Written Answers of 19 July 2001

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Nigeria
  David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the work of her Department in improving access to justice in Nigeria. [6346]

  Clare Short
  I have this month approved a £30 million programme to support Nigerian Government efforts, at both federal and state level, to enable poor people to obtain rapid and fair justice. This involves the whole justice system—courts, police, prisons, legal aid, and traditional and informal mediation. We plan to implement this programme particularly in the four states in which our programmes are focused. These are Benue, Ekiti, Jigawa and a state in the south-east yet to be selected. Jigawa State announced last August that it will apply Shari'a criminal law. We will ensure that the assistance programme is taken forward in all four states in ways that uphold international human rights standards.

  Botswana and Namibia
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her Department's assistance to(a) Botswana and (b) Namibia. [4279]

  Hilary Benn
  In Botswana, DFID is supporting programmes in rural livelihoods, education and HIV/AIDS. In Namibia, DFID is supporting programmes in rural livelihoods, education and health. In the financial year 2000–01, DFID provided around £2.5 million of assistance directly to Botswana and £2.6 million to Namibia in addition to our contributions through multilateral agencies.

  Over the next few years, DFID will be subsuming its bilateral programmes in Botswana and Namibia within a more regional approach to poverty elimination.

  Green Ministers
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what are the terms of reference for the Green Minister in her Department; and if she will make a statement; [3984]

  (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. [3970]

  Hilary Benn
  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, column 690W.

  Lord Ashcroft
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if officials in her Department have been disciplined for passing documents relating to Michael Ashcroft and his activities in Belize to The Times and The Guardian in July 1999 and December 2000. [4056]

  Hilary Benn
  No.

  Belize
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when KPMG sent letters to(a) Carlisle Holdings and (b) Sonisa during its study commissioned by her Department to review the regulation of offshore financial services in Belize and the effect of tax exemptions on pro-poor programmes; if she will place copies of these letters in the Library; and if she will make a statement. [4058]

  Hilary Benn
  I understand that KPMG wrote to Carlisle Holdings on 25 August in response to their letters of 10 and 18 August 2000. I am not aware of any KPMG correspondence with Sonisa. The correspondence is private to the parties concerned.

  Debt Relief
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress she plans to make with the process of debt relief at the G8 Summit in Genoa. [2291]

  Hilary Benn
  To date, 23 countries have qualified for exceptional debt relief under the Enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. Relief totalling more than $53 billion will be provided to these countries, reducing their debts by more than two-thirds on average, and freeing up resources for spending on poverty reduction. At the G8 summit in Genoa, we will be urging our partners to push forward with implementation of the HIPC initiative, so that more countries will qualify for relief. However, making substantial progress will be difficult, as many of the remaining HIPC countries are affected by conflict.

  Debt relief is only one part of what will be required by developed and developing countries alike if poverty is to be reduced and the International Development targets set for 2015 to be met. The Italian Government, which hold the Presidency of the G8 in 2001, have already issued a paper to be discussed at the Genoa summit entitled "Beyond Debt Relief"—which sets out some of the other key areas in which progress needs to be made: trade reform, generating investment and improving the quantity and quality of spending on health and education. These are all important issues for poverty reduction which can be taken forward effectively at international level through the G8 forum.

  Commonwealth Development Corporation
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list, for each
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  of the last three years, the deals established by the Commonwealth Development Corporation broken down by (a) country and (b) project. [2285]

  Clare Short
  The table summarises the number of deals completed by CDC in 1998, 1999 and 2000, distinguished by country. These include those where deals had previously been made in the same project.

  Country

  1998

  1999

  2000

  Africa (pan)

  1

  0

  1

  Argentina

  0

  0

  2

  Asia Pacific (pan)

  0

  0

  1

  Bangladesh

  0

  1

  0

  Barbados

  0

  1

  0

  Belize

  2

  3

  1

  Bolivia

  2

  1

  2

  Caribbean

  0

  1

  1

  China

  0

  0

  2

  Costa Rica

  5

  4

  4

  Cote d'Ivoire

  1

  1

  0

  Cuba

  1

  1

  0

  Dominican Republic

  2

  1

  3

  Ecuador

  0

  1

  0

  El Salvador

  0

  0

  1

  Ghana

  1

  3

  1

  Guatemala

  0

  0

  1

  Guyana

  0

  1

  0

  India

  8

  0

  0

  Indonesia

  0

  3

  2

  Jamaica

  0

  1

  0

  Kenya

  4

  1

  3

  Malawi

  0

  1

  0

  Mauritius

  1

  0

  0

  2001

  1997

  District council

  Number of spoilt votes

  Percentage of total vote

  Total votes polled

  Number of spoilt votes

  Percentage of total vote

  Total votes polled

  Derry

  1,390

  2.81

  49,435

  939

  2.23

  42,145

  Limavady

  239

  1.55

  15,455

  193

  1.45

  13,287

  Coleraine

  491

  1.97

  24,986

  348

  1.80

  19,314

  Ballymoney

  268

  2.09

  12,826

  182

  1.88

  9,681

  Moyle

  187

  2.51

  7,438

  126

  2.03

  6,201

  Larne

  342

  2.42

  14,161

  236

  2.37

  9,938

  Ballymena

  510

  1.74

  29,346

  403

  1.76

  22,942

  Magherafelt

  429

  1.87

  22,882

  326

  1.60

  20,371

  Cookstown

  360

  1.89

  19,086

  307

  1.72

  17,900

  Strabane

  457

  2.08

  21,919

  352

  1.80

  19,587

  Omagh

  599

  2.20

  27,233

  575

  2.51

  22,920

  Fermanagh

  650

  1.98

  32,837

  505

  1.72

  29,329

  Dungannon

  497

  1.74

  28,491

  409

  1.64

  25,008

  Craigavon

  988

  2.43

  40,633

  573

  1.84

  31,076

  Armagh

  552

  1.81

  30,514

  386

  1.45

  26,553

  Newry and Mourne

  1,263

  2.70

  46,829

  943

  2.49

  37,899

  Banbridge

  329

  1.57

  20,897

  220

  1.35

  16,275

  Down

  677

  2.22

  30,560

  383

  1.65

  23,192

  Lisburn

  1,085

  2.27

  47,844

  575

  1.75

  32,780

  Antrim

  501

  2.42

  20,739

  258

  1.78

  14,523

  Newtownabbey

  938

  2.61

  35,973

  437

  1.86

  23,473

  Carrickfergus

  376

  2.38

  15,794

  177

  1.61

  10,960

  Northdown

  782

  2.35

  33,279

  360

  1.88

  19,167

  Ards

  652

  2.88

  22,606

  405

  2.02

  20,004

  Caslereagh

  809

  0.57

  31,491

  432

  2.03

  21,265

  Belfast

  4,106

  3.25

  126,294

  2,948

  2.69

  109,402

  Total

  19,477

  2.41

  809,548

  12,998

  2.01

  645,192

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  Country

  1998

  1999

  2000

  Mexico

  0

  0

  1

  Mozambique

  2

  0

  0

  Nicaragua

  0

  1

  0

  Nigeria

  0

  0

  1

  Papua New Guinea

  1

  2

  1

  Pakistan

  2

  0

  0

  Peru

  0

  2

  2

  Philippines

  2

  0

  0

  South Africa

  4

  3

  2

  Sri Lanka

  0

  1

  0

  Swaziland

  2

  2

  0

  Tanzania

  7

  4

  4

  Thailand

  2

  1

  0

  Uganda

  2

  0

  0

  Zambia

  3

  1

  3

  Zimbabwe

  2

  2

  0

  A full list, detailed by project and country, will be placed in the Library.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Spoiled Ballot Papers
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many spoiled ballot papers there were in each district council area in Northern Ireland in the(a) most recent and (b) 1997 local elections. [3413]

  Mr. Browne
  The number of spoilt ballot papers received in each district council area in Northern Ireland in the(a) latest and (b) 1997 local elections are:
  311W
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many spoiled ballot papers were received in each constituency in Northern Ireland at the(a) 2001 and (b) 1997 general elections. [3414]

  2001

  1997

  Constituency name

  Number of spoilt votes

  Percentage of total vote

  Total votes polled

  Number of spoilt votes

  Percentage of total vote

  Total votes polled

  Belfast, North

  377

  0.91

  41,309

  128

  0.31

  41,580

  Belfast, South

  233

  0.61

  38,185

  244

  0.61

  39,728

  Belfast, East

  202

  0.55

  37,031

  125

  0.32

  39,154

  Belfast, West

  716

  1.72

  41,698

  238

  0.52

  46,123

  North Antrim

  328

  0.66

  36,327

  115

  0.25

  46,301

  South Antrim

  196

  0.44

  44,354

  148

  0.37

  40,343

  East Antrim

  327

  0.98

  40,268

  90

  0.26

  34,437

  East Londonderry

  399

  0.99

  49,545

  112

  0.29

  38,214

  Foyle

  495

  1.00

  49,374

  219

  0.25

  48,034

  Lagan Valley

  281

  0.61

  46,222

  133

  0.46

  44,443

  Upper Bann

  339

  0.66

  51,376

  120

  0.30

  47,907

  South Down

  574

  1.09

  52,648

  248

  0.25

  49,734

  Newry and Armagh

  587

  1.04

  56,208

  228

  0.43

  53,503

  Mid-Ulster

  452

  0.90

  50,388

  154

  0.30

  50,823

  Fermanagh and South Tyrone

  693

  1.32

  52,667

  377

  0.77

  48,667

  West Tyrone

  434

  0.89

  48,964

  260

  0.56

  46,535

  North Down

  188

  0.50

  37,377

  97

  0.26

  36,653

  Strangford

  217

  0.50

  43,471

  87

  0.20

  41,703

  Total

  7,038

  0.86

  817,412

  3,120

  0.39

  793,882

  Royal Ulster Constabulary
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he plans to publish Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary 2000–01 report on the Royal Ulster Constabulary. [5971]

  Jane Kennedy
  Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) 2000–01 report will be published on Tuesday 14 August 2001. Copies of the report will be placed in the House of Commons Library. The report will also be available to the public from that date.

