Written Answers of 18 July 2001

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  European Capital of Culture
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to review the guidelines associated with the European Capital of Culture for 2008. [3251]

  Dr. Howells
  Guidelines for those preparing bids for the European Capital of Culture 2008 were published in September last year, and I have no plans to review them.

  School Sports and Arts
  Mr. Fabian Hamilton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what will happen to moneys not used in the latest round of applications for sports and arts facilities in schools; [2870]

  (2) what the reasons are for the length of time taken for a decision to be reached on the schools that are to be awarded money for sports and arts projects. [2869]

  Dr. Howells
  As announced in March 2001, around 300 schools have been invited to develop detailed applications under the Space for Sport and Arts programme, which are due by the end of October. All 65 of the local education authorities (LEAs) participating in the programme have been given an indicative funding allocation for planning purposes with a ceiling on each project of £0.5 million. LEAs are currently in the process of designing the spaces and applying for planning permission. Only once this has been done will it be possible to confirm the final allocations for each individual project. It is expected that the full £130 million allocated to this programme will be spent on those projects identified by the LEAs involved.

  Lottery Funding
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to review how the Arts Council ensures that Lottery funding is distributed to the regions of England on an equal basis. [3203]

  Dr. Howells
  The Government are keen to see a fair distribution of funding throughout the country and have directed distributors to ensure that all parts of the UK have access to Lottery funds. The Arts Council of England undertook substantial consultation last year when devising the Arts Capital Programme, the first tranche of prioritised projects being announced in June 2001. Geographical inequity was one of a number of considerations in the programme, together with investment in Black, Asian and Chinese Arts associations.

  Arts Council
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to her answer of 2 July 2001,186W
  Official Report, columns 68–71W, on the Arts Council, if she will provide a breakdown of the figures per head of population in each local authority. [3131]

  Dr. Howells
  We have contacted West Midlands Arts Board to request the information required, and my noble Friend the Minister for the Arts will write to my hon. Friend as soon as it is available, placing copies of her letter in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much support the Arts Council provided for projects within each London authority in each of the last three years, broken down per head of population. [3204]

  Dr. Howells
  We have contacted both the Arts Council of England and London Arts to request the information required, and my noble Friend the Minister for the Arts will write to my hon. Friend as soon as it is available, placing copies of her letter in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Osborne House
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to comply with the provisions of the Osborne Estate Act 1902 pending the reintroduction of legislation to amend that Act; what proposals she has for the future use of rooms at Osborne House formerly occupied by the King Edward VII Convalescent Home for Officers; and what representations she has received on the future use of those premises. [3261]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 10 July 2001]: The parts of Osborne House used formerly as the King Edward VII Convalescent Home for Officers which closed on 31 October 2000 will not be available for alternative use until repair and refurbishment of the exterior of the accommodation is completed. This is currently estimated to be in January 2002. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will be considering how to meet from that date the obligations under the Osborne Estate Act 1902 to devote part of Osborne House for the benefit of members of the armed forces and the civil service until such time as the statutory requirement is repealed. English Heritage, which is responsible for the maintenance and management of the Osborne Estate, have sent my right hon. Friend proposals for opening to the public a large part of the former convalescent home accommodation and the gardens previously restricted to convalescent home use. My right hon. Friend has not received any other representations concerning the future use of the accommodation.

  New Opportunities Fund
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will publish details of the most recent awards made under the New Opportunities Fund. [3956]

  Mr. Caborn
  A large number of awards have been announced recently by the New Opportunities Fund, including £1.6 million to facilitate access to 50,000 items of specific importance to the history and culture of Wales via the internet.

  187W
  I have contacted the New Opportunities Fund to request the detailed information required, and I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as it is available, placing copies of my letter in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Green Ministers
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) on what date a Green Minister was first appointed in her Department; when subsequent appointments were made; and if she will make a statement; [3973]

  (2) what the terms of reference are for the Green Minister in her Department; and if she will make a statement. [3982]

  Tessa Jowell
  [holding answer 13 July 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Minister for the Environment on 13 July 2001, Official Report, columns 689–90W.

  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on what dates her Department's Green Minister attended meetings of the Green Ministers Committee during the current Session of Parliament; on what dates subsequent meetings are planned to take place; and if she will make a statement. [4819]

  Tessa Jowell
  This Parliament the Green Ministers Committee has been reconstituted as the Cabinet Sub-Committee of Green Ministers, ENV(G), under the chairmanship of the Minister for the Environment. It is established practice under exemption two of Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information not to disclose information relating to the proceedings of Cabinet Committees.

  Television Licences
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to(a) extend free television licences and (b) introduce reduced-cost television licences for pensioners under the age of 75 years. [4388]

  Dr. Howells
  The Government have no plans to extend free television licences to pensioners below the age of 75 or to introduce reduced fee licences for such individuals.

  Party Political Broadcasts
  Mr. Gummer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the arrangements under which the BBC and the ITV companies are given access to, and the right to edit, party political broadcasts. [4125]

  Dr. Howells
  The broadcasting of party political broadcasts is ultimately the responsibility of the broadcasters and the broadcasting regulatory authorities. It is the broadcasters' responsibility to ensure that all the material they broadcast complies with their obligations to maintain programme standards, such as those relating to taste and decency. They may reject any material submitted, including party political broadcasts, unless or until it so complies.

  Regional Arts Board (West Midlands)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funds have been made available for the west midlands to support(a) dancing, (b) singing and (c) acting through the regional arts board; and what plans she has to increase funding for these purposes. [3932]

  Tessa Jowell
  [holding answer 17 July 2001]: The table shows expenditure through grant-in-aid and the Regional Arts Lottery Programme (RALP) for all artforms by West Midlands Arts which is the main funding body for the arts in the region for the last financial year, 2000–01. The Arts Council of England separately funds Birmingham Royal Ballet (£5,650,087) and the Royal Shakespeare Company (£9,160,300).

  Alterations to the amounts already given to dancing, singing and acting is a matter for West Midlands Arts.

  Artform

  Treasury

  RALP

  Total

  Crafts

  134,120

  25,699

  159,819

  Dance

  672,775

  261,087

  933,862

  Drama/Theatre/Mime

  2,586,765

  255,660

  2,842,425

  Film, Video and Broadcast

  244,306

  64,398

  308,704

  Literature

  166,079

  89,032

  255,111

  Mixed Media

  138,475

  —

  138,475

  Combined Arts

  1,572,552

  273,584

  1,846,136

  Music

  1,958,030

  110,231

  2,068,261

  Non-artform

  800,849

  —

  800,849

  Photography

  113,534

  —

  113,534

  Visual Arts

  1,441,982

  540,413

  1,982,395

  Grand Total

  9,829,467

  1,620,104

  11,449,571

  (a) Dancing may be included within Dance, Drama/Theatre or Combined Arts.

  (b) Singing may be included within Music or Combined Arts. Not all music is singing.

  (c) Acting may be included within Drama/Theatre/Mime, Combined Arts or Film, Video and Broadcast.

  BBC
  Michael Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will ask the Office of Fair Trading to investigate the market power of the BBC. [4506]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 17 July 2001]: No. It is open to anyone with the appropriate evidence of alleged infringement of the Competition Act 1998 to raise this with the Office of Fair Trading.

  Mr. Mark Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport from what source the BBC plans to fund the establishment and running of Network Z. [4654]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 17 July 2001]: The BBC has applied for approval to introduce Network Z as a licence-fee funded public broadcasting service.

  Welsh Language Programmes
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many people viewed Welsh language programmes broadcast on S4C each week in the last six months. [4448]
  189W
  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 17 July 2001]: This information is not currently available in the form requested. However, I understand that S4C has recently commissioned a more detailed analysis of its viewing figures, from which it should be possible to extract the information requested. I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as this is available.

  Foot and Mouth (Tourism)
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture. Media and Sport what plans she has to make interest free loans available to tourism businesses affected by the economic impact of foot and mouth disease. [119]

  Tessa Jowell
  [holding answer 25 June 2001]: I have no plans to make such loans available, although my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is closely monitoring the effectiveness of the financial assistance measures made available by Government to rural businesses, including tourism businesses, which are worth over £250 million. This package includes £50 million allocated to the Rural Business Recovery Fund, an estimated £22 million

  ASSIST 961

  CODA Accounts system

  ASSIST 20001

  Estimated cost (£ million)

  2.25

  2.8

  3.2

  Actual cost (£ million)

  2.246

  3

  3.2

  Estimated completion date

  September 1996

  July 1997

  September 2001

  Actual completion date

  September 1996

  February 1998

  On schedule

  Contractor

  ELONEX

  CODA

  COMPAQ

  1 New desk-top

  London Underground
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she last travelled on the London Underground in the course of her official duties. [3684]

  Clare Short
  I rarely travel on official duties to destinations served by the London Underground. I cannot recall when I last travelled on the underground in the course of official duties. I occasionally use the underground in a personal capacity.

TRANSPORT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE REGIONS

  Walton Group
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what progress he is making in recovering the grant from the Walton Group plc in respect of Exchange Flags Liverpool; and if he will make a statement. [3689]

  Ms Keeble
  The civil claim for recovery of grant paid and interest thereon is proceeding and is expected to go to trial in June 2002.

  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 2 July 2001,Official Report, column 10W, what the breakdown of activities is for which the qualifying expenditure made available to the Walton Group plc for claimed work on Exchange Flags was made. [3668]
  190W
  available in hardship rate relief and £120 million available in loans under the Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme. Customs and Excise and the Inland Revenue will also agree to the deferral of tax or National Insurance Contributions where a business is in serious financial difficulty.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  IT Contracts
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the information technology contracts in excess of £500,000 let by her Department or its predecessor since April 1991, giving in each case the original estimated cost and original estimated completion date, the actual cost and actual completion date and the names of the contractors involved and consultants retained by her Department. [3501]

  Clare Short
  DFID undertakes most of its IT development work in-house, with modest specialist consultancy support.

  The Department has had three IT contracts above £500,000 since April 1991.

  Ms Keeble
  The grant was made available against the following work:

  (i) the refurbishment of the semi-derelict building to provide a net area of not less than 400,000 square feet of floor space suitable for office use and not less than 350 parking spaces at basement level;

  (ii) the re-paving and landscaping of an overall area of 2,025 square metres of the adjacent courtyard known as "Exchange Flags";

  (iii) the refurbishment and fitting out of the former war room on the lower ground floor of the building as a museum.

  Train Safety
  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the timetable for implementation of train safety systems. [3555]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Under the Railway Safety Regulations, made by the Government in 1999, the Train Protection and Warning System (TPWS) must be installed and operational on the rail network by the end of 2003.

  In addition, the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) will be advising the Government, next year, on regulations to take forward the new European Train Control System (ETCS) on high-speed and other main lines as recommended by the Joint Inquiry Report by Lord Cullen and Professor Uff into train protection systems published on 29 March 2001. A progress report will be published by HSC in September.

  Nuclear Freight
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on how many occasions since July 1998 external radioactivity has been discovered on(a) transport flasks and (b) railroad flathaul carriages used for the transport of spent nuclear fuel to Sellafield from nuclear power plants. [3962]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Information on incidences of contamination of transport flasks and railway wagons is published annually in the report on events involving the transport of radioactive material in the UK. The reports covering events in 1998 and 1999 have been placed in the House Library. The report for events during 2000 will be published in October this year.

  Housing Developments
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many new housing developments in Chorley have been built on brownfield sites since 1997; and how many are planned in each of the next five years. [4392]

  Ms Keeble
  Detailed figures are not available centrally. Under Best Value, Chorley Borough Council is required to report on the percentage of new homes built on previously developed land. The Audit Commission is currently collecting data from all authorities and the Government expect to be able to publish estimated outturn for 2000–2001 shortly.

  Chorley Railway Station
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what steps he has taken to ensure disabled people can access Chorley railway station. [4393]

  Ms Keeble
  Access to railway stations for disabled people is covered by Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. Since October 1999, service providers have been required to take reasonable steps to change practices, policies or procedures which make it impossible or unreasonably difficult for disabled people to use a service. From 2004, service providers will have to take reasonable steps to remove, alter or provide reasonable means of avoiding physical features that make it impossible or unreasonably difficult for disabled people to use a service.

  In addition, the Strategic Rail Authority is currently revising its Code of Practice, "Meeting the needs of Disabled Passengers", which is aimed at helping protect the interests of disabled users of railway passenger services and station services.

  Railtrack are also committed to ensuring that disabled people have access to the railway network. I understand they are currently exploring a framework for achieving accessibility so that a detailed programme can be developed in consultation with train operators and other interested parties.
  192W
  I am not aware of any specific plans to upgrade Chorley Station which I understand has wheelchair access to each platform but not between platforms.

  Road Building
  Mr. Greg Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he will announce changes to the road building programme. [4115]

  Mr. Jamieson
  My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister announced a package of transport measures on 28 March 2001,Official Report, column 639W, which included the addition of eight schemes to the targeted programme of trunk road improvements.

  Housing (Lancashire)
  Mr. Pope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what central Government support has been made available to(a) Hyndburn borough council and (b) Rossendale borough council, to tackle private sector housing disrepair in each of the last four years. [4267]

  Ms Keeble
  There is no longer a separate ring-fenced element for private sector renewal within the support provided for local authorities' housing capital programmes; this was merged into the general support for housing investment from 2001 —02 to provide authorities with greater flexibility and reduce administrative burdens. The overall resources allocated to Hyndburn and Rossendale for housing investment in the last four years were as follows:

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Hyndburn borough council1

  Total

  2,223

  2,331

  2,704

  23.607

  of which:

  Ring-fenced for private sector renewal

  769

  759

  3—

  3—

  Rossendale borough council

  Total

  1,838

  1,780

  2,117

  23,337

  of which:

  Ring-fenced for private sector renewal

  483

  483

  3—

  3—

  1 In addition, Hyndburn borough council is receiving £646,000 this year through the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund

  2 The 2001–02 allocations include amounts (£2,030 for Hyndbum and £2,410 for Rossendale) ring-fenced for expenditure on council housing through the new Major Repairs Allowance

  3 Not applicable

  Landlords
  Ms Stuart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 10 July 2001,Official Report, column 439W, on landlords, in how many cases the original decision was upheld. [4138]

  Ms Keeble
  I assume that my hon. Friend wishes to know how often, under paragraph 8 of the Schedule to the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, Leasehold Valuation
  193W
  Tribunals (LVTs) have decided that the insurance available from an insurer was unsatisfactory or that the premiums payable were excessive.

  The majority of applications made under these provisions were later withdrawn, were deemed to be outside the jurisdiction of the LVTs, or still await a decision. At the end of May 2001, only 10 cases had been determined. Of these, the insurance arrangements were deemed to be satisfactory in six cases. In the other four cases, the premiums were deemed to be excessive, or the arrangements unsatisfactory in other ways, or both.

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussions she has had since 15 February with Mr. Robert Bourne or associated parties regarding the future of the Dome. [4152]

  Ms Keeble
  [holding answer 16 July 2001]: None, but my noble and learned Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning met Robert Bourne and his colleagues on 28 February 2001, at Mr. Bourne's request, following the Government's decision to end Legacy plc's preferred bidder status and the existing competition as announced on 15 February 2001.

  Shared Ownership (Housing)
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he next intends to review the arrangements for supporting shared ownership housing options. [4622]

  Ms Keeble
  My Department, in conjunction with the National Assembly for Wales, has commissioned a research project to evaluate the current low cost home ownership programmes in England and Wales, and to identify and assess possible measures to improve their effectiveness. The scope of the research includes shared ownership schemes offered by registered social landlords. The study is expected to report in April 2002.

  Housing Register
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what percentage of households in each local authority in London was on the housing register in April 2000. [4624]

  Ms Keeble
  The latest available information is presented in the table:

  England 1997–98 to 1999–2000

  Percentage

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  Tenure and Government office region

  At least 1.5 rooms per person

  At bedroom standard

  Above bedroom standard

  All at or above bedroom standard

  Below bedroom standard

  (i) Owner occupiers

  North East

  88

  17

  82

  99

  1

  North West

  88

  17

  82

  98

  2

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  88

  16

  83

  99

  1

  East Midlands

  90

  14

  85

  99

  1

  West Midlands

  88

  16

  83

  98

  2

  East

  89

  16

  82

  99

  1

  London

  86

  24

  74

  97

  3

  194W

  Estimated percentage of households on the housing register as at 1 April 2000: London

  Percentage

  Barking and Dagenham

  3.1

  Barnet

  4.0

  Bexley

  4.0

  Brent

  12.2

  Bromley

  2.5

  Camden

  6.5

  City of London

  26.2

  Croydon

  4.4

  Ealing

  6.0

  Enfield

  5.5

  Greenwich

  6.1

  Hackney

  8.1

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  6.0

  Haringey

  9.6

  Harrow

  3.1

  Havering

  1.8

  Hillingdon

  3.5

  Hounslow

  5.8

  Islington

  14.3

  Kensington and Chelsea

  9.1

  Kingston upon Thames

  4.9

  Lambeth

  12.7

  Lewisham

  9.0

  Merton

  4.9

  Newham

  12.5

  Redbridge

  3.9

  Richmond upon Thames

  5.8

  Southwark

  5.2

  Sutton

  2.8

  Tower Hamlets

  8.8

  Waltham Forest

  8.0

  Wandsworth

  2.0

  Westminster

  7.2

  Note:

  Local authorities have different practices for compiling and managing housing register/waiting lists which mean that simple comparisons between authorities can be misleading.

  Source:

  DETR Housing Investment Programme returns (Housing Register data)

  DETR 1999 mid-year household estimates

  Bedroom Standard
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will estimate, for each region in England the percentage of households(a) with at least 1.5 rooms per person, (b) occupying properties consistent with the bedroom standard and (c) occupying properties at least one room below the bedroom standard (i) as owner occupiers, (ii) as council tenants and (iii) as RSL tenants. [4625]

  Ms Keeble
  The information requested is shown in the following table.
  195W

  England 1997–98 to 1999–2000

  Percentage

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  Tenure and Government office region

  At least 1.5 rooms per person

  At bedroom standard

  Above bedroom standard

  All at or above bedroom standard

  Below bedroom standard

  South East

  89

  16

  83

  99

  1

  South West

  90

  15

  84

  99

  1

  England

  88

  17

  82

  99

  1

  (ii) Council tenants

  North East

  82

  44

  53

  97

  3

  North West

  81

  48

  48

  96

  4

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  79

  45

  51

  96

  4

  East Midlands

  83

  47

  51

  97

  3

  West Midlands

  80

  47

  49

  95

  5

  East

  80

  51

  46

  97

  3

  London

  70

  57

  32

  88

  12

  South East

  75

  56

  39

  96

  4

  South West

  75

  52

  43

  95

  5

  England

  78

  50

  45

  95

  5

  (iii) RSL tenants

  North East

  86

  53

  46

  99

  1

  North West

  80

  61

  36

  97

  3

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  82

  65

  33

  98

  2

  East Midlands

  79

  61

  35

  96

  4

  West Midlands

  82

  59

  38

  96

  4

  East

  78

  60

  37

  97

  3

  London

  71

  71

  22

  93

  7

  South East

  69

  66

  30

  96

  4

  South West

  72

  66

  32

  98

  2

  England

  76

  64

  32

  96

  4

  Source:

  DTLR Survey of English Housing. Average for financial years 1997–98 to 1999–2000

  London Underground
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment of the relative priority in respect of the London underground he has made of(a) refurbishing stations to incorporate shopping malls and (b) maintenance of rolling stock, track and signals; to what extent Transport for London's chosen priority in this regard will apply and how the infrastructure companies will influence such decisions; and if he will make a statement. [4722]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The plans for the modernisation of the underground will deliver around £13 billion to improve the underground's infrastructure over the next 15 years. The relative priorities for rolling stock, track, signals and stations have been set by the public sector, not the infrastructure companies. The requirements have been designed to improve the capacity, reliability and quality of the underground as quickly and efficiently as possible, while maintaining high safety standards.

  Within this balanced programme, expenditure on stations will account for less than a quarter of the total investment over the next 15 years. The priority at stations will not be to incorporate shopping malls, but to address those other issues passengers consider important: making sure the lifts and escalators work; installing CCTV to improve passenger security; tackling congestion at the busiest stations; providing step-free access; and improving the quality and cleanliness of stations.

  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list penalty clauses and similar liability arrangements in
  196W
  the London Underground contract with the infrastructure companies; by whom they were drawn up; if they and performance relating to them will be published; and if he will make a statement. [4723]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Contracts for the modernisation of the tube have been developed by London Underground Limited. I understand that London Underground has set the priorities to ensure the private companies provide improved infrastructure so that London Underground can operate a safe and reliable service for passengers. Infrastructure companies will be rewarded for improving the capacity, reliability and quality of the underground infrastructure, and penalised for poor performance. Penalties in the contract will reflect the full impact of any delay or disruption to passengers and not be limited by a cap. I understand that London Underground intends to publish the contracts once negotiations have been completed and will make available information on performance

  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how he expects new investment in the London Underground to be spent. [4721]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The plans for the modernisation of the tube provide a comprehensive package to renew the whole of the underground's infrastructure and are designed to ensure that the money is spent efficiently, with improvements specified by the public sector delivered on time and on budget. Around £13 billion of investment will be made over the next 15 years, with some £8.7 billion spent on enhancements and £4.3 billion on maintenance—a higher level of sustained investment than ever before.

  197W
  As a result of this investment, services will be faster and more frequent with, for example, a 20 per cent. increase in capacity on the Victoria line. Fewer breakdowns and delays will result in a more reliable service. Every train on the underground will be replaced or refurbished over the lifetime of the contracts, and every station will be upgraded in the first seven and a half years.

  Service disruptions due to failures in signals/points

  1999–45

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Non LT

  21

  26

  20

  41

  26

  26

  16

  Bakerloo

  343

  263

  264

  292

  249

  355

  248

  Central

  518

  542

  644

  880

  308

  335

  490

  District

  334

  385

  303

  269

  278

  394

  525

  Jubilee and East LL

  140

  79

  79

  110

  197

  338

  444

  Metropolitan and Circle (c and h)

  180

  212

  129

  131

  125

  238

  407

  Metropolitan and Circle (main)

  247

  256

  209

  266

  194

  290

  522

  Northern

  245

  324

  298

  323

  216

  317

  358

  Picadilly

  222

  287

  261

  241

  213

  202

  326

  Victoria

  99

  120

  115

  166

  149

  131

  186

  Total

  2,349

  2,494

  2,322

  2,719

  1,955

  2,626

  3,522

  Service disruptions due to failures in other track

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Non LT

  6

  38

  26

  10

  14

  12

  5

  Bakerloo

  53

  99

  193

  201

  176

  168

  171

  Central

  100

  147

  203

  92

  65

  50

  62

  District

  74

  101

  74

  51

  69

  83

  179

  Jubilee and East LL

  54

  74

  45

  38

  77

  146

  136

  Metropolitan and Circle (c and h)

  61

  78

  75

  61

  57

  62

  98

  Metropolitan and Circle (main)

  88

  118

  105

  73

  83

  82

  136

  Northern

  95

  123

  141

  165

  109

  105

  208

  Picadilly

  86

  125

  92

  110

  109

  135

  165

  Victoria

  42

  56

  54

  80

  66

  66

  58

  Total

  659

  959

  1,008

  881

  825

  909

  1,218

  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will publish the financial assessment of the methods of funding future capital investment in the London Underground over a similar period favoured by(a) Her Majesty's Government and (b) Transport for London. [4726]

  Mr. Jamieson
  We have made clear that our plans for the London Underground will go ahead only if they represent value for money. We will make this judgment guided by the results of the robust public sector comparator that London Underground has constructed. This explicitly allows for the possibility of public sector bond financing, in line with the scheme suggested by Transport for London.

  A note outlining the methodology used to develop the comparator was placed in the Libraries of the House in March 2000. The results of the comparator will also be published once negotiations with bidders have been completed. To release the comparator any earlier would risk undermining London Underground's negotiating position and jeopardise its ability to achieve value for money for the taxpayer.

  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what are the principal reasons for the cost overrun for the extension of
  198W
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the annual number of breakdowns on each line of London Underground involving signal, points and track failures has been since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [4611]

  Mr. Jamieson
  This is an operational issue for London Underground which has provided the following information:

  the Jubilee Line from Green Park to Stratford; what his estimate of the total of that cost overrun is; what percentage of the original estimate that represents; what is the estimated cost; which parties overran in each case; what circumstances were responsible for the cost overrun; how much was paid to consultants in relation to the line extension; what assessment has been made of how inaccurate cost assessments contributed to cost overruns; what contractual mistakes were made and extra cost incurred from them; and if he will make a statement. [4728]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Jubilee Line Extension (JLE) was a vast and complex undertaking, managed by London Transport/London Underground Limited. It was one of the largest engineering projects in this country for many years. This Government inherited a project already under way, and poorly planned. Various studies of the JLE have been carried out and others are still under way. The current forecast total cost is £3.5 billion, including commissioning costs. Actual final cost will not be known until all contracts and claims are settled. When it was given the go-ahead, the JLE was expected to cost £2.1 billion (at 1993 cash prices, excluding commissioning costs).

  The causes of JLE cost overruns included the omission from the original figure of estimates for commissioning the line and turning it into a working railway; amendments to the programme and opening strategy

  199W
  which had associated acceleration and prolongation costs; changes to specifications such as the addition of CCTV, not originally specified but later required in line with improvements elsewhere on the Tube; 'descoping' of systems such as signalling and communications; and other factors entirely outside the control of the project or its contractors, such as the new Austrian tunnelling method collapse on the Heathrow Express Project which caused all NATM JLE tunnelling to be suspended causing delays of around six months. Industrial action and vandalism contributed to increased costs.

  I will write to my hon. Friend about expenditure on consultants.

  Various studies of the JLE have been undertaken. Some have already produced outcomes; others are still under way. The end of commission report by the Secretary of State's Agent, Ove Arup, made recommendations, and following the review of this report by Peter Gershon of the Office of Government Commerce, specific OGC recommendations on the whole process of major project approval and management are being implemented.

  It is clear that project management and contractual arrangements contributed significantly to JLE overruns: this indicates the need for better measures for the future. Improved arrangements have been included in the contracts offered to bidders who will be London Underground's partners in the programme for the modernisation of the Tube. In particular, the private contractors will bear responsibility for projects that come in over time and beyond budget.

  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many alternatives for the future funding of the London Underground were put to(a) him and (b) Transport for London; and if he will make a statement. [4727]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Government ruled out privatisation of the Underground, but carefully considered all other options for modernising the Underground, including the use of bond financing, a public trust, joint ventures, vertically integrated business and the status quo. We firmly believe that our plans are the best way to achieve a 21st Century Tube, and to ensure safety and value for money. The Underground will remain publicly owned and run, and the massive programme of investment will be carried out in partnership with the private sector as quickly and efficiently as possible.

  Transport for London submitted to the Mayor its outline of a programme for the rehabilitation and management of the Underground in December 2000 and a Proposed Management Plan for the London Underground in April 2001. It is a matter for Transport for London whether they considered any alternatives to the ideas put forward in those reports.

  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much(a) public capital investment and (b) private sector investment is proposed to be made in each of the next 15 years into the London Underground; what will be the return on capital for the private sector investors; who will pay it; and if he will make a statement. [4725]
  200W
  Mr. Jamieson
  The plans for the modernisation of the Underground will deliver around £13 billion of investment to improve the underground's infrastructure over the next 15 years. It is estimated that some 20 per cent. of finance for these plans will be provided by the private sector, with the remainder coming from London Underground fares and Government grant.

  The rate of the return for the private sector will be determined by the outcome of London Underground's negotiations with bidders. The agreed rate of return will be achieved only if the private companies meet their obligations to provide track, trains, signals and stations with increased capacity, better reliability and higher quality.

  Greenwich Peninsula Land Sale
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 11 July 2001,Official Report, column 527W, under what circumstances British Gas (Lattice Properties plc) would receive 7.5 per cent of the open market value of the land on the Greenwich peninsula. [4410]

  Ms Keeble
  [holding answer 17 July 2001]: This is a matter to be agreed by British Gas (Lattice Properties plc) and English Partnerships, taking account of the Sale and Purchase Agreement between both these parties, dated 7 February 1997.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 11 July 2001,Official Report, column 527W, what previous estimates have been made of the open market value of the British Gas (Lattice Properties plc) interest in land on the Greenwich peninsula; and what its estimated current value is. [4411]

  Ms Keeble
  [holding answer 17 July 2001]: Various (public and private) estimates have been made of the value of the land on the Greenwich peninsula which English Partnerships acquired from British Gas (Lattice Properties plc) in 1997, and consequently of the British Gas interest in such land. However, any valuations are confidential and it would be against the public interest to reveal these figures.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 11 July 2001,Official Report, column 527W, who will be responsible for establishing the open market value of the British Gas (Lattice Properties plc) interest on the Greenwich peninsula. [4412]

  Ms Keeble
  [holding answer 17 July 2001]: This is a matter to be agreed by English Partnerships and British Gas (Lattice Properties plc), in accordance with the Sale and Purchase agreement between both these parties, dated 7 February 1997.

