year two such cases have occurred and compensation payments totalling £1,112.00 have been made.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Income Limit (Benefits)
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he intends to review the earnings limit on carers in receipt of Invalid Care Allowance. [146723]

  Mr. Bayley
  We have reviewed the Invalid Care Allowance earnings limit and an announcement was made on 3 October 2000 of our intention to increase it to the rate of the lower earnings limit from April 2001. We will lay regulations in due course which will enable this measure to be introduced.

  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the impact of the earnings limit on home carers in receipt of Invalid Care Allowance. [146736]

  Mr. Bayley
  One of the issues which arose in the course of the recent review of financial support for carers was the difficulty some carers experienced in combining caring with employment because of the Invalid Care Allowance earnings limit which has remained at £50 (after allowable expenses) since 1993.

  The proposed increase in the earnings limit to the level of the lower earnings limit (£72 a week from April 2001), announced on 3 October 2000, will therefore allow those carers to earn substantially more while retaining their entitlement to Invalid Care Allowance.

  Benefit Fraud
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what powers local authority fraud investigators have to request information from banks relating to suspected benefit fraudsters. [146353]

  Mr. Rooker
  Local authorities have the power to make inquiries of employers in cases where their employees are claiming or receiving housing benefit or council tax benefit where fraud is suspected.

  Powers to obtain information from banks and other specified private sector organisations on suspected fraudsters are to be introduced in the Social Security Fraud Bill currently before Parliament.

  Ex-miners' Compensation
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what changes he is implementing to improve the administration of the compensation recovery scheme in regard to ex-miners' compensation. [147946]

  Mr. Bayley
  We are working very closely with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and its claims handlers and are introducing a number of administrative changes to speed up the whole process, not just DSS' involvement, in order to facilitate speedy payment to miners.

  These changes will include, for example, easier and quicker means of determining the date of start of the disease; allowing DTI more time to negotiate with the miner, without the need to contact the DSS; and reducing duplication and red tape. These changes will ensure that delays in the process do not occur.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many asylum seekers claimed benefits in(a) Kent and (b) other parts of the UK during the most recent period for which figures are available. [147082]

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

  Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Mr. Derek Wyatt, dated 25 January 2001:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about how many asylum seekers claimed benefits in (a) Kent and (b) other parts of the UK during the most recent period for which figures are available.
  The information is not available in the requested format. The Benefits Agency (BA) collects statistics by BA District rather than county and covers Great Britain not the United Kingdom.
  The number of asylum seeker benefit claims processed by benefit offices in the Kent area from April to December 2000 was 53. The Kent area comprises of the Ashford, Bromley, Canterbury, Chatham, Dover, Folkestone, Gravesend, Maidstone and Sittingbourne BA offices.
  For the same period, the number of asylum seeker benefit claims processed in the rest of Great Britain was 4,509 giving a Great Britain total number of 4,562.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Income Support (Disabled Claimants)
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many disabled Income Support claimants would see their income rise and how many people would become newly entitled to Income Support if the capital rules for people with disabilities were increased to match the new rules for pensioners. [146341]

  Mr. Bayley
  We estimate that around 15,000 Income Support recipients would gain, and a further 5,000 people would become newly entitled, if the Income Support capital limits for people with a disability premium were increased to match the limits for pensioners.

  Social Fund (Wandsworth)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much is available in the local Social Fund budget for the London borough of Wandsworth in the 2000–01 financial year. [146511]

  Angela Eagle
  The Social Fund budget is allocated to Benefits Agency districts, which are not generally coterminous with local authorities. Most of the London borough of Wandsworth is covered by the Benefits Agency Thames South District, with a small part falling into the Surrey District.

  Details of Social Fund allocations to districts for 2000–01 are in the Library.

  Gulf War Veterans (Pensions)
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many Gulf War veterans have been waiting(a) over six months and (b) over one year for a hearing before the Pensions Appeal Tribunal; [147425]

  (2) how many Gulf War veterans are awaiting a hearing before the Pensions Appeal Tribunal. [147426]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Invalid Vehicle Service
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many(a) people and (b) vehicles have been supported in each year since 1995–96 for which figures are available, under the Invalid Vehicle Service. [146725]

  Mr. Hutton
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information requested is shown in the table.

  At 31 March

  Drivers

  Vehicles

  1995

  1,197

  11,405

  1996

  960

  11,270

  1997

  821

  1,215

  1998

  745

  1,054

  1999

  630

  951

  2000

  535

  745

  1 Numbers of vehicles in fleet in 1995 and 1996 are estimates as figures were not kept.

  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the effect of the closure of the invalid care allowance announced in July 1998. [146724]
  733W
  Mr. Hutton
  I have been asked to reply and understand that the hon. Member is referring to the Invalid Vehicle Service.

  The decision to close the Invalid Vehicle Service on 31 March 2003 was taken after a thorough assessment by independent consultants of the likely effects of all available options. Ministers decided to accept the consultants' advice to close the service because the cost of maintaining an ageing fleet of vehicles was likely to rise while the number of people supported declined rapidly. Since then technical officers from the Invalid Vehicle Service have visited each remaining driver to discuss their future needs. Each driver's full circumstances will be taken into account and each will be advised on the option most suited to his or her needs.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Energy Conservation
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish a report on the improvements resulting from work carried out under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995, showing for each energy conservation authority(a) expenditure on energy efficiency improvement, (b) percentage improvement in residential energy efficiency, (c) estimated reduction in carbon dioxide emissions and (d) estimated reduction in levels of fuel poverty. [145763]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Secretary of State presented a report to Parliament on 13 April 1999 covering activity by energy conservation authorities over the period from 28 June 1995 to 31 March 1998, and other developments up to the end of 1998. Copies of the report were placed in the Libraries of the House. Alternatively, a copy is available on DETR's website at:www.environment.detr.gov.uk/energy/heca95/index.htm

  Details of reported percentage energy efficiency improvements in England in the period 1 April 1996 to 31 March 2000 were given in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth, Sutton (Mrs. Gilroy) on 30 November 2000, Official Report, columns 757–58W. That information and details of expenditure by authority, overall expenditure and carbon dioxide reductions in each energy conservation authority area is included in four summary reports, copies of which have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  The information sought on the estimated reduction in levels of fuel poverty is not available centrally and, to my knowledge, is not collected by any other organisation. Information on the incidence of fuel poverty by Government Office region is contained in the 1996 English House Condition Survey Energy Report and some energy conservation authorities may have more specific fuel poverty data for their own purposes. Although authorities in England have been asked to report on their policies voluntarily, strategies and achievements in tackling fuel poverty alongside their Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 progress reports, they have not been required to identify fuel poor households or to report changes in the number of such households.

  Powershift Programme
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many(a) buses and (b) taxis were retrofitted to use LPG through the Powershift programme (i) before 1 January 2000 and (ii) during 2000; and if he will make a statement regarding targets for 2001 and beyond. [146627]

  Mr. Hill
  Before 1 January 2000, the Powershift programme supported the conversion of 55 buses and five minicabs to operate on LPG. During 2000 Powershift supported the conversion of 37 buses and 57 minicabs.

  The Clean Up Programme, which is administered on my Department's behalf by the Energy Saving Trust, has part funded the conversion of 10 black taxis to run on LPG and will be supporting the conversion of approximately 130 black cabs in the current financial year.

  My Department and the Energy Saving Trust will issue a consultation document in the spring seeking views on the future scope and direction of the Powershift programme. It will discuss a range of options for targeting the programme's resources over the next three years to secure environmental benefits and to support the development of the wider market for alternative fuel vehicles. The outcome of the consultation will inform the setting of future targets for the conversion of specific vehicle types.

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received requesting the broadening of the eligibility criteria for the Powershift programme in respect of older vehicles. [146633]

  Mr. Hill
  My Department has received a number of representations from MPs and individuals about why the Powershift programme only provides grants towards the conversion to gas of vehicles less than one year old.

  The rationale for restricting grants to relatively new vehicles is that the ultimate aim of Powershift is to encourage vehicle manufacturers to manufacture production line gas vehicles rather than the after-market conversions that currently dominate the market. Not only will the objective of cleaning up vehicles be achieved more cheaply with production-line vehicles than after-market conversions, but their emissions performance should also be better.

  My Department also sponsors the Energy Saving Trust's Clean Up programme that aims to reduce emissions from existing vehicles operating in urban areas. The programme includes targeted projects to fit emission reduction technologies and to convert older vehicles to run on alternative fuels, including LPG, where it proves cost effective and environmentally beneficial to do so. An example of Clean Up support for conversions of older vehicles is the conversion of a pilot fleet of 10 London black cabs to run on LPG.

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the Government's contribution to funding for the Powershift programme was in each of the last three financial years and in the current year. [146629]
  735W
  Mr. Hill
  In 1997–98 the Government contributed £0.6 million towards the Powershift programme. This figures rose in the next two years to £2.2 million and £3.3 million respectively. Funding for the current financial year stands at £9.9 million for expenditure in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In addition the Scottish Executive are providing a total of £0.5 million for Powershift activities in Scotland in the current year.

  Alternative Fuels
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his estimate is of the number of passenger cars in the UK; and how many of these were powered by road fuel gases or were bi-fuel(a) in the first quarter of 1998, (b) in the first quarter of 1999 and (c) in the first quarter of 2000, and (d) at the latest date for which figures are available. [146632]

  Mr. Hill
  Figures from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency show that the number of passenger cars in Great Britain registered as being powered by either road fuel gases or bi-fuel, and the total number of cars registered, are as set out in the table. The figures do not include vehicles in Northern Ireland for which quarterly data are not available.

  Total cars registered

  Total road fuel gas and bi-fuels

  Q1 1998

  22,984,336

  7,326

  Q1 1999

  23,458,476

  11,232

  Q1 2000

  24,167,000

  15,096

  Q3 2000

  24,383,344

  18,298

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research he has(a) evaluated and (b) commissioned into the amount of energy required through the refining process to produce a standard measure of distance travelled in vehicles propelled by (i) LPG, (ii) ULSD and (iii) ULSP. [146630]

  Mr. Hill
  The Government have not commissioned any specific research regarding the amount of energy required to refine ULSD and ULSP. We do, however, regularly commission and evaluate research on the overall CO2 emissions and energy consumption from the downstream oil refining sector. A joint DTI and DOT study, "Alternative Road Transport Fuels: a preliminary lifecycle study for the UK", published in 1996 provides estimates of the amount of energy used during the refining of petrol, diesel and LPG. A more recent research by DTI published last year, "Emission effects and cost of sulphur free petrol and diesel", considered the relative impact of the production of 10 ppm sulphur fuels could have on overall energy consumption and CO2 emissions from refineries. It should be noted, though, that the attribution of energy consumption during refining to particular petroleum products is often difficult, as oil refining is an integrated process and there are large variations in energy consumption from individual refineries.