  Prison Population
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the prison population in Northern Ireland was on(a) 7 June 2001 and (b) 22 May 1998. [3395]

  Jane Kennedy
  The prison population in Northern Ireland on 7 June 2001 was 913 prisoners and on 22 May 1998 was 1,527 prisoners.

  Stun Grenades
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what powers he has to prosecute a civilian found(a) to be in possession of or (b) to have fired a stun grenade. [1230]

  Jane Kennedy
  Dependent upon the precise circumstances of the case, a civilian would be likely to be prosecuted under Article 6 of the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 1981. Other Articles of the Order might also be relevant.

  Plastic Bullets
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what response he has made to the report
  312W
  Mr. Browne
  The number of spoiled ballot papers received in each constituency in Northern Ireland at the(a) 2001 and (b) general elections are:

  of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission on the recording of the use of plastic bullets in Northern Ireland. [1117]

  Jane Kennedy
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland wrote to the Chief Commissioner on 12 June acknowledging receipt of the report. The Secretary of State assured the Commission that the Chief Constable would consider the recommendations carefully and where appropriate take the necessary action.

  Inter-regional Road Infrastructure
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last met the Secretary of State for Scotland in order to discuss inter-regional road infrastructure. [3168]

  Dr. John Reid
  I have had no discussions with the Secretary of State for Scotland on inter-regional road infrastructure since this is a devolved matter.

  Weston Park
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the criteria adopted by the Government for deciding which parties should be invited to participate in the Weston Park talks; and if he will make a statement. [4106]

  Dr. John Reid
  The talks hosted by the British and Irish Governments at Weston Park concerned the implementation of the Belfast Agreement, and it was therefore appropriate to invite representative of all the parties to the Agreement.

  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the people invited to participate in the talks at Weston Park during the week beginning 8 July. [4107]
  313W
  Dr. John Reid
  The British and Irish Governments invited representatives of the parties to the Belfast Agreement to participate in the talks at Weston Park held during 8–13 July. The parties invited to send representatives were:

  the Ulster Unionist Party;

  the Social Democratic and Labour Party;

  Sinn Fein;

  the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland;

  the Progressive Unionist Party;

  the Northern Ireland Women's Coalition;

  the Ulster Democratic Party.

  Ministerial Travel
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last travelled on the London Underground in the course of his official duties. [3680]

  Dr. John Reid
  I travel by the most efficient and cost effective mode of transport, subject to security considerations.

  Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many additional appointments are to be made to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission; and on what date these appointments will be made. [2250]

  Mr. Browne
  Further appointments to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission will be made as soon as possible, and by the end of the summer. The response to the advertisements was very high (over 500 applications were received) so the process has taken longer than expected. The number of appointments is still to be determined.

  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the extent to which the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission can extend its powers under the Paris Principles of 1991. [2251]

  Mr. Browne
  The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission's powers and duties are set out in section 69 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. Under sub-section 69(2) of that Act, the Commission is required to make recommendations to the Secretary of State about how its effectiveness might be improved; the adequacy and effectiveness of the functions conferred on it; and the adequacy and effectiveness of the provisions of that part of the Act relating to the Commission. The Secretary of State received these recommendations in March of this year and they are currently under consideration. The Secretary of State will respond formally in due course.

  Polling Stations (Disabled Access)
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures will be taken to ensure that disabled voters have easy access to polling stations before the next Assembly elections. [4558]

  Mr. Browne
  Polling station schemes are a matter for the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland. However, I am aware that he takes his responsibilities on access very seriously. The Chief Electoral Officer is a designated public authority for the purposes of section 75 of the 314W
  Northern Ireland Act 1998. He is currently drawing up an equality scheme which will be put out for public consultation. I know that he will ensure every reasonable measure is taken in providing access for the disabled voter.

  Criminal Justice Bill
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what factors underlay the time taken to bring forward the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Bill. [3167]

  Mr. Browne
  The Government have broadly welcomed the report by the Criminal Justice Review Group, which produced 294 recommendations for change across the criminal justice system.

  Detailed preparation of the draft legislation and an implementation plan, which will be published for consultation, is well advanced. Subject to the outcome of consultation, the Government expect to introduce a draft Justice (Northern Ireland) Bill in Parliament this Session.

  Racial Crime
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he has taken to extend legislation on racially motivated crime to Northern Ireland. [1074]

  Mr. Browne
  The provisions in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 which created categories of racially motivated offences were not extended to Northern Ireland. The Public Order (Northern Ireland) Order 1987, however, makes provision for a range of offences of stirring up hatred or arousing fear on religious or racial grounds. In response to approaches that have been made in recent months, it is our intention to conduct a consultation exercise later this year to consider how best to legislate in Northern Ireland against race crime.

  Sentencing
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to monitor sentencing of individuals according to(a) perceived community origin, (b) ethnic origin, (c) gender, (d) sexual orientation and (e) disability. [1073]

  Mr. Browne
  Some information is already available on sentencing trends according to gender. The Government are committed to developing a strategy for equity monitoring the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland as it affects different categories of people, while ensuring that such monitoring does not compromise judicial independence.

  Patten Commission
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he has taken to ensure the records of the Patten Commission, the written submissions made to it and the transcripts of oral hearings are(a) made available to researchers and (b) archived for historians. [1224]

  Jane Kennedy
  After the Commission reported in September 1999, it arranged for the research material and the records of the oral submissions to be placed in the
  315W
  Linenhall Library in Belfast. On written submissions, the Commission placed an advertisement in the main Northern Ireland newspapers in October 1999 advising the public that private or personal submissions which had been made to it would be destroyed. Other written submissions which were made to the Commission were passed to the Northern Ireland Office and will be made available in accordance with usual public record requirements.

  Ministerial Duties
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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. [4902]

  Dr. John Reid
  Throughout the summer break, a Minister will be on duty for the Department, in line with para. 68 of the current Ministerial Code.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Annual Reports
  Shona McIsaac
  To ask the Solicitor-General when the Director of the Serious Fraud Office intends to publish her annual report. [6043]

  The Solicitor-General
  I can confirm that I have today placed copies of the annual report in the Libraries of the House.

  Shona McIsaac
  To ask the Solicitor-General when the Director of Public Prosecutions will publish his annual report. [6044]

  The Solicitor-General
  I can confirm that I have today placed copies of the annual report in the Libraries of the House.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Sporting Talent
  Siobhain McDonagh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what evaluation methods are in place for projects designed to nurture sporting talent among young people competing at a national level, with special reference to cricket, rugby and tennis; and what results evaluations have shown about the success of such projects. [4592]

  Mr. Caborn
  The lottery funded World Class Potential and World Class Start programmes administered by Sport England are designed to support and nurture talented English athletes.

  The World Class Potential programme aims to assist the development of talented athletes with the potential to win medals, or equivalent, in significant future international competitions and events within the next eight years (2 Olympic Cycles). The World Class Start programme aims to identify and nurture a specific number of English athletes who have the necessary characteristics to achieve future World Class success.
  316W
  The first awards to the national governing bodies under the Potential and Start programmes were made in January 2000. Funding for Cricket has been agreed but the programmes have yet to be implemented; Tennis does not receive lottery funding support from Sport England (the Lawn Tennis Association administers its own sports development programme); and Rugby has been offered funding of £8 million over 8 years, but the governing body has yet to accept the award.

  As the programmes for cricket and rugby have not started, no evaluation has taken place. However, both sports have identified a performer development model to reflect the transition of the athletes through the Start and Potential Programmes. It is too early to measure the success of these programmes, but I am confident that the lottery investment will enable our talented athletes to achieve success at the highest level.

  Gambling
  Brian Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she expects the Gambling Review, chaired by Sir Alan Budd, to report. [5878]

  Mr. Caborn
  The report was laid before Parliament and published on 17 July.

  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she will take to implement the recommendations by the Gaming Board for Great Britain on the stakes and prizes in gaming machines. [6350]

  Mr. Caborn
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have considered the Board's recommendations very carefully. We are grateful to them and to the industry associations for the work which has gone into their proposals.

  We have also had to bear in mind the proposals for the far-reaching changes to the current law on gambling regulation which have been made by the independent review body chaired by Sir Alan Budd. This makes specific recommendations about the level of stakes and prizes in gaming machines. In laying the report before the House on 17 July, my right hon. Friend made clear her wish to undertake public consultations on the report before reaching firm decisions. For this reason, and bearing in mind that there are substantial points of difference between the two sets of recommendations, we do not propose to take any action to give effect to the Gaming Board's proposals before the consultations have been concluded.

  Historic Environment
  Paul Goggins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her policy is on the historic environment and the English Heritage document "Power of Place"; and if she will make a statement. [6349]

  Tessa Jowell
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions and I will issue a statement setting out the Government's vision for the historic environment and how we intend to work towards it. We will publish the statement in the autumn. Copies will be available from my Department at 2–4 Cockspur Street, London SW1Y 5DH and from the

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  Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions at Eland House, Bressenden Place, London, SW1E 5DU, and will be available at the Department's website at www.culture.gov.uk and www.dtlr.gov.uk. Copies will also be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Office of Communications
  Dr. Palmer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the Government will appoint the Chair of the Office of Communications. [6351]

  Tessa Jowell
  It depends on the passage of the Office of Communications Bill. The Government do not intend to appoint the Chair of OFCOM before Spring 2002 at the earliest. This means that the process of appointing the rest of the Board of OFCOM for its preparatory work could not be completed before the summer of 2002.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Speaker's Advisory Panel
  Ms Drown
  To ask the President of the Council what progress has been made in setting up the Speaker's Advisory Panel. [6352]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  Following the debate in the House on 5 July 2001, I am pleased to announce that the Speaker has appointed to the Advisory Panel the hon. Member for Sheffield, Hallam (Mr. Allan), my hon. Friends the Members for Cambridge (Mrs. Campbell) and for Streatham (Keith Hill), the hon. Members for Beckenham (Mrs. Lait) and for West Derbyshire (Mr. McLoughlin), my hon. Friends the Members for Dundee, West (Mr. Ross) and for Enfield, Southgate (Mr. Twigg), as well as the Director of Finance and Administration, the Head of the Fees Office and the Director of Communications. It is hoped that the first meeting of the panel will be held soon.