  Speed Restrictions (Trains)
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many speed restrictions were in place on the rail network at the
  201W
  end of each month since October 2000 in (a) Great Britain and (b) the area covered by each franchise; and how many are anticipated to be in place at the end of (i) July, (ii) August, (iii) September and (iv) October. [4652]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 17 July 2001]: Railtrack reports that the number of temporary speed restrictions in place across its network in Great Britain at the end of each month was:

  Number

  October 2000

  504

  November

  626

  December

  1,100

  January 2001

  1,045

  February

  964

  March

  1,188

  April

  908

  May

  779

  June

  773

  These national figures cannot meaningfully be broken down into the areas covered by each franchise because the services of many franchisees overlap. Individual speed restrictions will often affect the trains of several operators all using that line. Railtrack does however ensure close dialogue on outstanding speed restrictions with each operator in order to maintain safety and service reliability.

  Railtrack is working with train operators and contractors to return to a sustainable level of speed restrictions across the network as soon as possible, but the precise number of restrictions which will be in place over the coming months cannot be accurately predicted.

  At any one time there is always a large number, typically 300 to 500, of speed restrictions in force on the network; these are needed to maintain safe operation in adverse operating conditions and to enable normal maintenance activities to be completed. Allowances are made for such speed restrictions within timetables.

  Air Traffic Control
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many programme trouble reports there are in the air system controls at the new En Route Centre at Swanwick; and in each case, what the details and severity of the programme trouble reports are. [4616]

  Mr. Spellar
  There are currently 136 Programme Trouble Reports (PTRs) or "bugs" on the Swanwick systems that are required to be fixed before the unit enters operational service on 27 January 2002. Of these PTRs, fixes for 51 are scheduled for deployment on to the Swanwick software this week. Fixes for the remainder will be delivered in the software build which will be deployed to the operational system in November 2001. Listing the details and severity of each PTR would be extremely time-consuming and could be provided only at disproportionate expense.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions in what 202W
  circumstances a programme trouble report can cause an aircraft not to be shown on a controller's screen. [4618]

  Mr. Spellar
  NATS have informed us that no programme trouble reports logged in the development of the Swanwick systems have caused aircraft not to be shown on a controller's screen.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much extra traffic will be accommodated by the new air traffic control systems at the new En Route Centre at Swanwick in the first year of operation. [4617]

  Mr. Spellar
  When the Swanwick Centre enters operational service in January next year, the capacity of the unit will be constrained while ATC staff gain confidence and familiarity with the new equipment and procedures. As this confidence and competence improves, capacity will be slowly increased to match the capacity of the equivalent LATCC sectors. NATS anticipate that, by the end of summer 2002, capacity will increase by around 5 per cent.; and by a further 5 per cent. the following year.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many workarounds relating to air system control there are at the new En Route Centre at Swanwick. [4619]

  Mr. Spellar
  NATS have informed us that the Swanwick systems contain no "workarounds", i.e. sub-optimal solutions to achieve system modifications.

  Compulsory Purchase
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what action he has taken to improve the system of compulsory purchase and compensation; and if he will introduce reforming legislation at an early date; [4595]

  (2) when he will publish the Government's response to the consultation on the 'Fundamental Review of the Laws and Procedures Relating to Compulsory Purchase and Compensation' conducted by the former DETR last year. [4594]

  Ms Keeble
  In response to the consultation on the Fundamental Review, to which my hon. Friend refers, we are currently preparing a Policy Statement setting out the Government's proposals for making the system of compulsory purchase and compensation more efficient, more effective and fairer to all parties. This will be published as soon as possible, and will include an assessment of the need for reforming legislation. The Fundamental Review also pointed out that the operation of the compulsory purchase system is suffering from a loss of expertise and experience in acquiring authorities. We have therefore commissioned a Guidance Manual to help authorities make more effective use of the current system. This is due to be published in the autumn.

  Empty Homes
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many empty homes there were in England broken down by region for the most recent year for which statistics are available. [4631]
  203W
  Ms Keeble
  The available information on empty residential property in England at the beginning of 2000–01 is given in the table:

  Total vacant dwellings

  North East

  49,000

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  99,700

  East Midlands

  68,000

  Eastern

  70,200

  London

  1105,200

  South East

  87,500

  South West

  64,100

  West Midlands

  79,800

  North West

  1138,300

  England

  763,900

  1 Denotes that local authority (LA) vacants exclude any such dwellings situated in another authority district. England totals reflect all LA-owned vacants.

  Sources:

  DTLR Annual Housing Investment Programme and Housing Corporation annual RS returns

  The majority of these vacants are transitional ones between owners or tenants and are vacant only for a short period.

  Deep Vein Thrombosis
  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he expects the study funded by the Civil Aviation Authority into research into deep vein thrombosis and air travel to be completed; and if he will make a statement. [4587]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The study, which is being funded by the Civil Aviation Authority to look into the link between aircraft seat dimension and passenger size, is being carried out on behalf of the Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA). Publication of the study, which will include a review of recent work on deep vein thrombosis, will follow its approval by the JAA member states. In addition, my Department and the Department of Health, together with the Civil Aviation Authority and the Health and Safety Executive, are supporting a study to look into the research that has been done to date on all aviation health matters. This study will cover a number of health issues associated with air travel—including deep vein thrombosis—and will make suggestions for further research. This report will be published during July.

  PFI Road Schemes
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many penalty points have been accumulated for each PFI road scheme in his Department; for which reason each of these points was awarded; what penalties were invoked; and if he will make a statement. [4459]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The overall performance of our PFI contracts is good. There have however been instances when it has been necessary to award penalty points for failure to achieve the required level of performance. The use of the penalty point system has been successful in improving poor performance as contractors have been anxious to avoid contractual warning letters and to face the risk of termination. The contracts are subject to confidentiality agreements and so the information cannot 204W
  be given for individual contracts. Most points have been awarded during the construction phase of the contracts. During operations it has been necessary to award fewer points.

  PPG8
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when the draft revision of Planning Policy Guidance Note 8 will be implemented. [4645]

  Ms Keeble
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Winchester (Mr. Oaten) on 2 July 2001,Official Report, column 17W.

  Planning Inquiry Commission
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what research his Department has undertaken into the potential for using powers under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to establish a Planning Inquiry Commission; and if he will publish the results. [4635]

  Ms Keeble
  The Department has considered the potential for establishing a Planning Inquiry Commission in the context of handling decisions on major infrastructure projects, but has undertaken no research.

  Green Ministers
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) if he will set out the terms of reference for the role of the Green Minister in his Department; and if he will make a statement; [4829]

  (2) on what dates a Green Minister was (a) first appointed and (b) subsequent appointments were made; and if he will make a statement. [4830]

  Dr. Whitehead
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment on 13 July 2001,Official Report. columns 689–90W.

  St. Leonard's Hospital, Dorset
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on what date the public inquiry into the appeal by the Secretary of State for Health in respect of the site at St. Leonard's hospital, Dorset is to be heard. [4757]

  Ms Keeble
  Although this appeal was received in the Planning Inspectorate on 1 June 2000, work on it has been suspended following a direction to the appellant by the then Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions to submit an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). This has now been received and the Inspectorate will shortly make arrangements for the inquiry, once the appellant has carried out the necessary publicity for the EIA.

  Bus Travel
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to reduce the cost of bus travel. [4907]
  205W
  Ms Keeble
  Outside London, the setting of bus fares is a matter for individual bus operators and they have a commercial incentive to keep fares at an affordable level, in order to attract passengers. In general, bus fares have tended to rise in line with the growth in average earnings. Local authorities have powers to arrange travel concessions for specified groups. But as part of our commitment to ensuring that elderly and disabled people have access to affordable transport, we have guaranteed them half fares on local bus services under the Transport Act 2000. The Travel Concessions (Eligibility) Bill, which is currently being debated in the other place, will go further and equalise at 60 the age at which both men and women become entitled to concessionary travel.

  Buses have a vital role to play in our transport system. We have brought forward a range of policies to make bus travel more reliable and attractive for the passenger, and are supporting this with substantially increased capital funding. We are confident that this will lead to increased patronage, which in turn should help to keep fares down.

  Departmental Duties
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list for each week from Monday 23 July to Monday 8 October which departmental Ministers will be on duty(a) in the United Kingdom and (b) in London. [4894]

  Mr. Byers
  As is the case throughout the year there will be a Minister on duty at all times over the summer.

  Leases (Insurance)
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will examine the practice of purchasing leases in order to demand from householders that they insure the houses as directed by the new leaseholders or buy the right to choose their own insurer. [4576]

  Ms Keeble
  We are aware of and deplore this practice. Leaseholders do already have rights which allow them to address such abuses. They are able to purchase their landlord's interests under the Leasehold Reform Act 1967, thereby removing his control over the insurance of the property. They can also apply to a leasehold valuation tribunal to challenge the landlord's choice of nominated insurer under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. Measures to improve the operation of these rights form part of our work on leasehold reform and improving the tribunals. We are also looking separately at further ways in which this practice might be addressed.

  American Vehicle Imports
  John Thurso
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussions he has had with the European Commission about an exemption from the Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001 to allow the import of American vehicles with small number plates; and if he will make a statement. [4756]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Officials have recently met with representatives of the European Commission and 206W
  American car importers. The Government are carefully considering the representations made and will make an announcement shortly.

  Unexploded Bomb (Epping Forest)
  Mr. Rammell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will provide financial assistance to Epping Forest district council under the Bellwin scheme in respect of costs incurred for the unexploded bomb incident on 7 and 8 November 2000. [5487]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I am satisfied that financial assistance under the Bellwin scheme is justified in the case of Epping Forest district council given the exceptional nature of the incident. A scheme will therefore be established under section 155 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. Grant will be paid to cover 85 per cent. of the eligible costs above a threshold, which the authority has incurred in dealing with the unexploded bomb.

PRIME MINISTER

  Ministerial Visits
  Sir Patrick Cormack
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will visit South Staffordshire during the forthcoming recess. [2913]

  The Prime Minister
  I have no plans at present to do so.

  Government Annual Report
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Prime Minister on what dates the Government have published their annual report; what the total cost of producing and publishing each report has been; when the next report will be published; and if he will make a statement. [3661]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 16 July 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) on 12 July 2001, Official Report, column 638W.

  The publication dates, and total costs of the Government annual reports are as follows:

  Publication date

  Total costs (£)

  Government annual report

  1997–98

  30 July 1998

  250,000

  1998–99

  26 July 1999

  180,000

  1999–2000

  13 July 2000

  125,000

  Public Correspondence
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Prime Minister how many letters he received on average per week from members of the public over the last six months. [4798]

  The Prime Minister
  During the first six months of 2001 I received 253,230 letters and cards from members of the public. The number of letters and cards I receive varies significantly from week to week.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Green Ministers
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Solicitor-General on what dates her Department's Green Minister attended meetings of the Green Ministers Committee during the current Session of Parliament; on what dates subsequent meetings are planned to take place; and if she will make a statement. [4824]

  The Solicitor-General
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, 17 July 2001,Official Report, column 165.

DEFENCE

  Service Children's Education
  Dr. Palmer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the key targets are for the Chief Executive of Service Children's Education for 2001–02. [5486]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Chief Executive has been set the following key targets for 2001–02.

  1. To meet the following percentage of pupils achieving Level 2 at the end of Key Stage 1 in:

  Reading—89 per cent.

  Writing—91 per cent.

  Spelling—80 per cent.

  Mathematics—93 per cent.

  2. To meet the following percentage of pupils achieving Level 4 or above at the end of Key Stage 2 in:

  English—77 per cent.

  Mathematics—74 per cent.

  Science—88 per cent.

  3. To meet the following percentage of pupils achieving Level 5 or above at the end of Key Stage 3 in:

  English—76 per cent.

  Mathematics—75 per cent.

  Science—71 per cent.

  Deaths to UK Gulf veterans1 1 April 1991–30 June 2001 Causes (coded to ICD-9)2

  ICD chapter

  Cause of death

  Gulf

  Era

  Mortality rate ratio

  All deaths

  496

  494

  1.00

  All cause coded deaths

  485

  473

  1.02

  I—XVI

  Disease-related causes

  179

  216

  0.83

  I

  Infectious and parasitic diseases

  3

  2

  1.49

  II

  Cancers

  71

  77

  0.92

  III

  Endocrine and immune disorders

  1

  4

  0.25

  V

  Mental disorders

  9

  11

  0.81

  VI

  Diseases of the nervous system and sense organs

  7

  6

  1.16

  VII

  Diseases of the circulatory system

  66

  86

  0.76

  VIII

  Diseases of the respiratory system

  10

  5

  1.99

  IX

  Diseases of the digestive system

  9

  14

  0.64

  IV, X—XVI

  All other disease-related causes

  3

  11

  0.27

  EXVII

  External causes of injury and poisoning

  306

  257

  1.18

  Railway accidents

  4

  1

  3.98

  Motor vehicle accidents

  110

  88

  1.24

  Water transport accidents

  4

  1

  3.98

  Air and space accidents

  25

  17

  1.46

  Other vehicle accidents

  0

  1

  0.00

  Accidental poisoning

  10

  13

  0.77

  Accidental falls

  8

  6

  1.33

  Accidents due to fire/flames

  0

  1

  0.00

  Accidents due to natural environmental factors

  2

  2

  1.00

  208W

  4. To meet a three year rolling average percentage of Year 11 pupils achieving five or more higher (A*-C) grades in GCSE of 50 per cent.

  5. To meet a three year rolling average subject entries achieving passes at grades A-C at A Level of 56 per cent.

  6. To meet the following percentages against the four attributes of Standards, Quality, School Climate and Management and Efficiency measured during Ofsted inspections.

  100 per cent. of SCE schools are to achieve grade 3 or above.

  85 per cent. of SCE schools are to achieve grade 2 or above except that in the "Schools Climate" attribute 100 per cent. of SCE schools are to achieve grade 2 or above.

  7. To respond in full to customers seeking education advice from SCE (UK) within the following timescales:

  93 per cent. within 10 working days of receipt

  remainder within 20 working days of receipt.

  Gulf Veterans
  Dr. Palmer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the latest figures are for deaths of Gulf veterans, and among the control group. [5608]

  Dr. Moonie
  Peer reviewed scientific data comparing the mortality of UK Gulf veterans with an era group of service personnel who did not deploy to the Gulf were published for the first time in The Lancet on 1 July 2000. Updates to these figures were provided by the Ministry of Defence to the House on 20 July 2000, Official Report, columns 247–49W, and 22 January 2001, Official Report, columns 414–16W. The MOD has undertaken to continue to monitor the mortality of both Gulf veterans and the era group and will publish updated figures on a regular basis. The figures as at 30 June 2001 are shown in the table.

  Overall, in the period 1 April 1991 to 30 June 2001 the mortality of UK Gulf veterans was no different from that of the control group. The number of Gulf veterans dying from disease related causes is rather less than the control group, whereas the number of Gulf veterans dying of external causes is rather higher than for the control group. The MOD will conduct a more detailed analysis of accidental deaths, to establish where there are any underlying trends that might help explain this.
  209W

  Deaths to UK Gulf veterans1 1 April 1991–30 June 2001 Causes (coded to ICD-9)2

  ICD chapter

  Cause of death

  Gulf

  Era

  Mortality rate ratio

  Accidents due to submersion/suffocation/foreign bodies

  16

  6

  2.65

  Other accidents

  31

  27

  1.14

  Late effects of accident/injury

  0

  2

  0.00

  Suicide and injury undetermined whether accidental

  88

  84

  1.04

  Homicide

  5

  4

  1.24

  Injury resulting from the operations of war

  3

  4

  0.75

  Other deaths for which coded cause data are not yet available

  9

  18

  —

  Overseas deaths for which cause data are not available

  2

  3

  —

  1 Service and ex-service personnel only

  2 World Health Organisation's International Classification of Diseases 9th revision 1977

  Defence Research (Animals)
  Dr. Palmer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the use of animals in defence research. [5609]

  Dr. Moonie
  The independent Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (AWAC), chaired by Dr. Robert C. Hubrecht, has recently published its fifth annual report. The committee was set up in 1996 in response to public and parliamentary concern over the use of animals in defence research. Its purpose is to consult, inspect and make all necessary inquiries into all aspects of animal care and their use in establishments of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), part of the former Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA).

  The committee's report gives assurances that animals used in defence research programmes in the UK are regulated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 and that no special exemptions apply to MOD. The committee's report emphasises the work that DERA have done to ensure the welfare of all animals used for defence research purposes. The committee was satisfied that all possible efforts were being made to ensure animal welfare and care.

  Animal research is essential in order to protect our troops from hazards encountered during their duties. However, the Ministry of Defence continues to place emphasis on seeking alternatives to animal use. Although the numbers of animals used have reduced from past years, the technologies which will allow further reduction are still immature. The MOD welcomes the scrutiny by the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee in this area and will continue to support AWAC's review into the care and welfare arrangements for animals used in defence research.

  Copies of the report have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Green Ministers
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) on what date a Green Minister was first appointed in his Department; when subsequent appointments were made; and if he will make a statement; [3895]

  (2) what the terms of reference are for the Green Minister in his Department; and if he will make a statement. [3976]
  210W
  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 13 July 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment gave on 13 July 2001, Official Report, column 690W.

  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what dates his Department's Green Minister attended meetings of the Green Ministers' Committee during the current Session of Parliament; on what dates subsequent meetings are planned to take place; and if he will make a statement. [4813]

  Dr. Moonie
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment on 17 July 2001,Official Report, column 165W.

  Military and Defence Exports
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish his forthcoming study into the Government's subsidisation of the military export and defence sector; when this study is expected to be completed; and when Parliament will be able to review the findings of the study. [4739]

  Dr. Moonie
  We expect the study into the costs and economic benefits of defence exports being undertaken by the Ministry of Defence's Senior Economic Adviser, with contributions from leading, independent, academic defence economists, to be completed shortly. It will be published and made available as soon as possible for review by the House of Commons Defence Committee, which originally proposed the study.

  I do not expect the analysis to show that there is Government subsidisation of defence exports, but rather to reflect the fact that there is a significant net benefit to the Defence budget—and thus the taxpayer—from defence exports. These benefits include a reduction in costs for UK procurement as a result of export orders, receipts from Commercial Exploitation Levy and disposal of surplus MOD equipment. In addition to economic benefits, responsible and legitimate defence exports, together with our own defence efforts, contribute to international stability by strengthening collective defence relationships.

  Aberporth
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of apprentices trained at DERA, Aberporth were employed by his Department(a) on completion of their apprenticeship, (b) after two years and (c) after five years, for each of the last 10 years. [4537]
  211W
  Dr. Moonie
  The number of apprentices trained at Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, Aberporth and employed by Ministry of Defence(a) on completion of

  Intake year

  Year of completion

  Numbers completing

  Employed by DERA (MOD)

  Employed by wider MOD

  Other

  After two years (employed by DERA)1

  After five years (employed by DERA)1

  1988

  1992

  14

  1

  1

  6

  6

  3

  1989

  1993

  12

  9

  1

  2

  8

  4

  1990

  1994

  23

  8

  0

  15

  8

  4

  1991

  1995

  15

  8

  0

  7

  8

  5

  1992

  1996

  8

  3

  1

  4

  2

  1

  1993

  1997

  8

  5

  0

  3

  4

  1

  1994

  1998

  10

  6

  1

  3

  4

  3—

  19952

  1998

  10

  6

  0

  4

  4

  3—

  1996

  1999

  8

  4

  1

  3

  4

  3—

  1997

  2000

  10

  6

  0

  4

  3—

  3—

  1 Only the numbers of apprentices retained by DERA are available and are based on information supplied by ex-apprentices. Information is not held as to whether any ex-apprentices, upon leaving DERA, went on to be employed in the wide MOD.

  2 New training introduced which reduced training period from four to three years.

  3 Not yet served for two years or five years.

  Kenya
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many weeks a year the British Army has had use of the range at Archer's Post and the range at Dol Dol in each of the last three years. [3218]

  Mr. Ingram
  The British Army used each area for about six weeks in each year.

  Liquidated Damages
  Dr. Vis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions agreed liquidated damages provision has not been collected by his Department; for what reason; and what legal action has been(a) contemplated and (b) taken to enforce them. [3717]

  Dr. Moonie
  This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  NATO Enlargement
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures he is taking to facilitate the enlargement of NATO at the Alliance's 2002 Prague summit. [4429]

  Mr. Hoon
  As the Prime Minister has made clear, we support the further enlargement of NATO when the political and military conditions agreed at the 1997 Madrid and 1999 Washington Summits are met. The Ministry of Defence, together with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, continues to consult closely with Allies on the implications of possible further enlargement for Euro-Atlantic security. We are assisting aspirants with their preparations through the Membership Action Plan, launched at the 1999 Washington Summit. We will continue to work with the Secretary General and Allies to ensure that the Alliance has the capabilities, force and command structures, planning and decision-making processes it needs to maintain its efficiency and effectiveness.

  Ministerial Duties
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list for each week from Monday 23 July
  212W
  their apprenticeship, (b) after two years and (c) after five years is shown in the table.

  to Monday 8 October which departmental ministers will be on duty (a) in the United Kingdom and (b) in London. [4892]

  Dr. Moonie
  It is not normal practice to publish Ministerial Duty Rosters. Throughout the summer break a Minister will be on duty in line with paragraph 68 of the current Ministerial Code.

TREASURY

  Indirectly Held Securities
  Mr. Russell Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on initiatives to clarify the law concerning conflict of laws in relation to indirectly held securities. [5388]

  Ruth Kelly
  We are today publishing a consultation document inviting views on two proposals. The first is a draft multilateral Convention, drawn up under the auspices of the Hague Conference on Private International Law, to determine the law applying to the proprietary aspects of dealing in securities held through intermediaries. The second is a proposal to amend the Financial Market and Insolvency (Settlement Finality) Regulations 1999. The purpose of the amendment is to apply a common choice of law rule in respect of securities provided as collateral. We consider these measures will produce benefits in terms of simplicity, risk reduction and enhanced efficiency in financial markets. A copy of the consultation document has been placed in the Library.

  UK Debt Management Office
  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the UK Debt Management Office's annual report and accounts. [5389]

  Ruth Kelly
  The DMO's annual report and administrative accounts for 2000–01 are being laid before Parliament and published today. Copies are available in the Libraries of both Houses, together with an updated version of the DMO's Framework Document.

  Statistics Commission
  Mrs. Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Statistics Commission's annual report and accounts for 2000–01 will be published. [5390]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Statistics Commission's first annual report and accounts, covering the period from its inception on 7 June 2000 to the end of the 2000–01 financial year, are being published today. The report and accounts have been laid before Parliament and copies are available in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Stroke Deaths
  Linda Perham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many deaths there were from(a) stroke and (b) stroke-related diseases in each of the past five years. [4096]

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

  Letter from Karen Dunnell to Linda Perham, dated 18 July 2001:

  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question on how many deaths there were from (a) stroke and (b) stroke-related diseases for each of the past five years. I am replying in his absence. (4097)

  The data requested are published in the annual reference volumes, "Mortality Statistics: Cause DH2", Table 2, copies of which are in the House of Commons Library. Figures are currently available up to 1999. The underlying cause of death, classified according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) International Classification of Disease, Ninth Edition (ICD9) indicates the disease or injury that initiated the train of events leading directly to death. Deaths with an underlying cause of stroke are classified using ICD9 codes 430 to 438.

  Green Ministers
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what dates his Department's Green Minister attended meetings of the Green Ministers Committee during the current Session of Parliament; on what dates subsequent meetings are planned to take place; and if he will make a statement. [4818]

  Mr. Boateng
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by the Minister for the Environment, 17 July 2001,Official Report, column 165W.

  VAT (Home Care Services)
  Mr. Patrick Hall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) when he expects the proposed extra statutory concession to reduce VAT on home care services supplied by private businesses to be implemented; [4183]

  (2) if he will remove VAT on home care services supplied by private businesses. [4184]

  Mr. Boateng
  HM Customs and Excise have consulted widely on a VAT concession for home care which will be introduced at the same time as proposed changes being introduced by the Department of Trade and Industry to regulate the private recruitment industry. The concession will ensure that these changes do not lead to any VAT increase in charges for those who receive care in the home.

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons Mrs. Pinfield (Ref. NH653670B) of Christchurch was not paid Working Families Tax Credit on time during the period 15 May to 25 June; and what compensation is payable, and by whom, for consequential losses which have arisen. [4771]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I understand that the Inland Revenue Tax Credit Office wrote to the hon. Member on 16 July 2001 regarding this matter.

  Andy Burnham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families in the Leigh constituency are eligible for Working Families Tax Credit; and how many have claimed it to date. [4187]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Estimates of the numbers of families in each parliamentary constituency receiving the Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) appear, from May 2000, in the WFTC Quarterly Enquiry. Copies are available in the Library, or on the Inland Revenue website, www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk.

  The estimates for constituencies in Great Britain are based on a 5 per cent. sample of awards and are therefore subject to sampling error. Particular care is needed when making comparisons over time.

  Tax Relief (Film Expenditure)
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much tax relief has been granted to UK films under the provisions of section 48 of the Finance (No. 2) Act 1997; how many films have been accepted by the Inland Revenue as qualifying films; and if he will make a statement. [3574]

  Ruth Kelly
  Between 1 July 1997 and 30 June 2001 the Department for Culture, Media and Sport certified 1,119 "British qualifying" films under the Film Act 1985. The estimated tax cost of relief provided to British qualifying films under section 48 Finance (No. 2) Act 1997 is £200 million in the period 1997–98 to 2000–01, over double the amount that would have been available under the previous arrangements.

  Biofuels
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will bring into force fiscal measures to encourage the use of biofuels equivalent to those available for gas fuels. [3757]

  Mr. Boateng
  Under the Government's Green Fuel Challenge launched in November last year, we will, subject to EU agreement, introduce a new duty rate for biodiesel in Budget 2002, at 20p per litre below the then rate for ultra-low sulphur diesel. Furthermore, we have already legislated to provide for duty reductions or exemptions for pilot projects covering the more environmentally friendly fuels, including biofuels such as bioethanol and biogas. We expect to invite applications for these pilots during the summer and evaluate applications during the autumn.

  Sports Clubs (Taxation)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received on the taxation of voluntary sports clubs; and if he will make a statement. [4043]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Chancellor has received a number of representations concerning the current tax treatment of voluntary sports clubs, as he does with all aspects of the tax system. Following the announcement in Budget 2001 of the Government's intention to consult on possible support through the tax system for community amateur sport's clubs, the Treasury is working closely with colleagues in other Government Departments and sports organisations, including Sport England, the Central Council for Physical Recreation and the National Playing Fields Association on the shape of possible relief. A consultation paper will be published later this year, which will invite comments on the proposed relief.

  In drawing up the proposals, the Government will take into full consideration which specific measures will benefit these sports clubs.

  VAT Relief (Places of Worship)
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his proposed timetable is for the introduction of VAT relief on listed places of worship; and if he will make a statement. [4397]

  Mr. Boateng
  The European Commission has indicated that a reduced VAT rate for repairs to listed places of worship will be considered in the Commission's general review of reduced rates that will take place in 2003. In the meantime, the Government are working on the introduction of a UK-wide grant scheme to help congregations with the cost of repairs and maintenance of listed buildings that are used as places of worship. The effect will be equivalent to a reduction in VAT to 5 per cent. on repairs commenced on or after 1 April 2001.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  London Underground
  Bob Russell
  To ask the President of the Council when he last travelled on the London underground in the course of his official duties. [3674]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  As Leader of the House of Commons, the majority of my duties are in the Palace of Westminster and as such do not require a tube journey between my residence/offices at Carlton Gardens and the House of Commons.

  My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary has travelled on the tube on at least five occasions since his appointment.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Democratic Institutions
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the future of democratic institutions in the Province. [2876]
  216W
  Dr. John Reid
  The stability of the institutions was one of the key areas addressed at the Weston Park talks. The Government are working closely with the Irish Government to secure the full and stable operation of the institutions, alongside the full implementation of all aspects of the Agreement.

  Police Recruitment
  Margaret Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the current police recruitment campaign in Northern Ireland. [2877]

  Jane Kennedy
  The response to the recruitment campaign to the police service was very positive—with almost 8,000 applicants.

  Peace Process
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the role of community groups in the peace process. [2878]

  Dr. John Reid
  The peace process was born out of the desire of ordinary decent people in Northern Ireland for a normal, law-abiding and peaceful society, free from the sectarianism and bitterness of the past. While the negotiations have largely been taken forward by Northern Ireland's political representatives, the significant progress we have made thus far in agreeing and implementing the Belfast Agreement has been underpinned and strengthened by the support and commitment to peace demonstrated by the numerous and wide variety of individuals and groups active in all sections of the community across Northern Ireland, particularly in their efforts to combat division and sectarianism. Their work will be a significant factor in encouraging further progress.

  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the peace process since 7 June. [2886]

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on developments in the peace process. [2900]

  Dr. John Reid
  I refer the hon. Members to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Crosby (Mrs. Curtis-Thomas), on 18 July 2001,Official Report, column 277.

  Jean Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about developments in the peace process. [2887]

  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the peace process. [2894]

  Dr. John Reid
  I refer my hon. Friends to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Crosby (Mrs. Curtis-Thomas), on 18 July 2001,Official Report, column 277.

  First Minister
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on steps being taken to fill the position of First Minister in Northern Ireland. [2879]
  217W
  Dr. John Reid
  The filling of these positions is a matter for the devolved administration, not the British Government. The Northern Ireland Assembly and its members must elect a First Minister and Deputy First Minister jointly in accordance with the procedures set out in the constitutional arrangements of Strand One of the Belfast Agreement and section 16 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. These require the positions to be filled within 6 weeks of a vacancy occurring and the Assembly to devise the procedures under which such elections takes place.