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research he has(a) evaluated and (b) commissioned regarding the comparative environmental qualities of LPG, ULSD and
  736W
  ULSP in respect of (i) prevalence of particulates, (ii) noise, (iii) carbon dioxide emissions, (iv) oxides of nitrogen, (v) benzene and (vi) 1.3 butadiene. [146628]

  Mr. Hill
  Information from a wide range of sources is used by my Department to evaluate the environmental impacts of different road fuels, including LPG, ULSD and ULSP. DETR itself has a large vehicle emission testing research programme; for instance we funded this year a major project with the SMMT and CONWARE which considered ultra fine particulate emissions from road vehicles using different fuel specifications. The final report from this project is due to be published shortly. Valuable emission data are also received often on a confidential basis from stakeholders, including vehicle operators, fuel companies and motor manufacturers, while Powershift—funded by DETR—regularly monitors the emissions performance of gas powered vehicles supported by Powershift grants.

  Car Engines
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what information he has collated on the engine life of vehicles propelled by(a) petrol, (b) diesel and (c) LPG; and what assessment he has made of the consequent whole life sustainability of fuel technology. [146987]

  Mr. Hill
  The Government have not undertaken any specific research on the durability of different engine types. Motor manufacturers design engines which easily last the lifetime of the average vehicle, which for passenger cars is around 13 years in the UK. It is widely acknowledged, however, that diesel engines tend to be more durable than petrol engines, due to their combustion characteristics. We have no evidence to suggest the durability of a petrol engine is affected by conversion to LPG.

  Refuelling Sites
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his estimate is of the total number of public forecourt refuelling stations and sites in the UK; how many of these provided LPG(a) in the first quarter 1999, (b) in the first quarter 2000 and (c) at the latest date for which figures are available; and what estimates he has on the future rate of increase of public forecourt LPG refuelling sites. [146631]

  Mr. Hill
  At the end of December 1999, there were some 13,700 branded forecourt refuelling stations in the UK.

  Currently there are approximately 230 forecourt sites that retail LPG, an increase of over 100 in the last 12 months. Figures dealing with the number of sites in the first quarter of 1999 are unavailable. My Department estimates that the number of LPG refuelling sites in total will rise to over 1,000 by the end of 2001, with approximately one third of these expected to be public forecourt stations.

  Bus Routes (London)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what financial assistance his Department has given in conjunction with
  737W
  the London borough councils in seeking to improve their boroughs' priority bus routes in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [146941]

  Mr. Hill
  The London Bus Priority Network received an allocation of £15 million in the 2000–01 London local transport settlement. Future allocations will be the responsibility of the Mayor.

  Highways (Staffordshire)
  Mrs. Dean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much his Department has made available for highway maintenance for Staffordshire County Council in each year from 1990–91 to 2000–01. [146980]

  Mr. Hill
  Maintenance expenditure for Staffordshire from 1991–92 until 2000–01 is shown. It should be noted that from 1996–97 onwards Stoke-on-Trent became Unitary and received its separate maintenance allocation which is also shown.

  Staffordshire TPP/LTP maintenance allocations

  Thousand

  Staffordshire

  Stoke-on-Trent1

  1991–92

  751

  —

  1992–93

  5,250

  —

  1993–94

  6,830

  —

  1994–95

  5,953

  —

  1995–96

  4,526

  —

  1996–97

  2,750

  —

  1997–98

  5,346

  1,502

  1998–99

  4,062

  1,646

  1999–2000

  3,878

  2,642

  2001–022

  4,554

  1,161

  1 Stoke-on-Trent allocated separate maintenance budget in 1997–98

  2 Provisional LTP allocation

  M4
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what benefits have arisen from the imposition of a 40 mph speed limit on the elevated section of the M4 in West London. [146954]

  Mr. Hill
  There has been a reduction in personal injury accidents on the elevated section of the M4 in West London since the introduction of a 40 mph speed limit.

  This is an encouraging and welcome trend, but is too early to say it is a long term benefit.

  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what benefits have arisen from the imposition of a 50 mph speed limit on the M4 eastbound section between Heathrow Airport and the elevated section. [146953]

  Mr. Hill
  The introduction of a 50 mph speed limit on the eastbound M4 between Heathrow and the elevated section has led to a decrease in personal injury accidents.

  This is an encouraging and welcome trend, but is too early to say if it is a long term benefit.

  In addition, the independent Transport Research Laboratory's (TRL) report of their monitoring of the M4 bus lane during the first year calculates that during off peak periods, noise levels are one dBA lower, CO,
  738W
  emissions have reduced by 16 per cent. and fuel consumption of vehicles using the road has improved by 16 per cent.

  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what policy reason taxi-cabs are(a) permitted to use the bus lane on the M4 and (b) not permitted to use the bus lane on the Heathrow Airport spur road. [146965]

  Mr. Hill
  There are no policy reasons for taxi-cabs being permitted to use the M4 bus lane but not the one on the Heathrow Airport spur road. The decisions were based on the need to obtain the best traffic flows in each situation. Allowing taxis to use the spur road bus lane would overload the traffic signals at the end of the spur and delay traffic. The end of the M4 bus lane has sufficient capacity to allow excluded traffic to merge easily with bus lane traffic.

  Cyclists
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of cyclist boxes at traffic signals in terms of(a) the danger to cyclists and (b) the delay to motorists. [146966]

  Mr. Hill
  Advanced Stop Lines for cyclists (ASLs) were introduced to reduce the vulnerability of cyclists at traffic signal junctions from other vehicles. Assessments since 1986 when the first ASL was installed have shown that enabling cyclists to be at the head of queuing traffic can greatly improve their safety, because of the ability to clear the junction ahead of other traffic. Observations have shown that delays to other vehicles are minimal. Further research is being carried out into the effects of ASLs on capacity.

  Footpath Stiles
  Ms Kingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research has been undertaken by his Department into the suitability of footpath stiles for use by people with vision impairment. [146712]

  Mr. Hill
  My Department has not undertaken any research to look specifically at this question. However, the Countryside Agency are at the moment looking at ways of increasing access to the countryside for disabled people as part of their remit of increasing access to the wider countryside. This work will include recommending specifications for path furniture including ages and stiles. As part of this process they will consult organisations representing disabled people, including the Royal National Institute for the Blind, and intend to pilot the developing designs in a variety of countryside settings.

  Local Highways (North-east)
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what funding has been provided for the maintenance of local highways in the north east of England in each of the last 10 years. [146823]
  739W
  Mr. Hill
  Funding through Local Transport Capital Settlement (Transport Policies and Programmes and Local Transport Plans) and Revenue Support Grant has provided the following for the maintenance of local highways in the north east of England over the last 10 years:

  £

  Year

  Capital funding

  Revenue funding

  Total

  1991–92

  4,107,000

  104,479,000

  108,586,000

  1992–93

  8,404,000

  107,506,000

  115,910,000

  1993–94

  18,090,000

  102,938,000

  121,028,000

  1994–95

  17,720,000

  102,973,000

  120,693,000

  1995–96

  15,984,000

  103,184,000

  119,168,000

  1996–97

  13,584,000

  102,308,000

  115,892,000

  1997–98

  15,960,000

  101,612,000

  117,572,000

  1998–99

  13,331,000

  100,086,000

  113,417,000

  Housing

  £ million

  Programme

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Total

  Main HIP

  14.602

  4.285

  5.342

  12.113

  5.251

  31.593

  Capital Receipts Initiative

  0.916

  3.141

  2.894

  —

  —

  6.951

  Additional PSR support2

  0.3

  1.238

  0.117

  —

  —

  1.655

  Indicative Major Repair Allowance

  —

  —

  —

  —

  11

  11

  Capital Challenge3

  2.15

  2.374

  2.523

  —

  —

  7.047

  Total

  7.968

  11.038

  10.876

  12.113

  16.251

  58.246

  1 The HIP figure for 1997–98 was already allocated by the previous Government.

  2 PSR = Private Sector Renewal. From 2000–01 onwards these became part of the Housing Single Capital pot and separate allocations are no longer provided.

  3 Capital Challenge was not a specific housing programme but the resources could be used for any capital priority. It was a three year pilot programme introduced by the previous Administration; the present Government continued the commitments.

  Local transport expenditure

  £ million

  Year

  Total

  Block allocation

  Maintenance

  Major schemes

  2000–01

  3.361

  2.200

  1.161

  0

  1999–2000

  4.529

  1.887

  2.642

  0

  1998–99

  2.520

  0.874

  1.646

  0

  1997–98

  2.573

  1.071

  1.502

  0

  Five year LTP allocation

  £ million

  Year

  Total

  Block allocation integrated transport

  Maintenance

  2001–02

  6.373

  5.100

  1.273

  2002–03

  5.860

  4.700

  1.160

  2003–04

  5.670

  4.800

  0.870

  2004–05

  5.770

  4.900

  0.870

  2005–06

  5.670

  4.800

  0.870

  Major schemes:
  Hanley Bentilee Link1

  2001–02: £0.300 million

  2001–05: £6.7 million

  1 Timing depends upon completion of Statutory Procedures Stoke City Centre Link—Awaiting full appraisal July 2001

  Total LTP expenditure2
  2001–06: more than £36.343 million

  2 Depends upon progress of Stoke City Centre Link
  740W

  £

  Year

  Capital funding

  Revenue funding

  Total

  1999–00

  18,272,000

  104,036,000

  122,308,000

  2000–01

  29,694,000

  106,112,000

  135,806,000

  Funding (Stoke-on-Trent)
  Mr. Stevenson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list for each year since May 1997 the total amount of funding made available by his Department in the City of Stoke-on-Trent. [146572]

  Ms Armstrong
  The City of Stoke-on-Trent has benefited from a range of Government Initiatives since 2 May 1997 including:

  General grant assistance

  £ million

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Revenue support grant

  94.320

  98.644

  97.407

  National non-domestic rates

  59.968

  64.651

  72.444

  Total

  154.285

  163.315

  169.852

  Note:

  Figures may not sum exactly due to rounding

  Regeneration moneys

  SRB allocation

  £ million

  Total SRB

  1997–98

  6.736

  1998–99

  8.164

  All programmes

  1999–2000

  11.973

  2000–011

  10.437

  1 2000–01 figures are forecast outturn.

  Notes:

  1. 1999–2000 figures include SRB (£9.696 million), L & P £1.506 million), SDF (£0.600 million), RRF (£0.171 million).

  2. 2000–01 figures include SRB (£8.708 million), L & P (£1.038 million), ICF (£0.390 million), RRF (£0.301 million).

  Neighbourhood Renewal fund
  Stoke-on-Trent will be eligible for about £9.075 million funding over the next three years as part of the Neighbourhood Renewal fund, comprising £8.067 million announced in October 2000 and a further £1.008 million announced on 24 January.

  Plastics (Waste)
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of waste from plastics has been recycled in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [146470]

  2000

  1999

  1998

  1997

  1996

  Amount of plastic waste produced (tonnes million)

  3.00

  2.94

  2.88

  2.83

  2.77

  Post consumer recycling (tonnes thousand)

  238

  218

  145

  121

  115

  Post consumer recycling (per cent.)

  7.9

  7.4

  5.0

  4.3

  4.2

  Total plastic waste recycled (tonnes thousand)

  663

  643

  570

  546.5

  540.5

  Combined recycling (per cent.)