PRIME MINISTER

  US Export Administration Act
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Prime Minister what consultations he has had with the US Administration in relation to the US Export Administration Act in the past four years; and if he will make a statement. [3741]

  The Prime Minister
  I have had no contact with the United States Administration in relation to the US Export Administration Act in the past four years.

  Performance and Innovation Unit
  Ms Shipley
  To ask the Prime Minister what additional projects are planned for the Performance and Innovation Unit; and if he will make a statement. [6182]

  The Prime Minister
  I have asked the Performance and Innovation Unit to undertake a further project looking at how to improve the Government's management of risk.

  Effective management of a wide range of risks is essential both for the delivery of improved public services and for the achievement of the Government's wider goals.
  318W
  The project will identify best practice in decision-making on risks and the best methods for promoting this within public services. The work will build on some of the steps that have already been taken to address the concerns raised by the Phillips Inquiry into BSE about the handling of risk and uncertainty across Government. The project will look at communications with the public and also at approaches to risk where some of the responsibility may fall to the private and voluntary sectors or to individuals.

  The PIU will complete its work early next year.

  The Minister of State, Cabinet Office will be the Sponsor Minister.

  Public Duties Allowance
  Andrew Bennett
  To ask the Prime Minister what effect the abolition of the Office Costs Allowance will have on the Public Duties Allowance payable to former Prime Ministers. [6187]

  The Prime Minister
  The Public Duties Allowance can be claimed by former Prime Ministers for expenses incurred for their continuing work for the public service and charity. The allowance, which was formerly linked to the Office Costs Allowance, will from 5 July 2001 be set at the same level as the ceiling under the new centralised arrangements for the payment by the House Authorities of the support and secretarial staff of Members of Parliament with London constituencies. This is currently £70,000.

  Business Appointments
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Prime Minister if he has received the fourth report of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments. [6188]

  The Prime Minister
  The Committee has submitted its fourth report to me. Since 1975 the Committee has advised the Prime Minister of the day on the propriety of any business appointments that Crown servants take up when they leave Crown service. Following a recommendation of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, it also provides advice directly to former Ministers on their business appointments. I am grateful to the Committee for all their work on this. This report gives an account of their work in 2000–01. I have today placed copies in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Intelligence and Security Committee
  Lawrie Quinn
  To ask the Prime Minister when he will respond to the Intelligence and Security Committee's interim report for 2000–01 [6190]

  The Prime Minister
  I have today laid the Government response to the Intelligence and Security Committee's Report before Parliament.

  Champion for Children
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will appoint a Cabinet champion for children; and if he will establish an inter-ministerial group on children. [4922]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff, Central (Mr. Jones) on 10 July 2001,Official Report,

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  column 452W. The terms of reference of the Cabinet Committee on Children and Young People's Services are to co-ordinate policies to prevent poverty and underachievement among children and young people, co-ordinate and monitor the effectiveness of delivery and work with the voluntary sector to build a new alliance for children.

  Poverty
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will set out the responsibilities of departmental Ministers for reducing poverty following the reorganisation of Government Departments. [3943]

  The Prime Minister
  The Department for Work and Pensions and HM Treasury share a joint PSA target to reduce the number of children in poverty by at least a quarter by 2004.

  Specific responsibilities for poverty and social exclusion are held by Baroness Hollis of Heigham and the Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Croydon, North (Malcolm Wicks). Other Ministers are involved where it is appropriate.

  Electoral Arrangements
  Richard Burden
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the breakdown of responsibilities of Ministers and Government Departments for electoral systems and electoral arrangements in the UK relating to elections for(a) councils, (b) the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly, (c) the European Parliament and (d) the House of Commons, with particular reference to consideration of proposals for review and reform. [5063]

  The Prime Minister
  Overall responsibility for electoral law for the UK rests with the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions. The law relating to European parliamentary elections, Westminster parliamentary elections and the National Assembly for Wales is wholly the responsibility of DTLR. Elections to the Scottish Parliament are the joint responsibility of DTLR and the Scotland Office. Council elections in England and Wales are the responsibility of DTLR. Council elections in Northern Ireland are the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Office.

  The relevant Ministers are: in DTLR, Mr. Stephen Byers, Mr. Nick Raynsford and Dr. Whitehead; in the Northern Ireland Office, Mr. Browne; and in the Scotland Office, Mrs. Helen Liddell.

  Council elections in Scotland are devolved and therefore a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Genetically Modified Maize
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Prime Minister how many representations he has received calling for suspension of the marketing consent for the Aventis genetically modified maize, known as T25. [5651]

  The Prime Minister
  I have received a large number of cards and letters, which have been passed to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Unsolicited Commercial Communications
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Government's support for an opt-out procedure for unsolicited commercial e-mails in the revised Telecommunications Data Protection Directive (com2000/189) extends to electronic messages, including(a) short messaging service, (b) mail to WAP phones and (c) other forms of electronic messaging; and what remedies she proposes for the consequent costs incurred by consumers. [3243]

  Mr. Alexander
  The proposed Communications Data Protection Directive treats all forms of electronic messaging, including text messages to mobile phones, as e-mails, for the purposes of regulatory controls on unsolicited commercial communications.

  The UK Government have argued that member states should be allowed to choose between opt-in and opt-out controls on unsolicited commercial e-mail. This approach allows an assessment of the situation in the light of working experience of both approaches by the deadline for implementing the new directive.

  Fishing Communities
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will publish the criteria used to apportion to the regional development agencies the money for regeneration of fishing communities announced in April. [4874]

  Alan Johnson
  RDAs were awarded £120,000 for each port in their region affected by the recent fishing quota reductions. This accounted for £3,840,000 of the £5,500,000 budget. The remaining £1,660,000 was distributed in proportion to the weight of the catch at these ports.

  Each RDA has been given freedom to decide how best to direct funding to help with the regeneration of fishing communities in their regions. There is no compulsion to spend specific sums in specific ports.

  Insolvency Service
  Brian Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if consultants have been employed to undertake a pay and grading exercise in the Insolvency Service. [5870]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Yes.

  Small Business Council
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what meetings she has had with the Small Business Council since 1997; and what response she has made to the recommendations contained in the SBC's first annual report. [5367]

  Nigel Griffiths
  The then Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and I attended the first Small Business Council (SBC) meeting in May 2000. Since then my right hon. Friend and I have had several meetings with William Sargent, Chairman of the SBC. William Sargent met me and presented the first Annual Report of the SBC to me on 12 July 2001.
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  Some of the recommendations in the SBC report impact on several other Government Departments (HM Treasury, Cabinet Office and DfES) as well as the DTI. A copy of the SBC report has gone to these Departments for comment and my Department will provide a co-ordinated response to the SBC recommendations in the autumn.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements she intends to make for awarding licences for broadband fixed wireless access at 28 GHz that remained unsold after last November's spectrum auction. [5973]

  Mr. Alexander
  I intend to make available in September all of the licences that remained unsold after last year's auction. This will allow the provision of competitive services throughout the UK.

  The key features of the award process will be:
  Licences will be open for bids initially for a 12-month period.
  Applications will be invited for licences in specified regions, with bids at no less than the reserve prices.
  The first application for a licence in a region will be publicised and other applications invited within 20 working days. If there are no competing applicants for any of the licences on offer in the region all applicants will be awarded licences, subject to pre-qualification and associated bidder checks.
  If there are competing demands for a licence a simple multiple round auction will be held for all available licences in a region to determine which bidders will be awarded licences.
  Unsold licences will remain available until the closure of the 12-month period for applications.
  A successful bidder will be able to hold just one licence in each licence region, but will be able to hold a licence in any number of licence regions. The conditions attached to the licences, including the reserve prices, will be those applying to the licences sold in last year's auction.

  I will be publishing shortly draft regulations to be made under section 3 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1998 to provide for this award process. There will be a period of 28 days for comments to be received. With the draft regulations I will also publish for comment a draft of the notice that I intend to issue under the regulations. The notice will set out the detailed arrangements for the award process and will include the date from which applications may be made. I will place copies of the draft regulations and the draft notice in the Libraries of the House. I hope to lay the regulations before Parliament by the end of August.

  Annual Reports
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Coal Authority's report and accounts for 2000–01 will be laid before Parliament. [5974]

  Ms Hewitt
  I have today laid a copy before each House of Parliament.

  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she expects to receive the annual report of the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service. [5976]

  Alan Johnson
  The ACAS Report for 2000–2001 is being laid before both Houses of Parliament today. Copies are available from the Vote Office.
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  Shona McIsaac
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she has received the annual reports for 2000 from the recognised supervisory bodies for company auditors under Part II of the Companies Act 1989; and if she will make a statement. [5972]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I have received the annual reports for the year 2000 from the five recognised supervisory bodies for company auditors: a combined report from the Institutes of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, Scotland and Ireland, and one each from the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants and the Association of Authorised Public Accountants. Copies of the reports have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Combined Heat and Power
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures the Government will take to ensure that the new electricity trading arrangements do not penalise CHP and renewable generators. [5184]

  Mr. Wilson
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 18 July 2001,Official Report, columns 263–64W.

  Departmental Bills
  Mr. Anthony D. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of bills were paid on time by Government Departments and their agencies during the financial year 2000–01. [5975]

  Nigel Griffiths
  I am today publishing tables setting out the payment performance of Government Departments and their Agencies in the financial year 2000–01. The publication of these tables is part of our commitment to tackle late payment and improve the UK's payment culture. We are determined that the public sector should lead by example.

  Government Departments and Agencies are required to pay all valid invoices within 30 days, or other agreed credit period. The tables show that, overall, Government Departments and their Agencies paid 96.80 per cent. of bills within the agreed credit period.