  Road Improvements
  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last met the Secretary of State for Scotland to discuss co-operation on applications for EC support for inter-regional road improvements. [2880]

  Dr. John Reid
  I have had no discussions with the Secretary of State for Scotland on co-operation on applications for EC support for inter-regional road improvements since this is a devolved matter.

  Decommissioning
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the progress towards paramilitary weapons decommissioning. [2881]

  Dr. John Reid
  I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis), on 18 July 2001,Official Report, columns 271–72.

  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about decommissioning of arms in Northern Ireland. [2883]

  Mr. Salter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the efforts that have been made to secure the decommissioning of illegally held weapons in Northern Ireland. [2884]

  David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made with decommissioning. [2891]

  Mike Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures have been taken to encourage paramilitary decommissioning in Northern Ireland. [2899]

  Dr. John Reid
  I refer my hon. Friends to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis), on 18 July 2001,Official Report, columns 271–272.

  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on decommissioning of terrorist weapons. [2885]

  Dr. John Reid
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis), on 18 July 2001,Official Report, columns 271–72.

  Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the work of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission; and if he will make a statement. [2882]
  218W
  Mr. Browne
  The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is an independent body, and as such it is for the Commission itself to determine its work programme. It is not appropriate for me to comment on this. I do, however, welcome the start that the Commission has made in establishing itself, and hope that it will continue to build on this in the future.

  Terrorist Organisations (Political Representation)
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his policy is on the inclusion of political representatives of armed terrorist organisations in the Government of Northern Ireland. [2888]

  Mr. Cameron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his policy is on the inclusion of political representatives of armed terrorist organisations in the Government of Northern Ireland. [2890]

  Dr. John Reid
  The policy of this Government is to facilitate the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, including its provisions on the constitutional settlement. For as long as each member of the Executive is appointed to their post under the terms and conditions set out in the Agreement and the Northern Ireland Act 1998—including their commitment under the Pledge of Office to exclusively peaceful and democratic means— they have a legitimate right to hold that position. Safeguards in the Agreement and the legislation also ensure that if a Minister loses the confidence of the Assembly, Members may vote in favour of an exclusion motion and remove them from office. The Government support these provisions.

  Terrorist Violence
  Mr. Djanogly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the level of terrorist violence in Northern Ireland. [2892]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Government believe on balance that the main cease fires are holding. However, there remains a serious threat to the peace process from dissident republicans who have been responsible in recent months for a number of attacks including the use of Mark 15 "Barrack Buster" mortars, bomb attacks containing up to 10001bs of explosives and various booby trap devices. Loyalists are believed responsible for the recent murder of Ciaran Cummings and pipe bomb attacks in nationalist areas.

  Both loyalists and republicans seek to exercise control over their own communities by carrying out attacks and acts of intimidation. So far this year there have been 184 such attacks: 118 by loyalists and 66 by republicans.

  Royal Ulster Constabulary
  David Burnside
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the future of the RUC full-time reserve. [2889]

  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the future of the RUC reserves. [2893]
  219W
  Jane Kennedy
  Discussions with the Police Federation of Northern Ireland on the application of the severance arrangements, retraining etc. are on-going. The next implementation step in the process of phasing out the Full Time Reserve will be notification of the non-renewal of contracts. Subsequent to the first recruits to the Police Service of Northern Ireland completing their training early in 2002, the prevailing security situation and policing requirements will be reviewed. Subject to that review, the notification of the non-renewal of contracts will begin.

  Terrorism
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made on the dismantling of the structures of terrorism in Northern Ireland since April 1998. [2895]

  Dr. John Reid
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis), on 18 July 2001,Official Report, columns 271–72.

  Political Parties (Talks)
  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the outcome of his most recent talks with the political parties in Northern Ireland. [2896]

  Dr. John Reid
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave my hon. Friend for Crosby (Mrs. Curtis-Thomas), on 18 July 2001,Official Report, column 277.

  RUC Chief Constable
  Mr. Savidge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last met the Chief Constable of the RUC; and what was discussed. [2897]

  Dr. John Reid
  I regularly discuss a range of issues with the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. It would not be appropriate to give details of these discussions.

  Human Rights
  Mr. Mahmood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action the Government have taken to improve human rights in Northern Ireland. [2898]

  Mr. Browne
  The Human Rights Act 1998 put in place significant safeguards to ensure the protection of rights throughout the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland. In addition, specific measures were put in place to protect human rights in Northern Ireland by the Northern Ireland Act 1998 as part of the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. These include ensuring that the devolved Assembly has no power to make legislation that is incompatible with the European Convention of Human Rights; and the creation of a new Human Rights Commission for Northern Ireland.

  Political Situation
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the political situation in Northern Ireland. [2901]
  220W
  Dr. John Reid
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Crosby (Mrs. Curtis-Thomas), on 18 July 2001,Official Report, column 277.

HEALTH

  Children's Hospices
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy that children's hospices receive the same level of public funding as adult hospices. [2247]

  Yvette Cooper
  Children's hospices have an important role in supporting children with life threatening illness and their families. Provision has been made for them to receive funding from the National Health Service. The level of funding for individual hospices, which provide for the needs of either children or adults, is a matter for local discussion and agreement, based on local health needs assessment.

  Foot and Mouth
  Brian Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the potential impact on vCJD in the human population as a result of exposure to the BSE agent following the burial of infected carcases during the foot and mouth epidemic. [3074]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Environment Agency issued guidelines on 26 March advising that no cattle over five years of age, which are at greater risk of BSE, should be buried. But before these guidelines took effect, it is estimated that up to 10,000 cattle aged over five years may have been buried. The Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC), the Government's advisory body on BSE and CJD, has considered disposal issues arising from foot and mouth on a number of occasions, including at a special meeting on 24 May 2001. A news release summarising the outcome of that meeting states:"The sites where over five year cattle may have been buried would need to be examined on a case by case basis, and appropriate risk assessments carried out. It was likely that most body fluids would already have leaked out of the carcases which would no longer be intact. Digging up the remains would itself create significant risks—for example of bringing deep soil to the surface—that would need to be taken into account in any assessment. Overall, the number of BSE infected carcases across all sites—let alone any particular site—would be small. The risk from any individual site would, normally, be small and should be kept in perspective."
  A report on the possible risks to public health from current foot and mouth disposal options was published last month and is available on the Department's website at www.doh.gov.uk/fmdguidance/disposalriskassessment.pdf.

  Advocacy in Mental Health
  Dr. Naysmith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to receive the results of the research by Durham University into the role of advocacy in mental health; if the results will be published; and if the Government will consult on the findings. [2959]

  Jacqui Smith
  The Department has received a draft copy of the report from Durham University. We expect to receive the final version later this summer. We are
  221W
  planning to publish the findings. The report, which will contain the findings of the research commissioned by the Department, will be used to inform discussions with interested parties in the development of the independent specialist advocacy services and the standards that will be drawn up for them.

  Hospital (Liskeard)
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to provide a new hospital in Liskeard, Cornwall; and if he will make a statement. [3411]

  Ms Blears
  Cornwall Healthcare National Health Service Trust is progressing with a £7.5 million scheme under the private finance initiative to develop a new 52 bed community hospital for the people of Liskeard and the surrounding area. The trust recently agreed preferred bidder status with a private contractor and is developing a final business case for regional office approval later this year. If approved, the hospital is due to be completed in late spring 2003.

  Mental Health Services
  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which of the projected targets outlined in the Health Select Committee's Provision of NHS Mental Health Services' report (HC 373, Session 1999–2000) have been met. [3808]

  Jacqui Smith
  In response to the Health Select Committee's report, we described a wide range of measures that were being taken to tackle the years of neglect in the provision of mental health services. These measures, which are at various stages of development, continue to be taken forward as part of a comprehensive and co-ordinated programme of action to implement the National Service Framework for Mental Health and the NHS Plan.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the new NHS funding that has been received by mental health services. [4575]

  Jacqui Smith
  An annual mapping exercise has been set up to identify the full range of services for people with mental health problems in each National Service Framework Local Implementation area in England. The second such survey, expected to be completed by November this year, will be accompanied by a survey of spending by the National Health Service and local authorities on the services which it funds.

  Diabetes
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he proposes to take to achieve his Departmental target for reducing death from diabetes. [3822]

  Jacqui Smith
  The Diabetes National Service Framework, which we intend to publish later this year, will set national standards and define service models to improve the quality of care for people with diabetes. We expect the NSF to improve health outcomes for people with diabetes and, over time, to reduce the number of deaths related to diabetes.

  Heart and Lung Disease
  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to provide free prescription drugs for the treatment of people with congenital heart and lung disease. [3874]

  Ms Blears
  Our policy is to give priority to helping those who may have difficulty in paying charges, rather than extending the exemption arrangements to people with other medical conditions including congenital heart and lung disease.

  Toxic Dental Materials
  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to ban the use of(a) mercury amalgam and (b) other toxic dental materials by the NHS. [3871]

  Ms Blears
  There are no plans to ban the use of dental amalgam or other dental materials currently used in the National Health Service. All dental materials must be safe and fit for their purpose and must meet the requirements of the Medical Devices Regulations.

  Audible Blood Glucose Testing Equipment
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to supply audible blood glucose testing equipment through the National Health Service. [3738]

  Jacqui Smith
  Blood glucose testing meters of any kind are not currently available on general practitioner prescription though blood glucose testing strips are. We have had no application from any company to have audible blood glucose testing equipment made available.

  Pharmaceutical Industry
  Dr. Ladyman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what responses he has received from the pharmaceutical industry relating to the publication of the Pharmaceutical Industry Competitiveness Task Force report. [2015]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 12 July 2001]: The response from the pharmaceutical industry to the publication of the Pharmaceutical Industry Competitiveness Task Force report has been very favourable. The Chairman of Eli Lilly and Company wrote to congratulate my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on the excellence of the report, informal feedback to Ministers from senior executives of many companies based both here and in the United States of America has been very positive and Japanese companies expressed great interest in the report to the Science Minister, Lord Sainsbury, during his recent visit to Japan. At European Union level, Government and industry are now working together in a similar way on the high level group on Innovation and Provision of Medicines—known as the G10 Group. My noble Friend Lord Hunt of Kings Heath, who co-chaired the United Kingdom task force, is a member of the G10 Group.

  Overhead Powerlines
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received on the health implications of overhead powerlines; and if he will make a statement. [3846]
  223W
  Yvette Cooper
  The Department obtains advice on the possible health implications of exposure to electromagnetic fields, including those associated with power lines, from the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB). In a report published on 6 March, the NRPB's Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation reviewed the potential risks of cancer from extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (documents of the NRPB Volume 12, Number 1, 2001), copies of which are available in the Library. Information can be found on www.nrpb.org.uk.

  The report states that
  "there is some epidemiological evidence that prolonged exposure to higher levels of power frequency magnetic fields is associated with a small risk of leukaemia in children. In practice, such levels are seldom encountered by the general public in this country."
  The NRPB have calculated that this relates to about 0.5 per cent. of the total population. The report also states that
  "In the absence of clear evidence of a carcinogenic effect in adults, or of a plausible explanation from experiments on animals or isolated cells, the epidemiological evidence is currently not strong enough to justify a firm conclusion that such fields cause leukaemia in children."
  An NRPB response statement noted that the higher levels of magnetic fields are not attributable solely to proximity to power lines. The Government and NRPB are currently planning a study into the factors that lead to certain households having higher levels of electromagnetic fields.

  Prescription Drugs
  Linda Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on EU proposals to relax the rules on advertising prescription drugs and the possible impact on the NHS. [3722]

  Yvette Cooper
  The European Union proposals on advertising of prescription-only medicines are part of a much wider European Commission review of the European legislation governing medicines. They have yet to be formally adopted by the Commission. As currently drafted, the proposals do not lift the existing prohibition on advertising prescription-only medicines directly to the public, but are concerned with the provision of information in certain therapeutic areas on request by patients, patient groups or health professionals.

  We will examine the Commission's proposals in detail once they have been adopted. The United Kingdom will discuss these proposals with the Commission and other member states in a working group of the Council of Ministers, taking into account what impact, positive or negative, they have on the national health service and more widely. Our priority will be to ensure that any amendments agreed to the existing legislation are fully justified in the interests of public health, and are compatible with meeting patients' needs for full and comprehensible information about their medicines.

  Asian Nurses
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS nurses are of Asian heritage; what steps he is taking to increase their number; and if he will make a statement. [3842]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is in the table.
  224W

  National health service hospital and community health services (HCHS): nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff by ethnic group in England as at 30 September 2000

  Percentage

  White

  85.0

  Black

  4.6

  Asian

  1.7

  Other

  2.5

  Unknown

  6.2

  Notes:

  1. Figures should be treated with caution as they are based upon the 76 per cent. of HCHS organisations that reported 90 per cent. or more valid ethnic codes for non-medical staff; comparisons over a number of years are likely to produce more reliable comparisons.

  2. Percentages were calculated from numbers of staff expressed as whole-time equivalents.

  Source:

  Department of Health 2000 non-medical work force census.

  The Department has a well developed strategy to recruit more Asian nurses. The Improving Working Lives Standard commits all NHS employers to build a diverse work force that reflects the local community and will measure their progress. The Positively Diverse Programme has generated a substantial series of national, regional and local recruitment initiatives including issuing guidance to NHS employers around setting up diversity programmes in their organisation, widening access to nurse training, building networks between NHS work force confederation and higher education institutes, and addressing selection to and attrition from training. Early results from the national recruitment campaign suggest that around 3.5 per cent. of the people who responded to the campaign identified themselves as Asian.

  Food Supplements
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action his Department is taking to ensure food supplements used by sports people do not contain banned substances. [3730]

  Yvette Cooper
  All food supplements, including those for sports people, must comply with food law, which is enforced by local authorities via their trading standards or environmental health departments.

  Supplements which fit the legal definition of a medicine are controlled by the Medicines Control Agency (MCA). The MCA is responsible for enforcing medicines legislation, and is currently reviewing the status of a number of sports supplements.

  Food Labelling
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the law covering food labelling. [3941]

  Yvette Cooper
  Food labelling laws are harmonised at European level and are implemented here by the Food Labelling Regulations 1996. We are committed to giving consumers more choice by promoting honest and informative labelling. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has adopted a wide-ranging action plan to tackle the issues consumers have identified as priorities for improving food labelling. The FSA is pressing for changes to European law and international standards and has established a number of working groups to explore the potential for voluntary improvements.

  Green Ministers
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what the terms of reference are for the Green Minister in his Department; and if he will make a statement; [3981]

  (2) on what date a Green Minister was first appointed in his Department; when subsequent appointments were made; and if he will make a statement. [3968]

  Ms Blears
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment on 13 July 2001,Official Report, columns 689–90W.

  Breast Cancer Unit (Nottingham)
  Vernon Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the progress being made by Trent Regional Health Authority regarding the establishment of a new breast cancer unit at Nottingham City Hospital; and if he will make a statement. [4272]

  Yvette Cooper
  The development of the new breast care centre at Nottingham City Hospital National Health Service Trust remains a high priority. The Trent regional office of the NHS Executive continues to work closely with the trust to take forward its proposals and it is expected that the full business case will be submitted in September 2001.

  Prostate/Testicular Cancer
  Vernon Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to promote a greater awareness among men of prostate and testicular cancer; and if he will make a statement. [4275]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Department recognises that men need to have information to identify health problems, and easy access to health care services and support when health problems arise. Two initiatives have recently been launched for men concerned about or suffering from prostate cancer.

  The informed choice project for prostate specific antigen testing (PSA) is an education programme setting out the benefits and drawbacks of undergoing a PSA test. Men who are concerned about prostate cancer and who approach their general practitioner for a test will be given this information to help them reach a decision. Initially this is a consultation period and feedback on the usefulness of the materials, from GPs and the public, is welcomed. The leaflets are on the National Electronic Library for Health website www.nelh.nhs.uk/psatesting/.

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Started

  13,263

  15,684

  17,898

  17,708

  19,348

  Leavers1

  2,572

  3,139

  3,381

  2,556

  1,362

  Interrupted2

  386

  681

  932

  883

  492

  Active3

  353

  393

  5,374

  13,966

  17,474

  Percentage left

  19.39

  20.01

  18.89

  14.43

  7.0

  Percentage interrupted

  2.91

  4.34

  5.21

  4.99

  2.5

  Percentage active

  2.66

  2.51

  30.03

  78.87

  90.3

  1 Students who have withdrawn completely from the course

  2 Students who have temporarily withdrawn but who intend to return

  3 Students who have still to complete their studies

  Note:

  These data are based on a snapshot in time of a particular cohort(s) and therefore each year there will still be students who have yet to complete their course
  226W
  The database of individual patient's experience of illness (DIPEx) is intended for use by patients, their families and carers as well as those working in the health services. DIPEx prostate cancer includes high quality information, prepared in collaboration with CancerBACUP, about the condition and its treatment, as well as answers to commonly asked questions. It is unique in recording patients in video talking about their own experiences and the choices they made.

  We are looking at other innovative methods of conveying messages to men and of improving their access to services that are more tailored to their needs. The Health Development Agency is currently examining what measures are most effective for improving men's health in different areas, and preventing men from becoming ill in the first place. The findings of this work will inform the decisions that we make on how best to achieve better health for men in the future.

  Milk Tokens
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the cost of extending milk tokens for pregnant mothers to pregnant mothers who are asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement. [4129]

  Yvette Cooper
  There are no figures available on the numbers of pregnant women who are asylum seekers and not receiving milk tokens. A major part of the cost of extending milk tokens to this group would be the administrative cost of devising and managing a system to do so, since none exists currently. We are currently reviewing separately the operation of both the asylum voucher scheme and the milk token scheme and will announce our conclusions in due course.

  Nurses
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many of those who have enrolled on nurse induction and training courses in each of the last five years have not(a) completed their course, (b) completed their qualifications and (c) passed their qualifications at the required grade, expressed (i) numerically and (ii) as a percentage of those originally enrolled. [4343]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information is not collected on nurse induction courses. Information on the number and percentage of student nurses who have not completed their course is shown in the table. The human resource performance framework, published last year, sets a target of 13 per cent. attrition (leavers) for those students entering training in 2000–01.
  227W
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what measures he plans to provide incentives to qualified nurses who are not working within the NHS and who have taken a career break; and if he will make a statement; [4340]

  (2) what action the Government are taking to recruit more (a) nurses, (b) physiotherapists, (c) occupational therapists, (d) radiographers, (e) pathologists, (f) theatre technicians and (g) other hospital support staff for NHS acute hospitals; and if he will make a statement. [4341]

  Mr. Hutton
  To ensure there are sufficient staff to provide the treatment and care that patients need in a modern and improved national health service, funds have been made available to employ up to 20,000 more nurses, midwives and health visitors, 6,500 more therapists and other health professionals, 7,500 more consultants and 2,000 more general practitioners between now and 2004. To do this we are increasing the number of training places; improving retention of staff throughout the NHS; attracting former staff back to the NHS and international recruitment.

  A national recruitment campaign was launched in February this year covering all staff groups in the NHS. Local initiatives continue to build successfully on the momentum of the national campaign and are again supported by NHS Careers.

  In order to attract former staff back to the national health service, a package has been developed to encourage them to return. From 1 April 2001, healthcare professionals returning to the NHS will receive at least £1,000 income to support them while they are retraining (£1,500 for midwives). In addition we have also standardised the amount of child care assistance that can be offered to returners while they retrain. This means that a returner will now receive free refresher training; a minimum of £1,000 financial support while retraining; assistance with child care support of up to £135 per week for one child and £200 for two or more children; and assistance with travel and books.

  Obstetric/Gynaecological Care
  Mr. Gummer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make arrangements to give women the choice not to be treated by obstetricians and gynaecologists who perform abortions. [4114]

  Yvette Cooper
  If a woman wishes to be treated by an obstetrician or a gynaecologist who does not perform abortions then she should ask her general practitioner or consultant beforehand who will advise her. She is entitled to refuse treatment if she wishes.

  Under-age Children (Medical Care)
  Mr. Gummer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what powers he has to regulate the medical profession's prescription and treatment of under-age children without parental consent. [4113]

  Ms Blears
  Health professionals work to the legal principle, drawn from case law, that a young person under 16 may give consent for him/herself if the health professional treating them considers them to have sufficient understanding and intelligence to understand 228W
  fully what is proposed. This is described as competence and is judged by the health professional on a case-by-case basis.

  If a young person under 16 is considered competent to consent lo the proposed treatment, parental consent is not legally necessary. However the involvement of a parent or other appropriate adult should be encouraged.

  Tobacco Advertising
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence underlay his Department's statement that the prohibition of tobacco advertising would reduce consumption by 2.5 per cent. [4245]

  Yvette Cooper
  Evidence as to the effect of tobacco advertising on tobacco consumption was reviewed by the Department's Chief Economic Adviser in the Smee Report, published in 1992. The evidence has since been reviewed from time to time. The advice is that the likely eventual net effect of an advertising ban would be to decrease tobacco consumption, and the size of the decrease could lie in a range up to about 5 per cent. It is reasonable to use the mid-point of this range to indicate the likely effects of a ban.

  Other recent work supports the view that comprehensive advertising bans are likely to reduce tobacco consumption. A report from the World Bank1 suggests that implementation of Directive 98/43/EC could have reduced cigarette consumption within the European Union by nearly 7 per cent.
  1 Curbing the Epidemic: Governments and the Economics of Tobacco Control. 1999 ISBN 9 780821 345191

  NHS Prescriptions/Dental Treatment
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to provide further help for people on low incomes with the cost of(a) NHS prescriptions and (b) dental treatment. [4244]

  Ms Blears
  The current exemption and charge remission arrangements are intended to ensure that no one need be deterred from obtaining any necessary treatment on financial grounds. People who have to pay can seek help under the National Health Service low income scheme which provides help on an income related basis broadly following Income Support arrangements. We have no plans at present to change these arrangements.

  Bursaries (Nurses)
  John McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nursing students from non-European countries have received bursaries in(a) 1995, (b) 1996, (c) 1997, (d) 1998, (e) 1999 and (f) 2000. [4333]

  Mr. Hutton
  The National Health Service Student Grants Unit's best estimate is that, as of 16 July 2001, some 2,400 students from non-European countries, at different stages of diploma courses in nursing and midwifery, were in receipt of NHS bursaries. Reliable figures on a comparable basis from earlier time periods are not available.

  229W
  The Nursing and Midwifery Admissions Service (NMAS) reports that the number of students from non-European countries accepted for entry to pre-registration diploma level nurse training programmes at English universities from 1997 to 2000 was;

  Academic year 1997–98—331

  Academic year 1998–99—627

  Academic year 1999–2000—774

  A small proportion of these students are likely to have been self-funded, that is, not in receipt of an NHS bursary. NMAS acceptance figures for earlier years, 1995–96 and 1996–97 are not available.

  NMAS acceptance figures for academic year 2000–01 will not be available until after 31 August 2001, the end of the current academic year.

  Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the adequacy of accident and emergency facilities in Birmingham, with particular reference to its impact on the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust; and if he will make a statement. [4133]

  Yvette Cooper
  We are aware of the recent pressures experienced by accident and emergency departments in Birmingham.

  The recent negotiations between Birmingham City Council and Birmingham Health Authority, with the support of the Department, have addressed the situation in relation to delayed transfers of care in Birmingham. All the agencies involved will continue to work together to ensure that appropriate measures are in place to meet any future additional pressure on accident and emergency departments in Birmingham, which will minimise any possible impact on the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals National Health Service Trust.

  Breast Screening
  Linda Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has set a target for breast screening coverage. [4028]

  Yvette Cooper
  The National Health Service breast screening programme has a target of 70 per cent. for uptake of breast screening invitations. This was the level recommended by the Forrest Report on Breast Cancer

  Department of Health Vacancies Survey, March 2001 Three month vacancy rates1,2 and numbers for total consultant psychiatry posts in NHS Trusts in England as at 31 March for each year

  Psychiatry group of specialities

  19993

  20003

  Rates (Percentage)

  Posts (Number)

  Rates (Percentage)

  Posts (Number)

  England

  6.8

  170

  6.9

  190

  Northern and Yorkshire

  7.3

  20

  7.7

  30

  Trent

  4.0

  10

  5.0

  10

  West Midlands

  9.0

  20

  11.4

  30

  North West

  10.5

  30

  7.9

  30

  Eastern

  4.4

  10

  6.0

  10

  London

  5.5

  30

  7.4

  40

  South East

  6.2

  20

  4.7

  20

  South West

  7.5

  20

  2.2

  10

  230W
  Screening (1986) and has been in place since the start of the programme in 1988. Copies are available in the Library.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost of extending breast screening to women over the age of 70 years; and how many more women would receive breast screening as a result. [4083]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 17 July 2001]: It is estimated that it would cost an extra £104 million a year to extend the National Health Service breast screening programme to women over the age of 70 years. It is estimated that the current programme costs £52 million a year and the current cost per woman screened is £40.

  It is estimated that 2.6 million women aged 70 and over would participate in the programme taking account of 2001 population projection data and if uptake were in line with younger groups (75.6 per cent. in 1999–2000).

  The Advisory Committee on Breast Cancer Screening is keeping this issue under review as new research evidence emerges.

  Chiropodists
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he plans to take to increase the number of chiropodists/podiatrists. [4278]

  Mr. Hutton
  The number of chiropodists/podiatrists will increase as part of the NHS Plan commitment to provide more staff for the National Health Service. The NHS Plan states that by 2004 there will be 6,500 more therapists and other health professionals (including chiropodists/podiatrists) in post by 2004 and that 4,450 more therapists and key professional staff (including chiropodists/podiatrists) will be being trained.

  Consultant Psychiatrists
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many vacancies there were for consultant psychiatry posts in each region in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [4139]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information about vacancies for consultant psychiatry posts is available only from 1999 onwards. This information is provided in the tables.

  The NHS Plan provides for an additional 7,500 consultants by 2004. While those posts are filled there will inevitably be a temporary increase in the number of vacancies.
  231W

  Total for 20013,4

  of which:

  Rates

  Posts

  Rates (Percentage)

  Posts

  (Percentage)

  (Number)

  Forensic

  General

  Old age

  Learning disabilities

  Forensic

  General

  Old age

  Learning disabilities

  England

  8.3

  190

  5.2

  7.8

  9.3

  13.3

  10

  130

  30

  30

  Northern and Yorkshire

  9.0

  30

  0.0

  8.2

  10.0

  13.5

  0

  20

  10

  10

  Trent

  7.0

  20

  0.0

  4.0

  11.4

  26.3

  0

  10

  0

  10

  West Midlands

  9.6

  20

  0.0

  11.0

  7.9

  8.3

  0

  20

  0

  0

  North West

  13.5

  40

  18.2

  12.2

  14.6

  21.7

  0

  30

  10

  10

  Eastern

  7.7

  20

  0.0

  5.8

  16.1

  10.3

  0

  10

  10

  0

  London

  7.3

  40

  8.5

  7.5

  2.3

  12.2

  0

  30

  0

  0

  South East

  1.5

  30

  7.7

  10.2

  8.5

  11.1

  0

  30

  10

  0

  South West

  1.5

  0

  5—

  1.3

  0.0

  6.7

  5—

  0

  0

  0

  1 Three month vacancies are vacancies as at 31 March for each year which trusts are actively trying to fill, which had lasted for three months or more (whole-time equivalents).

  2 Three month vacancy rates are three month vacancies expressed as a percentage of three month vacancies plus staff in post from the September medical and dental and non-medical workforce censuses (whole-time equivalent).

  3 In 1999 and 2000 breakdown of data was not available and includes consultants within child and adolescent and psychotherapy. The figures are therefore not comparable with the 2001 figures.

  4 Total for consultants in forensic psychiatry, general psychiatry, learning disabilities and old age psychiatry.

  5 Figures based on less than 10 posts.

  Notes:

  1. Numbers are rounded to the nearest 10.

  2. Percentages rounded to one decimal place.

  3. Totals may not equal sum of component parts due to rounding.

  Consultant Neurologists
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health(a) how many consultants in neurology there are in the London NHS region and (b) what the level of vacancies is; and if he will make a statement. [4142]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information on the number of consultants in neurology there are in the London National Health Service region is provided in the table.

  Hospital medical consultants within neurology in the London region

  As at 30 September 2000

  Number

  Neurology consultants

  100

  Note:

  Figures are rounded to the nearest 10

  Source:

  Department of Health medical and dental work force census

  The Department does not collect information vacancies in neurology.

  We are well aware of the need for more consultants, in this and other specialities. There are currently 54 specialist registrars, in London-based programmes, currently undergoing training to be neurologists. Over the next two years 27 of these will complete their training and be ready to take up consultant posts.

  Alcoholics
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the services available for rehabilitation of alcoholics in Milton Keynes, indicating the number of(a) residential places and (b) non-residential places for rehabilitation and counselling. [4347]

  Ms Blears
  The information requested is not held centrally. The information should be available from the Chairman of the Buckinghamshire Health Authority.
  232W
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment has been made of the numbers of alcoholics requiring rehabilitation in Milton Keynes; and how many of these are being offered treatment. [4387]

  Ms Blears
  No assessment has been made centrally on the numbers of alcoholics requiring rehabilitation in Milton Keynes. Further information on planning for treatment services for alcoholics should be available from the Chairman of the Buckinghamshire Health Authority.