  22.1

  21.9

  19.8

  19.3

  19.5

  Community Transport Schemes
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to announce the future funding arrangements for(a) Vale Link Community Transport, (b) Yate and Sudbury dial-a-ride and (c) other community transport schemes in South Gloucestershire. [147203]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 25 January 2001]: Funding for three years' operation of the Vale Link Community Transport scheme and the Yate and Sodbury dial-a-ride scheme was given to South Gloucestershire Council as part of a successful award of £612,000 from the 1998 Rural Bus Challenge. We have not received a bid for further funding of the existing services. However, the Council has bid in the 2000 Rural Bus Challenge for funding to extend the operation of the current schemes to cover peak times. We will announce the results of that competition shortly.

  I announced on 16 January our intention to give local authorities more flexibility in the use of the Rural Bus Subsidy Grant to assist the provision of ongoing support for services initially supported by the Rural Bus Challenge. Whether to use the grant in this way would be a matter for decision by South Gloucestershire Council.

  Any bids for funding of these projects, and other community transport schemes, would continue to be considered in future Rural Bus Challenge competitions. Our Rural Transport Partnership, administered by the Countryside Agency, is another source of funding for rural schemes. Bids for urban schemes would be eligible for consideration under the new Urban Bus Challenge.

  Cheam and Sutton Stations
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress the shadow Strategic Rail Authority has reported to him in respect of the refurbishment works at(a) Cheam station and (b) Sutton station. [147486]

  Mr. Hill
  The following works have been completed at Cheam station: platform repairs, refurbished canopy, resurfaces car park to eliminate flooding, new handrail in subway, CCTV installation and a customer information system.

  The major refurbishment works at Sutton are progressing well although there has been some slippage in the original timetable. In a project of this size and when working on an old building it is not unusual for timetables
  742W
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  The British Plastics Federation has provided the estimates for the UK. They include packaging and non-packaging waste and, in the total figure, an estimated 425,000 tonnes of recycled pre-consumer plastic waste each year.

  to change as a result of some of the works proving to be more complicated or additional work proving necessary. Particular issues encountered at Sutton station include drainage, the state of lift shaft 4 and additional work proving necessary to the roof. The waiting room and platform surfaces and lift shaft 1 should now be completed in mid to late February; the ticket hall by the end of February; lifts 2 and 3 and the disabled car park by middle of March. These dates are not guaranteed and must be regarded as best estimates provided by the contractors.

  Co-operative Housing
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will make a statement on his Department's discussions with the Housing Corporation with regard to co-operative housing. [147539]

  (2) if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on co-operative housing. [147538]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  Resident empowerment is at the core of the Government's policies for social housing. We want to bring choice, self-reliance and responsibility to social tenants by giving them a direct stake in managing their own homes. Tenants should be encouraged to explore and to choose from a range of options including tenant management and, where the circumstances are right, developing a resident controlled organisation, including housing co-operatives.

  Local authorities have a vital role to play in promoting resident control as part of their housing strategies. Stock transfers, in particular, provide an opportunity for tenant management and central. All housing transfer landlords have at least one-third tenant members on their governing bodies. Where tenants want it, a resident controlled registered social landlord can take on local authority stock. We want to encourage more tenants to think about the opportunities for taking on ownership and management of their homes in stock transfers. We would expect new landlords to honour existing arrangements for resident control and to support its development in the stock they take on.

  Officials in my Department and from the Housing Corporation are in regular and close contact to ensure that we have a joined up approach that gives maximum benefit to residents.

  Telecommunication Masts
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions under what powers telecommunication companies and freeholders of a property can obtain planning permission for mobile phone masts under 15m high without consulting leaseholders and tenants; and if he will make a statement. [147537]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Licensed telecommunications code system operators are authorised under Part 24 of Schedule 2 to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (GPDO) (as amended) to install specified telecommunications apparatus without the need to make a planning application to the local authority.

  Under the GPDO certain types of development, such as the installation of ground-based masts of up to 15m in height, are subject to a prior approval procedure, under which the local planning authority has the opportunity to say whether it wishes to approve details of the siting and appearance of the installation. Following amendments to the GPDO in 1999, local planning authorities have 42 days to carry out this process in respect of ground-based masts and the operator is required to erect a site notice to publicise the development proposed so that local people can let the local planning authority have their views on a mast proposal. The local planning authority can supplement this requirement by publishing proposals themselves.

  For development such as the installation of masts on a building or structure the equivalent period is 28 days. While there is no statutory requirement for local planning authorities or operators to consult on the proposals, DETR Circular 4–99 advises local planning authorities to publicise proposals for permitted telecommunications development that are subject to this procedure so that people likely to be affected by the proposal can make their views known to the authority.

  Under the prior approval procedure, if, after due consideration, the authority considers that the development will pose a serious threat to amenity, it is able to refuse approval.

  Following the publication of a report into the health effects of mobile phone technologies by the Independent Expert Group of Mobile Phones (IEGMP), chaired by Sir William Stewart, the Government issued a consultation paper seeking views on changes to the planning arrangements to allow better opportunities for public consultation on applications for new telecommunications masts.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the new Policy Planning Guidance on Telecommunication Masts will be published. [147536]

  Mr. Raynsford
  A consultation exercise seeking views on possible changes to the planning laws relating to telecommunications masts ended on 31 October 2000. The consultation paper also contained draft revised planning policy guidance. The Department is currently analysing the responses. We shall announce any changes as soon as practicable.

  Road Accidents
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the number of(a) deaths and (b) serious injuries on all roads in December for each of the last three years. [147548]

  Mr. Hill
  The following table includes the number of casualties on all roads in December for the three most recent available years.

  Casualties in December in 1997, 1998 and 1999

  Severity

  Accident year

  Fatal

  Serious

  1997

  310

  3,700

  1998

  328

  3,374

  1999

  358

  3,388

  Correspondence
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will reply to the letter sent to him on 12 November 2000 by Mrs. V. Cooper, of Cox Green, Maidenhead, Berkshire. [147549]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  The letter refers to the felling of trees on the A404M. This matter is being investigated and a full reply will be sent within the next week.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Wireless Transmission Anniversary
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to mark the 100th anniversary of the first successful wireless transmission across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas. [147257]

  Ms Hewitt
  This will be a significant anniversary and we are considering how best we might be able to contribute to this important milestone in the use of radio.

  Euro
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on planned information campaigns on the euro for business. [147464]

  Ms Hewitt
  I refer the hon. Member to HM Treasury's "Fourth Report on Euro Preparations", copies of which have been deposited in the Library of the House.

  ECGD
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library copies of the reports which have been produced by the Export Credits Guarantee Department since 1 January 2000 to report its progress towards achieving the key performance targets set out in the Service Delivery Agreement. [146658]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Service Delivery Agreement for ECGD is effective from 1 April 2001. The Service Delivery Agreement was published on ECGD's website "www.ecgd.gov.uk" on the 3 November 2000. Progress against targets will be published and made available to the House in the Expenditure Plans Report.
  745W
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library copies of the minutes and agendas of the meetings of the Audit Committee of the Export Credits Guarantee Department since 1 January 2000. [146651]

  Mr. Caborn
  It is not intended that the minutes and agendas of the meetings of the Export Credits Guarantee Department's Audit Committee should be published. The information requested would be classed as information whose disclosure would harm the frankness and candour of internal discussion,
  under Part II exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. The minutes of the meetings of the Export Guarantees Advisory Council, whose role and membership were reformed as a result of the recent review of ECGD's Mission and Status, will, however, be placed on ECGD's website www.ecgd.gov.uk.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library(a) a list of papers which have been presented to the Export Guarantees Advisory Council of the Export Credits Guarantee Department and (b) the minutes and agendas of the Council, since 1 July 1999. [146660]

  Mr. Caborn
  The minutes of meetings of the Export Guarantees Advisory Council (EGAC), whose role and membership were reformed as a result of the recent Review of ECGD's Mission and Status, will be placed on ECGD's website www.ecgd.gov.uk. The first such minute relating to the meeting on 12 December 2000 will be placed on the website shortly. Prior to the reform of the Council, records of meetings and details of the items discussed were not published as the EGAC considered issues, which involved commercial confidentiality.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place details of the Export Credits Guarantee Department cover made available to Mivan Ltd. and Kier International to construct low cost housing and provide water services to villages in Romania in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [147062]

  Mr. Caborn
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Eastwood (Mr. Murphy) on 6 April 2000,Official Report, column 533W.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the dates of the meetings of the Export Guarantees Advisory Council of the Export Credits Guarantee Department since 1 January 2000. [146659]

  Mr. Caborn
  Meetings of the Export Guarantees Advisory Council since 1 January 2000 were held on the following dates:2000

  19 January

  16 February

  22 March

  19 April

  17 May

  21 June

  18 July

  August—no meeting

  746W

  20 September

  18 October

  15 November

  12 December.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Export Credits Guarantee Department first produced its publication "ECGD News". [146656]

  Mr. Caborn
  1 July 1998.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the outside directors who have been appointed to the Management Board of the Export Credits Guarantee Department since 25 July 2000; what the functions are of outside directors on the Board; what the financial interests are of each of these outside directors; by what means members of the public can ascertain the financial interests of these outside directors; and if he will list the committees within the Export Credits Guarantee Department on which each of these outside directors sit. [146652]

  Mr. Caborn
  The process of identifying and selecting suitable outside directors for ECGD's Management Board is still under way and no appointments have yet been made.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library a copy of the most recent version of the Project Underwriting Handbook produced by the ECGD. [146657]

  Mr. Caborn
  ECGD's Project Underwriting Handbook contains detailed guidance for its officials on the terms and conditions on which they are authorised to negotiate with exporters, their banks and overseas buyers and borrowers and subsequently underwrite support for export contracts while at the same time best safeguarding the interests of the taxpayer. Disclosure of such detailed guidance could prejudice the conduct of commercial negotiations and the competitive position of ECGD and hence is exempt from disclosure under exemption 7 to the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. Accordingly I do not intend to place the handbook in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library(a) copies of the minutes and agendas of the meetings of the Management Board of the Export Credits Guarantee Department and (b) a list of the papers submitted to such meetings since 1 January 2000. [146650]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Government do not intend to publish the agenda or minutes of meetings of the Export Credits Guarantee Department's Management Board or a list of the papers discussed. The information requested would be classed as information whose disclosure would harm the frankness and candour of internal discussion,
  under Part II exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Computers for Schools
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if supply teachers covering key stage 3 maths classes will qualify to receive the £500 subsidy for the purchase of computer equipment. [147554]

  Mr. Wills
  Supply teachers covering Key Stage 3 mathematics classes will qualify to receive the subsidy providing they meet all other eligibility criteria for the scheme, and that they are contracted to teach at least one mathematics Key Stage 3 lesson per week for at least one term.