  Annex B

  Percentage

  Main departments

  Paid on time

  National Investment and Loans Office

  100

  Privy Council Office

  99.86

  Registry of Friendly Societies

  99.8

  Office of Water Services

  99.75

  Scotland Office

  99.7

  Department for National Savings

  99.6

  Land Registry

  99.5

  Public Records Office

  99.2

  HM Treasury

  99.09

  Ordnance Survey

  99.06

  Ministry of Defence

  98.67

  Inland Revenue

  98.65

  Office of Telecommunications

  98.64

  Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce

  98.62

  Export Credits Guarantee Department

  98.5

  Health and Safety Executive

  98.40

  Northern Ireland Office

  98.1

  Electoral Commission

  98

  Government Actuary's Department

  97.85

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  Annex B

  Percentage

  Main departments

  Paid on time

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  97.79

  Office of Gas and Electricity Markets

  97.43

  Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

  97.41

  Office of the Rail Regulator

  97.4

  HM Customs and Excise

  97.36

  Charity Commission

  97.2

  Department of Trade and Industry

  95.7

  Forestry Commission HQ

  97.16

  Government Communications HQ

  96.75

  Department for Culture, Media and Sport

  96.7

  Department for International Development

  96.66

  Office of Government Commerce HQ

  96.37

  Crown Prosecution Service

  96.27

  Cabinet Office (Total)

  96.27

  Department for Education and Employment

  96.25

  Office for Standards in Education

  96.11

  Northern Ireland Department of Finance and Personnel

  96.1

  Department of Health

  95.97

  Office for National Statistics

  95.45

  Office of Fair Trading

  95

  Royal Mint

  95

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  94.69

  Department of Social Security HQ

  94.4

  Serious Fraud Office

  93.67

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  93.56

  ACAS

  92

  Home Office

  91.7

  Food Standards Agency

  85.76

  Treasury Solicitors Department

  80.75

  Office of the Secretary of State for Wales

  67.5

  Total

  96.80

  Research Councils
  Helen Southworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the outcome of the first stage of the quinquennial review of the six grant-awarding research councils will be announced; and what its principal recommendations are. [5978]

  Ms Hewitt
  I am today able to announce the outcome of the first stage of the quinquennial review of the six grant-awarding Research Councils. I shall be placing a copy of the stage 1 report in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Quinquennial reviews of Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs) are a key part of our programme to modernise Government. The Government are committed to achieving better public services that are of higher quality and are more responsive to the needs of the people who use them. Regular NDPB reviews are an important element in ensuring that we have in place the right structures to deliver the Government's agenda effectively and to provide a strong focus on improving future performance. Under Cabinet Office guidance (31 January 2000), such reviews should be conducted in two stages.

  The terms of reference for this review set the following objectives:
  the first stage would examine the role and organisation of the Research Councils, by reference to their Charters and missions, and evidence of past practice. It would set the detailed terms of reference for the second stage;
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  the second stage would examine the efficiency and effectiveness of the Councils' operations and look for further opportunities for improving performance.

  The principal recommendation of stage 1 is that the Research Councils should continue to be executive NDPBs. The review concluded that:
  the Councils are a necessary mechanism for the delivery of Government policy for scientific research and postgraduate training;
  the Councils individually and collectively are an important source of independent scientific advice to Government;
  the Councils' existing individual missions provide an effective focus for their communities;
  none of the alternative organisational models would offer equivalent benefits to the UK Science and Engineering Base at the present time;
  the Councils have made considerable progress in adopting new ways of working to generate efficiency savings, demonstrate value for money and maximise spending on science;
  NDPB status remains the most appropriate organisational model for maintaining the Haldane principle, ensuring effective accountability for public funds and engaging the scientific communities.

  Stage 2 of the Review will now examine four broad themes, which were identified following the extensive stage 1 consultation. These are: mission, structure and governance; relations between the Research Councils and their clients; priority-setting and decision-making; the Councils' management and internal processes. Working groups, whose members will include a wide range of stakeholders, will be considering these areas, and there has been also been a second written consultation.

  I welcome these recommendations, and I am grateful to the members of the steering group for their work on this review.

  Regional Development Agencies
  Helen Southworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the regional development agencies have prepared annual reports and accounts for 2000–01; and if she will make a statement. [5977]

  Alan Johnson
  The Regional Development Agencies' annual reports and accounts for 2000–01 have been published today. Copies have been placed in the Library. These cover the period from 1 April 2000 through to 31 March 2001. The Government welcome the continued progress made by Agencies in improving the economic regeneration, skills and competitiveness of the regions.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which of the Regional Development Agencies have published an action plan as part of their corporate/business plan for 2001–02 setting out how they propose to develop their evaluation and performance monitoring framework; and how many of those action plans contain a commitment to consulting the general public on the content of the frameworks. [4608]

  Alan Johnson
  Each Regional Development Agency (RDA) has produced an action plan as part of the corporate planning process for 2001–02 setting out how they propose to develop their evaluation and performance monitoring framework. RDAs are required to publish an abridged version of their corporate plan, but whether or not this includes the action plan is at their discretion.
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  RDAs were not required to consult the general public on the content of the frameworks, although several RDAs are developing and refining their frameworks in consultation with regional partners.

  "Your Britain, Your Europe, Your North West"
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the definition is of trading links contained in her Department's document, 'Your Britain, Your Europe, Your North West'. [4324]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Companies with "trading links" means those in the North West which are associated with the export of goods and services to other EU member states.

  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for how many jobs in the North West membership of the single market is crucial according to her Department's document, "Your Britain, Your Europe, Your North West". [4325]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Membership of the Single Market makes the UK, including the North West, attractive to inward investment from across the world. As the document states this investment has amounted to £5.5 billion over the last ten years helping to create or safeguard over 100,000 jobs.

  Construction Industry (Women)
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many women have been helped to enter the construction industry in the North West by EU funding. [4374]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Although gender breakdown of beneficiaries of European Social Fund projects is recorded and monitored, this is not in sufficient detail to show how many women have entered the construction industry as a consequence of European funding.

  Manchester (EU Funding)
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much of the cost of remodelling the Arndale Centre and the new Exchange Square in Manchester has been met from EU funding. [4373]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  £20 million was allocated from the European Regional Development Fund for the redevelopment of Manchester City Centre. Of this, £1.79 million was directly allocated to the Exchange Square project. £4.4 million was allocated to 'public realm' improvements in the City Centre, which included work on the public areas surrounding the Arndale Centre.

  Assisted Area Status (Scotland)
  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what discussions she has had with the European Union with regard to assisted area status in Scotland; [5073]

  (2)what proposals she has for the review of assisted area status in (a) Scotland and (b) Angus; [5071]

  (3)what criteria will be used to determine which areas of Scotland will be put forward to the European Union for assisted area status; [5070]
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  (4) when she will next review the provision of assisted area status in Scotland; [5074]

  (5) what representations she has had from (a) the Scottish Executive and (b) other organisations in Scotland in relation to assisted area status within Scotland. [5072]

  Alan Johnson
  The European Commission approved the UK areas eligible for regional state aid in July 2000; these were then implemented through the Assisted Areas Order 2000. The European Commission approval lasts until the end of 2006; the Government are not planning to review the assisted areas until it is necessary to develop proposals for the subsequent period. At that stage they will consult interested bodies on the selection of areas, including the Scottish Executive and others in Scotland.

  Third Generation Telecommunications Technology
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what appraisal was undertaken of the environmental impacts of granting licences for the development of third generation communications technology; and if she will publish it. [3866]

  Mr. Alexander
  [holding answer 17 July 2001]Installations are subject to planning law which deals with environmental considerations as it applies to Public Telecommunications Operators.

  Government strongly encourage the sharing of masts and sites in order to minimise environmental impact and operators must show that they have considered sharing options as part of the planning process in order to minimise the environmental impact of networks.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many additional telecommunications masts she estimates will be needed in(a) urban and (b) rural areas for the effective development of third generation telecommunications technology. [3865]

  Mr. Alexander
  [holding answer 17 July 2001]The number of additional telecommunications masts that will be needed for the effective development of third generation mobile communications will depend on commercial decisions by the network operators on how they configure and roll out their networks.

  The Information Memorandum for the third generation mobile auction sets out the means by which the Government strongly encourage mobile telecommunications network operators to share masts and sites, in order to minimise the environmental impact of networks.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list for(a) each county and (b) each region the percentage of electricity generated by renewable sources; and if she will make a statement. [4440]

  Mr. Wilson
  Published statistics on renewable energy relate to the United Kingdom as a whole, as do published electricity generation statistics. In 2000, 2.8 per cent. of the electricity generated in the United Kingdom was from renewables.
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  Estimates by my Department show that in England about 1½ per cent. of the electricity generated came from renewable resources in 2000, while in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland the proportions were about 8¾ per cent, 3 ¼ per cent. and 1½ per cent., respectively. The percentages are higher in Scotland and Wales because large scale hydro generation (which accounts for almost half of generation from renewables) is concentrated there. In the United Kingdom as a whole, if large scale hydro generation is excluded, about 1½ per cent. of electricity was generated from renewable sources in 2000. On this basis the proportions in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland were 1½ per cent, ½ per cent, 2 per cent. and 1½ per cent, respectively.

  Information is not available on a county basis.

  Trawlermen (Compensation)
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what(a) average, (b) mean and (c) median length of time is taken to process (i) successful and (ii) unsuccessful applications from former Icelandic Waters trawlermen for compensation for each region and nation of the UK; and if she will make a statement. [3906]

  Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 16 July 2001]Statistics are not available in the form requested.

  Mrs. Humble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claims for compensation have been received from former distant water trawlermen living in Lancashire; how many claims have been paid; and how much the total payment is for(a) Fleetwood, (b) Blackpool and (c) the remainder of Lancashire. [3809]

  Nigel Griffiths
  At 13 July 2001, 174 payments had been made to claimants living in Fleetwood totalling £1,812,204. The corresponding figures for Blackpool are 27 and £226,299. I regret that the other information requested is not available.

  Energy Research
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what contribution the United Kingdom is making to the European Commission's MOX fuel research programme. [3946]

  Mr. Wilson
  Research projects on MOX fuel are included under the research area of the (European Atomic Energy Community) EURATOM Fission Programme aimed at improving the safety of existing nuclear installations and future systems. BNFL participates in one of these collaborative research projects, along with other European partners.