  Hospital Infections
  Mr. Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many hospital acquired infections were detected in NHS hospitals in East Sussex in(a) 2000 and (b) 2001; [4020]

  (2) how many NHS patients contracted hospital-acquired infections in (a) 2000 and (b) 2001 in East Sussex. [4019]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 16 July 2001]: This on information is not collected centrally. Further local information can be obtained from the Chairmen of the East Sussex Hospital Trusts.

  From April 2001 all trusts are required to collect data on MRSA.

  Ice Lollies
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Uxbridge (Mr. Randall) of 28 June 2001,Official Report, column 171W, on food labelling, if he will ensure that the working group addresses the specific problems associated with the labelling of ice lollies. [4554]

  Yvette Cooper
  The working group is looking at a range of issues, including ways of ensuring the presence of ingredients that can cause allergic or intolerance reactions is clearly and recognisably indicated. In addition, we have been pressing the European Commission to bring forward proposals for changes to European labelling rules to make this obligatory.

  Regent GM Laboratories
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what date, and for what reasons the licence held by Regent GM Laboratories was suspended by the Medicines Control Agency; and on what date, and for what reason, it was subsequently reinstated. [4320]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 17 July 2001]: The Manufacturer's Licence ML 13994 for Regent GM Laboratories was suspended by the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) on 18 December 1998.

  The licence was suspended because the company had contravened the provisions of the licence and had failed to a critical extent to comply with the principles and guidelines of good manufacturing practice.

  The suspension was lifted and the licence reinstated on 3 December 1999 following inspection of the manufacturing facilities in August 1999 and November 1999 when the licensing authority was satisfied that the deficiencies identified prior to the suspension had been rectified.

  Older People
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when his Department will publish the Older People information strategy; and if he will make a statement on its contents. [4088]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 17 July 2001]: The information strategy for Older People will address the information needs of older people, those treating and caring for them and those commissioning or managing services for older people. The strategy aims to be ambitious, looking ahead both in terms of treatment and care issues and information technology developments, and be creative about the potential of new and developing technologies to provide solutions.

  The information strategy for older people will be launched later this year.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the regional reviews referred to in paragraph 25, page 119, of the National Service Framework for Older People will be completed and published. [4079]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 17 July 2001]: The National Service Framework (NSF) for Older People stated that the monitoring and planning of its implementation would include reviews at regional level. These will bring together work undertaken at local level, plan progress and set down the future direction of work. The reviews will be published annually, starting one year after the NSF's publication.

  Flu Vaccine
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the cost of offering flu vaccine to all front-line social care workers. [4318]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 17 July 2001]: As last year, National Health Service employers have been asked to offer influenza immunisation to employees directly involved in patient care. Social care employers should consider similar action. The level of cost will depend on take-up.

  234W
  It has been estimated that there are approximately 300,000 "front line" social care staff. There are five manufacturers supplying flu vaccine this year at varying prices. If all 300,000 staff received influenza immunisation, then based on the weighted mean average list price of vaccine the cost would be approximately £1.6 million.

  Not all social care employers have occupational health functions; there may be additional costs to these employers if they have to make contractual arrangements with local general practitioner practices or external third party companies to provide an immunisation service for their staff.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to increase the take-up of flu vaccine among people aged over 65 years. [4077]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 17 July 2001]: Following on from last year's successful campaign, we are this year extending the minimum target uptake for influenza immunisation in people aged 65 and over from 60 per cent. to 65 per cent.

  The Department has met with the vaccine manufacturers to ensure sufficient supplies of vaccine will be made available; general practitioners and other health professionals have been informed of this increased target via a letter from the Chief Medical Officer. Nursing and Pharmaceutical Officers and GPs have been asked to order sufficient supplies of vaccine; we are also planning once more to use national and local media (newspaper and television) to publicise the campaign.

  Surveys
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department has issued to NHS trusts and primary care trusts to ensure comparability of results when constructing surveys of users and carers; when the first round of surveys will be completed; and how this will be monitored. [4080]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 17 July 2001]: The NHS Plan and Public Service Agreement made new commitments about patient surveys. We will improve the quality of patient experience through measurement of performance, from the patient perspective, to drive real service improvement year on year.

  Work is in hand to select survey contractors who will be able to run surveys of acute hospital patients during 2001–02. The survey will include a common national core—which will include the requirements for the performance framework—with the option of adding local questions to inform local actions. Detailed guidance will be issued to all acute national health service trusts in late summer.

  From October 2001 NHS trusts will begin to carry out new trust-based patient surveys. From April 2002, results from core questions will be available and feed into the national performance information and traffic lights during 2002, as a first stage in measuring the patient experience of local health services as part of NHS performance management arrangements.

  Stroke Units
  Linda Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general hospitals in the NHS had stroke units in each of the last five years. [4097]

  Jacqui Smith
  The information requested is not collected centrally. However, many hospitals already have, or plan to introduce, specialist stroke services.

  The Department published the National Service Framework for Older People (NSF) on 27 March. It sets out a comprehensive strategy to ensure fair, high quality, integrated health and social care and reduce variations in services for older people.

  The NSF addresses a number of specific conditions which are significant for, although not limited to, older people. It includes a standard on stroke and service models which should apply to all who need them regardless of age.

  The stroke standard provides for stroke prevention, immediate care, early and continuing rehabilitation, and long-term support as components of a service model for integrated specialist stroke services which will build on current arrangements and be in place in all general hospitals which care for people with stroke by April 2004.

  Research Expenditure
  Linda Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much public money was spent in the last five years on research into(a) heart disease, (b) cancer and (c) stroke and stroke-related problems. [4098]

  Yvette Cooper
  Funding for research in cancer, heart disease and stroke is provided from a number of different sources, including the Government, charities and industry. The Department does not routinely collect information on all research expenditure.

  The main Government agency for research into the causes of and treatments for disease is the Medical Research Council (MRC) which receives its funding via the Department of Trade and Industry. The Department funds research to support policy and the delivery of effective practice in the national health service. The Department also provides NHS support finding for research commissioned by the research councils and charities that takes place in the NHS.

  Management of much of the research supported by NHS research and development funding is devolved and expenditure at project level is not held centrally by the Department. The information is therefore not available in the format requested for all years.

  We are currently investing over £150 million a year in research that is directly relevant to cancer. Detailed figures for departmental and MRC estimated expenditure on cancer research are available for the following years:

  £ million

  Department of Health

  Medical Research Council

  1999–2000

  77.4

  52

  1998–99

  75.4

  28.5

  1997–98

  53

  27

  236W
  It is important to note that scientific definitions have evolved over time and that the MRC has improved methods of capturing data and identifying spend. For these reasons, spend figures from one year to the next are incommensurable.

  The MRC' s estimated expenditure on stroke research for the last five years was:

  £ million

  2000–01

  3.4

  1999–2000

  4.0

  1998–99

  4.0

  1997–98

  3.3

  1996–97

  2.6

  The MRC spent £12.3 million on heart disease research in 1998–99 and £10.5 million in 1999–2000. The Department spent approximately £48.9 million on research for cardiovascular disease and stroke in 1998–99 and approximately £49.1 million in 1999–2000. Research is currently being supported in these areas via regional and national research and development programmes.

  Out-patient Appointments
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what percentage of patients failed to attend their out-patient appointments for(a) general medicine, (b) surgery, (c) radiology and (d) professions allied to medicine, in the last 12 months; [4566]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the annual cost to the NHS of missed out-patient appointments; [4568]

  (3) what plans he has to penalise patients who fail to attend out-patient appointments; [4567]

  (4) what assessment he has made of the regional differences in missed out-patient appointments. [4569]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information on patients who, in 2000–01, failed to turn up for their out-patient appointments for general medicine, general surgery and radiology is given in the table. We do not collect information on out-patient appointments with professions allied to medicine.

  Percentage

  Specialty

  Did not attend (DNA) rate

  General medicine

  11.0

  General surgery

  10.1

  Radiology

  8.7

  Note:

  DNA Rate: percentage of patients who failed to attend their first out-patient appointment without notifying the trust

  Source:

  QM08 quarterly returns

  Regional variations for all specialities is given in the following table.

  Percentage

  DNA rate

  Region

  1996–97

  2000–01

  Northern and Yorkshire

  10.2

  10.6

  Trent

  10.1

  10.3

  Eastern

  8.7

  8.7

  London

  15.7

  16.7

  237W

  Percentage

  DNA rate

  Region

  1996–97

  2000–01

  South-east

  8.6

  9.7

  South-west

  8.3

  7.9

  West Midlands

  11.3

  10.8

  North-west

  11.2

  12.1

  England

  11.0

  11.4

  Source:

  QM08 quarterly returns

  We fully accept that missed appointments can result in wasted resources and patients waiting longer than they need to. It is not possible to estimate the financial cost of this to the national health service because trusts usually have systems in place to minimise the impact of patients failing to turn up.

  We do not plan to penalise patients who fail to attend. Instead we are introducing booking systems that give patients the opportunity to choose a date and time for their appointment that is convenient for them. By knowing their dates well in advance patients are able to make work, child care or any other arrangements in good time. These systems also make it easier for patients to change their appointments if they find they cannot make the date they originally agreed. Booking systems have been proved to reduce DNA rates significantly.

  Under our NHS Plan two thirds of out-patient appointments with consultants and elective admissions to hospital will be pre-booked by March 2004 and all will be pre-booked by the end of 2005.

  NHS Charter
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will introduce a staff charter for staff working in the NHS, to cover(a) working conditions, (b) catering facilities, (c) housing and transport and (d) safety. [4570]

  Mr. Hutton
  The improving working lives standard commits all National Health Service employers to improve all aspects of the working lives of all staff groups in the NHS. The NHS Plan sets a target for all NHS employers to be accredited as putting the improving working lives standard into practice by April 2003. NHS employers will be assessed against this standard. All NHS trusts have achieved the first stage towards full accreditation against the improving working lives standard. A copy of the standard is available in the Library

  St. Leonard's Hospital, Dorset
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will instruct NHS Estates to demolish the redundant buildings in their ownership at St. Leonard's Hospital, Dorset; and if he will make a statement. [4755]

  Ms Blears
  National Health Service Estates appealed in April 2000 against the non-determination of the planning application for the St. Leonard's Hospital site by East Dorset district council.
  238W
  In July 2000 the planning inspectorate requested that NHS Estates undertake an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the site. Work for the EIA has been completed and submitted. A date for the public inquiry into the planning appeal is awaited from the planning inspectorate.

  It would be inappropriate to demolish the buildings until the conclusion of the planning appeal.

  Meat Hygiene Service
  Margaret Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the 2000–01 annual report and accounts for the Meat Hygiene Service will be laid before Parliament. [5391]

  Yvette Cooper
  The 2000–01 Annual Report and Accounts for the Meat Hygiene Service were laid before Parliament today. Copies are available in the Library, but formal printing and publication will not occur for another four to six weeks, pending preparation of a version in Welsh as required by the Welsh Language Act 1993.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

  Teachers
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what proportion of the total teaching population of(a) teachers and (b) deputy headteachers are not registered with the General Teaching Council; and if she will make a statement. [4663]

  Mr. Timms
  Details relating to the numbers and proportions of teachers and deputy headteachers registered with the General Teaching Council (GTC) are a matter for the GTC. I have asked the Chief Executive of the GTC to write to the hon. Member with the information requested. A copy of her response will be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent representations she has received from teachers and headteachers who are not registered with the General Teaching Council; and if she will make a statement. [4662]

  Mr. Timms
  My Department has received a large number of inquiries about registration over the past three months and, where appropriate, these have been forwarded to the General Teaching Council (GTC) to deal with. My officials do not routinely check with the GTC whether or not someone contacting the Department about a GTC related issue is a registered teacher. Consequently, we do not maintain a record of representations made from teachers or headteachers who are not registered.

  FE Student Funding
  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average funding per student was in the further education sector in each of the last 10 years. [2993]
  239W
  John Healey
  [holding answer 9 July 2001]: The unit of funding for further education students based on total funding for the sector is as follows:

  £

  Year

  Unit of funding

  1993–941

  3,210

  1994–951

  3,170

  1995–961

  3,040

  1996–971

  3,050

  1997–981

  3,070

  1998–991

  3,130

  1999–20002

  3,400

  1 Actual

  2 Provisional

  Note:

  Unit of funding is rounded to nearest £10. Figures include assumed additional employer contributions and exclude FEFC administration and student support

  Source:

  Further Education Funding Council's individualised student record and DfES estimates and projects

  There are no comparable figures available prior to 1993–94.

  Curriculum and Staffing Survey
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will outline the proposed timetable for the next curriculum and staffing survey. [3364]

  Mr. Timms
  The possibility of conducting a secondary curriculum and staffing survey in 2001–02 is being considered at present.

  Ministerial Travel
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when she last travelled on the London Underground in the course of her official duties. [3687]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State uses the most efficient and cost effective mode of transport, in accordance with the requirements of the "Ministerial Code" and "Travel by Ministers".

  Student Support
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what financial support is available for UK citizens attending UK universities whose parents are overseas as(a) civilians working in the European Union in the private sector, (b) civilians working in the European Union on behalf of the (i) UK Government, (ii) other UK public body and (iii) the EU, (c) civilians working in the private sector in a non-EU country, (d) civilians working on behalf of the (1) UK Government and (2) other UK public body in a non-EU country, (e) a member of HM armed forces based in a European Union country and (f) a member of HM armed forces based in a non-EU country. [3688]

  Margaret Hodge
  It has been the policy of successive Governments that eligibility for student support should be based on residence in the UK, or in the case of tuition fee support the EU or European Economic Area (EEA). To receive a student loan, tuition fee support and other supplementary grants, a student (and not their parents)240W
  must normally be able to satisfy three requirements relating to their residence and immigration status on the first day of the first academic year of their course. They must:
  be settled in the UK, in other words ordinarily resident here without being subject under the immigration laws to any restriction on the period for which they may stay:
  be ordinarily resident in England or Wales;
  have been ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom and Islands throughout the three year period preceding that date other than wholly or mainly for the purpose of receiving full-time education.
  Where a local education authority (LEA) is satisfied that a student (or their spouse or parent) is, or was, temporarily employed outside the United Kingdom and Islands, and the student meets the other eligibility criteria, they will exceptionally be eligible for support, whether or not they travel with their parents (or spouse) or stay in the UK. Where a parent's absence is not of a temporary nature and the student has remained in the UK throughout the period of the employment abroad, not wholly for the purpose of education, it may be possible for the student to establish ordinary residence in their own right. We urge LEAs to be as flexible as possible in their use of their discretion in interpreting the temporary absence provisions.

  A specific exception is made for members of the armed forces serving abroad, and their children and spouses, who are considered to satisfy the temporary employment provision because of the nature of their postings. This exception does not include MOD employees or other staff who are abroad catering for or serving the armed forces (i.e. teachers at forces schools overseas or reservists), nor does it include Government employees working abroad as they are not under the same degree of compulsion to work abroad as a member of the armed forces.

  Students who are not eligible for full student support under the normal criteria and whose LEA is satisfied that they do not qualify on the basis of temporary absence provisions may nevertheless qualify for assistance with their tuition fees. All EU nationals, including UK nationals, who have been resident in the European Economic Area (EEA) throughout the last three years are eligible to apply for income-assessed assistance with their tuition fees.

  My Department has produced a guide for students and their parents who are or have been temporarily employed overseas which is available from our website at www.dfee.gov.uk/student support.

  Child Care
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many new day care places in neighbourhood nurseries have been created in Coventry since 1997. [3928]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 17 July 2001]: The Neighbourhood Nurseries Initiative was launched earlier this year. Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP) bids are presently being considered by the DFES and an announcement will be made on funding for each EYDCP shortly.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many out of school hours child care places have been created by the three-year
  241W
  start-up fund in Coventry; and how much money from the New Opportunities Fund has gone to Coventry for this purpose. [3929]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 17 July 2001]: The New Opportunities Fund have confirmed an indicative allocation of £1,227,153 for the Out of School Hours programme for the Coventry Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership over the next two years, some of which will be available for three-year start up funds in disadvantaged areas. Assessment by the New Opportunities Fund of the first applications submitted on 1 July for this new funding will take place over the next few months.

  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will define the phrase "disadvantaged areas" as used for determining resources via the National Childcare Strategy. [4623]

  Mr. Timms
  "Disadvantaged Areas" are, for the purposes of the allocation of funding for the National Childcare Strategy, defined as those wards calculated to be the 20 per cent. most disadvantaged nationally against the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR) index of multiple deprivation. In some cases, grants may also be made for pockets of

  Table of New Deal for Schools Allocations, Coventry local education authority

  £

  Project

  NDS 1 1997–98

  NDS 2 1998–99

  NDS 3 1999–2000

  NDS 4 2000–01

  Cardinal Newman RC Secondary School—Refurbishment of science laboratories

  1—

  —

  —

  —

  Woodway Park Secondary School—Refurbishment of science laboratories

  1—

  —

  —

  —

  Woodway Park Secondary School—Refurbishment of design and technology accommodation

  1—

  —

  —

  —

  Finham Park Secondary—Safer lighting in the Design Technology Block

  —

  6,480

  —

  —

  John Gulson Primary—Safer water storage, burners, electricity and lighting

  —

  6,180

  —

  —

  Good Shepherd RC VA Primary—Safer water storage, burners, electricity and lighting

  —

  13,880

  —

  —

  Sherbourne Fields Special School—Safer water storage, burners, electricity and lighting

  —

  8,805

  —

  —

  St. Elizabeth's RC VA Primary—Safer water storage, burners, electricity and lighting

  —

  9,880

  —

  —

  Three Spires Special School—Safer water storage, burners, electricity and lighting

  —

  14,571

  —

  —

  Whoberley Hall Primary—Safer water storage, burners, electricity and lighting

  —

  61,493

  —

  —

  Clifford Bridge Primary—Safer water storage, burners, electricity and lighting

  —

  57,457

  —

  —

  Baginton Fields Special—Safer water storage, burners, electricity and lighting

  —

  45,713

  —

  —

  Blue Coat CE SA Secondary—Upgrade obsolete electrical mains distribution panel

  —

  17,250

  —

  —

  Park Hill Primary—Safer lighting

  —

  1,620

  —

  —

  Ernesford Grange—Safer lighting

  —

  3,240

  —

  —

  All Souls RC VA Primary—Renew electrical distribution and lighting installation

  —

  41,400

  —

  —

  Whoberley Hall Primary School—Safer electrical supply and distribution

  —

  8,910

  —

  —

  Deedmore Special—Create a barrier access between cars and pupils

  —

  24,300

  —

  —

  Parkgate Primary School—Toilet refurbishment

  —

  12,150

  —

  —

  Cardinal Newman RC VA Secondary—Toilet refurbishment

  —

  32,400

  —

  —

  The Woodlands Secondary School—Toilet refurbishment (all House Block toilets)

  —

  32,400

  —

  —

  Sacred Heart RC VA Secondary—Toilet refurbishment (all toilet areas to school)

  —

  10,800

  —

  —

  Richard Lee Primary—Toilet refurbishment (all toilet areas in school)

  —

  32,400

  —

  —

  Five schools—Replacement of obsolete boilers

  —

  —

  2133,302

  —

  Christ the King Infants—Replacement of obsolete boilers

  —

  —

  16,507

  —

  Two schools—Remove friable asbestos/Heating Mains

  —

  —

  2115,439

  —

  Two schools—Replacement of dangerous arid leaking roofs

  —

  —

  246,953

  —

  16 schools—Remove and replace corroded water tanks

  —

  —

  2415,608

  —

  Bishop Ullathorne RC Secondary—Remove and replace corroded water tanks

  —

  —

  18,196

  —

  Blue Coat CE Secondary—Remove and replace corroded water tanks

  —

  —

  9,190

  —

  Cardinal Newman RC Secondary—Remove and replace corroded water tanks

  —

  —

  22,952

  —

  Cardinal Wiseman RC Secondary—Remove and replace corroded water tanks

  —

  —

  22,165

  —

  19 schools—Replace faulty and inadequate fire alarms

  —

  —

  2573,373

  —

  Cardinal Newman RC Secondary—Replace faulty and inadequate fire alarms

  —

  —

  71,765

  —

  Christ the King Infant—Replace faulty and inadequate fire alarms

  —

  —

  11,706

  —

  Holy Family RC Primary—Replace faulty and inadequate fire alarms

  —

  —

  20,626

  —

  St. Anne's RC Primary—Replace faulty and inadequate fire alarms

  —

  —

  9,898

  —

  242W
  disadvantage where it is identified that levels of deprivation are at an equivalent level to those wards in the 20 per cent. most disadvantaged banding.

  School Premises (Coventry)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many schools in Coventry(a) have received refurbishment and repair in the past four years and (b) will receive improvement projects by the end of this year. [3931]

  Mr. Timms
  Information showing the schools in Coventry that have benefited from refurbishment and repair investment under the New Deal for Schools programme in the four years from 1997–98 to 2000–01 is shown in the table. Over the same period, schools in Coventry have also benefited from other capital refurbishment and repair funding, including formula capital funding devolved to every maintained school from 2000–01. Coventry local education authority will have details of funding going to individual schools.

  Capital investment for schools already allocated to Coventry local education authority from 2001–02 to 2003–04 amounts to £20.8 million. It is for the local education authority to decide how and when to invest this money, along with any other funding from its own resources, in line with school building improvement and repair priorities in its local Asset Management Plan.
  243W

  Table of New Deal for Schools Allocations, Coventry local education authority

  £

  Project

  NDS 1 1997–98

  NDS 2 1998–99

  NDS 3 1999–2000

  NDS 4 2000–01

  St. Augustine's RC Primary—Replace faulty and inadequate fire alarms

  —

  —

  11,798

  —

  St. Elizabeth's RC Primary—Replace faulty and inadequate fire alarms

  —

  —

  14,520

  —

  St. John Fisher RC Primary—Replace faulty and inadequate fire alarms

  —

  —

  12,705

  —

  St. Thomas More RC Primary—Replace faulty and inadequate fire alarms

  —

  —

  22,688

  —

  Bishop Ullathorne RC Secondary—Create fire escape routes

  —

  —

  56,955

  —

  Bishop Ullathorne RC Secondary—Refurbishment of obsolete design and technology area to counteract health and safety hazards

  —

  —

  73,786

  —

  John Gulson Primary—Improve inadequate ventilation to teaching areas

  —

  —

  11,602

  —

  Three schools—Repair and replacement of damaged roofs

  —

  —

  2166,667

  —

  Sidney Stringer Secondary—Replacement of hazardous external cladding in disrepair

  —

  —

  43,212

  —

  Caludon Castle, John Gulson and St. John Fisher Schools—Boiler replacement

  —

  —

  —

  118,914

  President Kennedy School and Community College—replacement of obsolete water tanks

  —

  —

  —

  62,902

  Stoke Park, Manor Park, Hearsall and Whitley Abbey Primary Schools—Repair of roofs

  —

  —

  —

  96,037

  Moseley, Parkhill, Stivichall, Eburne and Easter Green Junior Schools—Boiler replacement

  —

  —

  —

  206,153

  Aldermoor Farm, Grange Farm and Wainbody Wood Schools—Replacement of electrical low voltage switchgear

  —

  —

  —

  10,928

  Barrs Hill, Stoke Park and Hearsall Schools—Flood relief

  —

  —

  —

  38,682

  Caludon Castle, Moseley, Coundon Court, Deedmore and Parkhill Schools—Refurbishment of domestic hot water system and boiler plant

  —

  —

  —

  150,187

  Coundon Primary—Replacement of junior building

  —

  —

  —

  966,000

  Barr's Hill School and Community College—Refurbishment of science accommodation

  —

  —

  —

  267,866

  Alderman Callow School and Community College—Refurbishment of science accommodation

  —

  —

  —

  213,380

  Ernesford Grange School and Community College—Refurbishment of design technology accommodation

  —

  —

  —

  232,324

  Caludon Castle—Refurbishment of design technology accommodation

  —

  —

  —

  261,109

  Caludon Castle, Coundon Court, Ernesford Grange, Bishop Ullathorne, President Kennedy and Stoke Park Schools—Refurbishment of science accommodation

  —

  —

  —

  933,881

  Ravensdale Primary School—Replace temporary accommodation with new block and playground

  —

  —

  —

  617,797

  Foleshill CE Primary School—Replace temporary class base and playground

  —

  —

  —

  221,640

  Total

  1668,000

  441,329

  43,212

  4,397,800

  1 Local education authorities were not required to specify individual project costs for Phase 1 (1997–98) of the New Deal for Schools programme. Coventry local education authority holds this information.

  2 For NDS three allocations, individual details of amounts awarded to schools within a package project were not required. Coventry local education authority will be able to provide the value of projects at schools that have benefited from these allocations.

  Green Ministers
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what the terms of reference are for the Green Minister in her Department; and if she will make a statement; [3983]

  (2) on what date a Green Minister was first appointed in her Department; when subsequent appointments were made; and if she will make a statement. [3972]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  [holding answer 13 July 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the replies given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment on 13 July 2001, Official Report, column 690W.

  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills on what dates her Department's Green Minister attended meetings of the Green Ministers' Committee during the current Session of Parliament; on what dates subsequent meetings are planned to take place; and if she will make a statement. [4826]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment on 17 July 2001,Official Report, column 165W.

  Nursery Places
  Mr. Pope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to bring forward proposals to provide for free nursery places for all three-year-olds in England. [4270]

  Mr. Timms
  Since September 1998 all four-year-olds have been able to access a free, part-time nursery education place. This Government are committed to providing all three-year-olds with a free place by September 2004. We are currently on target to provide 66 per cent. of all three-year-olds with a part-time place by March 2002.

  Early Years Places (Chorley)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many day care places in nurseries have been created in Chorley since 1997. [4362]

  Mr. Timms
  Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships have only provided details of the new child care places that have opened by constituency since April 1999. Between April 1999 and March 2001 Lancashire Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership has reported the creation of 267 day care places' in the constituency of Chorley.1 This figure includes day care places created in day nurseries, pre-schools and playgroups. No separate figure is available for nurseries only.
  245W
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many out of school hours child care places have been created since 1997; and how much money has been provided for them in Chorley. [4363]

  Mr. Timms
  Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships have only provided details of the new child care places that have opened by constituency since April 1999. Between April 1999 and March 2001 Lancashire Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership has reported the creation of 322 new out of school hours places1 in Chorley.

  We are not able to identify the exact amount of funding made available to support these out of school places. Since April 1999 the New Opportunities Fund has made four awards totalling over £947,000 in response to applications for funding from the Chorley area for out of school child care projects. However, two of these were consortium bids covering the whole of Lancashire. In addition since April 1999, Lancashire Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership has spent around £404,000 of Childcare Grant to fund new out of school hours childcare places across the county.
  1 Data include places created in out of school clubs and holiday schemes.

  Education Action Zones
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the(a) targeted and (b) actual private sector funding for each education action zone. [4413]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 17 July 2001]: Each large education action zone aims to raise up to £250,000 pa from the private sector; each small education action zone aims to raise £50,000 pa from the private sector.