  New Deal (Basildon)
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the schools in the Basildon parliamentary constituency which have received funding under the New Deal for Schools since May 1997, showing the amount of funding in each case. [147392]

  New Deal for Schools Allocations to schools in the Basildon constituency

  Year/School

  Project details

  Grant awarded (£)

  1997–98

  Included within LEA wide package:

  Woodlands school

  Improvement of science block

  11,170,000

  Nicholas school (now James Hornsby High school)

  Refurbishment

  1998–99

  Seven school package LEA wide

  Replacement of ageing boilers

  1384,800

  Eight school package LEA wide

  Replacement of ageing boilers

  1379,750

  Orsett CE (VA) Primary school

  Playground reconstruction

  50,800

  1999–2000

  Five school package LEA wide

  Energy management scheme

  12,947,000

  Bulphan CE (VC) Primary school

  Replacement of boiler plant

  56,500

  2000–01

  Included within a 29 school package:

  St. Anne Line Catholic Infant and Junior schools (VA)

  Boiler replacements

  11,610,355

  Included within a six school package:

  James Hornsby High school

  Remedying structural defects

  1353,535

  Included within a three school package:

  Lincewood Infant school

  Asbestos removal

  1141,578

  Lincewood Junior school

  Included within a four school package:

  Swan Mead Junior school

  Sewage pumping station plant renewal

  137,650

  Vange Primary school

  Extension to replace substandard accommodation

  768,163

  Included within a six school package:

  De La Salle School RC (VA)

  Resurface/reconstruct paving

  1230,888

  Gable Hall Secondary school

  Replacement of boilers and plant

  54,294

  Hassenbrook Secondary school

  Replacement of boiler, plant, main and sports hall

  276,936

  Abbots Hall Junior school

  Replacement of boiler and plant

  45,254

  Giffards Junior school

  Rewiring

  70,368

  St. Clere's Secondary school

  Roof insulation

  17,852

  Abbots Hall Infant school

  Rewiring

  72,939

  Orsett CE (VA) Primary school

  Resurface car park and roadway

  12,224

  Stanford-le-Hope Infant school

  Tarmac pedestrian paths

  20,383

  Giffards Junior school

  Doors and windows

  24,801

  Stanford-le-Hope Infant school

  Boiler house refurbishment

  22,654

  Arthur Bugler Junior school

  Refelt Durox roof

  72,804

  1 Allocations made to package projects to Essex local education authority, which will be able to advise the value of projects at schools in the Basildon constituency which benefited from these allocations.

HEALTH

  Beta Interferon
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the prescription rate for beta interferon is(a) nationally, (b) in North Yorkshire and (c) in other EU member states. [145603]
  748W
  Jacqui Smith
  The following table shows the schools in the Basildon constituency which have benefited from investment through the New Deal for Schools programme, which commenced in 1997–98. These allocations formed part of the £25.232 million investment made so far in schools in Essex local education authority, and of the £2.835 million investment made so far in schools in Thurrock 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 under funding under the previous administration. It has been in addition to other capital funds made available to both Essex and Thurrock local education authorities.

  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.

  Ms Stuart
  We estimate that on 1 January 2000 some 1,700 patients were being treated with beta interferon on the National Health Service in England. This is equivalent to around 3 per cent. of all patients with multiple sclerosis in England.

  Information is not routinely collected centrally on prescribing rates in individual health authorities, or in other European Union countries.

  BCG Vaccine
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that stocks of BCG vaccine are maintained at adequate levels. [146325]

  Yvette Cooper
  BCG vaccine against tuberculosis is currently available for those individuals at higher risk of TB. The routine schools immunisation programme for 10 to 14-year-olds was suspended nationally from September 1999 following manufacturing problems encountered by the sole United Kingdom licensed source, Celltech Medeva. By the autumn school term last year sufficient supplies were available to allow health authorities to restart school immunisations in the London region, as the area with the highest rates and number of tuberculosis cases.

  The Department is working to secure a robust supply of UK licensed and batch released BCG vaccine, and will announce as soon as possible when the routine schools programme can resume in the rest of the country. All those who missed their BCG vaccination due to the suspension will be recalled when the programme restarts.

  Residential and Nursing Homes
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to ensure that residents of elderly persons' and nursing care homes are granted rights to reasonable notice of closure of the places where they live. [146266]

  Mr. Hutton
  Residential care homes are currently required to give reasonable notice to residents of any reasonable intention to terminate arrangements for accommodating them. Nursing homes are not currently under the same statutory obligation, but this will be remedied from April 2002. In consequence there are no immediate plans to give residents the right to reasonable notice of closure.

  Animal Feed
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which European countries export animal feed; and which animal feeds are imported into the UK. [146499]

  Ms Stuart
  I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that material used as or in animal feed is exported to some extent by most European countries. A partial breakdown of the United Kingdom import position, provided by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise and based on their commodity codes, is given in the following table. The figures should be read with caution: although the materials are recorded as having arrived from other European countries, some may have originated from elsewhere.

  It is unlikely that UK imports from continental European countries include much finished feeds. The commodity code which covers feeds—
  preparations of a kind used in animal feeding—
  embraces vitamins, minerals, supplementary products, grain for pigeons and a variety of other materials.
  750W

  Imports and arrivals of animal feed from European countries, October 1999 to September 2000

  Thousand tonnes

  Commodity code

  Country

  1201–12141

  17032

  2302–23063

  2308–23094

  Austria

  29

  —

  —

  7,806

  Belgium

  20,508

  901

  102,060

  25,378

  Bosnia

  4

  —

  —

  —

  Bulgaria

  3,240

  —

  —

  53

  Cyprus

  4,424

  —

  —

  —

  Czech

  Republic

  322

  —

  —

  23

  Denmark

  15,204

  2,576

  11,906

  5,416

  Finland

  55

  —

  23

  —

  France

  127,113

  5

  70,116

  116,768

  Germany

  93,005

  3,151

  191,509

  21,254

  Greece

  1,204

  3,646

  2,614

  —

  Hungary

  2,528

  —

  —

  —

  Iceland

  1,962

  —

  —

  1,495

  Irish Republic

  45,373

  3,853

  57,938

  67,135

  Italy

  4,136

  15,854

  —

  753

  Liechtenstein

  107

  —

  —

  235

  Lithuania

  3,181

  —

  —

  2,505

  Malta

  2

  —

  —

  2

  Netherlands

  38,376

  22,795

  499,727

  80,464

  Norway

  155

  —

  10,170

  571

  Poland

  56

  51,029

  14,523

  13

  Portugal

  3,112

  105

  6,633

  22

  Romania

  —

  —

  12,636

  —

  Slovenia

  121

  —

  —

  6

  Spain

  160

  24

  2,554

  2,250

  Sweden

  93

  —

  68

  8

  Switzerland

  155

  —

  5

  2,170

  Yugoslavia

  —

  —

  —

  103

  1 1201–1214—Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; miscellaneous grains, seeds and fruit; industrial or medicinal plants; straw and fodder.

  2 1703—Molasses resulting from the extraction or refining of sugar.

  3 2302–2306—Bran, sharps and other residues from the milling or working of cereals; residues of starch manufacture, beet pulp, brewing or distilling waste; oil cakes.

  4 2308–2309—Vegetable waste, residues and by-products; preparations of a kind used in animal feeding.

  Notes:

  1. Countries not listed in the above table are not recorded as exporters to the UK.

  2. Consignments from non-EU countries under £600 are not classified by commodity.

  3. Data for arrivals from EU countries are based only on returns made by traders above the annual declaration threshold (£230,000 in 1999 and £233,000 in 2000).

  Source:

  HM Customs and Excise.

  HPV Testing
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when the pilot studies for HPV testing will commence; [146445]

  (2) what total resource allocation he has made of pilot studies on HPV testing; what the resource allocations are for each HPV pilot test project; and if he will break down the allocation to each HPV pilot test project. [146446]

  Yvette Cooper
  The three sites of the pilot for human papilloma virus testing and liquid based cytology should begin testing in March 2001. Preparatory work has been under way since October 2000.

  We have allocated a total of £650,000 to the pilot preparations in 2000–01 and a further allocation to support the project will be made in 2001–02. This will fund service costs, central purchase of equipment for use

  751W
  by the sites, project management and training for laboratory staff. Decisions will be taken shortly on the allocations to each site for the duration of the project.

  Coronary Heart Disease
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total cost was of medicines prescribed for coronary heart disease on the NHS(a) in the last six month period for which data are available prior to, and (b) in the first six month period for which data are available since, the implementation of the national service framework for coronary heart disease. [146956]

  Yvette Cooper
  It is not possible to identify the total cost of medicines prescribed for coronary heart disease on the National Health Service, as prescribing data are not broken down by the condition which is being treated. Most drugs used in the treatment of heart disease are also prescribed solely for people with, or at serious risk of, coronary heart disease. The most recent information on the cost of statins—for the quarter ending 30 June 2000— has been placed in the Library.

  The National Service Framework (NSF) for coronary heart disease includes guidance on targeting statins towards the patients most likely to benefit from their use. The number of prescriptions for, and the cost of, statins have been rising since 1997. We expect that, as a result of the NSF, the marked recent increase in their use will continue.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average cost per patient episode was for patients(a) treated under personal dental services pilots and (b) treated under general dental services. [146962]

  Mr. Hutton
  The average cost of claims by dentists for a course of treatment in the General Dental Services was £34.82 for adults and £29.88 for children in England in 1999–2000. This information comes from remuneration claims.

  Comparable figures are not available for the Personal Dental Service as services are locally organised and employ different payment regimes.

  Epilepsy
  Mr. Mudie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what agreement he has reached with the Joint Epilepsy Council on implementing the findings of the Clinical Standards Advisory Group report on epilepsy. [146755]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department published its response to the Clinical Standards Advisory Group (CSAG) epilepsy report on 30 March 2000 and commended the examples of good practice contained in the report to the NHS. The Department has funded the Joint Epilepsy Council through the Section 64 scheme of grants to undertake a good practice project which will draw upon the good practice advice in the CSAG report and other recent epilepsy initiatives.

  Male Breast Cancer
  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on the availability of single sex clinics for the treatment of male breast cancer in each region of the health service; [146811]

  (2) what guidance exists for the treatment of male breast cancer in mixed sex clinics. [146810]

  Yvette Cooper
  We are committed to improving breast cancer services for both men and women. Male breast cancer is a rare disease with only approximately 200 cases diagnosed every year in the United Kingdom.

  Due to the low number of cases of male breast cancer, it is not feasible to have separate clinics for men and women. However, there must be sensitivity to the needs of every patient and factors that could cause embarrassment need to be addressed at a local level.

  The NHS Plan set out the intention to make available authoritative guidance on all aspects of NHS cancer care. The "Improving Outcomes in Breast Cancer" guidance was first published in 1996 (available in the Library) and an update will be available from March 2001. The guidance recommended that diagnosis of primary disease should normally be carried out using "triple assessment" for each new patient at a single visit. This increases the accuracy of diagnosis and decreases anxiety resulting from any delay.

  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on the number of reported cases of male breast cancer in each of the last five years, broken down by regional health authority; [146814]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the number of reported cases of male breast cancer in each of the last 10 years; [146815]

  (3) which health authority had the highest number of reported cases of male breast cancer over the last five years; and by how much this varied from the average authority. [146813]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I have been asked to reply.