  Slate Quarrymen (Industrial Diseases)
  Hywel Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will recognise emphysema and chronic bronchitis as industrial diseases for slate quarrymen and former slate quarrymen. [4481]

  Malcolm Wicks
  I have been asked to reply.

  We have no plans to prescribe chronic bronchitis and emphysema as a prescribed disease in the industrial injuries scheme for slate quarrymen and former slate quarrymen. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, is advised on such questions by the independent Industrial
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  Injuries Advisory Council who have reported on lung diseases, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema in 1973, 1988 and 1992 (Cmnd 5443, Cm 379 and Cm 2091).

  The Council's present conclusions are that there is no scientific or medical evidence which would justify prescription of chronic bronchitis and emphysema for occupations other than coal workers. The Council keeps the list of prescribed diseases under review. If the hon. Member has evidence he wishes to submit to the Council, he is invited to write directly to the Chairman of the Council Professor Anthony Newman Taylor c/o Room 605, The Adelphi, 1–11 John Adam Street, London WC2 6HT.

  Independent Insurance
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information, prior to Independent Insurance going into liquidation, was provided to(a) her Department and (b) the FSA relating to the French regulator's review of the company's French branch; and when this information was provided. [5286]

  Ruth Kelly
  I have been asked to reply.

  The French regulator, the Commission de Contrôle des Assurances (CCA), first wrote to the FSA expressing their concerns about the French insurance subsidiary of the Independent Insurance Group on 11 January 2001. This company was a sister company of the UK-supervised insurer, representing about 5 per cent. of group premium income, and was subject to French supervision. The FSA, following discussions with the UK company, and having received copies of the company's own detailed responses to the French authorities, replied to the CCA in March 2001. In that letter, the FSA noted its understanding that the group had provided additional financing to the French subsidiary. The FSA subsequently had a number of further contacts with the CCA including a visit to their offices in Paris, provided financial information about the financial position of the UK company, and kept the CCA informed of events in the period leading to the company's closure.

DEFENCE

  Disposal Services Agency
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Disposal Services Agency for the financial year 2001–02. [5988]

  Dr. Moonie
  Since its launch in October 1994, the agency has positioned itself as the market leader in the disposal sales of surplus equipment and goods in the public sector. The key targets, which have been set for the chief executive of the Disposal Services Agency for this financial year, are aimed at securing disposal receipts from the sale of surplus capital assets and inventory items from both the Ministry of Defence and a range of public sector organisations. The chief executive of the agency has been set the following key targets for the financial year 2001–02.
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  Key target 1
  To achieve a disposal sales gross income of £40 million from sales of surplus Government owned equipment and stores.
  Key target 2
  To maintain and where necessary improve Customer Satisfaction rates as recorded in the 2000 Customer Survey; particularly a 5 per cent. points increase in Collection Arrangements and Efficiency of Contractor Services.
  Key target 3
  To achieve the Customer Supplier Agreement Performance Standards for the removal of surplus equipment from Defence Logistic Organisation sites.
  Key target 4
  To develop an electronic exchange pilot programme for surplus IT equipment by 31 March 2002.
  Key target 5
  To secure £350,000 sales per person employed for commercial sales activities.

  Defence Intelligence and Security Centre Defence Agency
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre Defence Agency for 2001–02. [5989]

  Mr. Ingram
  The role of the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre is to train the armed forces and other intelligence agencies in intelligence and security disciplines, and conduct after capture; to maintain an operational capability; and to contribute to effective and timely advice to the armed forces on appropriate intelligence and security matters. The key targets for the agency for the 12 months from April 2001 are:

  Key Target 1To satisfy 100 per cent. of operational tasking required by the Department to the standard specified by the tasking authority.
  This target will be met if all operational requirements for the field HUMINT team (1(UK) FHT) and the defence debriefing team (DDT) are fulfilled to the satisfaction of the tasking authority.
  (a) 1(UK) FHT and DDT commensurate with allocated resources:

  (1) The number of man training days (MTDs) deployed against those required by Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI) authorised tasking;

  (2) Customer satisfaction is 100 per cent.

  Key Target 2To deliver at least 90 per cent. of a Training Programme endorsed by the defence intelligence training policy group (DITPG) within agreed resources.
  This target will be achieved if an endorsed programme of courses and MTDs are arranged by DISC. Poor take-up or Sponsor postponement/cancellation of courses shall not impact on the target. Additional resources provided for non-programmed tasks shall be subject to separate measurement.

  (a) 90 per cent. of agreed total programme satisfactorily mounted. (MTDs offered for take up against previously agreed requirement within the allocated Resource Budget);

  (b) 10 per cent. of required MTDs not provided due to lack of DISC resources or capability.

  Key Target 3To ensure that the training provided by DISC meets the quality requirements of its customers.
  This target will be met if the requirement for each course has been determined by the Statement of Training Requirement (SOTR) process and the quality of the training has been validated using the Systems Approach to Training (SAT) benchmark.
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  (a) 100 per cent. of all courses programmed have an agreed SOTR;

  (b) 80 per cent. of all courses programmed have been SAT validated, up to and including Internal Validation, by April 2002 and thereafter maintained at this level or better;

  (c) 90 per cent. of all DISC training staff have attended prescribed job related training within six months of appointment.

  Key Target 4To reduce the "Real Terms" cost of delivering the average training place made available by the DISC by 2 per cent. in FY 2001–02.
  The target will be met if a 2 per cent. or greater reduction in average MTD costs is achieved between 1 April 2001 and 3I March 2002.

  Ballistic Missiles (Iraq)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of Iraq's capability to use ballistic missile technology to target surface-to-air missiles. [4040]

  Mr. Hoon
  Since December 1998, the Iraqi integrated air defence system has been engaged in a systematic campaign to shoot down coalition aircraft patrolling the no-fly zones. There have been over 1,800 direct threats from a range of Iraqi air defence assets, including surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft artillery. Coalition aircraft are authorised to respond in self-defence only against air defence targets, and have done so on some 270 occasions.

  Over the past two and a half years, the Iraqis have evolved a range of novel tactics, aimed at maximising the threat to the coalition while minimising the risk of being targeted by a self-defence response. In particular, we assess that Iraqi surface-to-air missiles have been launched without the support of their fire control radars, in order to hide the position of the firing unit (thereby reducing its vulnerability).

  Missiles launched in this way receive no guidance information during flight and are much less likely to hit a target in comparison to a conventionally guided missile. The corollary is that there is also an enhanced risk, as with Iraq's indiscriminate use of surface-to-surface rockets in this role, of damage to civilian facilities when the missiles return to earth. Although surface-to-air missiles operated in this way follow an unguided, ballistic trajectory, there is no evidence that Iraq has employed ballistic missile technology to guide these surface-to-air missiles.

  Defence Diversification Agency
  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff the Defence Diversification Agency has; and where its annual reports are published. [5075]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Defence Diversification Agency (DDA), part of the Ministry of Defence (MOD), currently has 24 staff of which seven are MOD employees (three within the defence science and technology laboratory and four, including the director, within MOD head office) and 17 employees of QinetiQ made available to the MOD under standard project support tasking arrangements. The DDA has three aims: to extend technology and expertise within the defence sector to civilian use; to foster partnerships and joint development programmes, recognising that the civil
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  sector has much potential benefit to defence; and to inform and assist the defence industry's own diversification planning. Until 1 July 2001, the DDA was part of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA), the annual reports of which cover the activities of the DDA. The most recent report is the DERA annual report 1999–2000 published by The Stationery Office in July 2000 and which has sections on such issues as "Exploiting DERA's Technology" and "Defence Diversification and Regional Development" that deal with the DDA's activities. Following the DERA public-private partnership and the formation of the new company QinetiQ on 1 July 2001, the DDA has been brought into MOD head office. We are examining how best to report on its activities in future alongside our consideration of the formation of a Defence Diversification Council, which I have already announced our intention to establish once we have experience of how the DDA will operate in practice under the new structure. I will make a further announcement in due course.

  Wind Farms
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is with regard to the siting of wind farms in tactical training areas; and what research has been undertaken in developing this policy. [4872]

  Dr. Moonie
  I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on 22 March 2001,Official Report, column 296W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Wirral, South (Mr. Chapman).

  Live Ammunition
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which foreign training sites are being used by the British Army; and at what percentage of those sites the British Army uses live ammunition. [2793]

  Mr. Ingram
  I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will he placed in the Library of the House.

  Merlin Helicopter
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the(a) budget for and (b) cost of running and maintaining the Royal Navy Merlin helicopter squadron has been in each year since they were purchased. [4339]

  Mr. Ingram
  The first Merlin helicopter squadron (824 training squadron) was formed in June 2000. In the financial year 2000–01, the repair and maintenance, manpower, aviation fuel and support authority operating costs for the squadron is estimated at £12 million, by comparison with a budget of £15 million.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will undertake a review of the(a) manufacture of nuclear warheads at Aldermaston/Burghfield by AWE plc, (b) deployment of Trident 2 as the UK's nuclear deterrent, (c) use of Faslane as the Trident submarine base and (d) commitment to maintain a nuclear deterrent. [4293]

  Mr. Ingram
  Following a fundamental re-examination of the issues, the 1998 Strategic Defence Review concluded that a minimum nuclear deterrent would remain a necessary element of our security. It determined that our deterrence requirements would be met by one Trident 332W
  ballistic missile submarine on patrol at all times carrying 48 nuclear warheads, and a national stockpile of less than 200 operationally available warheads. I see no reason to conduct a further review.

  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his compliance with paragraph 105F of the International Court of Justice's Advisory Opinion on the Legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons. [4294]

  Mr. Hoon
  Paragraph 105F of the International Court of Justice's Advisory Opinion on the legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons, given in July 1996, states that:"There exists an obligation to pursue in good faith and bring to a conclusion negotiations leading to nuclear disarmament in all its aspects under strict and effective international control".
  The UK had already signed and ratified the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in 1968. Article VI of the NPT commits all Parties to the Treaty
  "to pursue negotiations in good faith on effective measures relating to cessation of the nuclear arms race at an early date and to nuclear disarmament, and on a treaty on general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control".