  The amounts of actual private sector sponsorship obtained by each education action zone to the end of the last financial year, along with the zone's start date, is shown in the following tables:

  Education action zones matched funding as reported to March 2001

  Start date

  Education action zone

  Total1 (£000)

  Large zones

  September 1998

  Barnsley

  429

  January 1999

  Birmingham (Aston and Nechells)

  133

  January 1999

  Birmingham (Kitts Green and Shard End)

  498

  September 1998

  Blackburn with Darwen

  566

  January 1999

  East Basildon

  201

  January 1999

  East Brighton

  489

  September 1998

  East Middlesbrough

  631

  January 1999

  Halifax

  668

  September 1998

  Herefordshire

  124

  January 1999

  Kingston upon Hull

  327

  September 1998

  CfBT/Lambeth

  244

  September 1998

  Leicester South and West

  374

  January 1999

  Leigh (Wigan)

  361

  September 1998

  New Addington (Croydon)

  484

  September 1998

  Newcastle

  306

  September 1998

  Newham

  991

  September 1998

  North East Lincolnshire (Grimsby)

  167

  January 1999

  North East Sheffield

  393

  September 1998

  North Somerset (Weston-Super-Mare)

  176

  January 1999

  North Southwark

  693

  January 1999

  Nottingham

  364

  January 1999

  Plymouth

  422

  September 1998

  Salford and Trafford

  567

  January 1999

  South Tyneside

  220

  January 1999

  Thetford (Norfolk)

  445

  246W

  Education action zones matched funding as reported to March 2001

  Start date

  Education action zone

  Total1 (£000)

  January 2000

  Ashington

  183

  January 2000

  Barrow-in-Furness

  255

  January 2000

  Bedford

  816

  January 2000

  Bolton

  190

  January 2000

  Bridgwater

  78

  April 2000

  Bristol

  183

  January 2000

  Camborne Pool Redruth

  261

  January 2000

  Clacton and Harwich

  375

  January 2000

  Corby

  420

  January 2000

  Coventry Millennium

  221

  April 2000

  Derby North East

  100

  January 2000

  Dingle, Granby and Toxteth (Liverpool)

  240

  January 2000

  Downham and Bellingham (Lewisham)

  187

  December 1999

  Dudley

  197

  January 2000

  Easington and Seaham

  484

  January 2000

  East Cleveland

  271

  December 1999

  East Manchester

  311

  January 2000

  Epicentre LEAP (Ellesmere Port)

  131

  January 2000

  Gillingham Partnership

  224

  January 2000

  Gloucester

  276

  April 2000

  Great Yarmouth

  161

  September 1999

  Greenwich

  228

  December 1999

  Hackney

  485

  December 1999

  Hastings and St. Leonards

  428

  December 1999

  Kent/Somerset Virtual

  128

  January 2000

  Leigh Park (Havant)

  201

  December 1999

  North East Derbyshire Coalfields

  287

  December 1999

  North Islington

  344

  April 2000

  North Stockton

  71

  April 2000

  North West Shropshire

  28

  September 2000

  Hamilton Oxford Schools

  826

  January 2000

  Peterlee

  527

  December 1999

  Preston

  158

  January 2000

  Rainbow Zone (Stoke-on-Trent)

  255

  December 1999

  Heart of Slough

  179

  January 2000

  South Bradford

  152

  April 2000

  South East England Virtual

  251

  April 2000

  South East Sheffield

  171

  December 1999

  Southend

  255

  January 2000

  Speke Garston (Liverpool)

  236

  January 2000

  Sunderland

  134

  December 1999

  Telford and Wrekin

  235

  January 2000

  Wakefield

  121

  December 1999

  Wednesbury (Sandwell)

  223

  May 2000

  Westminster

  10

  January 2000

  Withernsea and Southern Holderness

  285

  January 2000

  Wolverhampton

  257

  December 1999

  Wythenshawe (Manchester)

  311

  Total

  22,623

  1 These figures are compiled taking account of a mixture of audited annual accounts and, where unavailable, unaudited annual accounts up to March 2001

  Start date

  Name of zone

  Total £1

  Small zones

  April 2000

  Achieving Excellence in Battersea

  5,050

  April 2000

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  1,655

  April 2000

  Learning Partnerships (Leeds)

  53,287

  April 2000

  Liverpool FOCUS

  0

  April 2000

  Manor Park (Newham)

  37,490

  April 2000

  Plumstead Pathfinder (Greenwich)

  0

  April 2000

  Rotherham Clifton Partnership

  50,000

  April 2000

  Rotherham Thrybergh

  50,000

  April 2000

  Salford East

  26,859

  April 2000

  Sheffield Abbeydale Corridor

  0

  April 2000

  Tower Hamlets Globetown

  50,000

  April 2000

  Woolwich Reach (Greenwich)

  33,000

  September 2000

  Athena (Birmingham)

  0

  September 2000

  Camden Learning Network

  29,167

  September 2000

  Excellence 2000 (Knowsley)

  0

  September 2000

  Haringey Zone of Excellence

  0

  September 2000

  King's Cross (Islington)

  0

  September 2000

  King's Norton (Birmingham)

  0

  September 2000

  Kingstanding (Birmingham)

  0

  September 2000

  Liverpool Excite

  0

  247W

  Start date

  Name of zone

  Total £1

  September 2000

  Liverpool North Deanery

  0

  September 2000

  Moss Side and Hulme (Manchester)

  0

  September 2000

  New River Partnership (Islington)

  29,200

  September 2000

  Peckham (Southwark)

  0

  September 2000

  Quinzone (Birmingham)

  0

  September 2000

  Richmond Hill (Leeds)

  0

  January 2001

  Creating Success (Lewisham)

  0

  January 2001

  East Gateshead (Gateshead)

  0

  January 2001

  East Shipley (Bradford)

  0

  January 2001

  Educating Partners in Islington and Camden

  50,000

  January 2001

  Excellence Plus (Waltham Forest)

  0

  January 2001

  Highgate (Birmingham)

  0

  January 2001

  Inner West Achievement (Leeds)

  0

  January 2001

  Kimberworth (Rotherham)

  0

  January 2001

  Learning Together (Sheffield)

  0

  January 2001

  North East Liverpool Consort

  0

  January 2001

  Popular Partnership (Tower Hamlets)

  0

  January 2001

  REAP (Waltham Forest)

  0

  January 2001

  Together We Can (Sheffield)

  0

  January 2001

  Wyke (Bradford)

  0

  Total for all 40 zones

  415,708

  1 2000–01 to date

  Note:

  These figures are compiled from pledged sponsorship to date

  School Governors
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has for ensuring that the skill-mix of school governing bodies is sufficient for the proper discharge of their responsibilities. [4428]

  Mr. Timms
  The Code of Practice on Local Education Authority-School Relations advises local education authorities to appoint as governors those who are best qualified to help schools improve and to have regard to the skills and experience of which particular schools have the greatest need. The Department's advice to governing bodies is to consider, when co-opting governors, what skills are needed to enable the full discharge of their responsibilities.

  The Department will make available to governor trainers in local education authorities from September 2001 a package for governors to help ensure that they have the information to develop the skills to do the job.

  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has for improving the recruitment of school governors. [4427]

  Mr. Timms
  The Department for Education and Skills is funding the School Governors' One-Stop Shop (SGOSS) to recruit people with business and management skills to become school governors in areas covered by all phases of the Government's Excellence in Cities programme. SGOSS is a private company limited by guarantee and registered as a charity. Since its inception in January 2000, SGOSS has found 1,098 candidates of whom 291 are serving governors and 181 are matched with schools and awaiting final placement.

  The Department's strategy for supporting the recruitment of governors by schools and LEAs also includes the production of publicity materials. A national school governor advertising campaign took place last autumn and funding is available for a campaign extension to support the election and appointment of governors at the beginning of the autumn term this year.

  Education (Bedfordshire)
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the level of Government funding awarded per sixth form student in(a) a sixth form further education college and (b) a sixth form situated in a secondary school in the 2000–01 academic year. [4463]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  In the 2000–01 financial year the range of funding delegated to schools across LEAs for their school sixth form pupils was £2,600 to £4,100. Funding for each further education college depends on the size of each individual student's programme of study, but the average for all full-time equivalent students in 2000–01 was some £3,300. Figures for funding comparisons on an academic year basis are not currently available.

  Mr. Selous
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to enable schools in Bedfordshire to fund more programmes to tackle drug abuse. [4711]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  Funding to support drug, alcohol and tobacco education will rise from £14.5 million in 2001–02 to £15.5 million in 2002–03 and £17.5 million in 2003–04. This funding will improve the quality and coverage of drug education programmes in schools, provide funding for every school to have access to an LEA drug adviser and will fund drug education training for teachers and Connexions advisers. Bedfordshire LEA will receive £98,600 in 2001–02 as part of this funding. No specific figures are available beyond 2001–02.

  In addition to this specific funding, schools will receive £15 million in 2001–02 to support Personal Social and Health Education and Citizenship, which they can choose to spend on programmes to tackle drug misuse if they wish. Bedfordshire LEA have been allocated £87,300 from this fund.

  Mr. Selous
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many unfilled vacancies there are in the further education sector for lecturer posts in Bedfordshire; and how many there were in 1997. [4712]

  John Healey
  The information requested is not collected centrally. The Learning and Skills Council collect information on staff numbers in Further Education (FE) sector colleges by the Staff Individualised Record (SIR). SIR does not include details on vacancies, leavers, salary or grade.

  Mr. Selous
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of three year olds in(a) Bedfordshire and (b) England have free early years places. [4713]

  Mr. Timms
  In March 2001, around 55 per cent. of three year olds in England had access to a free part-time early education place. We are currently on target to provide 66 per cent. of all three year olds with a free place by March 2002. We are committed to providing all three year olds with a free place by September 2004.

  Bedfordshire local education authority estimate that around 44 per cent. of three year olds have access to a free early education place in their area.
  249W
  Mr. Selous
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many(a) full-time and (b) part-time teaching vacancies there are in (i) lower, (ii) middle, (iii) upper and (iv) special schools in Bedfordshire. [4716]

  Mr. Timms
  The number of full-time vacancies for teachers in the maintained schools sector in Bedfordshire local authority at January 2001 (provisional) is as follows:

  Vacancies

  Vacancy rate (percentage)

  Nursery/Primary

  23

  2.3

  Secondary

  48

  2.7

  Special

  5

  3.7

  Total

  76

  2.6

  Data are not collected on part-time vacancies.

  Data are not collected on a lower, middle or upper school basis.

  Mr. Selous
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many(a) lower, (b) middle and (c) upper school teachers there were in Bedfordshire on 1 May; and how many are projected for 1 May 2002. [4719]

  Mr. Timms
  Full-time equivalents of regular teachers (excluding short-term supply) employed in the maintained nursery, primary and secondary sector in Bedfordshire local authority at January 2001 (provisional) are as follows:

  Number

  Nursery

  30

  Primary

  1,100

  Secondary

  1,970

  Total

  3,090

  Notes:

  Figures rounded to the nearest 10.

  The total does not equal the sum of the component parts because of rounding.

  Regular teacher data are collected in January of each year. Figures for May 2001 and projected figures for May 2002 will not be collected or estimated.

  Data are not collected on a lower, middle or upper school basis.

  GM Technology (Teaching Materials)
  Mrs. Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if information provided by the Biotechnology Institute on GM technology is an approved teaching aid in United Kingdom schools. [4510]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 17 July 2001]: A wide range of organisations disseminate resources and information which can be used to support the delivery of the school curriculum. The Department for Education and Skills does not approve or quality assure such resources for use in schools in England. Teachers use their professional judgment to decide which resources will best meet the educational needs of their pupils.

  School Places (Wandsworth)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils living in the London 250W
  borough of Wandsworth have not been allocated a secondary school place within the borough for the autumn term. [4529]

  Mr. Timms
  My Department does not hold this information. However, Wandsworth LEA has told my officials that it is in the process of identifying and contacting children who have not obtained a place at their parents' preferred school. The LEA has said that there are sufficient secondary school places available in Wandsworth to be able to place any children in the area who do not yet have a school.

  Standard Spending Assessment
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what the SSA per primary and secondary pupil is for(a) Staffordshire and (b) Hertfordshire; [4549]

  (2) what the percentage variation was of (a) Staffordshire and (b) Hertfordshire from the shire county average in terms of SSA per primary pupil and secondary pupil in (i) 1992–93 and (ii) 2001–02. [4550]

  Mr. Timms
  The table shows for 1998–99 and 2001–02 the Education SSA per primary and secondary school for Staffordshire and Hertfordshire and compares them with the shire county average. It is not possible to produce comparable figures for 1992–93, because of local government re-organisation, which was completed on 1 April 1998.

  Standard spending assessments (SSAs) in cash terms

  Staffordshire

  Hertfordshire

  Shire county average

  1998–99

  Primary (£)

  2,040

  2,260

  2,150

  Percentage variation from shire county average

  -5.1

  +5.1

  —

  Secondary (£)

  2,650

  2,930

  2.790

  Percentage variation

  -5.0

  +5.0

  —

  2001–02

  Primary (£)

  2,330

  2,610

  2,460

  Percentage variation

  -5.3

  +6.1

  —

  Secondary (£)

  3,000

  3,330

  3,160

  Percentage variation

  -5.1

  +5.4

  —

  Universities (Management)
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what arrangements she has made for the audit of management practice in universities. [4565]

  Margaret Hodge
  The Financial Memorandum between the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and each institution it funds requires institutions to have sound systems of internal control and to demonstrate they are securing good value for money. The HEFCE Audit Code of Practice states that these systems should be audited by the institution's internal and external auditors, and that the institution's audit committee should report annually on their effectiveness. In addition, the HEFCE Audit Service reviews high-level
  251W
  management arrangements as well as the effectiveness of institutions' governance and audit arrangements by means of a programme of audit visits. In line with corporate governance changes nationally, institutions will in future be required to include a statement of internal control, including risk management, in their published and audited financial statements every year.

  Education Funding Strategy Group
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when she expects the Education Funding Strategy Group to report; and if she will make a statement. [4615]

  Mr. Timms
  The Education Funding Strategy Group has been set up to develop the proposals outlined in the September 2000 Green Paper "Modernising Local Government Finance". No firm date has been set for the completion of its work.

  Examinations
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what notification schools were given about

  £

  GCSE

  GCEA-level1

  GCEA-level2

  GCEAS-level2

  Academic year

  Cash price

  Real terms

  Cash price

  Real terms

  Cash price

  Real terms

  Cash price

  Real terms

  1995–96

  16.50

  —

  26.90

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1996–97

  17.03

  16.95

  27.50

  27.63

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1997–98

  17.50

  17.50

  28.50

  28.25

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1998–99

  17.64

  18.13

  29.60

  29.53

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1999–2000

  18.20

  18.01

  30.30

  30.22

  349.50

  —

  —

  —

  2000–01

  18.30

  18.63

  32.50

  31.01

  51.00

  50.66

  25.50

  n/a

  1 Linear

  2 Modular

  3 A direct comparison with A-level (modular) prices in 2000–01 is not possible as there were several models in use, that is two modules, four modules, six modules etc. This figure has been determined using an average of the six module course

  Note:

  This information has been provided by the Joint Council for General Qualifications

  School Transport
  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what arrangements exist to pay education authorities for post-16 school transport. [4665]

  Mr. Timms
  Funding for post-16 transport is distributed via local education authorities as part of the Education Standard Spending Assessment (SSA). LEAs will continue to receive recognition in SSAs for this after the responsibility for funding post 16-school provision passes to the Learning and Skills Council in 2002–03. LEAs also receive School Access Funds to help students meet the costs of their learning, including travel. Education Maintenance Allowances, which are means tested payments to the student, are being piloted in 56 LEAs and this money is frequently used to cover transport costs. Five of the pilots are specifically designed to address transport costs.
  252W
  recent increases in the cost of examinations; and if she will make a statement. [4660]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  It is for the independent awarding bodies to determine their own procedures with regard to notifying examination centres about examination fees. However, I understand that for the summer 2001 examinations, the notice given centres varied from March to November 2000, depending upon the awarding body. Awarding bodies also post details of fees on their websites.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average examination fee was for(a) GCSEs, (b) AS-levels and (c) A-levels, for each year since 1990 in (i) cash prices and (ii) real terms prices against a 1990 baseline. [4661]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  As the fees are set by the individual awarding bodies and can vary between subjects, it is not possible to provide precise figures. Also, given the changes to the complement of, and services provided by, the awarding bodies over the period it is not possible to provide figures before the academic year 1995–96. Estimates of the amounts charged in cash prices and real terms from 1995–96 are given in the table.

  Computers
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how many low income families in the Christchurch constituency have received a computer under the Computers Within Reach initiative; and how many are expected to do so during the next year; [4758]

  (2) how many low income families in each constituency have gained access to computers under the Computers Within Reach initiative. [4761]

  John Healey
  No low income families have so far received a computer under the scheme in the Christchurch constituency, as it is not within a Computers Within Reach pilot area. I have not made decisions on the location of any future pilots.

  We do not hold the information by constituency but the numbers of low income families who have, or will benefit from phase 1 of the Computers Within Reach scheme by area—with the relevant constituencies covered in each area listed after the total number of customers—are as follows.
  253W

  Pilot area

  Number delivered by 13 July

  Total number to be delivered into area during pilot phase

  Constituency

  Aidis

  106

  151

  Cover all pilot areas

  Birmingham

  1,467

  2,000

  Birmingham, Edgbaston

  Birmingham, Erdington

  Birmingham, Hall Green

  Birmingham, Hodge Hill

  Birmingham, Ladywood

  Birmingham, North Field

  Birmingham, Perry Bar

  Birmingham, Selly Oak

  Birmingham, Sparkbrook and Small Heath

  Birmingham, Yardley

  Hull

  404

  427

  Hull, West and Hessle

  Hull, East

  Hull, North

  Portsmouth

  320

  320

  Portsmouth, North

  Portsmouth, South

  Rotherham

  936

  2,222

  Rotherham

  Rother Valley

  Wentworth

  Doncaster

  898

  2,301

  Barnsley East and Mexborough

  Doncaster, Central

  Doncaster, North

  Sheffield

  1,517

  4,106

  Sheffield, Attercliffe

  Sheffield, Brightside

  Sheffield, Central

  Sheffield, Hallam

  Sheffield, Heeley

  Hillsborough

  Manchester

  1,024

  2,389

  Manchester, Blackley

  Manchester, Central

  Manchester, Gorton

  Manchester, Withington

  Leeds

  1,610

  1,610

  Leeds, Central

  Leeds, East

  Leeds, North-East

  Leeds, North-West

  Leeds, West

  Liverpool

  1,635

  2,321

  Liverpool, Garston

  Wired up Communities Pilot—Liverpool

  2,000

  2,000

  Liverpool, Riverside

  Liverpool, Walton

  Liverpool, Wavertree

  Liverpool, West Derby

  London

  581

  2,416

  Bexleyheath and Crayford

  Erith and Thamesmead

  Old Bexley and Sidcup

  Hackney, North and Stoke Newington

  Hackney, South and Shoreditch

  Dulwich and West Norwood

  Streatham

  Vauxhall

  Camberwell and Peckham

  Southwark and Bermondsey

  Bethnal Green and Bow

  Poplar and Canning Town

  Cities of London and Westminster

  Bradford

  225

  483

  Bradford, North

  Bradford, South

  Bradford, West

  Keighley

  Shipley

  Halifax

  0

  8

  Halifax

  Huddersfield

  0

  18

  Huddersfield

  Colne Valley

  Luton

  119

  119

  Luton, North

  Luton, South

  Plymouth

  914

  1,000

  Devon, South-West

  Plymouth, Devonport

  Plymouth, Sutton

  254W 255W
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how many low income families have so far obtained access to computers under the Computers Within Reach initiative launched in December 1999; and at what cost to public funds; [4759]

  (2) if she will make a statement on the progress of the scheme announced on 28 October 1999 to extend access to computers to low income families within three years and the date by which she expects the 100,000 families to gain access to a computer; [4760]

  (3) how many people have so far applied for computers under the Computers Within Reach initiative; and what the average length of time between application and delivery is. [4766]

  John Healey
  The first phase of the Computers Within Reach scheme became operational with the launch of a number of locally based pilots in England in October 2000. The proposed subsidy for the scheme was that—in addition to the £60 paid by the customer—the contractor would receive funding of £150 per computer and printer package delivered—with extra subsidy available if the customer was disabled. We have made a number of changes to the proposed approach in terms of enhanced software and specification and purchased a suite of office applications software to be used on each PC and in certain circumstances increased the funding available to contractors in respect of increases in the specification of the computers supplied.

  Phase 1 of the scheme will be closed by the end of August 2001 and 24,051 PCs will have been delivered by this time. This will ensure that everyone on the waiting list will have received a computer. We do not hold data on the average length of time between application and delivery of computers but became aware of issues which were causing delays. These problems have now been resolved and all outstanding applicants will receive a computer before the end of phase 1.

  The scheme is subject to an external research evaluation contract and we will be using this and our internal evaluation to learn the lessons from the first phase. We are currently considering how to take the scheme forward.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many computers have been installed in homes and schools under the Wired up Communities initiative; and how many will be installed by 31 December. [4762]

  John Healey
  So far under the Wired up Communities initiative, 1,840 recycled computers have been installed into homes in the phase one project in Kensington, Liverpool. No computers have yet been installed in schools. There is no target for installation of computers by 31 December 2001.

  However, by 31 March 2002, the seven Wired up Communities projects aim to connect 14,000 homes to the Internet using a variety of devices, including new and recycled computers and television set-top boxes.

  Also, through the national e-Learning Foundation, 33 schools in the Wired up Communities areas will be wired up using technology such as electronic whiteboards and laptops. Some 12,000 schoolchildren will benefit from this new technology.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on her plans for issuing a replacement Code of Practice for Special Educational Needs. [4775]

  Mr. Timms
  A revised Draft Code of Practice will be placed before Parliament for approval following the summer recess. The revised Code will contain revised wording on quantifying provision in statements of special educational needs. The Code is planned to take effect from January 2002.

  Connexions Card
  Diana Organ
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what progress has been made on the introduction of the Connexions Card for 16 to 19-year-olds. [5491]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  Following an extensive procurement exercise conducted under the European Union Procurement Directive's Negotiated Procedure, the Government have selected Capita as their private sector partner to develop and deliver the Connexions Card.

  The Connexions Card is an exciting and innovative development, which will provide a powerful incentive to young people to stay in learning.

  The Connexions Card will be rolled out initially in one region (the North East) from autumn of this year and then progressively so that it will be available across England from autumn 2002.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Human Rights
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criteria he uses in balancing trade relations with the human rights records of trading partners; and if he will make a statement. [2102]

  Peter Hain
  The Government are committed to developing and maintaining open relationships with trading partners across the world, in order both to support British business and to promote human rights internationally. We continue to believe that human rights in countries with which we trade are better protected by a UK and EU-wide policy of engagement in all but the most extreme circumstances. Maintaining trade agreements, and a full political dialogue, preserves UK leverage in such countries.

  The Government raise the profile of human rights in relation to trade in a number of ways. Examples include the introduction of the Export Credits Guarantee Department's (ECGD) Business Principles under which ECGD now screens applications for support to assess the environmental and social impact of projects and, more generally, the promotion of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises to UK companies operating overseas.
  257W
  Our advice to UK business on market conditions overseas also reflects the Government's position on human rights, for example on the desirability of trade with certain countries. It is however for UK companies to judge whether to bid for projects or invest in particular markets.

  Zimbabwe
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on recent developments regarding land distribution in Zimbabwe. [2715]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  We have consistently said that we are willing to support a land reform programme in Zimbabwe that is in line with the principles agreed by international donors and the Government of Zimbabwe at the 1998 Land Conference.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was discussed when he met Morgan Tsvangirai on 2 July. [2717]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The discussion was wide-ranging. It included the current situation in Zimbabwe, international support for free and fair elections, progress of the EU/Zimbabwe dialogue and sustainable land reform.

  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consideration he has given to the ministerial resolution discussed at the recent summit of the Organisation of African Unity which related to the land reform programme in Zimbabwe. [4037]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  As I stated during FCO questions on 10 July 2001,Official Report, column 657, the ministerial statement should be viewed in the context of the OAU's desire to maintain unity. In order to attract international donor support, including from the UK, land reform in Zimbabwe must be carried out in line with the principles agreed, by donors and the Government of Zimbabwe, at the 1998 Land Conference.

  EU-Israel Association Committee
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 5 July 2001, Official Report, column 254W, on the EU-Israel Association Committee, which Ministers have been informed of the decisions taken by the Committee. [3170]

  Peter Hain
  The outcome of the 21 May EU-Israel Association Committee has been reflected in advice on EU-Israel issues provided to my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, the Under-Secretary my hon. Friend the Member for Exeter (Mr. Bradshaw) and myself since the election.

  Bermuda Regiment
  Andrew Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guidance he has given in respect of compliance with the European convention on human rights on conscription into the Bermuda Regiment. [2495]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  [holding answer 11 July 2001]: None.

  Pakistan
  Andy King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Pakistani authorities concerning the continuing imprisonment of Parvez Masih and Ayub Masih. [3869]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the then Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Cunninghame, North (Mr. Wilson) on 27 April 2001,Official Report, columns 421–22W. We are deeply concerned about the misuse of the blasphemy laws in Pakistan and about the thousands of Pakistani citizens imprisoned under these laws, including many from the religious minorities. We raise the blasphemy laws at regular intervals with the Pakistani authorities and have previously raised the case of Ayub Masih. The EU Troika raised the blasphemy laws with the Pakistani Minister of Law, Justice and Human Rights, Ms Shahida Jamil, on 3 May.

  Andy King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Pakistani authorities concerning violent attacks perpetrated upon Christian women by Muslim extremists in Pakistan. [3870]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the then Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Cunninghame, North (Mr. Wilson) on 1 May 2001,Official Report, column 579W. Representations were made to the Pakistani authorities concerning the allegations of violence against and kidnapping of Naira Nadia, a Christian girl. We regularly raise the treatment of religious minorities and the treatment of women with the Pakistani authorities. We also keep in regular contact with groups campaigning for the rights of religious minorities and women in Pakistan. We welcomed General Musharraf s speech of 5 June to religious leaders in which he condemned religious violence and intolerance.

  Andy King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further representations he has made to the Pakistani authorities concerning the disappearance of Naira Nadia. [3868]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the then Minister of State, my hon. Friend, the Member for Cunninghame, North (Mr. Wilson) on 1 May 2001,Official Report, column 579W. The Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement inform us that a settlement is under discussion between Ms Nadia's family and those accused of her kidnapping.

  Brigadier Stephen Saunders
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the investigation into the murder of Brigadier Stephen Saunders, former Defence Attaché to Greece. [3807]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  We, along with the Greek Government, are firmly committed to bringing those responsible for Brigadier Saunders' assassination to justice.

  We co-operate fully with the Greek authorities. There are regular visits to and from Greece at ministerial and official level. I cannot disclose the operational details. The

  259W
  Metropolitan police and the Greek police in Athens continue to work well together on the investigation. Their objective is to ensure that there is a thorough and complete investigation leading to a successful prosecution.

  Spoliation
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made as part of the EU accession process, of the policy of(a) Hungary, (b) the Czech Republic and (c) Poland towards the restitution of assets to refugees from, and survivors of, Nazi persecution and their families; and if he will make a statement. [4128]

  Peter Hain
  The UK continues to urge the candidate countries to resolve any outstanding restitution issues as soon as possible. However, their policies on this issue fall outside the criteria they are required to meet for accession to the European Union and are not therefore part of the enlargement process.

  Botswana
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next expects to meet representatives of the Government of Botswana; and what issues will be discussed. [4283]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  There are no plans at present for the Foreign Secretary to meet with Government representatives of Botswana. British Ministers and officials meet their Botswanan counterparts regularly. Most recently, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met President Mogae in London on 28 June.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations with(a) Botswana and (b) Namibia. [4282]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The United Kingdom maintains a high level of official and ministerial contact with Botswana and Namibia, which ensures that bilateral relations with both countries are open and cordial.

  Namibia
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next expects to meet representatives of the Government of Namibia; and what issues will be discussed. [4284]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  There are no current plans for the Foreign Secretary to meet with Government representatives of Namibia. The UK maintains a regular and steady dialogue with the Government of Namibia on a wide range of issues of mutual interest.

  Egypt
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last held discussions with the Egyptian authorities about the human rights of Christians in Egypt. [4126]
  260W
  Mr. Bradshaw
  Our Embassy in Egypt closely follows all cases of human rights concern. We raise human rights cases, regardless of ethnic or religious background, with the Egyptian authorities. We do this both bilaterally and through the EU.

  We believe that it is important to improve relations between faiths in Egypt and that is why the promotion of interfaith dialogue remains a key focus of our efforts.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the infringement of the human rights of Christians in Egypt. [4127]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  We are, of course, interested in the human rights of all in Egypt regardless of their religious background. We maintain a regular dialogue with many Coptic Christians and we listen to their views and opinions. Not surprisingly we hear a range of different opinions, not least on the question of discrimination. While some Copts talk of persecution, others tell us there is no Government policy of discrimination against Christians, nor do they talk of persecution. Our embassy in Cairo assesses that there is no general policy of discrimination against Christians, a view shared by many leading Copts. We do, however, raise individual cases of concern.

  Kashmir
  Mr. Pope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to meet his Indian and Pakistani counterparts following the recent bilateral talks on the future of Kashmir. [4269]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary saw the Pakistani Foreign Minister, Abdul Sattar, on 12 June and spoke to the Indian Foreign Minister, Jaswant Singh, on 20 June. Although there are no firm plans for a ministerial meeting in the immediate future, we expect to discuss a meeting between the Indian and Pakistani leaders during our next exchanges with both India and Pakistan.

  Middle East
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to secure a settlement in the middle east. [4140]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  We are actively engaged with the parties, and are working closely with the US, our EU partners and the UN to move the process forward. My right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary have recently met Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Foreign Minister Peres, US Secretary of State Colin Powell and National Security Adviser Condi Rice, and EU counterparts. Lord Levy visited the region and met Sharon and Arafat on 11 and 12 July. Our message to all parties is the same: that the recommendations of the Sharm El Sheikh (Mitchell) Committee report are the roadmap for the return to political negotiations. We look to the Israelis and the Palestinians to take steps to end the violence, cease unilateral action which undermines the basis for peace, and immediately begin the full implementation of the Mitchell recommendations.

  261W
  I will be visiting the region between 18 and 25 July. I will restate this message and urge both sides to seize the opportunity that the Mitchell report provides.

  Aung San Suu Kyi
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received about whether Aung San Suu Kyi will be released from house arrest. [4737]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The recent release of political prisoners in Burma has inevitably led to speculation that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will also soon be released from the period of house arrest she has undergone since September 2000. I very much hope that this will happen.

  Amnesty International estimates that over 1,700 political prisoners remain in detention in Burma including, contrary to earlier reports, a number of MPs elect from the National League for Democracy. I will continue to urge the release of all political prisoners in Burma.

  Afghanistan
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the regime in Afghanistan about the proposed law which will require Hindus to identify themselves by wearing yellow badges. [4736]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Our High Commission in Islamabad raised our concerns about the edict with the Taliban mission in Islamabad on 23 May. We worked closely with our EU partners on the 25 May EU Declaration which urged the Taliban not to implement this edict and reminded them of their obligations under international human rights law. We understand that the edict has not yet been formally implemented, and that an alternative identity card system is under consideration.