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

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Eric Pickles, dated 26 January 2001:
  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent questions on male breast cancer (146813, 146814, 146815).
  The last 10 years for which cancer registration data are available are 1985–1994. The numbers of reported cases of male breast cancer (International Classification of Diseases ninth revision (ICD9) code 175) for these years at the national and regional health authority levels can be found in the publication "Cancer statistics: registrations", Series MB1 numbers 18–27. These are available in the House of Commons library.
  It is not possible to make valid comparisons of the incidence of male breast cancer among health authorities because there are on average only 2 cases per health authority per year.

  Sudden Adult Death Syndrome
  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many recorded deaths from sudden adult death syndrome there were in each of the last 10 years. [146916]
  753W
  Mr. Denham
  In the years to 1999, the last year for which final figures are available, the Office for National Statistics (ONS), classified deaths using the Ninth Revision of the International Classification of Disease (ICD9). Unexplained sudden deaths where the cause could not be ascertained would have been classified to a variety of ICD9 codes, depending on what was recorded on the death certificate. For some of these cases insufficient information was available to determine whether they were true sudden adult death syndrome deaths.

  However, where death certificates contained a mention of sudden adult death syndrome, these were coded by the Office of National Statistics to ICD9 798.1— instantaneous death, cause unknown. Figures given are those for which this was the underlying cause of death. For the reasons given, these figures may understate the total number of sudden unexplained deaths.

  Deaths where the underlying cause of death is ICD9 798.1, for ages 16 and over, England and Wales, 1990–991

  Number of deaths

  1990

  0

  1991

  0

  1992

  1

  1993

  6

  1994

  10

  1995

  22

  1996

  12

  1997

  30

  1998

  49

  1999

  35

  1 1990–92 based on number of deaths registered in a year.

  Note:

  1993–99 based on number of deaths occurring in a year.

  Nurse Recruitment
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses have been recruited into the NHS from Sub-Saharan Africa in the last three years. [146841]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not held centrally. Information on applications from nurses outside the UK for registration to the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting (UKCC) can be found in the UKCC annual statistical analysis of the UKCC professional register. Information on the number of work permits issued to employers is available from the Overseas Labour Service.

  Pressure Sores
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects NICE to issue guidelines on the treatment of pressure sores. [147033]

  Mr. Denham
  We expect the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to issue guidelines on the treatment of pressure sores by summer 2001.

  Back Pain
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects NICE to issue guidelines on the treatment of back pain. [147032]
  754W
  Mr. Denham
  The National Institute for Clinical Excellence has not been asked to issue clinical guidelines on back pain. However, the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) produced a guideline on acute low back pain in 1996 and updated this in summer 1999. This guideline is available from the RCGP and is on their website at www.rcgp.org.uk.

  Non-departmental Public Bodies
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what directions overriding a note of dissent by an accounting officer have been given by the boards of non-departmental public bodies within his Department since May 1997. [147064]

  Ms Stuart
  There have been no such directions.

  Clinical Waste
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has given to the NHS in England with regard to the disposal of clinical waste from hospitals; and if he will make a statement. [147202]

  Mr. Denham
  The National Health Service has a range of guidance on waste management and in particular the disposal of clinical waste from hospitals produced by NHS Estates Agency (an Executive Agency of the Department of Health) and other organisations. The main sources of information are:

  The Health and Safety Executive
  (i) The Safe Disposal of clinical Waste (1999)

  NHS Estates Agency:

  (ii) Strategic Guide for Waste Management (1991)

  (iii) Strategic Guide for Clinical Waste Management (1994)

  (iv) Health Guidance Note—Clinical waste incineration—joint venture arrangements (1994)

  (v) Health Guidance Note—Safe disposal of clinical waste— whole hospital policy guidance (1995)

  (vi) Health Technical Memoranda 2065—Healthcare waste management—segregation of waste streams in clinical areas (1997)

  (vii) Health Technical Memoranda 2075—Clinical waste disposal/ treatment technologies (alternatives to incineration) (1998).

  Copies are available in the Library.

  Further guidance is being prepared to re-emphasise the NHS's responsibilities as waste producers, under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

  Cancer Funding
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for the distribution of the remaining money available from the New Opportunities Fund for the undertaking of research and other work in the field of cancer treatments; and if he will make a statement. [147221]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 25 January 2001]: In England, the New Opportunities Fund 'Living With Cancer' programme has provided £93 million to fund equipment to screen for, diagnose and treat cancer. A further £23.25 million is funding home care, support for carers and information projects that target socially disadvantaged groups or minority ethnic communities.

  755W
  Over 99 per cent. of these funds have now been awarded. Any remaining funds will be used for similar projects. This programme is not intended to fund medical research.

  The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has recently completed a consultation exercise on new proposals for health. This new programme will build on the 'Living With Cancer' programme and Government plans for the modernisation of cancer services.

  Care Home Beds
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 22 January 2001,Official Report, column 431W, (1) concerning care home bed numbers, how many local authorities were in the survey; and how many responded; [147283]

  (2) if he will set out how and to whom the survey results were disseminated; [147281]

  (3) if he will set out the judgments he came to in the light of the survey findings; [147280]

  (4) what the estimated cost of the survey was. [147282]

  Mr. Hutton
  All 150 councils with social services responsibilities provided information. The information was obtained electronically. The cost of obtaining the information was therefore small but cannot be estimated accurately. The information was used to inform judgments by the regional offices of the social services inspectorate about the preparedness of councils. It was only disseminated within the Department.

  Nursing Home Care
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he proposes to issue following the judgment in the case of South Lanarkshire v. McGregor, in relation to delays in providing nursing home care for persons assessed as needing it. [147295]

  Mr. Hutton
  South Lanarkshire Council have provisionally lodged an appeal against this decision. It would therefore be inappropriate to comment directly on this case in the meantime.

  Agency Nurses
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average hourly cost of a junior agency nurse is; and how much commission the NHS pays the agency. [147395]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Heart Surgery
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy that minimally invasive heart surgery is carried out in cases where it is the preferred choice of the surgeon. [147391]

  Mr. Denham
  Minimally invasive heart surgery is not undertaken routinely at present. Two research projects are currently being carried out into its use and effectiveness, and are due for completion next year. The most common form of heart surgery, revascularisation, is carried out either by open-heart surgery (a bypass operation) or by balloon angioplasty, a non-surgical procedure.

TREASURY

  Mortality Rates
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people died in each of the last 24 months for which figures are available, broken down by(a) region and (b) age categories (i) 0–64, (ii) 65–74, (iii) 75–84 and (iv) 85 years or above. [146322]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 22 January 2001]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Steve Webb, dated 26 January 2001:
  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question on the number of people who died in each of the last 24 months for which figures are available, by region and age categories (146322).
  Figures are provided in the attached table for deaths from August 1998 to July 2000. Figures for deaths occurring in 1998 and 1999 are final. Those for 2000 are revised provisional estimates, based on data available in December 2000. Final figures will be available in October 2001.

  Deaths by age-group, month of occurrence and Government office region of usual residence, August 1998 to July 20001

  August

  September

  October

  November

  December

  1998

  England and Wales

  All ages

  41,895

  41,416

  45,361

  45,460

  58,085

  0–64

  7,514

  7,255

  7,620

  7,712

  8,753

  65–74

  8,612

  8,592

  9,421

  9,120

  11,241

  75–84

  13,931

  13,698

  14,980

  15,038

  19,706

  85+

  11,838

  11,871

  13,340

  13,590

  18,385

  Non-residents

  All ages

  157

  163

  107

  85

  99

  0–64

  79

  74

  46

  46

  49

  65–74

  36

  45

  27

  18

  24

  75–84

  34

  31

  20

  16

  21

  85+

  8

  13

  14

  5

  5

  North East

  All ages

  2,253

  2,185

  2,427

  2,552

  3,099

  0–64

  441

  425

  430

  458

  503

  65–74

  526

  565

  562

  621

  684

  75–84

  762

  698

  812

  874

  1,095

  85+

  524

  497

  623

  599

  817

  North West

  All ages

  6,049

  5,809

  6,260

  6,372

  8,781

  0–64

  1.204

  1,115

  1,152

  1,157

  1,442

  65–74

  1,322

  1,245

  1,397

  1,386

  1,838

  75–84

  1.950

  1,897

  2.028

  2,077

  2,932

  85+

  1,573

  1,552

  1,683

  1,752

  2,569

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  All ages

  4,042

  4,111

  4,545

  4,451

  5,974

  0–64

  715

  699

  809

  770

  870

  65–74

  837

  947

  954

  885

  1,224

  75–84

  1,367

  1,342

  1,533

  1,497

  2,135

  85+

  1,123

  1,123

  1,249

  1,299

  1,745

  757W

  Deaths by age-group, month of occurrence and Government office region of usual residence, August 1998 to July 20001

  August

  September

  October

  November

  December

  East Midlands

  All ages

  3,238

  3,189

  3,648

  3,798

  5,022

  0–64

  605

  541

  568

  635

  720

  65–74

  715

  694

  804

  791

  1,002

  75–84

  1,050

  1,074

  1,255

  1,274

  1,723

  85+

  868

  880

  1,021

  1,098

  1,577

  West Midlands

  All ages

  4,205

  4,168

  4,598

  4,695

  5,863

  0–64

  753

  770

  790

  819

  925

  65–74

  895

  900

  1,037

  990

  1,189

  75–84

  1,490

  1,402

  1,475

  1,584

  2,029

  85+

  1,067

  1,096

  1,296

  1,302

  1,720

  Eastern

  All ages

  4,126

  4,138

  4,464

  4,550

  5,803

  0–64

  642

  696

  694

  744

  762

  65–74

  820

  800

  823

  833

  1,053

  75–84

  1,428

  1,400

  1,577

  1,556

  1,978

  85+

  1,236

  1,242

  1,370

  1,417

  2,010

  London

  All ages

  4,799

  4,672

  5,128

  5,014

  6,526

  0–64

  1,008

  944

  1,020

  1,023

  1,181

  January

  February

  March

  April

  May

  June

  1999

  England and Wales

  All ages

  64,751

  46,684

  47,694

  42,550

  42,334

  40,733

  0–64

  9,138

  7,348

  7,792

  7,532

  7,475

  7,245

  65–74

  11,911

  9,007

  9,473

  8,308

  8,639

  8,258

  75–84

  21,690

  15,434

  15,802

  14,099

  14,087

  13,389

  85+

  22,012

  14,895

  14,627

  12,611

  12,133

  11,841

  Non-residents

  All ages

  130

  97

  117

  102

  119

  135

  0–64

  66

  55

  54

  56

  61

  75

  65–74

  26

  20

  28

  23

  27

  28

  75–84

  27

  14

  22

  18

  26

  26

  85+

  11

  8

  13

  5

  5

  6

  North East

  All ages

  3,506

  2,494

  2,413

  2,218

  2,189

  2,248

  0–64

  511

  420

  432

  481

  439

  430

  65–74

  795

  610

  531

  517

  466

  506

  75–84

  1,185

  807

  839

  691

  758

  753

  85+

  1,015

  657

  611

  529

  526

  559

  North West

  All ages

  9,612

  6,317

  6,607

  6,008

  5,952

  5,702

  0–64

  1,444

  1,092

  1,223

  1,146

  1,117

  1,102

  65–74

  1,931

  1,301

  1,403

  1,266

  1,350

  1,232

  75–84

  3,164

  2,077

  2,199

  1,992

  1,899

  1,850

  85+

  3,073

  1,847

  1,782

  1,604

  1,586

  1,518

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  All ages

  6,533

  4,378

  4,573

  4,077

  4,101

  4,023

  0–64

  906

  722

  750

  722

  739

  723

  65–74

  1,231

  892

  961

  784

  912

  842

  75–84

  2,269

  1,457

  1,524

  1,406

  1,343

  1,372

  85+

  2,127

  1,307

  1,338

  1,165

  1,107

  1,086

  East Midlands

  All ages

  5,324

  3,581

  3,730

  3,356

  3,386

  3,255

  0–64

  749

  580

  621

  620

  601

  583

  65–74

  1,005

  694

  753

  684

  684

  727

  75–84

  1,797

  1,269

  1,263

  1,083

  1,164

  1,021

  85+

  1,773

  1,038

  1,093

  969

  937

  924

  758W

  Deaths by age-group, month of occurrence and Government office region of usual residence, August 1998 to July 20001