  At the 2000 NPT Review Conference the United Kingdom, together with other participating countries, gave an unequivocal undertaking to accomplish the total elimination of their nuclear arsenals leading to nuclear disarmament to which all states are committed under Article VI of the NPT. At the Review Conference the UK, together with other participating countries, also agreed to the establishment in the Conference of Disarmament of an appropriate body with a mandate to deal with nuclear disarmament.

  Discrimination (Compensation)
  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 9 July 2001,Official Report, column 362W, on discrimination, how many outstanding compensation claims there are for (a) men and (b) women discriminated against on the basis of their sexuality following the ruling of the ECHR. [5279]

  Mr. Ingram
  There are 54 outstanding compensation claims from service personnel claiming that they were discriminated against on the basis of their sexuality following the ruling of the ECHR. Of these 41 are for men and 13 are for women.

  Prisoners of War
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the British servicemen held as prisoners in Auschwitz during the second world war are known to be still alive; and what memorials exist to(a) them and (b) those who were interned in other such camps. [5076]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not hold complete information on how many British service men held as prisoners of war during the second world war are still alive.

  All of those who lost their lives during the world wars are commemorated through the nation's central memorial, the Cenotaph. The MOD holds no central record of memorials erected at individual sites overseas.

  Training and Assistance
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the(a) countries and (b) organisations which have received British military (i) training and (ii) assistance since 1997. [5342]

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

  HMS Cromer
  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to dispose of HMS Cromer. [3525]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 17 July 2001]On current plans, HMS Cromer is due to be withdrawn from service towards the end of 2001. Plans for her disposal are currently under review.

  National Missile Defence
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received on(a) Fylingdales and (b) Menwith Hill in relation to recent proposals to install a national missile defence system at Fort Greely, Alaska; and if he will make a statement. [4856]

  Mr. Hoon
  In testimony to the US Senate Armed Services Committee on 12 July, the director of the US Ballistic Missile Defence Organisation set out plans to expand their ballistic missile defence "test bed" to include up to five ground-based silos at Fort Greely, Alaska. He stated that:"if directed, this test bed could also provide a basis for a contingency defensive capability if the security environment warrants".
  However, facilities in the UK will not form part of this test bed; the US Administration have not decided what sort of missile defences it will ultimately seek to deploy; and the US Administration have made no request for the use of facilities in the UK for missile defence purposes.

  Six-nation Framework Agreement
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which existing collaborative projects will become co-operative armaments programmes under the Six-nation Framework Agreement. [5360]

  Dr. Moonie
  Existing collaborative projects are already subject to their own conditions and procedures. It is too early to say whether there would be benefits from seeking to apply Framework Agreement procedures to such programmes.

  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Government Departments will be involved in approving the permitted export lists under the Six-nation Framework Agreement. [5359]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Government Departments involved will be the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Ministry of Defence, Department of Trade and Industry and, as required, the Department for International Development, in line with their respective responsibilities.

  Nancekuke
  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, (1) pursuant to his answer of 11 July 2001,Official Report, column 581W, if he will place in the Library the incomplete record of materials which were deposited in the sea off the north Cornish coast when CDE Nancekuke was decommissioned; [5947]

  (2) how the results of testing and decontamination of materials disposed of into the sea at Nancekuke when the base was decommissioned (a) were recorded and (b) will be published. [5791]

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

  Defence Training Review
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made on the implementation of the Defence Training Review and related training estate matters; and if he will make a statement. [5990]

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the implications of the Defence Training Review for the future of RAF Halton. [4938]

  Mr. Ingram
  Work is in hand in the Ministry of Defence on the implementation of the Defence Training Review which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced to the House in March. A number of areas have been identified where rationalisation on a single site appears feasible, and scoping studies are taking place on these. These studies are examining, in the first instance, options for providing the training at MOD sites. These will serve as benchmarks, or Public Sector Comparators, against which a wider range of options can be considered. Wider options include potential partnerships with the private sector, and private sector providers are being encouraged to propose innovative solutions. These might involve establishing training establishments on completely new sites. The selection, therefore, of a benchmark site does not imply that the MOD has taken a decision to continue training on that site.

  The sites being examined for these benchmarks or Public Sector Comparators are RAF Cosford for aeronautical engineering training; the Defence School of Transport at Leconfield for logistic training; Defence Intelligence and Security Centre at Chicksands for security, intelligence, language and photography training; the Royal School of Signals at Blandford for communications and information systems training; RAF Halton for joint personnel administration and police training and HMS Sultan for electro-mechanical engineering training. There will be implications for other sites at which elements of this training are carried out, but because work is at an early stage these cannot be quantified.

  In parallel with the work on the Defence Training Review, the Royal Navy has been conducting a comprehensive review of the remainder of its training estate. It is now proposed to concentrate naval shore training over the next 10 years at the Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth, HMS Raleigh in the Plymouth area, and HMS Collingwood in Gosport. This will permit

  335W
  the delivery of more cost-effective training and improve operational capability. It will include the creation of an Integrated Maritime Warfare School at HMS Collingwood, which will deliver all maritime warfare training in a single site. As part of this programme, HMS Dryad in the Portsmouth area will become surplus to requirements and close by no later than 2011, although vigorous efforts will be made to advance this date to maximise the operational and financial benefits, and it is intended that substantial elements of the establishment will progressively transfer to HMS Collingwood over the next few years. Changes are also planned at HMS Excellent in Portsmouth, which has been announced as the future site for key elements of the Royal Navy's Fleet Headquarters.

  Detailed proposals for all the above measures will be subject to normal consultative procedures at the appropriate time.

  Trident
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the latest estimate is of the cost of the Trident acquisition programme; and if he will make a statement. [5987]

  Mr. Hoon
  The current estimate of the total acquisition cost of the Trident programme, with payments already made expressed at the prices and exchange rates actually incurred and future spend at the current financial year exchange rate (the hybrid estimate), is now £9,764 million. Leaving aside the effects of price inflation and exchange rate variation (+£7 million), there has been a real cost increase of £12 million. Expenditure on the Trident acquisition programme to 30 September 2000 represented some 98 per cent. of the total estimate. If all expenditure, past and projected, is brought up to this current year's economic conditions (the non-hybrid estimate) the estimate is £13,662 million.

  The programme continues to show an overall reduction in real terms on its original 1982 estimate. This reduction, including the savings resulting from the decision to process missiles at the United States facility at Kings Bay, Georgia, now stands at over £3.9 billion at current prices.

  The proportion of the estimate for work undertaken in the United Kingdom is around 70 per cent.

  Our four in-service Vanguard class submarines are successfully maintaining continuous at-sea deterrence. HMS Vengeance entered service earlier this year.

  Carrier Fighter
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress with the CVF (aircraft carrier) assessment phase contracts; and if he will make a statement. [5134]

  Mr. Hoon
  Negotiations continue with both candidate prime contractors on the basis of the work they have done so far and the proposals they have submitted for the next stage of CVF Assessment. It remains our intention to contract for the next stage of Assessment as soon as agreement can be reached with the prime contractors.

  Bowman
  Mr. David
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made on the Bowman project; and if he will make a statement. [5986]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Bowman project will provide the armed forces with a modern, highly capable tactical combat radio communications system to replace Clansman which has been in service since the mid-1970s. It will provide secure, reliable communications to our land forces and selected elements of the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. The system will also implement a tactical internet and provide automatic position location, navigation and reporting.

  Last summer, in the light of major problems with the programme, the competition for the Bowman combat radio was re-launched. Following careful analysis of the bids submitted by Thales, TRW and CDC, I have decided that CDC, a subsidiary of General Dynamics already operating in the UK, should be selected as the preferred supplier of this system.

  Our priority has been to deliver a successful solution that fills the capability gap at the earliest opportunity. CDC has offered a solution that fully meets the military requirement and represents the best value for money. I am confident that it will meet our demanding timetable for getting this vital equipment into service with the armed forces. It is based on the development of a proven system, and includes best of class radios and a very efficient approach to fielding and support. Its bid is the clear winner of the competition.

  The Ministry of Defence and CDC will now work together on the programme to bring Bowman into service. We aim to be in a position to let the contract in late summer this year, in support of an In-Service Date in early 2004. The contract is valued at around £1.8 billion. It will cover both the supply of the Bowman system and the first five years of support up to the year 2009.

  CDC's solution will provide employment opportunities in the UK in a broad range of system areas, including design, development, manufacture and project management. Ninety per cent of the work content of the CDC bid will be UK-based—the highest proportion of any of the three bids. Around 1,600 jobs will be secured across the UK, including 400 new high-technology and support posts at the company's headquarters, which CDC plan to establish in south Wales. The company has also earmarked south Wales for a new Army Communications Technology research and development centre, which will be staffed by around 65 leading scientists. Other regions will benefit too. We expect sub-contract work to secure over 100 jobs in Scotland, over 300 jobs in south-west England, and around 75 jobs in the south-east centred on Hastings. Major UK sub-contractors include Alvis and GKN-Westlands.