  Corporate Risk International
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has held with Corporate Risk International; and if he will make a statement. [4729]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has had no recent discussions with Corporate Risk International.

  Green Ministers
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what dates his Department's Green Minister attended meetings of the Green Ministers' Committee during the current Session of Parliament; on what dates subsequent meetings are planned to take place; and if he will make a statement. [4815]

  Peter Hain
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment on 17 July 2001,Official Report, column 165W.

  Institute of Export
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice and assistance his Department(a) gives and (b) has given during the last
  262W
  three years to the Institute of Export; how many Foreign Office employees have been seconded to the Institute of Export in each of the last three years; for what purposes; and at what cost to public funds. [4770]

  Mr. MacShane
  My Department—through British Trade International (BTI)—maintains close links with the Institute of Export and supports the Institute's work to promote the importance of exporting and to improve the performance of British exporters. In the last three years BTI and the Institute of Export (IOE) have worked together on the development of the regional delivery of BTI services, the design of a self-diagnostic test for potential exporters and the development of a training package for BTI staff.

  In the last three years the FCO seconded two members of staff to the IOE, each for a period of approximately 18 months. These placements were managed by British Trade International as part of its remit to increase private sector expertise among its FCO and DTI staff. In previous years similar secondments were also undertaken by DTI staff. Staff remained on the payroll of their parent department. Any other costs associated with undertaking these assignments were met by the IOE.

  Ministerial Duties
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list for each week from Monday 23 July to Monday 8 October which departmental Ministers will be on duty(a) in the United Kingdom and (b) in London. [4901]

  Mr. Straw
  It is not the normal practice of the Government to publish the daily ministerial Duty Roster. This Department will ensure that it has enough cover through the summer recess in line with the requirements of the Ministerial Code.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Women in Science
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to review the career structures of women in science. [1732]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Department is currently undertaking a review of women's scientific careers as outlined in "Excellence and Opportunity", the 2000 Science and Innovation White Paper. The study has interviewed women in the public and private sector who have both returned to a scientific career and who have left and wish to return.

  The study is due to report at the end of the summer, at which time we will consult stakeholders in the development of an action plan. DTI and DFES will both be involved in this process.

  Marconi
  Annette Brooke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussion she had with Marconi prior to the recent announcement of redundancies. [3158]
  263W
  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 10 July 2001]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry did not have any prior discussion with Marconi about its announcement of further job losses in the UK.

  Data Protection Act
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date her Department received a request for documents under the Data Protection Act 1984 from Lord Ashcroft; on what dates her Department replied to the request; and if she will make a statement. [3820]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Data Protection Act 1998 prohibits disclosure of personal data to a third party without the consent of the individual concerned. The position is recognised by the exemption in the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information covering statutory and other restrictions.

  Transco
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Transco price review will include consideration of the financing of extension to the gas network; and if she will make a statement. [3713]

  Mr. Wilson
  Transco's price review is a matter for the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem). The latest proposals for the price control can be found on the Ofgem website at www.Ofgem.gov.uk. The Government's draft Fuel Poverty Strategy included a commitment to working with Ofgem to ensure that, wherever possible, the gas network provides the widest viable coverage and fullest viable capacity. A working group, whose membership includes representatives of Government, Ofgem, the industry and consumers, is taking this work forward.

  Bank Holidays
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the case for introducing bank holidays on non-Christian holy days. [4254]

  Alan Johnson
  No such assessment has been made. However, the Government encourage employers to be flexible when agreeing time off for cultural and religious observance.

  Electricity Generation
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment has been made of the impact of the new electricity trading arrangements on smaller companies in relation to their role as(a) suppliers and (b) generators. [4265]

  Mr. Wilson
  In late February, the Minister for Energy at the time asked the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) to undertake a review of the impact of the new electricity trading arrangements (NETA) on smaller generators based on the first two months of NETA operation. Ofgem is due to publish its review by August.

  In addition, Ofgem is producing regular assessments of how NETA is working, including the impact on smaller suppliers, for the Department of Trade and Industry. It is expected that many of the issues relating to smaller generators apply also to smaller suppliers.
  264W
  The Government will consult on any necessary action, including in relation to smaller suppliers, once Ofgem's review report is published.

  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if revised estimates of emissions of carbon dioxide from the electricity sector have been made to reflect the changes in operational management of(a) combined heat and power and renewable electricity generating plant and (b) centralised power stations since the start of the new electricity trading arrangements; and if these changes are reflected in the Government's UK climate change strategy. [4753]

  Mr. Wilson
  CO2 emissions from the electricity generation sector for the first full quarter under the new electricity trading arrangements (NETA) are not yet available. Government projections of CO2 emissions were last published in November 2000 as Energy Paper 68.1 These, along with the Government's climate change strategy, are long-term by their nature and we see no reason to revise either at this stage. We do not, as yet, have sufficient information on CHP, renewable or indeed any generation to assess resulting changes in the electricity sector fully. In any event, we are still in the early days of NETA and generator behaviour in response to the new arrangements is unlikely to have settled down. There have been particular issues regarding the impact of NETA on renewables and CHP generation, which Ofgem will shortly be publishing a report on.
  1 Energy Projections for the UK, 2000–2020—Energy Paper 68—published November 2000.

  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she intends to implement the proposals set out in February in the DTI Responses to Consultations and Final Proposals document concerning exemptions from the requirement for a licence to generate, distribute or supply electricity. [4466]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Government plan that an order implementing these proposals should be made in the next few weeks.

  Energy Policy
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the Government's target is for the use of renewable energy by(a) 2020, (b) 2030 and (c) 2040; and if she will make a statement. [4444]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Government have proposed targets for renewable energy for 2003 and 2010 subject to the cost being acceptable to consumers. We shall be considering the possibility of setting additional targets in the light of the energy review being carried out by the Performance and Innovation Unit.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the subsidy paid to(a) the UK nuclear industry and (b) renewable sources of energy for each year since 1997; and if she will make a statement. [4441]

  Mr. Wilson
  No Government investment or subsidy has been paid in years since 1997 toward the production of nuclear power or to the development, planning or construction of nuclear power stations. There is no current expectation that there will be any in the period to 2005–6.

  265W
  The levy funds paid for production and development of power from renewable sources under the Non Fossil Fuel Obligation in respect of England and Wales for each year from 1997–98 are shown in the table.

  £ million

  1997–98

  115.9

  1998–99

  113.7

  1999–2000

  41.9

  2000–01

  52.1

  2001–02 (estimate)

  111.0

  Additional sums will have been made available under the obligations operating in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

  Support for renewable energy in years from 2002–03 will depend upon the detailed terms of the renewables obligation, on which I will be consulting shortly.

  In addition to support to be provided under the renewables obligation, the Government have pledged over £260 million over the next three years in direct support for the production and development of renewable energy. Renewables will also be helped indirectly through exemption from the climate change levy.

  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of changes in(a) demand and (b) production of energy in (i) the UK, (ii) Wales and (iii) Scotland until 2020, broken down by (A) nuclear, (B) renewable and (C) fossil fuel; and what proportion of demand will be met from maximum forecast (x) nuclear, (y) renewable and (z) fossil fuel output. [3936]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 17 July 2001]: The DTI published, in Energy Paper 68 (EP68), energy demand projections for the period 2000 to 2020 in November 2000. The projections covered the UK as a whole. The DTI has made no assessment of prospects for demand and supply in separate regions of the UK.

  The projected total energy demands and contributions of each fuel, under a range of different economic conditions, are shown in Annexe H of EP68.

  Energy Paper 68 is available in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the maximum output is from(a) nuclear, (b) renewable and (c) fossil fuel sources; and how these capacities will vary in each year until 2020 for (i) Scotland, (ii) the UK and (iii) Wales. [3935]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 17 July 2001]:At the end of 2000 major power producer maximum UK electrical generating capacity was 12.5GW at nuclear stations, 55.8GW at fossil fuel plants, and 2.4GW at all renewable plants (excluding pumped storage plant).

  The DTI published, in Energy Paper 68 (EP68), energy demand projections for the period 2000 to 2020 in November 2000. Figures in Annexe G of EP68 show the assumed or projected capacities for a range of generating plant in a number of scenarios. The projections cover the UK as a whole. As a broad indication, in 2010, nuclear
  266W
  capacity is estimated to be 10GW, renewables capacity between 7 and 8GW and fossil capacity between 50 and 55GW.

  Separate official figures are not available for Scotland and Wales, although the British Energy website gives output data for recent periods www.british-energy.com. The Government have not attempted to predict where capacity by fuel type will be geographically located.

  Energy Paper 68 is available in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will estimate as proportions of energy(a) produced and (b) forecast to be produced in (1) UK, (2) Scotland and (3) Wales from (i) nuclear, (ii) renewable and (iii) fossil fuel sources for each year from 1997–98 to 2005–06. [3934]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 17 July 2001]: DTI publishes each year in the Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics electricity supplied by each type of fuel. These data are for the United Kingdom as a whole and are on a calendar year basis. Separate official figures are not available for Scotland and Wales, although the British Energy website gives output data for recent periods (www.british-energy.com). The figures for 2000 will be published in the 2001 Digest on 26 July 2001 and a copy of the digest will be made available in the Library of the House. The electricity supplied figures for the years 1997 to 2000 are as follows:

  Electricity supplied (gross) by all generating companies in the UK (TWh)1

  Year

  Nuclear

  Renewables

  Fossil fuels

  1997

  89.3

  7.2

  234.0

  1998

  90.6

  8.8

  244.8

  1999

  87.7

  9.9

  251.3

  2000

  78.3

  10.2

  267.5

  1 Supplies from pumped storage stations, and imports of electricity are excluded.

  The DTI published, in Energy Paper 68 (EP68), energy demand projections for the period 2000 to 2020 in November 2000. The projections cover the whole of the UK and no assessment was made of energy demand or supply prospects by region. Projections of the amount of electricity generated by the various types of plant are shown in Annexe D of Energy Paper 68. Annual projections of energy demand and supply are not available. In terms of the major producers of power, in the year 2005 nuclear is projected to account for around 24 per cent., renewables around 6 per cent. and other fossil sources around 67 per cent. of electricity supply. The remaining supply is in the form of pumped storage output or imports of electricity through the electricity link with France.

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has had with leading banks about offering special facilities to non-farming businesses which have been affected by foot and mouth disease; and if she will make a statement. [4289]
  267W
  Ms Hewitt
  My officials continue to have discussions with the banks about the problems faced by all businesses affected by foot and mouth disease. The Small Business Service is working closely with the banking industry, via the British Bankers Association.

  Extensions to the small firms loan guarantee scheme for businesses affected by foot and mouth disease were announced on 6 April 2001.

  Enterprise Grants
  Diana Organ
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what the criteria are for enterprise grants; [4031]

  (2) what recent changes there have been in the criteria for the awarding of enterprise grants. [4147]

  Alan Johnson
  The criteria for enterprise grants are set out in the scheme brochure, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House. The brochure is also available at http://www2.dti.gov.uk/enterprisegrant/index.htm.

  Following an internal review of the workings of this new scheme, two changes to the criteria were agreed in February of this year, to allow:

  1. Firms to apply for more than one grant within the overall ceiling of £75,000; and

  2. a degree of flexibility to exceed the normal ceiling of £500,000 for capital investment.

  Post Office
  Mr. Gummer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she has taken to ensure that the Post Office does not use its powers under the Representation of the People Acts for its commercial advantage. [4123]

  Mr. Alexander
  The Representation of the People Acts allow free delivery of parliamentary candidates' electoral mailings by universal service providers. Universal service providers are reimbursed for providing this service out of the Consolidated Fund at a rate negotiated by the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions.

  Royal Mail
  Siobhain McDonagh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment the Government have made of the impact on jobs and postal services of Royal Mail plans to restructure its provision of sorting offices in London. [4591]

  Mr. Alexander
  Under the Government's reforms of postal services, we have established an arm's-length relationship with Consignia and operational matters, such as the restructuring of Royal Mail's sorting offices, are a matter for the company.

  End of Life Vehicle Directive
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if the EU end of life vehicle directive will be restricted to new cars; and if UK vehicle manufacturers will be required to pick up retrospective liabilities(a) immediately and (b) in the future; [4108]
  268W
  (2) if she will make a statement on the implementation of the EU's end of life vehicle directive. [4109]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Government will issue a consultation paper on the implementation of the end of life vehicles directive as soon as possible. The directive introduces tightened environmental treatment standards which must apply for all vehicles scrapped from 2002 onwards. The consultation paper will focus on how obligations might be apportioned between different operators and views from all parties on the paper will be welcomed.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many(a) PFI and (b) PPP contracts have been agreed by his Department over the last five years; how many have been satisfactorily completed; and in how many has compensation been (i) paid and (ii) claimed for performance failure. [4597]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Department and its agencies have signed three PFI/PPP contracts in the last five years. All three are on-going. No compensation has been paid in relation to these contracts. In the case of one contract, service credits amounting to £8,500 have accumulated for performance failure.

  Appointments
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many appointments she has made since May 1997 in accordance with the Nolan criteria; how many appointees were aged over 60 years at the time of appointment; and how many declared a political affiliation for(a) the Conservative Party, (b) the Labour Party and (c) the Liberal Democrats. [4708]

  Ms Hewitt
  The information requested is not held centrally for the period since May 1997. It is being collated and I will write to the right hon. Member as soon as it is available.

  Work-related Illnesses (Legal Costs)
  Paddy Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what have been the total payments from public funds to date to legal advisers of claimants in respect of(a) chronic bronchitis and emphysema and (b) vibration white finger; and what estimate she has made of the likely total final costs. [3664]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 17 July 2001]: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Easington (Mr. Cummings) on 16 July 2001, Official Report, column 33W.

  Chemical and Man-made Fibre Industries
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assistance his Department is planning to help the chemicals and man-made fibres industries. [4647]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 17 July 2001]: The chemicals industry is undergoing radical restructuring through divestment and acquisition, which has prompted a review of the Department's analysis and strategies towards the sector. This includes the development with industry of a learning and skills strategy; a programme to

  269W
  promote the spread of best practice; support for chemical industry cluster initiatives in several parts of the country; and a new programme to support chemicals inward investment from North America, which we have initiated with regional partners and InvestUK. The Department also has a programme of activities to help promote research and development, and support for the transfer of science and technology.

  To help support this activity, the Department contributed around £4.6 million in 2000–01 to a number of programmes designed to improve the competitiveness of the chemicals and man-made fibres industries. This included the establishment of an Industry Forum for the chemicals sector to help improve process efficiency; a £2 million Faraday Partnership to improve the two-way flow of information and people in formulation technology; and a £3 million 'Manufacturing Molecules' programme to help reduce the time taken to develop and make complex molecules.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what factors underlie the recent significant reduction in business investment in the private sector managed chemicals and man-made fibres industries. [4648]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 17 July 2001]: Figures produced by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on 25 June show that private sector manufacturing business investment in the chemicals and man-made fibres sector, based on seasonally adjusted figures, has increased by 5.6 per cent. (at current prices) in 2001 Q1 when compared with 2000 Q4.

  These figures also show that there has been an increase in investment of 0.6 per cent. on the corresponding quarter of the previous year.

  Enterprise Scholarship Scheme
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on how the enterprise scholarship scheme will encourage British entrepreneurs abroad to establish companies in the United Kingdom. [3926]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 17 July 2001]: The recent White Paper on Enterprise, Skills and Innovation "Opportunity for all in a world of change" announced an enterprise scholarship scheme to attract the best young graduates from overseas, particularly in high-tech subjects, who want to come to the UK to develop their careers and start new businesses. The scheme will offer a tailored package of measures including postgraduate study in a business-related subject, work experience and help in starting up a business in the UK.

  In addition British Trade International is working on a pilot scheme to encourage established overseas entrepreneurs to set up companies in the UK to pursue innovative business proposals. This pilot, which will target expatriate British and other entrepreneurs, is currently being developed in consultation with Development Agencies, the Small Business Service, DTI, F120 and other partners.

  There is global competition for talent and it is the Government's aim to attract skilled and able entrepreneurs to the UK especially in areas where there is a short supply.
  270W
  These measures will support the creation of new jobs and prosperity in the UK and enhance our competitiveness in international markets.

  Nuclear Material (Russia)
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the answer of 10 July 2001,Official Report, columns 477–79W, how much of the funding pledged by Her Majesty's Government to tackle nuclear problems in the former Soviet Union has so far been spent. [4094]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 17 July 2001]: Of the some £84 million assistance over the next three years announced by HMG in July 2000, some £10.5 million has been firmly committed, of which some £4.2 million has already been spent.

  The spend breaks down as follows:

  £3.84 million—contribution to the Chernobyl Shelter Fund

  £0.03 million—nuclear materials accountancy

  £0.13 million—Nuclear Safety Projects

  £0.03 million—physical protection of sites projects

  £0.09 million—NW Russia spent nuclear fuel storage facility.

  Further spend, commitments and project proposals are in the pipeline.

  National Weights and Measures Laboratory
  Brian White
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what targets she has set her Department's National Weights and Measures Laboratory for 2001–02. [5738]

  Ms Hewitt
  I have set the National Weights and Measures Laboratory the following quality of service and efficiency targets for 2001–02.

  Financial Targets
  To report a break-even situation in the Income and Expenditure Account 2001–02.
  To meet the net vote target in 2001–02.
  To contribute to continuous efficiency improvement by ensuring that total overhead costs are less than 55 per cent. of total costs.
  To achieve continuous growth in its non-DTI income, with an increase of 7.5 per cent. in 2001–02.

  Operational Targets
  To meet the expectations of its customers by completing at least 90 per cent. of European type approvals within 10 weeks.
  To complete European type approvals within an average of six weeks.
  To complete calibration jobs within the time requested by customers, with at least 95 per cent. of all jobs (including preparation of certificates) completed within 18 working days of acceptance of the work and an average completion time of less than 14 days.
  To complete the National Measurement System (NMS) legal metrology programme, and achieve 72 per cent. of the milestones in the programme by their due dates.
  To satisfy its customers as demonstrated by at least 95 per cent. of them rating NWML's provision of services as satisfactory or better.

  Questions delegated to the Chief Executive
  Chief Executive to reply within 10 working days to all letters from Members of Parliament delegated to him for reply.

  University Employment Tribunals
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information she has collated on the number of academic staff employment tribunals conducted in each university in the last two years. [4664]

  Alan Johnson
  No information has been collated on the number of academic staff who may have taken cases to employment tribunals in the last two years.

  Seeboard
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information she has collated on the number of power cuts experienced by residents and businesses in the Seeboard area over the last five years; and what representations she has made to energy producers concerning cuts in supply to customers. [4573]

  Mr. Wilson
  Over the last five years the number of power cuts in the Seeboard area has varied between 95.5 and 88.5 per 100 customers. Over the same period the average duration of a power cut in the Seeboard area has varied between 92 minutes and 74.5 minutes.

  Ofgem will shortly carry out initial consultation with the electricity companies in order to extend the guaranteed and overall standards to include the maximum number of power cuts, which individual customers should experience in any single year. This is being carried out under Ofgem's information and incentive project with the aim of introducing it in April 2002. The target figure has yet to be set on the maximum number of power cuts.

  Ministerial Duties
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list for each week from Monday 23 July to Monday 8 October which departmental ministers will be on duty(a) in the United Kingdom and (b) in London. [4891]

  Ms Hewitt
  It is not the normal practice of Government to publish a ministerial duty roster. The Department will ensure that it has sufficient cover through the summer recess in line with the requirements of the Ministerial Code.

  Dounreay
  Mr. MacDonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she will announce a decision about the future of the prototype reactor fuel at Dounreay; and if she will make a statement. [5607]

  Mr. Wilson
  I have considered carefully the advice I have received about the future of this fuel, and the implications of this decision for the major goal of restoring the Dounreay site. I have concluded that refurbishment of the reprocessing facilities at Dounreay is not justified. I have consequently asked UKAEA to take whatever action is necessary to ensure the safety and security of the PFR fuel, and to agree with its regulators the most appropriate means of doing so.

  I am confident that this decision will allow the management and workforce at Dounreay to focus exclusively on the environmental restoration of the site.
  272W
  This is a project of national importance and the staff at Dounreay have my full support in undertaking this challenging task.

  I am placing a copy of a document summarising my decision along with the responses to the public consultation in the Library of the House.

  Institute of Export
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what advice and assistance her Department(a) gives and (b) has given during the last two years to the Institute of Export. [4772]

  Nigel Griffiths
  The Department of Trade and Industry—through British Trade International—maintains close links with the Institute of Export and supports the institute's work to promote the importance of exporting and to improve the performance of British exporters. In the last two years BTI and the Institute of Export have worked together on the development of the regional delivery of BTI services, the design of a self-diagnostic test for potential exporters and the development of a training package for BTI staff.

  Green Ministers
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will set out the terms of reference for the role of the Green Minister in her Department; and if she will make a statement. [4825]

  Mr. Wilson
  I refer to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minster for the Environment on 13 July 2001,Official Report, column 690W.

  Research Council (Luxembourg)
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the outcome was of the Research Council held in Luxembourg on 26 June; and if she will make a statement. [5739]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Research Council of 26 June:

  1. Held an orientation debate on Commission proposals for the next EU Research and Development Framework Programme. Subsequently the Council adopted conclusions inviting COREPER to pursue its examination of all outstanding issues with a view to enabling the Council to reach a common position as soon as possible. The Council also invited the Commission to provide further clarification on a number of elements of the proposals, including research in support of Community policies and the application of new funding mechanisms.

  2. Adopted a Resolution on Science and Society and conclusions on Research Infrastructures.

  3. Received progress reports from the Commission on the benchmarking of national research policies, the mobility of researchers and the international dimension of the next Framework Programme.

  4. Received a progress report from the Commission on the production of a comprehensive inventory of research into Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies.

  5. Received a progress report from the Commission on strategic initiatives in biotechnology, on which the Commission plan to issue a communication by the end of the year.

  6. Under other business, received a progress report from the Commission on the Global Monitoring on Environment and Security satellite system (GMES).

  Energy Efficiency Commitment
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her policy is on assets purchased by a utility company in order to deliver its commitment under the Energy Efficiency Commitment; and to whom and in what manner the assets should accrue. [4408]

  Mr. Meacher
  I have been asked to reply.

  Under the proposed Energy Efficiency Commitment for 2002–05, electricity and gas suppliers will be required to meet energy efficiency targets. It is proposed that companies should be free to develop schemes to meet their targets in the most cost-effective way. I propose to issue a consultation paper on the commitment in the summer.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Passport Agency
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the United Kingdom Passport Agency will publish its annual report and accounts for 2000–01. [5485]

  Angela Eagle
  The United Kingdom Passport Service annual report and accounts have been published today and I am pleased to say that copies have been placed in the Library.

  Immigration and Nationality Directorate
  Mr. Borrow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on changes in the membership of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate's Independent Complaints Audit Committee. [5488]

  Angela Eagle
  Ms Ros Gardner has been appointed as the new chair of the Complaints Audit Committee to replace Arden Bhattacharya, whose three year term of tenure ended in March. Ms Gardner has been a member of the Committee since January 2000. She presently runs a consultancy in customer care and complaint handling. She was formerly Manager of the Customer Services Department of Marks and Spencer, and was a member of the Cabinet Office's Citizens Charter Complaints Task Force.

  Mr. Paul Manning has been appointed as a new member of the Committee. Mr. Manning has over 30 years' experience in senior operational and management positions in the police. He recently retired from being an Assistant Commissioner in the Metropolitan Police Service.

  Electoral Registers
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will issue guidelines to local authorities for production of the 2002–03 electoral registers with special reference to legislative changes regarding opting out.

  Dr. Whitehead
  I have been asked to reply.
  274W
  We intend, subject to parliamentary approval, to make regulations on the edited electoral register before next spring, which will be followed by the Electoral Commission issuing guidance to electoral registration officers.

  Airwave Radio System
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many communications masts are to be erected as a result of the introduction of the Airwave radio system; [1251]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the impact of the foot and mouth crisis on the roll-out of the Airwave radio system. [1252]

  Mr. Denham
  The current estimate is that 3,200 radio sites will be required for British Telecommunications (BT) to provide the Airwave service.

  Each of these sites will need a radio mast for the transmission of Airwave signals. The sites will reuse existing masts or use new masts mounted either on buildings or on the ground.

  The exact deployment of masts is determined by BT's coverage planning process, which complies with national planning and safety requirements. The current plans cover the first two years of the phased roll out of the Airwave service.

  Chief Constable (Sussex Constabulary)
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what discussions he had with members of the Sussex Police Authority about his recent media release concerning the Chief Constable of Sussex before he released it; [3134]

  (2) for what reason he did not seek to discuss his recent media release concerning the Chief Constable of Sussex with the Chief Constable before he released it. [3135]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 10 July 2001]: The Police Authority were informed by officials shortly before my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary's letter to the Police Authority dated 22 June was released to the press. This letter was about the role and responsibilities of the Police Authority, and for this reason was discussed with the Chief Constable.

  Police Custody Units
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many operational police custody units there were in Devon and Cornwall in each year from 1980 to 2001; and if he will make a statement. [3412]

  Mr. Denham
  I understand from the Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Constabulary, that on the basis that the definition for 'Custody Units' is individual cells, the figures are as follows:

  Year

  Custody Units

  1980 to 1985

  200

  1986 and 1987

  201

  1988

  199

  1989 and 1990

  204

  1991 and 1992

  202

  1993

  201

  275W

  Year

  Custody Units

  1994

  208

  1995

  207

  1996

  205

  1997

  204

  1998 and 1999

  1185

  2000

  207

  2001

  1219

  1 Torquay Police Station was closed in 1998–99 and its replacement opened this year.

  Devon and Cornwall Constabulary has eight custody centres under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 for handling those who are detained in excess of six hours. These centres are located at Camborne, Plymouth, Barnstaple, St. Austell, Torquay, Exeter, Newquay and Crownhill (Plymouth).

  Immigration
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are detained under the Immigration Act 1971, broken down by(a) nationality, (b) gender, (c) place of detention, (d) length of detention, (f) stage of application and (f) immigration status at the time of detention. [3262]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 10 July 2001]: The latest available information relating to the number of persons detained under Immigration Act powers by place of detention and nationality is given in the tables. Corresponding information on gender, length of detention, stage of application and immigration is not held centrally and could be obtained only by examining individual case files at disproportionate cost.

  Persons recorded as being in detention1 in the United Kingdom solely under Immigration Act powers as at 31 may 2001, by place of detention

  Location

  Total detainees

  Immigration detention centres2

  Campsfield House

  172

  Tinsley House

  100

  Dover Harbour

  17

  Harmondsworth

  87

  Longport

  6

  Manchester Airport

  13

  Other Detention Centres

  1

  Prison establishments3

  Bedford

  5

  Belmarsh

  48

  Birmingham

  4

  Blakenhurst

  6

  Bristol

  3

  Brixton

  20

  Bullingdon

  6

  Canterbury

  3

  Cardiff

  52

  Chelmsford

  7

  Cornton Vale

  3

  Craiginches

  4

  Doncaster

  13

  Dorchester

  2

  Durham

  2

  Elmley

  6

  Feltham

  10

  Forest Bank

  7

  Gateside

  40

  Glen Parva

  3

  Haslar

  151

  276W

  Persons recorded as being in detention1 in the United Kingdom solely under Immigration Act powers as at 31 may 2001, by place of detention

  Location

  Total detainees

  High Down

  66

  Holloway

  35

  Holme House

  49

  Leeds

  10

  Lewes

  3

  Lindholme

  94

  Liverpool

  104

  Maghabberry

  4

  Magilliagan

  12

  Manchester

  6

  Norwich

  5

  Pentonville

  7

  Rochester

  183

  Styal

  3

  Wandsworth

  50

  Winchester

  39

  Woodhill

  2

  Wormwood Scrubs

  70

  Other prison establishments

  7

  Oakington Reception Centre

  247

  Total

  1,787

  1 Figures exclude persons detained in police cells (other than at Dover Harbour)

  2 Figures include the use of police cells at Dover Harbour

  3 The figures for prison establishments may include some persons detained under dual immigration and other powers.

  Source:

  England and Wales data from IS Detention Services and the Offenders and Corrections Unit (RDS), and Scotland and NI data from IS Glasgow.