  August

  September

  October

  November

  December

  65–74

  952

  973

  1,053

  1,011

  1.184

  75–84

  1,488

  1,477

  1,614

  1,534

  2,111

  85+

  1,351

  1,278

  1,441

  1,446

  2,050

  South East

  All ages

  6,204

  6,205

  6,764

  6,641

  8,206

  0–64

  998

  952

  990

  1,004

  1,107

  65–74

  1,142

  1,107

  1,320

  1,188

  1,387

  75–84

  2,070

  2,054

  2,224

  2,195

  2,762

  85+

  1,994

  2,092

  2,230

  2,254

  2,950

  South West

  All ages

  4,240

  4,207

  4,592

  4,558

  5,344

  0–64

  626

  612

  674

  615

  675

  65–74

  793

  748

  822

  814

  917

  75–84

  1,391

  1,427

  1,491

  1,507

  1,815

  85+

  1,430

  1,420

  1,605

  1,622

  1,937

  Wales

  All ages

  2,582

  2,569

  2,828

  2,744

  3,368

  0–64

  443

  427

  447

  441

  519

  65–74

  574

  568

  622

  583

  739

  75–84

  901

  896

  951

  924

  1,105

  85+

  664

  678

  808

  796

  1,005

  759W

  January

  February

  March

  April

  May

  June

  West Midlands

  All ages

  6,628

  4,611

  4,907

  4,276

  4,174

  4,143

  0–64

  1,003

  779

  847

  772

  761

  756

  65–74

  1,294

  953

  1,005

  878

  907

  885

  75–84

  2,281

  1,554

  1,653

  1,498

  1,426

  1,370

  85+

  2,050

  1,325

  1,402

  1,128

  1,080

  1,132

  Eastern

  All ages

  6,455

  4,729

  4,696

  4,214

  4,293

  3,931

  0–64

  790

  630

  668

  708

  682

  634

  65–74

  1,072

  854

  906

  798

  879

  746

  75–84

  2,207

  1.618

  1,552

  1,392

  1,467

  1,334

  85+

  2,386

  1,627

  1,570

  1,316

  1,265

  1,217

  London

  All ages

  6,903

  5,183

  5,404

  4,804

  4,722

  4,561

  0–64

  1,167

  968

  1,029

  971

  1,007

  888

  65–74

  1,199

  989

  1,107

  905

  932

  904

  75–84

  2,240

  1,619

  1,681

  1,492

  1,488

  1,470

  85+

  2,297

  1,607

  1,587

  1,436

  1,295

  1,299

  South East

  All ages

  9,351

  7,227

  7,261

  6,347

  6,403

  5,987

  0–64

  1,168

  990

  1,044

  991

  998

  971

  65–74

  1,559

  1,247

  1,284

  1,082

  1,145

  1,097

  75–84

  3,058

  2,330

  2,371

  2,067

  2,079

  1,973

  85+

  3,566

  2,660

  2,562

  2,207

  2,181

  1,946

  South West

  All ages

  6,190

  5,045

  4,945

  4,352

  4,358

  4,157

  0–64

  758

  652

  630

  584

  605

  606

  65–74

  986

  848

  845

  806

  799

  743

  75–84

  2,052

  1,631

  1,681

  1,503

  1,523

  1,363

  85+

  2,394

  1,914

  1,789

  1,459

  1,431

  1,445

  Wales

  All ages

  4,119

  3,022

  3,041

  2,796

  2,637

  2,591

  0–64

  576

  460

  494

  481

  465

  477

  65–74

  813

  599

  650

  565

  538

  548

  75–84

  1,410

  1,058

  1,017

  957

  914

  857

  85+

  1,320

  905

  880

  793

  720

  709

  July

  August

  September

  October

  November

  December

  1999

  England and Wales

  All ages

  40,998

  41,150

  40,215

  44,205

  43,829

  60,975

  0–64

  7,515

  7,370

  7,188

  7,630

  7,533

  9,067

  65–74

  8,419

  8,303

  7,839

  8,817

  8,629

  11,793

  75–84

  13,354

  13,615

  13,395

  14,497

  14,359

  20,588

  85+

  11,710

  11,862

  11,793

  13,261

  13,308

  19,527

  Non-residents

  All ages

  146

  148

  144

  122

  102

  144

  0–64

  68

  72

  67

  65

  53

  74

  65–74

  37

  28

  45

  22

  23

  27

  75–84

  30

  37

  22

  22

  20

  24

  85+

  11

  11

  10

  13

  6

  19

  North East

  All ages

  2,211

  2,184

  2,201

  2,379

  2,268

  3,246

  0–64

  440

  412

  412

  433

  379

  522

  65–74

  540

  528

  496

  570

  530

  751

  75–84

  731

  732

  773

  777

  786

  1,133

  85+

  500

  512

  520

  599

  573

  840

  North West

  All ages

  5,791

  5,892

  5,623

  6,062

  6,039

  8,115

  0–64

  1,149

  1,166

  1,111

  1,202

  1,148

  1,377

  65–74

  1,283

  1,267

  1,157

  1,299

  1,277

  1,743

  75–84

  1,849

  1,934

  1,847

  1.930

  1,937

  2,677

  85+

  1,510

  1,525

  1,508

  1,631

  1,677

  2,318

  760W 761W

  July

  August

  September

  October

  November

  December

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  All ages

  4,037

  3,875

  3,888

  4,254

  4,324

  5,744

  0–64

  807

  733

  705

  779

  753

  861

  65–74

  836

  838

  804

  891

  890

  1,143

  75–84

  1,302

  1,282

  1,305

  1,383

  1,442

  1,970

  85+

  1,092

  1,022

  1,074

  1,201

  1,239

  1,770

  East Midlands

  All ages

  3,256

  3,296

  3,239

  3,529

  3,450

  4,877

  0–64

  568

  586

  570

  596

  616

  723

  65–74

  710

  716

  632

  727

  679

  990

  75–84

  1,064

  1,102

  1,160

  1,184

  1,090

  1,641

  85+

  914

  892

  877

  1,022

  1,065

  1,523

  West Midlands

  All ages

  4,043

  4,117

  4,049

  4,482

  4,553

  6,668

  0–64

  753

  810

  759

  796

  850

  1,016

  65–74

  891

  836

  845

  927

  925

  1,361

  75–84

  1,344

  1,291

  1,328

  1,495

  1,514

  2,288

  85+

  1,055

  1,180

  1,117

  1,264

  1,264

  2,003

  Eastern

  All ages

  4,051

  4,087

  3,910

  4,315

  4,242

  6,064

  0–64

  649

  663

  626

  643

  647

  789

  65–74

  783

  791

  743

  808

  763

  1,082

  75–84

  1,373

  1,359

  1,276

  1,446

  1,492

  2,144

  85+

  1,246

  1,274

  1,265

  1,418

  1,340

  2,049

  London

  All ages

  4,469

  4,660

  4,422

  5,075

  4,922

  7,338

  0–64

  1,000

  976

  946

  1,029

  984

  1,208

  65–74

  889

  900

  857

  977

  944

  1,389

  75–84

  1,360

  1,524

  1,374

  1,592

  1,494

  2,415

  85+

  1,220

  1,260

  1,245

  1,477

  1,500

  2,326

  South East

  All ages

  6,121

  6,130

  6,079

  6,718

  6,699

  9,223

  0–64

  967

  928

  969

  1,057

  1,006

  1,271

  65–74

  1,101

  1,066

  1,032

  1,194

  1,198

  1,529

  75–84

  1,998

  2,070

  2,042

  2,215

  2,184

  3,088

  85+

  2,055

  2,066

  2,036

  2,252

  2,311

  3,335

  South West

  All ages

  4,316

  4,195

  4,113

  4,605

  4,472

  5,819

  0–64

  654

  600

  564

  591

  630

  718

  65–74

  819

  750

  698

  812

  799

  988

  75–84

  1,389

  1,417

  1,420

  1,566

  1,482

  1,904

  85+

  1,454

  1,428

  1,431

  1,636

  1,561

  2,209

  Wales

  All ages

  2,557

  2,566

  2,547

  2,664

  2,758

  3,737

  0–64

  460

  424

  459

  439

  467

  508

  65–74

  530

  583

  530

  590

  601

  790

  75–84

  914

  867

  848

  887

  918

  1,304

  85+

  653

  692

  710

  748

  772

  1,135

  January

  February

  March

  April

  May

  June

  July

  20001

  England and Wales

  All ages

  66,447

  44,302

  44,010

  42,637

  41,215

  39,955

  40,186

  0–64

  9,241

  7,298

  7,443

  7,368

  7,039

  6,770

  6,783

  65–74

  11,868

  8,365

  8,483

  8,288

  8,213

  7,906

  8,021

  75–84

  22,186

  14,703

  14,512

  14,058

  13,633

  13,362

  13,225

  85+

  23,152

  13,936

  13,572

  12,923

  12,330

  11,917

  12,157

  Non-residents

  All ages

  131

  70

  85

  83

  119

  117

  133

  0–64

  69

  39

  53

  41

  51

  60

  44

  65–74

  22

  15

  11

  19

  37

  22

  47

  75–84

  30

  11

  16

  17

  25

  23

  28

  85+

  10

  5

  5

  6

  6

  12

  14

  762W 763W

  January

  February

  March

  April

  May

  June

  July

  North East

  All ages

  3,661

  2,292

  2,224

  2,151

  2,167

  2,051

  2,037

  0–64

  548

  396

  409

  397

  424

  344

  353

  65–74

  782

  496

  502

  486

  499

  480

  510

  75–84

  1,296

  771

  749

  729

  691

  706

  625

  85+

  1,035

  629

  564

  539

  553

  521

  549

  North West

  All ages

  9,030

  6,124

  6,086

  5,875

  5,806

  5,499

  5,568

  0–64

  1,378

  1,086

  1,106

  1,129

  1,106

  1,042

  1,015

  65–74

  1,397

  1,269

  1,280

  1,187

  1,236

  1,147

  1,209

  75–84

  2,956

  2,023

  1,945

  1,920

  1,889

  1,776

  1,832

  85+

  2,999

  1,746

  1,755

  1,639

  1,575

  1,534

  1,512

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  All ages

  6,579

  4,287

  4,267

  4,167

  3,967

  3,925

  3,971

  0–64

  908

  739

  740

  695

  666

  647

  691

  65–74

  1,235

  873

  818

  890

  815

  814

  828

  75–84

  2,311

  1,423

  1,426

  1,394

  1,381

  1,341

  1,344

  85+

  2,125

  1,252

  1,283

  1,188

  1,105

  1,123

  1,108

  East Midlands

  All ages

  5,278

  3,494

  3,523

  3,418

  3,346

  3,149

  3,148

  0–64

  755

  617

  610

  613

  542

  551

  556

  65–74

  945

  620

  715

  676

  704

  610

  603

  75–84

  1,761

  1,157

  1,186

  1,149

  1,114

  1,095

  1,044

  85+

  1,817

  1,100

  1,012

  980

  986

  893

  945

  West Midlands

  All ages

  6,698

  4,461

  4,532

  4,293

  4,251

  4,104

  4,203

  0–64

  963

  733

  838

  747

  721

  714

  778

  65–74

  1,278

  929

  922

  919

  867

  857

  871

  75–84

  2,258

  1,492

  1,496

  1,445

  1,476

  1,463

  1,428

  85+

  2,199

  1,307

  1,276

  1,182

  1,187

  1,070

  1,126

  Eastern

  All ages

  6,606

  4,446

  4,339

  4,238

  4,115

  4,049

  4,098

  0–64

  858

  652

  646

  707

  612

  647

  616

  65–74

  1,104

  794

  767

  749

  745

  746

  783

  75–84

  2,213

  1,553

  1,478

  1,412

  1,432

  1,357

  1,385

  85+

  2,431

  1,447

  1,448

  1,370

  1,326

  1,299

  1,314

  London

  All ages

  7,269

  5,033

  4,863

  4,660

  4,503

  4,357

  4,489

  0–64

  1,179

  994

  929

  951

  910

  861

  881

  65–74

  1,276

  916

  950

  919

  882

  875

  846

  75–84

  2,335

  1,542

  1,564

  1,446

  1,378

  1,370

  1,407

  85+

  2,479

  1,581

  1,420

  1,344

  1,333

  1,251

  1,355

  South East

  All ages

  10,274

  6,642

  6,652

  6,534

  6,054

  5,913

  5,992

  0–64

  1,255

  971

  1,035

  1,022

  971

  920

  863

  65–74

  1,647

  1,134

  1,160

  1,169

  1,086

  994

  1,083

  75–84

  3,329

  2,179

  2,137

  2,086

  1,972

  1,955

  1,981

  85+

  4,043

  2,358

  2,320

  2,257

  2,025

  2,044

  2,065

  South West

  All ages

  6,943

  4,717

  4,616

  4,553

  4,343

  4,227

  4,162

  0–64

  775

  611

  645

  649

  631

  586

  600

  65–74

  1,105

  792

  794

  753

  778

  792

  723

  75–84

  2,338

  1,600

  1,634

  1,500

  1,410

  1,418

  1,365

  85+

  2,725

  1,714

  1,643

  1,651