  This month will also see the first deliveries, ahead of schedule, of the Personal Role Radios, a new capability which was separated from the main Bowman requirement in 1999 in order to ensure early delivery to the front line. These radios will provide short range communications for dismounted infantry, and will transform their operations.
  337W
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment he has made of the impact on procurement policy, with particular reference to the willingness of each of the competitors to accept future UK defence prime contracts, if(a) CDC, (b) TRW and (c) Thales were awarded the Bowman contract; and if he will make a statement; [5135]

  (2) what consultations he has had with the Canadian Government to verify the performance of CDC in respect of the IRIS programme; and if he will make a statement. [5133]

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

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assurances he has received from TRW about its performance in respect of US digitisation programmes; and if he will make a statement; [5129]

  (2) what consultations he has had with the US Government to verify the performance of TRW in respect of digitisation programmes for the US armed forces; and if he will make a statement; [5132]

  (3) what estimate he was made of the impact on the value of UK exports of Bowman if (a) CDC, (b) TRW or (c) Thales were awarded the Bowman contract; and if he will make a statement; [5128]

  (4) what assurances he has received from CDC about its performance in respect of the Canadian IRIS programme; and if he will make a statement. [5131]

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

HOME DEPARTMENT

  European Refugee Fund
  Mr. Michael Jabez Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which organisations successfully bid for funding under the European refugee fund for voluntary repatriation measures in 2000–01. [6026]

  Angela Eagle
  The International Organisation for Migration, with Refugee Action as an implementing partner, successfully bid for funding of three separate projects under this measure. All three projects are co-funded by the Home Office. They are:

  Voluntary Assisted Return Programme 2000

  The project is open to any persons, subject to the European refugee fund criteria, who wish to return to their country of origin but do not have the means to do so. The programme aims, within a 12-month period, to organise a dignified and orderly return service to facilitate the return of 1,200 persons to their home destination. Information and assistance are made available, in the home country, to all returning persons. This project commenced in September 2000 and is therefore funded retrospectively.

  Somalia Project

  This project aims to facilitate the sustainable return and reintegration of 100 Somali nationals currently living in the United Kingdom who have applied for asylum and now wish to go back to Somalia. The project will be concentrating on the regions of Somalia—predominantly
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  Somaliland and Punt Land—where there is peace and conditions are conducive for the safe and orderly return and reintegration of Somali nationals.

  Voluntary Assisted Return Programme (VARP) 2001

  This project, which will begin in September 2001, aims to continue the work already established by the earlier project (VARP 2000). The target is a further 1,200 voluntary returns. The same criteria will apply and it is intended that any identified improvements following evaluation of the VARP 2000 project will be incorporated into the programme.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mrs. Fitzsimons
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the asylum support adjudicators will publish their annual report and accounts for 2000–01. [6027]

  Angela Eagle
  The asylum support adjudicators annual report and accounts for 2000–01 will be published on Wednesday 25 July. A cop) will be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Gummer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have arrived in(a) the county of Suffolk, excluding Felixstowe and (b) the Port of Felixstowe since 1 January. [4119]

  Angela Eagle
  Information on the number of asylum applications made in the county of Suffolk is unavailable. Asylum applications data are not available at regional level except by port of application. The requested information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost by examination of individual case records.

  The number of asylum applications made at the Port of Felixstowe in the period of 1 January 2001 to 30 June 2001 was 30 (excluding dependants). This information was taken from manual counts of asylum applications taken at port, which do not reconcile with the provisional monthly asylum statistics published on http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigrationl.html.

  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is on the shackling of asylum detainees attending hospitals for medical treatment. [5382]

  Angela Eagle
  Immigration detainees may be handcuffed, if this is assessed in a particular case to be necessary for reasons of security and control, while being escorted from their place of detention to another location. This could include attendance at a medical appointment. Handcuffs would in all cases be used for the minimum period necessary for the purposes of security and control and, in the context of medical appointments, would not be applied during any medical examination.

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the backlog of asylum appeals was on(a) 30 May and (b) 30 May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [2940]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 9 July 2001]Provisional data indicate that on 30 May 2001 there were approximately 52,000 asylum appeals lodged with the Immigration and Nationality Directorate which has not reached the end of the appeals process.
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  Data from the manual records kept in 1997 indicate that on 30 May 1997 the comparable figure was approximately 26,000.

  Between 1997 and 2001 there was a 244 per cent. increase in decision making, from 38,895 initial decisions in 1996–97 to 133,695 in 2000–01. Over the same period the number of appeals within the process increased by 100 per cent.

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what date he expects(a) to have completed his assessment of the fieldwork on the asylum vouchers review and (b) to make an announcement of his conclusions from the review; and if he will make a statement. [5115]

  Angela Eagle
  The review of the operation of the asylum voucher scheme remains on-going. We have not set a specific date for completion of our consideration of the evidence from the review, but we will not be making any announcements before the summer.

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he is taking to ensure that asylum seekers who have been victims of torture are not detained in prisons; and if he will make a statement. [5116]

  Angela Eagle
  The detention under Immigration Act powers of any individual, whether an asylum seeker or not, has to be justified on the basis of the particular circumstances of the individual concerned and there is a general presumption in favour of granting temporary admission or temporary release. In any case where detention is considered necessary a range of factors must be taken into account before the detention is authorised.

  One of these factors is whether the individual concerned has a history of torture. Evidence of such a history would weigh heavily against detention and, in any case where there is independent evidence of torture, the person concerned would not normally be considered suitable for detention.

  Where information on a possible history of torture comes to light after a person has been detained this information would be taken into account in deciding whether detention of that person should continue.

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when he intends to implement Part III of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 relating to routine hearings to review the detention of asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement; [5119]

  (2) what the timetable is for bringing into force Part III of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 relating to routine hearings to review the detention of asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement. [5206]

  Angela Eagle
  The Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 does not specify a date by which part III is required to be implemented. While it was not proposed to implement part III before October 2001, the actual implementation date is currently under review and a final decision has yet to be taken.

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to increase the regional structure of the National Asylum Support Service; and if he will make a statement. [5207]
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  Angela Eagle
  The structure of National Asylum Support Service (NASS) is kept under review. Any decision to increase the number of NASS staff in the regions much take into account the broader requirements of Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) as a whole.

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if guidance notes accompanying statement of evidence forms are distributed to asylum seekers in their own language; how many translated guidance notes have been published, and in what languages; and if he will make a statement. [5205]

  Angela Eagle
  The guidance notes that accompany the statement of evidence form (SEF) have been translated into 33 main languages spoken by asylum applicants. Other languages may be added if a need is identified. When a SEF is issued to an asylum applicant, it is accompanied by a copy of the explanatory notes in English and a language which the applicant can understand.

  The explanatory notes have been translated into the following languages:

  Amharic

  Arabic

  Albanian

  Bengali

  Chinese

  Croat

  Czech

  Dari

  Farsi

  French

  Gujerati

  Hindi

  Kurmanji

  Lithuanian

  Lingala

  Ndebele

  Nepali

  Pashtu

  Polish

  Portuguese

  Punjabi

  Romanian

  Russian

  Serbian

  Shona

  Sorani

  Spanish

  Somali

  Swahili

  Tamil

  Turkish

  Ukrainian

  Urdu.

  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers are located in Southend; and how many have been sent to Southend from other areas. [2309]
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  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 5 July 2001]: The information requested is not available.

  Southend is not currently a cluster area used by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) and so asylum seekers are not dispersed there by NASS. Information on the location of asylum seekers receiving voucher-only support from NASS is collated only by region, not by town.

  Statistics for asylum seekers dispersed by local authorities are not held centrally.

  Animal Procedures
  Mr. Pope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the Animal Procedures Committee annual report for 2000. [6028]

  Angela Eagle
  I have today published the committee's annual report for 2000, and laid it before Parliament pursuant to section 20(5) of the Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. I am pleased to note that the committee has continued to make progress on its extensive programme of work.

  Ms Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the figures relating to scientific procedures performed on living animals in Great Britain in 2000, licensed under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. [6030]

  Angela Eagle
  The information requested will be published in full as a Command Paper on 26 July 2001.

  The Command Paper will contain a great deal of detailed statistical data. I can meanwhile report the following key facts:
  the number of procedures started in 2000 was just over 2.71 million, an increase of 58,000 (2.2 per cent.) on 1999;
  66 per cent. were for fundamental biological research and applied human and veterinary medicine, and 17 per cent. for toxicological/safety testing (mostly for pharmaceutical evaluation purposes);
  82 per cent. of the procedures involved use of rats, mice and other rodents, and fish and birds were used in 14 per cent. of the remainder;
  dogs, cats, horses and non-human primates, accorded special protection under the 1986 Act, were collectively used in less than 1 per cent. of the procedures;
  the number of procedures involving the use of genetically modified animals, mostly mice, rose by 70,000 (14 per cent.) to 582,000 in 2000;
  the total number of animals used for the first time in 2000 was 2.64 million, an increase of almost 74,000 (2.9 per cent.) on 1999.

  Voluntary and Community Organisations
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish a report on central Government funding of voluntary and community organisations. [6029]

  Angela Eagle
  I am today announcing the publication of the latest research into central Government funding of voluntary and community organisations. It reveals that total Government funding for the year 1999–2000 was £2.2 billion—a rise in real terms of 5.4 per cent. over the last two years. A copy of the report "Central Government Funding of Voluntary and Community Organisations 1982–83 to 1999–2000" has been placed in the Library.
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  The amount spent by each Department in 1998–99 and 1999–2000 was as follows:

  £

  Departments

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  346,400

  368,265

  Cabinet Office

  2,473,761

  2,473,761

  Crown Prosecution Service

  5,000

  0

  Department for Culture, Media and Sport

  219,286,178

  247,449,533

  Ministry of Defence

  15,638,725

  15,099,220

  Department for Education and Employment

  96,055,271

  167,393,594

  Department of the Environment, Transport and Regions

  950,353,834

  1,042,711,540

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  7,707,459

  9,645,839

  Department of Health

  59,992,313

  60,273,422

  Home Office

  73,210,511

  79,790,487

  Inland Revenue

  0

  30,000

  Department for International Development

  181,577,000

  195,269,000

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  22,497,467

  3,285,565

  Department of Social Security

  14,535,775

  13,508,767

  Department of Trade and Industry

  17,328,000

  16,106,000

  Northern Ireland Executive

  1—

  1—

  Scottish Executive

  282,129,574

  289,888,456

  National Assembly for Wales

  110,107,441

  95,104,573

  1Not available

  Prisons
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will confirm the final 2001–02 key performance indicator targets for average cost per uncrowded prison place and average cost per prisoner. [6031]

  Beverley Hughes
  The final targets for 2001–02 are:To ensure that the average cost per uncrowded prison place does not exceed £36,323
  To ensure that the average cost per prisoner does not exceed £37,509.

  Dr. Naysmith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the performance of Her Majesty's prison services in 2000–01. [6032]

  Beverley Hughes
  The annual report and accounts for the Prison Service for 2000–01 has been laid before the House today. A copy will he placed in the Library.