  Persons recorded as being in detention1 in the United Kingdom solely under Immigration Act powers as at 31 May 2001, by place of detention

  Nationality

  Total detainees2

  Afghanistan

  20

  Albania

  69

  Algeria

  63

  Angola

  6

  Australia

  2

  Bangladesh

  35

  Bolivia

  3

  Bosnia-Hercegovina

  3

  Brazil

  4

  Bulgaria

  4

  Burundi

  2

  Cameroon

  16

  China (Peoples Rep of China)

  105

  Colombia

  14

  Congo

  5

  Congo, Democratic Republic (form. Zaire)

  3

  Czech Republic

  85

  Czechoslovakia

  14

  Ecuador

  7

  Estonia

  3

  France

  6

  Gambia

  8

  Ghana

  42

  Greece

  2

  Guinea

  2

  Haiti

  2

  Hungary

  2

  India

  113

  Iran

  17

  Iraq

  27

  Ivory Coast

  6

  Jamaica

  210

  277W

  Persons recorded as being in detention1 in the United Kingdom solely under Immigration Act powers as at 31 May 2001, by place of detention

  Nationality

  Total detainees2

  Kenya

  24

  Latvia

  8

  Libya

  3

  Lithuania

  22

  Macedonia

  2

  Malaysia

  3

  Moldova

  6

  Morocco

  8

  Nepal

  3

  Netherlands

  4

  Nigeria

  95

  Pakistan

  105

  Palestine

  2

  Poland

  34

  Romania

  57

  Rwanda

  4

  Sierra Leone

  10

  Slovakia

  2

  Somalia

  7

  South Africa

  14

  Sri Lanka

  80

  St. Lucia

  3

  Syria

  3

  Taiwan

  2

  Tanzania

  6

  Togo

  4

  Trinidad and Tobago

  2

  Turkey

  35

  Uganda

  15

  Ukraine

  14

  United States of America

  4

  Unknown (officially designated)

  32

  USSR

  43

  Vietnam

  2

  Yugoslavia, Federal Republic of

  111

  Zimbabwe

  84

  Other nationalities

  34

  Total

  1,787

  1 Figures exclude persons detained in police cells (other than Dover Harbour).

  2 The figures for Prison establishments may include some persons detained under dual immigration and other powers.

  Source:

  England and Wales data from IS Detention Services and the Offenders and Corrections Unit (RDS), and Scotland and NI data from IS Glasgow.

  Murdered Children
  Margaret Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children murdered in each of the last five years had child contact orders extant. [3830]

  Mr. Denham
  There is no information held centrally on numbers of children murdered who were the subject of child contact orders.

  Criminal Proceeds
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the financial benefits from the confiscation of criminals' assets are apportioned between police forces which seize the assets and the Treasury; and how this apportionment will change under the Government's legislative proposals. (2350]
  278W
  Mr. Denham
  Under the Confiscated Assets Fund (CAF), which the Government established on a non-statutory basis in April 1999, a proportion of receipts from confiscation orders made against persons convicted of drug trafficking is recycled into projects in support of the Anti-Drugs Strategy. Projects funded by the CAF cover all four strands of the strategy including law enforcement projects.

  The Government intend to replace the CAF with a new Recovered Assets Fund. This is to be financed by up to 50 per cent. of all confiscation, cash forfeiture and (assuming enactment of the Proceeds of Crime Bill) civil recovery receipts. Both drug trafficking and non-drug trafficking receipts will be included. The fund, which will again operate on a non-statutory basis, will be used primarily to support the Anti-Drugs and Asset Recovery Strategies. It will also provide additional funding for community regeneration and local crime reduction projects.

  Petty Crime
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his proposed petty crime busting scheme; what assessment he has made of the impact of the scheme on Castle Point; and what proportion of the funding will go to Castle Point. [1850]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 3 July 2001]: I assume the hon. Member is referring to the Capital Modernisation Fund project to assist small retailers in deprived areas, which I announced on 27 June.

  The problem of crime affecting small retailers, particularly in deprived areas, is one which was highlighted in the report of the Social Exclusion Unit's Policy Action Team 13, which considered access to decent shopping facilities. The Retail Crime Reduction Action Team has also been examining this issue in conjunction with organisations which represent small retailers, with a view to developing schemes which may be able to assist those businesses.

  We are providing funding of £15 million over three years for a project to improve security of small retailers in the most deprived areas throughout England and Wales, with £3 million to be spent this financial year and £6 million for each of the years 2002–03 and 2003–04. We will be working with local communities to identify specific sites which can most benefit from the scheme. This may include shopping parades, individual shops or a combination of both. The money will be used to help small retailers to enhance security of their premises by installing additional locks or shutters, or may be used to make improvements to their immediate environments. We aim to maximise the value and effectiveness of these schemes by ensuring, wherever possible, that they complement other existing schemes designed to improve the quality of life of a neighbourhood.

  The regional funding allocation and the specific sites which will benefit from the scheme will be announced in due course.

  Hertfordshire Police
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers were serving in the Hertsmere division of the Hertfordshire police force on(a) 1 April 2000 and (b) 1 April 2001. [3630]

  Mr. Denham
  I understand from the Chief Constable that the Hertsmere division had 132 officers on 1 April 2000 and 130 officers on 1 April 2001.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many secondees from the Metropolitan police force have returned to the Metropolitan force from Hertsmere in each month since 1 January; how many secondees are due to return; how many officers have been allocated to Hertsmere by the Hertfordshire force to replace them; and how many more it is planned to allocate to Hertsmere to replace the secondees. [3629]

  Mr. Denham
  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the number of secondees to the Hertfordshire Constabulary who have returned to the Metropolitan police since 1 January is:

  Month

  Number of officers

  January

  2

  February

  1

  March

  2

  April

  6

  May

  11

  June

  9

  All secondees are expected to return to the Metropolitan police by 31 March 2002.

  I am told by the Chief Constable of Hertfordshire that the policing structure of the county is changing and will be based on the National Intelligence Model. This means the force will no longer be comparing like with like as the structure in existence on 1 April 2000, when the boundary changes were implemented, will be replaced. The Hertsmere division will be combined with two other divisions to become the Central Area with its management team based in Borehamwood. I am told that between 1 January and 1 July the number of Hertfordshire constables in Hertsmere has been doubled from 18 to 36 as Metropolitan police officers are replaced. The Chief Constable also has a programme in place to post more experienced officers to Hertsmere. He plans to have moved 32 such officers to Hertsmere by 1 October.

  The Chief Constable will review the situation on 1 November to assess the requirement for further postings to Hertsmere. At this point there will remain 18 Metropolitan police secondees. Police officers will be deployed throughout the force area to reflect the operational priorities of the force.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many residents of Hertsmere were recruited into(a) the Hertfordshire police and (b) the Metropolitan force in the last year for which figures are available. [3632]

  Mr. Denham
  I am informed by Hertfordshire Constabulary that in the year 2000–01 three residents of Hertsmere were appointed to the force as new recruits.

  280W
  The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) inform me that information about the number of residents from Hertsmere joining the MPS is not regularly recorded.

  Green Ministers
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) on what date a Green Minister was first appointed in his Department; when subsequent appointments were made; and if he will make a statement; [3896]

  (2) what are the terms of reference for the Green Minister in his Department; and if he will make a statement. [3975]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 13 July 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment on 13 July 2001, Official Report, columns 689–90W.

  Speed Cameras (Lancashire)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many speed cameras have been placed in(a) accident black spots and (b) elsewhere in Lancashire. [4291]

  Mr. Denham
  The Lancashire police force area has 69 fixed speed camera sites. I am informed that, in accordance with Home Office guidelines (HO Circular 38/1992), all 69 sites were selected to reduce high casualty rates at locations where the major contributory crash factor is excessive speed.

  Security Industry Authority
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made on the establishment of the Security Industry Authority. [4038]

  Mr. Denham
  The. Private Security Industry Act 2001 provides for the establishment of a Security Industry Authority, which will license individuals employed in designated sectors of the security industry and approve companies.

  Plans to implement the provisions of the Act are currently being drawn up with the aim of establishing the authority as soon as possible. Once established, the authority will draw up its licensing criteria and institute a rolling programme of licensing. The relevant provisions of the Act will then be brought into force by means of commencement orders when the authority is ready to begin its licensing operations.

  Asylum Seekers
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his reply of 28 June 2001,Official Report, column 126W, on asylum seekers, if central records are maintained of the number of asylum seekers dispersed under the disperal arrangements of 1999; and what duty authorities concerned have to keep in touch with the dispersed persons. [2308]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 5 July 2001]: Records are not collected by the Home Office on the number of asylum seekers dispersed under the voluntary dispersal arrangements of 1999. Statistics on voluntary dispersal are collected by individual local authorities.

  281W
  The National Asylum Support Service has no power to require local authorities to remain in contact with the asylum seekers they are supporting. But local authorities need to keep in contact with those asylum seekers they have dispersed to ensure that they still have a duty to support them.

  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children have been detained in asylum-seeker detention facilities in each quarter of the last year; and how many were in detention on the last night for which figures are available. [1761]

  Angela Eagle
  Information on the number of children detained under Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 powers is not held centrally. The information is available only by the examination of individual case files at disproportionate cost.

  Unaccompanied minors are detained only in the most exceptional circumstances and then only overnight with appropriate care. Children and young persons may be cared for in detention centres as part of a family unit in preference to separating them from their parents. Where this occurs, such family units are held together in appropriate family accommodation within the detention centre. There may also be a small number of cases of detained persons who claim to be minors but where the available evidence strongly suggests that they are in fact adults: such persons may be treated as adults until the contrary is established and may be detained as such.

  Family accommodation is currently available only at Tinsley House Detention Centre and Oakington Reception Centre. The latest information provided by these two centres indicates that for the period 16 to 22 June a total of 28 children had been detained at Oakington as dependants of families held there while their asylum claims were considered, while during the month of June

  Number of full-time equivalent police officers allocated to patrol duties

  Force

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Avon and Somerset

  1,401.0

  1,442.2

  1,432.2

  1,438.3

  1,538.6

  Bedfordshire

  455.0

  543.5

  457.0

  479.1

  478.3

  Cambridgeshire

  556.0

  655.7

  614.0

  586.2

  581.9

  Cheshire

  934.6

  976.2

  1,022.9

  969.9

  867.3

  City of London

  363.8

  369.9

  353.2

  385.2

  342.2

  Cleveland

  742.8

  771.2

  742.7

  552.0

  676.1

  Cumbria

  596.0

  607.0

  630.0

  619.0

  571.1

  Derbyshire

  880.5

  911.2

  867.7

  842.9

  818.7

  Devon and Cornwall

  1,503.5

  1,499.9

  1,522.4

  1,488.1

  1,444.4

  Dorset

  690.0

  671.0

  663.0

  665.0

  612.1

  Durham

  666.2

  694.9

  720.1

  764.0

  741.7

  Dyfed-Powys

  586.0

  559.4

  601.3

  595.9

  598.7

  Essex

  1,370.7

  1,407.6

  1,549.4

  1,512.4

  1,535.9

  Gloucestershire

  540.8

  565.0

  551.2

  533.4

  501.9

  Greater Manchester

  3,113.6

  3,245.6

  3,361.2

  3,321.4

  3,615.6

  Gwent

  543.0

  732.5

  707.8

  770.1

  735.4

  Hampshire

  1,819.5

  1,975.8

  2,094.3

  2,030.1

  1,912.3

  Hertfordshire

  868.0

  919.5

  910.6

  878.7

  968.8

  Humberside

  1,112.0

  1,081.6

  1,100.6

  1,106.5

  1,147.5

  Kent

  1,512.3

  1,542.1

  1,352.1

  1,116.8

  1,132.3

  Lancashire

  1,395.6

  1,465.9

  1,274.0

  1,489.7

  1,585.6

  Leicestershire

  935.0

  1,010.4

  1,007.0

  1,016.0

  1,083.5

  Lincolnshire

  672.6

  607.8

  717.1

  661.2

  613.8

  Merseyside

  2,300.0

  2,300.0

  2,211.7

  2,033.2

  2,098.1

  Metropolitan police

  13,160.5

  12,307.0

  12,158.7

  11,716.4

  12,312.2

  Norfolk

  727.4

  761.7

  789.0

  714.0

  691.4

  North Wales

  737.5

  730.0

  752.0

  615.0

  656.0

  North Yorkshire

  680.8

  685.4

  716.2

  713.4

  749.3

  282W
  Tinsley House accommodated 23 child dependants in family accommodation and the average length of stay was two nights.

  Uniformed Police Patrols
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the level of uniformed police patrols was in(a) England and Wales as a whole and (b) each individual police force in England and Wales in each of the last five years for which data are available; and if he will make a statement. [2939]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 9 July 2001]: The information requested has been provided by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary (HMIC) and covers the years 1995–96 to 1999–2000. The table records the number of officers who are predominately assigned to foot, car and beat patrol duties for each year from 1995–96 to 1999–2000. Information for 2000–01 will be available in the autumn after it has been collated and verified by HMIC.

  I understand from HMIC that in 1999–2000 50.3 per cent. of the total number of officers in forces in England and Wales were deployed to patrol duties. Most of the other half of the police service are deployed to other operational duties, such as CID, traffic, and other specialist operational activities.

  Decisions on the allocation of resources to patrol and other functions such as CID are operational decisions for the professional judgment of Chief Officers of Police.

  The number of officers available for deployment is increasing. Home Office Statistical Bulletin 10/01, published on 28 June 2001, shows that by 31 March 2001 the strength of the police service in England and Wales had grown to 125,519 police officers (full-time equivalents), up 1,349 since March 2000. We expect police strength to reach record numbers by March 2003 and to reach 130,000 by March 2004.
  283W

  Number of full-time equivalent police officers allocated to patrol duties

  Force

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Northamptonshire

  594.0

  622.4

  592.8

  648.6

  557.5

  Northumbria

  1,966.4

  1,965.7

  1,909.3

  1,972.9

  2,069.8

  Nottinghamshire

  1,199.2

  1,198.1

  1,198.1

  1,185.2

  1,099.7

  South Wales

  1,916.0

  1,537.0

  1,472.9

  1.604.7

  1,610.6

  South Yorkshire

  1,371.4

  1,404.9

  1,498.9

  1,418.0

  1,467.6

  Staffordshire

  1,199.0

  1,044.0

  1,255.7

  1,220.2

  996.7

  Suffolk

  639.8

  660.4

  642.7

  628.7

  639.7

  Surrey

  846.6

  813.5

  659.8

  786.4

  710.8

  Sussex

  1,397.2

  1,601.4

  1,512.0

  1,324.9

  1,175.8

  Thames Valley

  1,921.0

  1,888.8

  1,906.3

  2,001.7

  1,761.0

  Warwickshire

  456.0

  429.9

  452.4

  450.6

  458.7

  West Mercia

  1,023.1

  906.0

  925.9

  903.9

  798.0

  West Midlands

  3,601.2

  3,841.6

  3,994.7

  4,410.6

  4,401.9

  West Yorkshire

  2,620.0

  2,677.6

  2,725.3

  2,614.3

  2,487.4

  Wiltshire

  578.6

  541.6

  577.3

  593.2

  555.6

  England and Wales

  62,194.0

  62,172.4

  62,202.7

  61,377.5

  61,401.3

  Source:

  Data from HMICs Annual Statistical Return

  Drugs (Medicinal Uses)
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which countries supply Britain with(a) cannabis, (b) coca and (c) opium for use in (i) the legal pharmaceutical industry and (ii) research and development to investigate possible medicinal uses. [4571]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  None of these substances are imported for pharmaceutical industrial purposes. A small amount of processed cannabis has recently been imported from Germany for medical research.

  Licence holders

  Purpose

  Prof. A. D. Smith (Univ. of Oxford)

  Academic

  Dr. R. Middleton (Univ. of Hull)

  Academic

  Dr. C. Hunter (Univ. of the West of England)

  Academic

  Dr. M. A. Sackville (Univ. of Sunderland)

  Academic

  Dr. C. Wright (Univ. of Bradford)

  Academic

  Dr. P. M. Dewick (Univ. of Nottingham)

  Academic

  Dr. J. Smart (Univ. of Portsmouth)

  Academic

  Dr. Geoffrey Hall (De Montfort Univ)

  Academic

  Prof. P. J. Houghton (Kings College London)

  Academic

  Dr. Alexander (Univ. of Edinburgh)

  Academic

  Dr. J. Cole (Royal Liverpool Univ. Hospital)

  Academic

  Prof. J. F. Alder (Univ. of Manchester Institute

  Academic

  Mr. Malcolm Aiken (Univ. of Brighton)

  Academic

  Dr. K. Brain (Welsh Sch. of Pharmacy)

  Academic

  Prof. Redfern (Univ. of Bath)

  Academic

  Prof. J. Kelly (Univ. of Edinburgh)

  Academic

  Prof. T. Stone (Univ. of Glasgow)

  Academic

  Dr. D. Todd (James Paget Hospital)

  Researching general therapeutic benefits

  Dr. D. Baker (Univ. College London)

  Immune systems (inc. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) research)

  Dr. R. Pertwee (Univ. of Aberdeen)

  Neuropharmacology research

  Dr. C. Heard (Welsh Sch. of Pharmacy)

  Research into transdermal administration

  Dr. E. Williamson (Univ. of London)

  Research into Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

  Prof. R. Rainsford (Sheffield Hallam Univ.)

  Research into arthritis

  G. W. Pharmaceuticals (Porton Down)

  Research into Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and other conditions

  Dr. J. Zajicek (Derriford Hospital)

  Research into Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

  None covers coca and opium.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many licences have been granted for research and development to investigate possible
  284W
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the research and development projects being carried out to investigate the possible medicinal uses of(a) cannabis, (b) coca and (c) opium. [4667]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  There are 25 licences currently valid for cannabis research. The licence holders and the purposes are:

  medicinal uses of (a) cannabis, (b) coca and (c) opium in each of the last 10 years. [4666]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  According to existing records, the following number of licences have been granted to investigate the possible medicinal uses of cannabis during the last 10 years.
  285W

  Number

  1991

  1

  1992

  0

  1993

  0

  1994

  4

  1995

  1

  1996

  0

  1997

  3

  1998

  1

  1999

  3

  2000

  12

  2001

  38

  No applications were received in respect of coca and opium during the same period.

  Child Pornography (Young Offenders)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions there have been in

  The number of defendants prosecuted at the magistrates court and convicted at all courts, by age, for possessing obscene material for gain, England and Wales 1999

  Offence

  Short title of principal statute

  Age

  Total prosecuted

  Total convicted

  Possessing obscene material for gain

  Obscene Publications Act 1959 S.2 as amended by the Obscene Publications Act 1964 Sec.1

  All ages

  131

  96

  of which:

  16

  2

  —

  17

  2

  2

  Take or to make indecent photographs, or pseudo-photographs, of children

  Protection of Children Act 1978 Secs 1, 6 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 Sec. 84

  All ages

  175

  139

  of which:

  16

  —

  —

  17

  —

  —

  Possession of an indecent photograph, or pseudo-photograph, of a child

  Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1988 Sec. 160 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 Secs 84(4) and 86(1)

  All ages

  163

  99

  of which:

  16

  —

  —

  17

  —

  —

  Norwich Prison
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the Norwich Prison Board of Visitors report to the Prison Reform Trust on the subject of overcrowding at Norwich Prison. [3147]

  Beverley Hughes
  I am not aware of any report from the Board of Visitors at Norwich prison to the Prison Reform Trust. Norwich prison was not named as causing particular concern in the Prison Reform Trust's recent press release on overcrowding. The Board of Visitors at Norwich did however refer to the issue of overcrowding in their annual report to the Secretary of State for the year 2000.

  The Certified Normal Accommodation (that is, the uncrowded capacity) of Norwich prison is 561 and the operational (that is, maximum) capacity 794. The operational capacity was increased by 50 places in October 2000, for which the prison received additional funding of £397,000. The average population during 2000 was 631, a reduction from 1999 (681). On average
  286W
  England and Wales during the last 12 months where children have been involved in the production of pornography. [2845]

  Mr. Denham
  There is no separate offence of producing pornography. Any prosecution is likely to be for possessing, taking or making indecent photographs, or pseudo-photographs, of children: and, in the case of young offenders, for possessing obscene material for gain.

  The available information, taken from the Home Office Court Proceedings and Cautions Database and given in the table, shows that there were four prosecutions and two convictions of persons aged 10–17 during 1999 for possessing obscene material for gain.

  There were 175 prosecutions and 139 convictions of persons during 1999 for taking or making indecent photographs, or pseudo-photographs, of children: none of these defendants were aged 10–17. There were also 163 prosecutions and 99 convictions for possessing indecent photographs, or pseudo-photographs, of children: again, none of these defendants were aged 10–17.

  35 per cent. of the population at Norwich prison share a cell, which is less than the establishment's target of 45 per cent.

  Criminal Justice and Police Act
  Mr. Fabian Hamilton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when section 71 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 will come into force. [2871]

  Mr. Denham
  Section 71 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 will come into force by way of a commencement order on 1 October 2001. Prior to implementation we shall issue a Home Office Circular advising law enforcement agencies and others about the new powers of arrest for kerb crawling and hit and run driving contained in section 71.

  The circular will also include guidance on section 71 of the Act (making importation of indecent or obscene material a serious arrestable offence) which will come into force at the same time as section 71.

  Asylum Appeals
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum appeals, having been received by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate, are awaiting transmission to the Immigration Appellate Authority; and what the equivalent figure was on(a) 1 January 2000 and (b) 1 January 2001. [3305]

  Angela Eagle
  Provisional data indicate that on 30 May 2001 there were approximately 33,000 appeals lodged with Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) which had not been sent to the Immigration Appellate Authority (IAA). The comparable figures on 1 January 2000 and 1 January 2001 were less than 1,000 and approximately 15,000 respectively. Over the same period there was a 296 per cent. increase in decision making, from 33,720 initial decisions in 1999 to 133,695 in 2000–01.

  For every appeal lodged, IND has to review the grounds advanced and may as a consequence need to reconsider all the circumstances of the case. Appeals are not forwarded to the IAA until this consideration has been completed and appeal papers have been prepared.

  Antisocial Behaviour Orders
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what evaluation has been made of the effectiveness and ease of implementation of antisocial behaviour(a) contracts and (b) orders; and what advice he is giving to local councils and the police on the merits and demerits of each. [2355]

  Mr. Denham
  Pursuant to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Twickenham on 9 July 2001,Official Report, column 412W, the first paragraph of my response should have read as follows:
  "As my predecessor confirmed in a written answer to my right hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff, South and Penarth (Mr. Michael) on 5 February 2001, Official Report, column 424W, we are researching the operation and effectiveness of the antisocial behaviour order. We will also examine the effectiveness of the acceptable behaviour scheme in Islington".

  Income Support
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the level of Income Support available to(a) children aged under 16 years and (b) asylum seeking children in the UK aged under 16 years. [3876]

  Malcolm Wicks
  I have been asked to reply.

  From 3 April 2000 the Home Office is responsible for supporting and accommodating asylum seekers awaiting a determination of their case. Those asylum seekers in receipt of benefits prior to 3 April 2000 continue to be eligible to claim Income Support. Payment for any dependent children is at normal rates. Asylum seekers whose applications are accepted and who are awarded either refugee status or exceptional leave to remain in the United Kingdom are eligible for social security benefits in the usual way.

  The levels of Income Support personal allowances for younger people take account of the fact that the majority of this group live in someone else's household and can reasonably be assumed to have fewer financial
  288W
  responsibilities than people who are older and who are more likely to live independently. However, those 16 and 17-year-olds who are forced to claim independently can receive Income Support at higher rates.

  There is no provision for payment of Income Support to children aged under 16 in their own right. A dependant's allowance may be payable to people claiming benefit who have a dependent child or children living with them as part of their family.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Freedom of Information
  Annette Brooke
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will outline the timetable for the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 for(a) Government Departments and (b) local government. [4255]

  Mr. Wills
  The Freedom of Information Act received Royal Assent on 30 November 2000 and it must be fully implemented by 30 November 2005. However, the Government intend to implement the Act, so far as is practicable, well within the statutory five years. While, as yet, there is no timetable other than that outer date, the Lord Chancellor will have a statutory duty to report to Parliament on the progress made towards implementation, by 30 November.

  There is a parallel to be drawn here between the Freedom of Information Act and the Human Rights Act 1998. Time was taken to make sure that the Human Rights Act was implemented properly, in spite of criticism at the time, and the Act's, eventual implementation was a resounding success with the time having been put to good use.

  The Freedom of Information Act similarly imposes rigorous duties on over 50.000 bodies across the public sector and so even greater care needs to be taken with its implementation. I am confident that the time taken for implementation of the Act will lead to a great success in this Government's aim to create more open government.

  1911 Decennial Census
  Mr. John Taylor
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many hon. Members have made representations to the Lord Chancellor this year to use his powers to open the 1911 Decennial Census records in 2002: and what the Lord Chancellor's response has been. [2826]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Pursuant to the answer I gave to the hon. Gentleman on 11 July 2001,Official Report, column 577W, letters from three hon. Members were passed by the Lord Chancellor's Department to the Registrar General, who has responsibility for access to the 1911 Census records. The Registrar General has replied to these letters.

  Constitutional Arrangements
  Andrew Mackinlay
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what legislative proposals he has to alter the existing constitutional arrangements. [2622]
  289W
  Mr. Wills
  None. Our plans for the reform of the other place will maintain a bicameral Parliament in which this House will retain its supremacy.

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

  Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will publish the 2000–01 annual report and accounts for the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science. [5489]

  Mr. Meacher
  The 2000–01 annual report and accounts for the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science were laid before Parliament yesterday. Copies are available in the Library of the House.

  Joint Nature Conservation Committee
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will publish the responses to the consultation on the first stage financial, management and policy review report on the Joint Nature Conservation Committee announced in March. [5490]

  Mr. Meacher
  We have today made the responses to the consultation exercise available on the websites of JNCC and my Department, and I have also placed copies in the House Libraries. We are now considering the responses.

  Pesticides Safety Directorate
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will publish the 2000–01 annual report for the Pesticides Safety Directorate. [5387]

  Margaret Beckett
  The 2000–01 annual report and accounts for the Pesticides Safety Directorate were laid before Parliament yesterday. Copies are available in the Library of the House.

  Flooding (Vale of York)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received on increasing the Bellwin scheme for parts of North Yorkshire and the City of York most seriously affected by floods in November 2000. [4438]

  Dr. Whitehead
  I have been asked to reply.

  To date North Yorkshire county council has requested assistance through the Bellwin scheme in connection with three separate events: the severe weather events during October to December 2000; the train crash at Great Heck and more recently with the foot and mouth disease outbreak.

  In the case of the October to December severe weather events scheme, North Yorkshire did not take up the offer of an advance payment. Payment will be made within 15 days of receipt of its audited claim.

  290W
  Officials are currently looking into the circumstances of claims from North Yorkshire county council and North Yorkshire police authority for assistance with the emergency clear-up costs following the train crash at Great Heck. It is hoped that a decision on whether to activate a scheme will be reached soon.

  On 24 April, the then Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Stretford and Urmston (Beverley Hughes), announced the activation of the Bellwin scheme to provide emergency financial assistance to local authorities to help them meet some of the costs of responding to outbreaks of foot and mouth disease. North Yorkshire county council has registered an intention to make a claim under that scheme.

  The City of York asked for assistance through the October to December severe weather scheme. It applied for an advance of grant for 80 per cent. of eligible costs above threshold and payment was made within 15 working days of receipt of a claim.

  Infected Foodstuffs
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the adequacy of resources available to port health authorities to protect the UK from infected foodstuffs. [1995]

  Yvette Cooper
  I have been asked to reply.

  The level of port health resources is a matter for the relevant local authority which allocates funds according to local need.

  Imports of food of animal origin such as meat and meat products are subject to harmonised European Union legislation. Such products must enter the EU through a border inspection post (BIP) and are subject to specified import checks. The costs of these inspections are charged to importers. The performance of BIPs is audited by the European Commission's Food and Veterinary Office and monitored by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

  The inspection of imported food of non-animal origin such as fruit and vegetables is not a harmonised EU area and the regulations are national legislation. Such inspections are not funded through the charge of fees to importers. These costs fall to the local authority that has responsibility for a particular port health authority. The Food Standards Agency monitors general food enforcement activity by all local authorities, including port health authorities, and has recently begun a programme of audits to provide more detailed information on enforcement standards. Local authorities would be expected to take notice of the outcome of the audits and any recommendations made.

  The FSA is aware of concerns about imported food. The FSA is carrying out a review of import controls and will make recommendations. The FSA is also working closely with port health authorities to encourage more effective and consistent enforcement of food law. This includes involvement in a benchmarking exercise recently started by the Association of Port Health Authorities, the representative body for port health authorities, aimed at producing a more uniform approach to service levels,

  291W
  policies and procedures. The FSA is participating in a cross-Whitehall initiative to ensure that import controls are made as effective as possible.

  Fly Tipping
  John McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to reform the law on(a) illegal fly tipping and (b) illegal dumping of cars. [3691]

  Mr. Meacher
  (a) There are no plans to reform the law on fly tipping. The Government have put in place strict controls to ensure that waste is disposed of safely and the penalties for contravention of these controls are severe. The action being taken by the Government on fly tipping, and other forms of illegal waste disposal, was set out most recently in the Government's response to the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee's Report on the Environment Agency (Cm 4832—paragraphs 55–60).

  (b) A review has been carried out into the current legislation covering abandoned vehicles in order to meet our manifesto commitment that the system for removal of untaxed and abandoned cars would be streamlined. We will be consulting on possible changes to the Removal and Disposal of Vehicles Regulations 1986 later this summer.

  BNFL
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on progress made to date by British Nuclear Fuels in meeting its obligations to reduce radioactive discharges under the 1998 Sintra Agreement of the Ospar Commission. [3951]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Government are committed to meeting the obligations they entered into at Sintra and have demonstrated this, with regard to radioactive substances, by issuing for consultation last year a draft UK Strategy for Radioactive Discharges 2001–20. The final strategy will be published later this year. It will take account of information on discharges provided by British Nuclear Fuels, including that provided to the Environment Agency in the context of its current review of the Sellafield site.