  1,524

  1,431

  1,474

  Wales

  All ages

  3,978

  2,736

  2,823

  2,665

  2,544

  2,564

  2,385

  0–64

  553

  460

  432

  417

  405

  398

  386

  65–74

  777

  527

  564

  521

  564

  569

  518

  75–84

  1,359

  952

  981

  960

  865

  858

  786

  85+

  1,289

  797

  846

  767

  710

  739

  695

  1 2000 figures provisional

  764W

  Barnett Formula (Reserves)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how reserves are treated in the calculation of the Barnett formula. [147057]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The reserve is UK-wide. Policy on access to the reserve is set out in the Statement of Funding Policy published in July 2000, copies of which are available in the Library.

CABINET OFFICE

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to her answer of 11 December 2000,Official Report, column 48W, under which clauses in their model contract special advisers are allowed to be used by Ministers to cost opposition party policies; and if she will make a statement. [146669]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  Schedule 1 (Part 1) of the "Model Contract for Special Advisers" sets out the role and duties of special advisers.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  European City of Culture
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if joint bids from more than one city are admissible in applications for European City of Culture status. [147433]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  Under the European City of Culture initiative, a single city usually holds the event though cities from different countries can share the title on the basis of intergovernmental agreement. There is no precedent for two cities from the same country hosting the event in a single year and I am not aware of any joint bids.

  The European Union's Decision 1419/1999EC established a new community action which will come into effect in 2005. Each year from 2005 member states can, in turn, make nominations for the designation European Capital of Culture. Last September, I launched the competition to select the city that will be nominated by the United Kingdom as Capital of Culture for 2008. The criteria I have published state that
  The term city refers to a conurbation with a distinct identity. It may be a town or a city, and it may choose to involve its surrounding region in its cultural programme, but in keeping with the Decision of the European Union, it is not, in principle, a consortium of geographically separate towns or cities.

  This reflects the terms of the EU's Decision.

  BBC
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to ensure that proposed new BBC services comply with EU rules on state aid prior to being presented for final approval. [147435]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I will take account of the EU state aid rules as part of my consideration of the BBC's proposals.

  Football Grounds
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the Football Licensing Authority concerning the reintroduction of standing accommodation at football grounds. [147434]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  My hon. Friend the Minister for Sport met the Chairman and Chief Executive of the Football Licensing Authority on 20 December to discuss a range of issues including the Government's all seater policy. That policy remains in place. Following my hon. Friend's meeting, the authority will be undertaking research on stadiums in Germany with the aim of ensuring that those responsible for ensuring the safety of sports grounds in the UK are fully conversant with the latest design practices overseas.

  Visitor Attractions
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the impact on the existing visitor attractions industry of newly-opened lottery funded projects. [147432]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The impact of lottery funding is one of a wide range of issues which will be considered at the forum for attractions which the Government plan to hold in mid-March. The forum will bring together the attractions industry and the departmental bodies with an interest in it. The English Tourism Council's publication, "Action for Attractions", published on 16 November 2000, identifies new opportunities for action and will help inform the forum.

  Sports Equipment
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received from manufacturers of sports equipment regarding quality and safety standards. [147436]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  My Department is in regular contact with representatives from manufacturers of sports equipment regarding both safety standards and the latest technological developments across a wide range of sporting activities. My hon. Friend the Minister for Sport is currently working with the Sports Industries Federation, which represents numerous trade associations from the sports industry sectors, on various issues surrounding the sports goods industry.

  Slapton/Start Bay
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will assess the impact on tourism of the Slapton/Start Bay road remaining closed during summer 2001. [147287]

  Janet Anderson
  No decision has been made on whether the closed section of the Slapton/Start Bay road between the Monument and Streetgate will remain closed for the summer. This is a matter for Devon County Council's Local Highways Authority. The impact on tourism is one of a number of issues that all the relevant local and regional authorities will be considering in discussions with the other bodies and organisations with an interest, including English Nature and the owners of the adjacent land.
  767W
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will estimate the increase in the number of tourists visiting Slapton beaches and Start Bay to view the recent storm damage; and if he will make additional funds available to the local authorities to cater for such additional tourists. [147289]

  Janet Anderson
  We have no plans to estimate the increase in the number of tourists to this area and no additional funds will be made available.

PRIME MINISTER

  Diwali Celebrations
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Prime Minister how many invitations he accepted and from whom in 2000 for Diwali celebrations. [147291]

  The Prime Minister
  None.

  The Right hon. Member for Hartlepool
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Prime Minister what account he has taken of the application of sponsorship principles Nos. 1 and 4, contained in "Guidance to Departments on sponsorship of Government activities", in respect of the intervention by the right hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson) concerning the citizenship application by Mr. Hinduja. [147286]

  The Prime Minister
  This is a matter for the review set up under Sir Anthony Hammond QC.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Firearms
  Mrs. Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Association of Chief Police Officers' guidelines on the police use of firearms will be published. [147943]

  Mr. Straw
  I understand that the Association of Chief Police Officers' manual on the police use of firearms has been reviewed and revised to take full account of the introduction of the Human Rights Act 1998 and to help spread consistency and good practice.

  With the exception of the specific sections on police tactics, training and equipment where publication might compromise police operations, the manual will be available to the public via the internet on www.acpo.police.uk with effect from 29 January 2001. I will also shortly place a copy of this version in the Library.

  Asylum Seekers
  Ms Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is on those asylum seekers who are in receipt of social security benefits and who on or after 25 September 2000 receive a negative decision on their claim. [147944]

  Mrs. Roche
  Any asylum seeker who is in receipt of social security benefits and whose asylum claim is recorded as refused on or after 25 September 2000 and who would otherwise be destitute, may seek support from 768W
  the National Asylum Support Service (NASS). It is the Government's policy to offer accommodation to asylum seekers which is outside London and the south-east in order to relieve the pressure on London and the south-east.

  Asylum seekers who are no longer entitled to social security benefits after 25 September and who apply for a full support package from NASS are likely to be offered accommodation outside the south-east. However, NASS will give due consideration to cases where there are exceptional compelling or compassionate reasons why the asylum seeker should be allowed to remain in the area in which he was living at the time the social security benefits were stopped. In cases where families have children who have attended a particular school for at least 12 months, we will give consideration to enabling those asylum seeker families to remain in their existing accommodation so that the education of those children is not unduly disrupted.

  In other cases, however, the expectation is that accommodation will be offered outside the south-east.

  Illegal Immigrants
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many £2,000 fines have been imposed on(a) British and (b) foreign hauliers for attempted smuggling of illegal immigrants; how many of these fines have been (i) paid and (ii) waived; and if he will make a statement. [146449]

  Mrs. Roche
  Persons who deliberately facilitate the arrival of illegal entrants are liable to criminal prosecution. The civil penalty provisions of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 enable the imposition of a penalty on those who, through negligence or otherwise, allow their vehicles to be used by persons seeking to enter the United Kingdom clandestinely. The penalty is £2,000 for each clandestine entrant carried.

  Since 3 April 2000 when the provisions where implemented, and as at 18 January 2001, 743 civil penalties have been imposed on persons found to have carried between them a total of 4,124 clandestine entrants. One hundred and ninety-four of the penalties where imposed on British hauliers in respect of a total of 1,023 clandestine entrants carried.

  Sixty one penalties, with a combined value of £532,000 have been paid in full and agreement has been reached for the payment of a further 35 penalties with a total value of £384,000.

  One hundred and seventy five penalties have been withdrawn or were not pursued because a valid defence against their imposition has been made.