  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will place in the Library copies of(a) UK submissions and (b) other submissions with relevance to the United Kingdom to the Ospar meeting held in Valencia on 25 and 28 June. [3952]

  Mr. Meacher
  I am arranging for copies of the Summary Record of the recent Ospar meeting to be placed in the Libraries of the House. This is a full record of the issues discussed and the decisions reached at the meeting held in Valencia on 25 to 29 June. The Summary Record is also available on the Ospar website: www.ospar.org.

  Sellafield
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if a licence will be issued to British Nuclear Fuels to operate the mixed oxide plant at Sellafield; and if she will make a statement. [3723]
  292W
  Mr. Meacher
  The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Secretary of State for Health will decide whether the operation of Sellafield mixed oxide plant is justified when they have considered all relevant issues. First, we intend to publish for public comment the report of our independent consultants Arthur D. Little Ltd., as I said in my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Bury, North (Mr. Chaytor), 27 June 2001,Official Report, column 109W.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what information was provided by the Government in the recent consultation process on the mixed oxide plant at the Sellafield reprocessing plant; and if she will make a statement. [3724]

  Mr. Meacher
  On 28 March the Government published a consultant paper, "British Nuclear Fuels plc—Sellafield Mixed Oxide Plant". This included a copy of the Government's previous consultation exercise in 1999, a copy of BNFL's economic and commercial justification for the plant, a copy of BNFL's March 2001 MOX market review and an endorsement of the review by the Department of Trade and Industry. The paper and annexes were placed in the House Library on 28 March.

  Abandoned Vehicles
  Margaret Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost was of disposing of abandoned vehicles in(a) Luton and (b) all local authorities in England in each of the last four years. [3829]

  Mr. Meacher
  Luton borough council estimate that their costs in disposing of abandoned vehicles were £60,000 in 2000–01 and £15,000 in 1999–2000. They do not have information for earlier years.

  The Department holds no central records of the costs for individual authorities of disposing of abandoned vehicles each year but is considering what further information on abandoned vehicles can be collected in the next Municipal Waste Management Survey later this year.

  Pitsea Tip
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) if she will publish a list of the uses made of potentially contaminated ash from Pitsea tip and the locations involved in each particular use; [3884]

  (2) on what date deposits of poisonous ash at Pitsea tip were first suspected; and on what date those deposits were stopped. [3889]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 13 July 2001]: I understand that deposits of mixed bottom ash and precipator ash at the Pitsea landfill site began in early 1998 under the terms of its waste management licence. In the course of its supervision and inspection of the site, the Environment Agency became aware of the use of this ash to provide temporary cover for household waste. The Agency estimated the dioxin levels in the mixed ash to be 735 ng/kg. In the light of these estimates, the Agency wrote to the licence holder in July 1998 instructing them to cease using the mixed ash as cover material. Subsequent supervision and inspection of the site by the

  293W
  Agency confirmed that (a) the use of the mixed ash as temporary cover ceased in July 1998 and (b) acceptance of the ash for disposal at the site ceased by the end of 1998.

  The Environment Agency is carrying out a thorough investigation into the destinations of ash from municipal waste incinerators and a report will be published by the Agency on completion of its investigation. The Agency has no evidence that ash accepted at the Pitsea landfill site was subsequently consigned from the site for use elsewhere. However, the Agency will address this possibility in the context of its current investigation.

  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the extent to which ash from(a) Pitsea tip and (b) the Edmonton incinerator has been used in (i) civil engineering, (ii) other construction works and (iii) the manufacture of blocks for building, in Castle Point; and if he will make a statement. [4066]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 16 July 2001]: The Environment Agency is carrying out a thorough investigation into the destinations of ash from municipal waste incinerators, the environmental implications of its use and what steps may be needed in the light of these findings. A report will be published by the Agency on completion of its investigation. The Agency has no evidence that ash accepted at the Pitsea landfill site was subsequently consigned from the site for use elsewhere. However, the Agency will address this possibility in the context of its current investigation.

  National Parks
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to increase the number of national parks. [3914]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 16 July 2001]: The Countryside Agency is responsible for designating National Parks in England, subject to the confirmation of a designation order by the Secretary of State. In September 1999 the Government asked the Countryside Agency to consider designating two National Parks in the South Downs and the New Forest and we await their recommendations.

  Waste Disposal Site (Derbyshire)
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what studies have been undertaken by the Environment Agency to establish whether radioactive isotypes and toxins have leached into watercourses surrounding the Rolls Royce waste disposal site in Crich, Derbyshire; and if she will publish the results. [4396]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Environment Agency and its predecessor bodies has sampled water and silt in watercourses around Hilts Quarry, Crich over many years and the analysis results are available on the Agency's public registers. As part of its determination of two applications for revised radioactive waste disposal authorisations submitted by Rolls Royce Marine Power Operations Limited, the Agency has asked for further information and analysis to be undertaken. In particular the Agency asked Rolls Royce on 18 May 2001 to conduct a detailed analysis of the site under Regulation 15 of 294W
  the Waste Management Licence Regulations 1994 (The Protection of Groundwater with Respect to Landfill). The assessment is likely to take six to 12 months, depending on the complexity of the investigation.

  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) if she will take steps to close Rolls Royce's waste disposal site at Crich, Derbyshire; [4395]

  (2) if she will take steps to ensure that the Rolls Royce waste disposal site in Crich, Derbyshire, is securely lined and that unauthorised access to the site is prohibited. [4303]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 16 July 2001]: Waste disposal sites operate under the terms of waste management licences and are subject to the controls set out in Part II of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994. The purpose of licences is to ensure that waste is disposed of in ways which protect the environment and human health. Failure to comply with a licence condition, or the disposal of waste in a manner likely to cause environmental pollution or harm to human health, is a criminal offence.

  The Environment Agency has a legal duty to inspect all licensed sites and section 42 of the 1990 Act requires the Agency to take the steps needed to ensure that (a) the activities authorised by a licence do not cause environmental pollution, harm to human health or serious detriment to local amenities; and (b) the conditions of a licence are complied with. It is the responsibility of the Environment Agency to assess whether any steps are needed to ensure compliance with these provisions.

  The Environment Agency may suspend or revoke a licence in the circumstances set out in section 38 of the 1990 Act. I understand that, on the basis of the evidence currently available to it, the Agency has no plans to serve a notice of suspension or revocation in relation to the licence for the Crich site.

  However, I understand that the Environment Agency has initiated a review of the licence for the Crich site under regulation 15 of the 1994 Regulations. The aim of this review is to assess the impact, if any, of the disposal of waste on groundwater and to ensure its protection by the use, so far as may be necessary, of the Agency's powers under sections 37 and 38 of the 1990 Act (variation, suspension or revocation of licences). I am also advised that the current licence conditions for the Crich site require the licence holder to provide and maintain sites gates and boundary fencing in a manner which prohibits unauthorised access; and that the gates must be securely locked when the site is unmanned.

  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent measurements have been taken of levels of radioactivity in(a) water and (b) air at the Rolls Royce waste disposal site at Crich, Derbyshire. [4304]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 16 July 2001]: The Environment Agency took samples of water and silt in surrounding watercourses on 19 June 2001, and the analysis results were placed on the public register on 9 July 2001. This sampling exercise did not detect any

  295W
  radioactivity above background levels. No air analysis is carried out in the Crich area, as the material from the Rolls Royce site in Derby is buried at the site.

  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the impact of emissions from the Rolls Royce site at Crich, Derbyshire, on(a) local residential properties and (b) schools. [4305]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 16 July 2001]: The Environment Agency and its predecessor bodies has carried out assessments of the impact of emissions from the landfill site at Hilts Quarry, Crich, since the first authorisation was granted to Rolls Royce to dispose of very low level radioactive waste there in the 1960s. In the context of applications that Rolls Royce Marine Power Operations Ltd. made last year for the disposal of limited quantities of very low level radioactive waste, the Environment Agency is examining the continued suitability of the Crich site for this purpose. The Agency's assessment will include impacts in the vicinity of the site.

  White Goods (Recycling)
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if it is the policy of the Government that manufacturers of electrical and electronic equipment should meet the cost of collecting such equipment from private householders when it is put out for disposal. [3912]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 16 July 2001]: No decisions have been taken on which party or parties should be made responsible or partly responsible for the cost of collecting electrical and electronic equipment from private householders. In reaching its decision the Government will consider the relevant costs and benefits to all parties and take in to account the adopted Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive.

  Recycling
  Mr. Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much of the Waste Recovery Action Programme's 2001–02 budget to stimulate recycling has been allocated(a) in total and (b) to each project involved. [4070]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 16 July 2001]: Total Government funding for WRAP for 2001–02 is £9,615,000. This includes contributions from DEFRA, DTI, the Scottish Executive and the National Assembly for Wales. That funding has been initially allocated to core costs, programme development costs and to eight areas of programme delivery as set out in the following table. WRAP are currently in the process of developing individual projects, along the lines set out in their business plan, which can be viewed at www.wrap.org.uk.

  Total (£)

  Core

  1,237,048

  Development

  835,250

  Paper

  1,307,953

  Glass

  1,245,536

  Plastic

  1,371,303

  Wood

  697,199

  296W

  Total (£)

  Commercial Instruments

  263.124

  Procurement

  954,386

  Standards

  604,803

  Communication/Information

  1,098,398

  Total

  9,615,000

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what assessments she has made of the method of reporting of progress by energy conservation authorities under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995; and if she will work in conjunction with energy conservation authorities via the National HECA Forum to prepare a better reporting system of energy conservation authorities' progress under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995; [3862]

  (2) what steps she has taken (a) to encourage energy conservation authorities to reach her energy efficiency target by 2010 and (b) to assist them in reaching that target; [3864]

  (3) if energy conservation authorities are on course to reach the improvement target in energy efficiency by 2010 under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995; [3861]

  (4) what steps she proposes to take in each of the next three years to assist energy conservation authorities to meet the energy efficiency target set under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995; and what plans she has to publish a long-term strategy to help energy conservation authorities reach that target [3863]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answers 16 July 2001]: Under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 (HECA), energy conservation authorities are obliged to prepare a report identifying practicable and cost effective measures to improve significantly the energy efficiency of all residential accommodation in their area and to report on progress made in implementing those measures. There is no statutory target, but "significant" has been defined as 30 per cent. and strategies are expected to make at least substantial progress towards 30 per cent. improvement over 10 years.

  Details of the reported percentage improvements in the period 1 April 1996 to 31 March 2000 have been placed in the Libraries of the House in my reply to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth, Sutton (Linda Gilroy) on 30 November 2000, Official Report, columns 757–58W.

  The Government assist local authorities with their work on energy efficiency by providing financial support for the Energy Saving Trust's local authority programme. Over the last six years, the HECAction initiative has awarded grants to 339 local authorities, totalling £23 million. This pump-priming has levered in an estimated £200 million in private sector funding.

  I recently announced a review of the policy framework within which local authorities carry out their energy efficiency activities, to be completed by the end of the year. One of the issues that this will address is the operation of HECA, including its reporting requirements

  297W
  and how they might be improved. We will involve stakeholders in the review process and will actively seek the views of energy conservation authorities on how they can make greater progress in improving energy efficiency in the future.

  Ministerial Duties
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list for each week from Monday 23 July to Monday 8 October which Departmental Ministers will be on duty(a) in the United Kingdom and (b) in London. [4897]

  Mr. Morley
  Throughout the summer break, a Minister will be on duty for the Department, in line with para. 68 of the current Ministerial Code.

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Salter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what arrangements will be put in place to allow autumn movements of livestock without spreading foot and mouth disease. [5611]

  Margaret Beckett
  My Department has had intensive discussions with a wide range of industry interests and the European Commission about this, with a view to putting a strategy in place by the end of July, to apply from 1 September onwards. In the meantime, all possible action is being taken to eradicate the disease as soon as possible.

  All concerned are clear that in considering autumn livestock movements, control of foot and mouth disease and safeguarding animal welfare must continue to be our primary concerns. We are proceeding on the basis of veterinary and scientific advice. Full details will be published as soon as possible, but the arrangements for the autumn will cover the following aspects:
  the possibility of holding livestock markets in counties which have been free of foot and mouth disease for three months or more and where testing has been completed;
  the possibility of some relaxation in the criteria covering livestock movements outside infected areas; and
  the possibility of promoting the domestic consumption of lamb in particular, and of negotiating with the European Commission an early resumption of pigmeat and sheepmeat exports, while not disrupting the domestic food supply chain.
  We are formally asking the European Commission to introduce a Private Storage Aid Scheme for sheepmeat in the autumn and are discussing with them the possible adaptation of the Livestock Welfare Disposal Scheme to handle disposal of surplus lambs, and in the medium term the possible use of quota suspension or buy-out.

WORK AND PENSIONS

  Stakeholder Pensions
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of employer awareness of stakeholder pensions; and if he will make a statement. [5612]

  Mr. Darling
  I have today placed in both Houses copies of research into employer awareness of stakeholder pensions.

  298W
  The research illustrates that awareness of stakeholder pensions is very high with 94 per cent. of respondents saying that they are aware of these pensions.

  Benefit Fraud (Brent)
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will publish the inspection report of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate in respect of the London borough of Brent. [5613]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate (BFI) report was published today in respect of the London borough of Brent and copies of the report have been placed in the Library.

  The report makes recommendations to help the council address weaknesses and to improve the administration of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, as well as its counter fraud activities.

  The report notes that the authority was experiencing serious problems in delivering its benefit service at the time of the inspection. Inspectors found long delays and large backlogs of work in most areas. This had led to poor customer service and some significant security weaknesses, such as in verification. Although the report acknowledges that the inspection took place just after implementing new benefit processing software, inspectors consider that considerable improvements must be made to deliver adequate levels of service and security.

  The report notes the positive work done by the council to counter fraud effectively, such as its detailed investigation of prosecution cases. However, BFI inspectors were disappointed that it is not supported by more rigorous recovery of overpayments.

  BFI inspectors consider that achieving lasting improvements will not be an easy task for the council. The report notes the council has tried to use its contractual arrangements to bring about improvements in the service. The report also notes the council told BFI that it believes it is complying with 76 of a total 102 recommendations and has plans to address most of the others. Inspectors consider this demonstrates a good commitment to improve.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is now considering the report and will be asking the council for its proposals in response to the findings and recommendations of the BFI.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) if he will estimate the numbers of Incapacity Benefit claimants(a) under the age of 40, (b) between 40 and 50, (c) between 50 and 60 and (d) over 60 years in each region and nation of the UK; [3092]

  (2) if he will estimate the numbers of (a) men and (b) women (i) entering and (ii) leaving a period of Incapacity Benefit claim in each region and nation of the UK; [3094]

  (3) if he will estimate the present numbers of (a) men and (b) women on Incapacity Benefit in each region and nation of the UK; [3096]

  299W
  (4) if he will estimate the numbers of new (a) male and (b) female Incapacity Benefit claimants in the last 12 months (i) in total and (ii) in each region and nation of the UK. [3098]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The information for Great Britain is in the tables. The Northern Ireland Assembly is responsible for social security matters within Northern Ireland.

  Incapacity Benefit (IB) recipients by age group at 28 February 2001

  Thousand

  All ages

  Under 40

  40–49

  50–59

  60+

  All cases

  2,324.4

  621.9

  517.3

  844.9

  340.3

  North East

  160.9

  39.8

  35.7

  59.7

  25.7

  North West

  393.4

  105.6

  87.9

  142.8

  57.1

  Yorks and Humber

  207.1

  51.5

  44.3

  77.5

  33.8

  East Midlands

  148.4

  36.6

  32.3

  55.8

  23.7

  West Midlands

  208.5

  54.5

  45.9

  76.2

  31.9

  South West

  146.3

  40.0

  31.0

  54.1

  21.2

  Eastern

  135.3

  35.6

  29.7

  50.3

  19.7

  London

  257.0

  80.8

  62.4

  83.9

  29.8

  South East

  178.1

  47.9

  41.6

  63.9

  24.7

  England

  1,835.0

  492.3

  410.8

  664.2

  267.7

  Scotland

  288.2

  79.6

  66.3

  103.1

  39.2

  Wales

  192.6

  49.3

  38.8

  73.4

  31.2

  Overseas

  8.6

  0.8

  1.3

  4.2

  2.2

  Notes:

  1. These figures are for all rates of IB and include Credits Only cases (a small number of which are over pension age and are incorrectly held on the INCAP computer system).

  2. These figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample of the benefit computer system and will exclude a small number of clerically held cases.

  3. They are expressed in thousands, rounded to the nearest hundred.

  Awards and terminations of Incapacity Benefit from 1 March 2000 to 28 February 2001

  Thousand

  Award of Incapacity Benefit

  Termination of Incapacity Benefit

  Males

  Females

  Males

  Females

  All cases

  435.5

  254.7

  306.3

  176.0

  North East

  31.7

  17.7

  23.4

  11.2

  North West

  72.6

  42.7

  51.2

  30.5

  Yorks and Humber

  45.5

  24.9

  33.9

  18.0

  East Midlands

  27.0

  17.1

  18.8

  11.7

  West Midlands

  40.8

  22.9

  27.1

  15.9

  South West

  32.0

  17.9

  22.5

  13.1

  Eastern

  26.3

  15.8

  19.1

  10.9

  London

  39.5

  24.8

  24.9

  14.9

  South East

  34.6

  20.3

  23.6

  13.5

  England

  349.9

  204.0

  244.4

  139.8

  Scotland

  52.1

  31.9

  38.1

  23.6

  Wales

  33.3

  18.7

  23.6

  12.5

  Overseas

  10.2

  10.1

  10.2

  10.1

  1 Figures based on a very few sample cases and are therefore subject to a high degree of sampling error and should be used as a guide to the current situation only

  Notes:

  1. These figures are based on 5 per cent. samples of the benefit computer system and will exclude a small number of clerically held cases.

  2. They are expressed in thousands, rounded to the nearest hundred.

  3. These figures include some clerical cases which have been re-entered onto the computer system and may not be new awards of Incapacity Benefit.

  4. The termination figures are for all terminations excluding awards of retirement pension.

  5. This table does not include Credits Only cases.
  300W

  Incapacity Benefit recipients at 28 February 2001

  Thousand

  Males

  Females

  All cases

  1,458.5

  865.9

  North East

  102.8

  58.1

  North West

  246.6

  146.8

  Yorks and Humber

  134.2

  72.9

  East Midlands

  94.0

  54.5

  West Midlands

  131.7

  76.8

  South West

  94.1

  52.1

  Eastern

  83.6

  51.8

  London

  160.6

  96.4

  South East

  112.5

  65.6

  England

  1,160.1

  675.0

  Scotland

  173.1

  115.1

  Wales

  119.7

  72.9

  Overseas

  5.6

  3.0

  Notes:

  1. These figures are for all rates of Incapacity Benefit and will include Credits Only cases (a small number of which are over pension age and are incorrectly held on the INCAP computer system).

  2. These figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample of the benefit computer system and will exclude a small number of clerically held cases.

  3. They are expressed in thousands, rounded to the nearest hundred.

  Mr. Roy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many women in the last 12 months for which figures are available were receiving Incapacity Benefit by the time they reached 60 years of age; [3537]

  (2) how many men in the last 12 months for which figures are available were receiving Incapacity Benefit by the time they reached 65 years of age. [3538

  Malcolm Wicks
  The available information is in the table.

  Numbers of people leaving Incapacity Benefit in the period 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000

  Thousand

  Number of people leaving

  Women aged 60 plus

  46.8

  Men aged 65 plus

  118.3

  Notes:

  1. Long-term rate Incapacity Benefit is not payable after state pension age.

  2. Former Invalidity Benefit recipients who were over state pension age on 13 April 1995 may receive Incapacity Benefit for up to five years past state pension age. People awarded short-term rate Incapacity Benefit before they leached state pension age may also continue to receive it for up to 52 weeks. Therefore, the figures in the table will include some people who had left benefit after they had reached state pension age.

  3. Figures will include some cases where the person received National Insurance credits only.

  4. Figures are based on a 1 per cent. sample of claims to benefit.

  New Deal
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people living in the Greater London area have obtained a new deal placement; and if he will make a statement. [3217]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  The new deals are giving people the skills, confidence and motivation to move into work. By the end of April this year 68,564 people had obtained jobs through the new deals in the region covered by the London government office.

  Green Ministers
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) on what date a Green Minister was first appointed in his Department; when subsequent appointments were made; and if he will make a statement; [3969]

  (2) what the terms of reference are for the Green Minister in his Department; and if he will make a statement. [3977]

  Malcolm Wicks
  [holding answer 13 July 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment on 13 July 2001, Official Report, columns 689–90W.

  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on what dates his Department's Green Minister attended meetings of the Green Ministers' Committee during the current Session of Parliament; on what dates subsequent meetings are planned to take place; and if he will make a statement. [4816]

  Malcolm Wicks
  I refer the hon. Member to the written answer from my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment on 17 July 2001,Official Report, column 165W.

  Pensioners
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioner couples receive(a) two category A retirement pensions at the full rate, (b) two category A retirement pensions with one or both at less than the full rate, (c) a category A retirement pension and a category B retirement pension at the full rate and (d) a category A retirement pension and a category B retirement pension at less than the full rate. [4054]

  Mr. McCartney
  The information is not available in the format requested.

  Invalid Care Allowance
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what advice his Department gives regarding the age limit on women receiving retirement state pension who are eligible for the Invalid Care Allowance. [4111]

  Mr. McCartney
  Information on the age limit and other eligibility conditions for claiming Invalid Care Allowance is available from various departmental sources including the Benefit Inquiry line, departmental internet website, and a range of leaflets for carers and pensioners. The information that is given to a woman receiving State Retirement Pension is that Invalid Care Allowance can be claimed up until the age of 65 but that receipt of the benefit can be affected by the receipt of other benefits.

  Disability Benefits
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of appeals against a decision to withdraw a disability or carer's benefit following a departmental medical examination have been successful in each of the last five years. [4355]
  302W
  Maria Eagle
  Information is not available in the form requested. Available statistics on the outcomes of appeals do not show where the decision appealed against was made following a medical examination, or distinguish between appeals against withdrawal of an existing award of benefit and appeals against disallowance of a new claim.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the progress made in(a) the purchase and (b) the implementation of the information technology system needed to support the new Child Support Agency maintenance calculation formula. [4164]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Mr. Mike Isaac to Mr. Steve Webb, dated 18 July 2001:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions about the Child Support Agency.
  Mr. Smith is unavailable and therefore I am writing to you on his behalf.
  You have asked for a statement on the progress made in the purchase and implementation of the Information Technology system needed to support the new Child Support Agency maintenance calculation formula.
  The contract for the design, development and subsequent operation of the new computer system to support Child Support Reforms was signed on the 8th August 2000.
  The progress is still on course for the new Information Technology system to be ready in April 2002.

  Ministerial Duties
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list for each week from Monday 23 July to Monday 8 October which departmental Ministers will be on duty(a) in the United Kingdom and (b) in London. [4895]

  Mr. McCartney
  It is not normal practice of Government to publish the daily ministerial duty roster. The Department will ensure that it has sufficient cover through the summer recess in line with the requirements of the ministerial code.

  Minimum Income Guarantee (Leigh)
  Andy Burnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of pensioners in the Leigh constituency eligible for the Minimum Income Guarantee have so far claimed it. [4185]

  Mr. McCartney
  Estimates of the numbers of people who may be eligible for, but who have not claimed Minimum Income Guarantee, are not available below national level.

  As at February 2001 there were 3,100 Minimum Income Guarantee claimants in the Leigh constituency.

  Income Support
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the
  303W
  level of Income Support (a) available to persons aged 16 and under 18 years and (b) awarded to asylum seeking young people aged 16 and under 18 years; [3875]

  Malcolm Wicks
  From 3 April 2000 the Home Office is responsible for supporting and accommodating asylum seekers awaiting a determination of their case. Those asylum seekers in receipt of benefits prior to 3 April 2000 continue to be eligible to claim Income Support. Payment for any dependent children is at normal rates. Asylum seekers whose applications are accepted and who are awarded either refugee status or exceptional leave to remain in the United Kingdom are eligible for social security benefits in the usual way.

  The levels of Income Support personal allowances for younger people take account of the fact that the majority of this group live in someone else's household and can reasonably be assumed to have fewer financial responsibilities than people who are older and who are more likely to live independently. However, those 16 and 17-year-olds who are forced to claim independently can receive Income Support at higher rates.

  There is no provision for payment of Income Support to children aged under 16 in their own right. A dependant's allowance may be payable to people claiming benefit who have a dependent child or children living with them as part of their family.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

  Local Government
  Mr. Gummer
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if his plans for further powers for regional Government in England will entail other changes to the local government structure. [4122]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I have been asked to reply.

  As my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister announced on 2 July 2001, Official Report, column 80W, the Government intend to publish a White Paper on Regional Governance in England. This will set out the Government's thinking on these issues.

  No decisions have yet been taken on what—if any—changes in local government structure might be involved in taking forward the Government's proposals in relation to elected regional assemblies.

  Mr. Gummer
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has for reforming local government. [4120]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I have been asked to reply.

  The White Paper "Modern Local Government: In Touch with the People", published in 1998, set out a ten year programme for the reform and modernisation of local government in England so that councils everywhere can be effective leaders of their communities and can deliver the highest quality local services. We have already made considerable progress through the introduction of Best Value, Local Public Service Agreements (LPSAs), new political management structures and a new ethical framework for local government.

  304W
  We are now building on these achievements, easing the burden of regulation on councils, reforming the local government finance regime and developing our commitment to give freedoms and flexibilities to high performing councils. We intend during the Autumn to publish a new White Paper setting out an up-to-date picture of our plans.

  Ministerial Duties
  David Maclean
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list for each week from Monday 23 July to Monday 8 October which departmental ministers will be on duty(a) in the United Kingdom and (b) in London. [4905]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  It is not normal practice of Government to publish the daily Ministerial Duty Roster. This Department will ensure that it has sufficient cover through the summer recess in line with the requirements of the Ministerial Code.

  Work Permits
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what representations were made, and when, to Government Departments on behalf of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Authority regarding the applications for work permits by Mr. Hector Sam and Mr. Carlos Edwards. [2089]

  Mr. Leslie
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Wallasey (Angela Eagle) on 27 June 2001,Official Report, column 97W.

  Departmental Units
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the cross-departmental and other units run from within his Department, listing in each case(a) the reports which they have published to date and (b) the topics on which they are engaged; and if he will make a statement. [2678]

  Mr. Leslie
  I shall write to the hon. Member with a full answer as soon as the information is available, and place a copy in the Libraries of the House.

  Green Ministers
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) if he will set out the terms of reference for the role of the Green Minister in his Department; and if he will make a statement; [4821]

  (2) on what date a Green Minister was first appointed in his Department; when subsequent appointments were made; and if he will make a statement. [4822]

  Mr. Leslie
  I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to him by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment on 13 July 2001,Official Report, columns 689–90W.

  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister on what dates his Department's Green Minister attended meetings of the Green Ministers' Committee during the
  305W
  current Session of Parliament; on what dates subsequent meetings are planned to take place; and if he will make a statement. [4820]

  Mr. Leslie
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment on 17 July 2001,Official Report, column 165W.

  Electronic Communications
  Brian White
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans the Cabinet Office has to revise the guidance to Departments on the use of electronic communications at work. [5737]

  Mr. Leslie
  The second edition of guidance to Departments entitled "Electronic Communications at Work; What you Need to Know" will be published shortly 306W
  by the Office of the E-Envoy. It seeks to support Departments in encouraging the responsible use of e-mails and the internet by their staff. Copies will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses and will be available on the E-Envoy's website.

  E-Government
  David Taylor
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what progress has been made on the second e-Government International Benchmarking Study. [5736]

  Mr. Leslie
  The second e-Government International Benchmarking Study has now concluded and the report is published today on the website of the E-Envoy at: http://www.e-envoy.gov.uk/publications/reports/benchmarkingV2/intro.htm. Copies of the report have been laid in the Libraries of the House.

  Radon
  Radon
  Pesticides Safety Directorate: Annual Report
  Pesticides Safety Directorate: Annual Report
  Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000: Implementation
  Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000: Implementation
  Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science
  Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science
  Joint Nature Conservation Committee: Consultation
  Joint Nature Conservation Committee: Consultation
  War Disablement Pension Claims
  War Disablement Pension Claims
  War Pensions Scheme and Disabled Living Allowances: Award Criteria
  War Pensions Scheme and Disabled Living Allowances: Award Criteria
  French and German Teaching in Public Sector Schools
  French and German Teaching in Public Sector Schools
  BBC World Service: Grant-in-Aid
  BBC World Service: Grant-in-Aid
  BBC Short-wave Services
  BBC Short-wave Services
  Foot and Mouth Disease: Local Authority Costs
  Foot and Mouth Disease: Local Authority Costs
  London Underground: Air Conditioning
  London Underground: Air Conditioning
  London Underground: Rolling Stock Replacement
  London Underground: Rolling Stock Replacement
  Trans-European High Speed Rail System: Interoperability Directive
  Trans-European High Speed Rail System: Interoperability Directive
  Drivers and Cannabis
  Drivers and Cannabis
  Department of Health Regional Structure
  Department of Health Regional Structure
  Nursing Homes: Free Nursing Care
  Nursing Homes: Free Nursing Care
  Meat Hygiene Service: Annual Report
  Meat Hygiene Service: Annual Report