  Hinduja Brothers
  Mr. Cawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who has(a) made inquiries, (b) made representations and (c) submitted material in connection with applications for citizenship made by (i) G P Hinduja and (ii) S. P. Hinduja. [147294]

  Mr. Straw
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Hornchurch (Mr. Cryer) and the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 25 January 2001,Official Report, columns 708–09W.
  769W
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) by whom the naturalisation application of Mr. Srichand Hinduja was determined in 1999; which Ministers in his Department(a) were consulted and (b) requested information about the application, and on what dates; and if he will make a statement; [147322]

  (2) what the (a) date and (b) time was of the telephone conversation between the right hon. Member for Hartlepool Mr. Mandelson) and the hon. Member for North Warwickshire (Mr. O'Brien) in June 1998 regarding the nationality application of Mr. Hinduja; [147551]

  (3) on what dates the right hon. Member for Hartlepool contacted him, Ministers in his Department and his officials, (a) in writing, (b) by telephone, (c) by other electronic means and (d) orally, regarding naturalisation applications by the Hinduja brothers; [147325]

  (4) if he will make a statement about the involvement of (a) the right hon. Member for Hartlepool and (b) other Ministers in the naturalisation applications of the Hinduja brothers; [147326]

  (5) what representations the right hon. Member for Hartlepool made to (a) him, (b) the hon. Member for North Warwickshire, (c) other Ministers in his Department and (d) officials in his Department regarding naturalisation applications by the Hinduja brothers; on what dates the representations were made; and if he will make a statement; [147324]

  (6) if he will place in the Library the record of the telephone conversation between the right hon. Member for Hartlepool and the hon. Member for North Warwickshire in June 1998 regarding the naturalisation application of Mr. Hinduja; [147323]

  (7) what information was provided by (a) the hon. Member for North Warwickshire and (b) other Ministers and officials in his Department to Mr. Srichand Hinduja, following the telephone conversation between the hon. Member for North Warwickshire and the right hon. Member for Hartlepool in June 1998. [147430]

  Mr. Straw
  I refer the hon. Gentlemen to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Hornchurch (Mr. Cryer) and the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 25 January 2001, Official Report, columns 708–09W.

  Prison Sentences
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people serving life sentences were in jail in 1995; and how many are serving life sentences at the latest date for which figures are available. [147427]

  Mr. Boateng
  There were 3,289 persons serving a life sentence in prisons in England and Wales in 1995. Provisional data show that currently there are 3,631 persons serving a life sentence in prisons in England and Wales. This information is also published in successive volumes of "Prison statistics England and Wales" (chapter 8 of the 1995 edition, Cm 3355) copies of which are in the Library.
  770W
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many prisoners are serving sentences of more than(a) 25 years, (b) 20 years, (c) 15 years and (d) 10 years, respectively; [147429]

  (2) how many people convicted of murder are serving sentences of more than (a) 25 years, (b) 20 years, (c) 15 years and (d) 10 years, respectively. [147428]

  Mr. Boateng
  Provisional information on lengths of sentences for prisoners throughout England and Wales is given in the table. This information is also published in successive volumes of "Prison statistics England and Wales" (In the 1999 edition, Cm 4805) copies of which are in the Library.

  Persons in prison throughout England and Wales serving more than 25 years, 20 years, 15 years and 10 years respectively, and the proportion of these that have been convicted of Murder

  Length of sentence

  All prisoners

  Prisoners convicted of murder

  More than 25 years

  4,800

  3,449

  More than 20 years

  4,883

  3,449

  More than 15 years

  5,290

  3,451

  More than 10 years

  7,297

  3,451

  Correspondence
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to reply to correspondence concerning Mrs. Farahat Hamid Sultana dated 1 November 2000, reference S10 35382. [147424]

  Mrs. Roche
  An official from the Immigration and Nationality Directorate wrote to the hon. Member on 25 January. I am sorry for the delay.

  NCH Action for Children
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times since May 1997 Ministers in his Department met John Carr of NCH Action for Children(a) formally and (b) informally. [146893]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 23 January 2001]: Home Office Ministers have met John Carr informally on several occasions and have met him in a formal capacity once or twice since May 1997. There are also plans for him to meet with Ministers in the near future.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Circuit Judges
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the solicitors and barristers appointed circuit judges over the last five years who have not sat previously as recorders; which of them had no other judicial experience prior to appointment; and on what basis they were appointed. [147049]

  Mr. Lock
  The information is as follows.
  771W

  (i) Those appointed circuit judges over the past five years who had not previously sat as recorders:

  Solicitors

  Her Honour Judge Andrew

  His Honour Judge Hollis

  His Honour Judge McKenna

  His Honour Judge Wade

  Barristers

  His Honour Judge Connor

  His Honour Judge Prophet

  His Honour Judge Tyzack QC.

  (ii) Only Judge McKenna, had no other prior judicial experience.

  (iii) Judge McKenna was appointed to the circuit bench on the Midland and Oxford Circuit on 26 July 2000. He was recommended for appointment following a public competition.

  Lucy Crone
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if Lucy Crone, part-time chairman of an employment tribunal, is a member of the Law Society of Scotland; and if he will make a statement on her credentials with respect to practising in Scottish law and holding the post of chairman of an employment tribunal. [147534]

  Mr. Lock
  The Minister for Competitiveness will provide the hon. Member with an answer as soon as possible.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Depleted Uranium
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Italian authorities about medical examinations of Italian troops who served in Bosnia-Herzogovina in 1994–95. [146433]

  Mr. Vaz
  [holding answer 22 January 2001]: The Foreign Secretary discussed the issue of depleted uranium munitions with his EU colleagues at the General Affairs Council in Brussels on 22 January. Detailed information is being shared among Allies in the Committee of Chiefs of Military Medical Services in NATO (COMEDS) and with other interested parties in NATO's Ad Hoc committee on Depleted Uranium. Our Embassy in Rome has discussed policy with Italian officials.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Greek authorities about the visit of Greek medical experts to the Urosevac area of Kosovo. [146436]

  Mr. Vaz
  [holding answer 22 January 2001]: I refer my hon. Friend to my answer to question 146433. In addition to collective consideration of the issue in NATO and the EU, our Embassy in Athens has discussed the issue with the Greek authorities.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Romanian authorities about the results of medical examination of Romanian soldiers who served in Bosnia-Herzogovina Peace Missions in 1994–95. [146432]
  772W
  Mr. Vaz
  [holding answer 22 January 2001]: NATO has established an Ad Hoc committee to share information about the possible health effects of Depleted Uranium with all contributors of troops to NATO-led peacekeeping operations in Bosnia and Kosovo. Our Embassy in Bucharest has discussed the issue with the Romanian Authorities. The Foreign Secretary has had no direct discussions with Romania.

  Immigration (Subcontinent)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applicants are awaiting interview for entry into the UK as permanent settlers at British High Commission offices in(a) Pakistan, (b) India and (c) Sri Lanka. [146498]

  Mr. Vaz
  The number of applicants awaiting settlement interviews fluctuates during the year in response to seasonal pressures. The following figures give the numbers at the end of December 2000 in the countries concerned. The posts at Islamabad, Bombay and New Delhi divide settlement applications into four interview queues. The queue groupings are:

  Queue 1—Right of abode cases and dependent relatives over 65;

  Queue 2—Spouses and children under 18;

  Queue 3—Fiance(e)s and other first time applicants;

  Queue 4—Re-applicants;

  The visa sections at Karachi, Calcutta, Madras and Colombo have one queue for all settlement applications.

  Pakistan
  Islamabad

  Q1–52

  Q2–2,825

  Q3–299

  Q4–239

  Karachi—73

  India
  Bombay

  Q1–0

  Q2–243

  Q3–75

  Q4–32

  Calcutta—0
  Madras—51
  New Delhi

  Q1–17

  Q2–139

  Q3–129

  Q4–56

  Sri Lanka
  Colombo—63.

  Plan Colombia
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his US counterparts concerning their decision not to demand human rights certification in exchange for the aid package, Plan Colombia. [147256]
  773W
  Mr. Battle
  Human rights have been central to all of our discussions on Colombia, including the international meetings held last year in London, Madrid and Bogota, in which US officials also participated.

  In waiving the formal human rights conditions linked to the disbursement of US aid for Colombia on 22 August 2000, President Clinton stressed that the US would press the Colombian authorities to make progress on human rights in all of the areas identified by Congress. We will continue the discussion with the new US Administration.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Superintendent Burrows
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will place in the Library the text of the speech by RUC Superintendent Colin Burrows on the Northern Ireland perspective on non-lethal weapons delivered to the Jane's Defence Review conference in Glasgow on 5 and 6 December 2000. [146517]

  Mr. Ingram
  Superintendent Burrows delivered a multi-media presentation entitled "Operationalising Non-Lethality—a Northern Ireland Perspective" to an invited audience in Edinburgh, without the aid of typewritten notes. Details of Superintendent Burrows' presentation may become available when the organisers publish an account of the conference.

  Diwali Celebrations
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many invitations the right hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson) accepted and from whom to attend Diwali celebrations in 2000. [147293]

  Dr. Reid
  The answer is none.

  Hinduja Brothers
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what purpose the right hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson) instructed his Private Secretary to inquire about the progress of the passport application of Mr. Hinduja. [147284]

  Dr. Reid
  This is a matter for the review set up under Sir Anthony Hammond QC.

  Departmental Surveys
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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 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. [146586]
  774W
  Mr. Ingram
  The Northern Ireland Office accounts structure does not record expenditure in a way that would allow spending on quantitative and qualitative surveys on any issue to be easily identified.

  This information could be provided by a manual exercise only at a disproportionate cost.

  Royal Ulster Constabulary
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the reduction in the numbers of full-time RUC Reserve officers for each year from 1997 to 2000; and how many are scheduled to leave in each year from 2001 to 2004. [144692]

  Mr. Ingram
  The following table shows the numerical strength of the full-time Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve from 31 December 1996 to 31 December 2000.

  Year

  Strength

  Gain/loss (year on year)

  31 December 1996

  2,929

  —

  31 December 1997

  2,982

  +53

  31 December 1998

  2,936

  -46

  31 December 1999

  2,719

  -217

  31 December 2000

  2,555

  -164

  It is not possible to be definitive on the number of officers scheduled to leave between years 2001 and 2004 as this is dependent on a number of factors, including officers applying for renewal and the extension of contracts etc. However, 249 officers are eligible to apply to leave under the RUC Voluntary Severance Scheme in year 1 and year 2. I can confirm that under the Scheme 15 officers will leave during year 1.

  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many officers of the Royal Ulster Constabulary have served in(a) Bosnia and (b) Kosovo; if they were given advice about depleted uranium; if they have served in locations identified as sites subject to a presence of depleted uranium; what health checks will be provided for these police officers; and if he will make a statement. [145931]

  Mr. Ingram
  From April 1999, a total of 12 officers from the Royal Ulster Constabulary have served in Bosnia including five officers currently serving in the area. From November 1999, a total of 108 RUC officers have served in Kosovo including 64 officers still on attachment.

  Although not specific to depleted uranium, all officers were briefed before their deployment about the dangers of approaching or coming into contact with abandoned military vehicles or ordnance, damaged or abandoned buildings. Adherence to this advice will have helped eliminate potential sources of contamination. RUC officers have served in a number of regions but thus far not in areas causing concern. As a matter of course, all officers receive full medical screening before deployment and on completion of their attachment. Blood tests will identify any anomalies suggestive of leukaemia or related conditions.

  The Royal Ulster Constabulary is liaising with all relevant agencies concerning the situation and will undertake any additional screening considered necessary.