  Criminal Records Bureau
  Dr. Desmond Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Criminal Records Bureau will publish its annual report and accounts for 2000–01. [6033]

  Mr. Denham
  The Criminal Records Bureau annual report and accounts have been published today and I am pleased to say that copies have been placed in the Library.

  Immigration Appeals Authority
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further right of appeal on human rights grounds is available to those who had appeals pending before the Immigration Appeals Authority, or where an in time appeal could have been made, on 2 October 2000. [6034]

  Mr. Blunkett
  In another place, on 20 March 2001,Official Report, House of Lords, columns 153–54W my noble Friend, Lord Bassam, in reply to a question from Lord Lester of Herne Hill, clarified the position of asylum seekers who wished to make a human rights claim under

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  section 65 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. He confirmed that people appealing against immigration decisions made before 2 October 2000 cannot benefit from this appeal right which is not retrospective. But they could make a separate human rights claim and would have the opportunity to appeal except in those instances where the human rights issue had already been considered by the appellate authority or the courts, or there had been findings of fact at an earlier appeal which mean the human rights claim is bound to fail.

  However, it has been decided that the exception should not apply to people who had an appeal pending or could have lodged appeals in time to the immigration appeals authority on 2 October 2000. If they make a human rights claim and it is rejected they will be able to make an allegation and we will then give them an opportunity to appeal to the immigration appeals authority.

  Oakington Detention Centre
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum applicants have had their claims processed at Oakington detention centre since 20 March 2000; what was the outcome of each claim; how many of those refused asylum subsequently appealed; what were the outcomes of the appeals; how many appellants failed to attend the appeal hearing; how many were held in other detention centres pending determination on an appeal; and how many were removed from the United Kingdom. [3307]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 10 July 2001]The following information is based on provisional Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) data. Up to 30 June 2001, there have so far been 6,182 principal applicants who have had their asylum claim decided at Oakington.

  The outcome of those decisions was as follows:

  Outcome

  Number

  Granted

  33

  Refused but granted exceptional leave to enter or remain

  13

  Asylum refused

  6,136

  Total decided

  6,182

  There have so far been 5,425 appeals lodged. Only appellants who are detained or whose claim was certified as manifestly unfounded on their merits are subject to fast-track appeal arrangements. Of those sent to the IAA, and so far determined, the outcome was as follows:

  Outcome of appeals

  Number

  Allowed

  121

  Conceded

  6

  Withdrawn or abandoned

  489

  Dismissed

  2,389

  Total

  3,005

  Information on the number of appellants who failed to attend the appeal hearing is not recorded centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. 884 appellants have been detained pending the determination
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  of their appeal. 1,233 principal applicants who had their claim decided at Oakington, plus 275 dependants, have so far been removed from the United Kingdom.

  James Ashley
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish(a) the Wilding report and (b) the Hoddinot report into the death of James Ashley. [3622]

  Mr. Denham
  Those reports are the property of Sussex Police Authority and the Chief Constable. I met my hon. Friend and members of the Ashley family on 4 July. At the meeting I said that we would use our best endeavours to encourage the Police Authority to publish as much as possible, bearing in mind that the report contains confidential information that will need to be subject to considered legal advice, and the need to ensure there is no adverse impact on other proceedings.

  Green Ministers
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. [4814]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 18 July 2001]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.

  Sexual Offences Review
  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to implement the recommendations of the Sexual Offender Review Group; and if he will make a statement. [4888]

  Beverley Hughes
  I have arranged that the report of the review of Part One of the Sex Offenders Act 1997 will be published for consultation during the week beginning 30 July. I will place a copy of the report in the Library.

  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when he plans to publish the Government's response to the Sexual Offences Review; [5381]

  (2) if he will publish a list of those who have responded to the consultation on the Sexual Offences Review; and how many responses he has received to the consultation. [5378]

  Beverley Hughes
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Surrey Heath (Mr. Hawkins) on 27 June 2001,Official Report, column 99W. We received responses from a wide range of organisations and individuals. A detailed breakdown is not possible without incurring disproportionate cost, as some of those who responded did not want their identity disclosed.

  As soon as we have considered all the responses in detail in relation to the 62 recommendations contained in Volume 1 of "Setting the Boundaries" we will be making an announcement of our conclusions.

  Ministerial Duties
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. [4900]

  Mr. Blunkett
  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.

  National Black Police Association/Superintendent Dizaei
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if surveillance of Dr. Dizaei included telephone conversations on private and public telecommunication systems in connection with his position as adviser to the National Black Police Association; [1921]

  (2) how many of the phone intercepts of Dr. Dizaei carried out between September 1999 and October 2000 were of private conversations unrelated to Dr. Dizaei's work as a police officer; [1922]

  (3) if phone interceptions were carried out and transcribed while (a) Dr. Dizaei was giving advice to black officers taking proceedings against the Metropolitan police service and (b) Dr. Dizaei was discussing such cases with the lawyers involved. [1923]

  Mr. Denham
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that the practice in relation to calls made by Superintendent Dizaei (prior to 2 October 2000, when Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 came into force) was that all calls on the Metropolitan police service telephone network were recorded. Those which related to his role as National Black Police Association Legal Adviser were not transcribed and not passed to the team that is investigating his conduct.

  Of the calls recorded during the period between September 1999 and October 2000, the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that 899 calls appear to he unrelated to Superintendent Dizaei's duties as a police officer.

  In relation to interception of communications, which comes under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, and its predecessor, the Interception of Communications Act 1985, it has been the policy of successive Governments to neither confirm nor deny whether interception has taken place in any specific case.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what basis(a) the accounts of the National Black Police Association were disclosed to the Metropolitan Police and (b) his Department agreed with the Metropolitan Police Service not to allow the National Black Police Association to examine its own accounts. [1924]

  Mr. Denham
  For the purposes of its investigation into Superintendent Ali Dizaei, the Metropolitan Police asked to examine Home Office documents recording payments of public funds to the National Black Police Association. The Metropolitan Police asked Home Office officials not 346W
  to disclose the documents to the National Black Police Association. Having examined the documents more fully, however, the Metropolitan Police withdrew its request. The National Black Police Association has since had access to the documents.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action has followed the formal complaint made by the National Black Police Association against the Deputy Commissioner Ian Blair, DAC Hayman and Superintendent Norman on 13 May over their conduct in investigating Dr. Dizaei. [1926]

  Mr. Denham
  The chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) informs me that the Authority is dealing with the allegations against Mr. Blair and Mr. Hayman in accordance with Regulation 7 of the Police (Conduct) (Senior Officers) Regulations 1999. A specialist adviser, who has sought clarification of the misconduct alleged by the National Black Police Association (NBPA), is tasked to report back to a sub-committee of the MPA on all three officers, as soon as possible, following the completion of his inquiries. The sub-committee will then consider what action should be taken under the Regulations.

  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis is the appropriate disciplinary authority for the allegation against Superintendent Norman. The Commissioner informs me that he will also await the specialist adviser's report before considering what action should be taken under the Police (Conduct) Regulations 1999.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on who is accountable for the Metropolitan Police service investigations into Dr Ali Dizaei and Chief Inspector Leroy Logan MBE. [4351]

  Mr. Denham
  Under the Police Act 1996, the Metropolitan Police are under the direction and control of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, which includes the handling of disciplinary investigations.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost of the investigation into Dr. Dizaei has been to date including(a) salaries of police officers and support staff, (b) cost of other individuals involved, (c) use of technical equipment, (d) cost of facilities and administration and (e) expenses including overtime and travelling. [1925]

  Mr. Denham
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that to quantify these costs could be done only at disproportionate cost. It should be noted, however, that the majority of these costs are 'opportunity costs' (that is work carried out in the normal course of an officer's duties), and not additionally incurred. The Commissioner also informs me that the annual budgetary allocation to the Internal Investigations Command of the MPS is £16,646,564.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers are working on the investigation of Dr. Dizaei. [1927]

  Mr. Denham
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that the number of officers engaged in this investigation has varied between eight and 29 at any one time.
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  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of Slate for the Home Department how many statements relating to the investigation of Dr. Dizaei have been taken to date and what proportion of those statements, excluding those from police staff, were taken from the visible ethnic minorities. [1928]

  Mr. Denham
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me 803 statements have been taken from 305 different individuals. 33 per cent. of people providing statements are not connected with the Police Service. 53 per cent. of those people are from visible ethnic minorities.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many superintendents within the Metropolitan Police in the last five years have received surveillance at the level of that carried out in the investigation of Superintendent Dizaei. [1929]

  Mr. Denham
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that since the inauguration of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Anti-corruption Squad in January 1998, other officers of Superintending rank have been subject to similar surveillance to that carried out in the investigation of Superintendent Dizaei. It is the policy of the MPS Directorate of Professional Standards not to discuss specific numbers of investigations.

  Young Offenders
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what average length of time is spent by young people held in custody on remand before their case comes before court and is finalised. [2846]

  Beverley Hughes
  The average time juveniles spend on remand in custody is 65 days for those held in Prison Service accommodation and an estimated 114 days for those held in local authority secure units.

  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many juvenile offenders are currently held in(a) young offender institutions and (b) elsewhere within the Prison Estate; and if he will make a statement. [2110]

  Beverley Hughes
  Provisional information shows that on 31 May 2001 there were 2,365 juveniles held in young offender institutions in England and Wales. There were a further 13 juveniles held elsewhere within the prison estate.

  Asylum and Immigration
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applicants who have held ELR status and who have applied for ILR have been refused in each of the last three years. [4746]

  Angela Eagle
  The available information is given in the table.
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  Table 1: Refusals of an application for indefinite leave to remain1 in the United Kingdom to persons previously granted exceptional leave to remain, 1998–2000

  Year

  Total refusals

  1998

  40

  1999

  10

  2000

  30

  1Excludes dependants of principal applicants and the outcome of appeals. Data rounded to the nearest 10.

  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what orders have been laid under section 84(4)(d) of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. [4990]

  Angela Eagle
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to him on 2 July 2001,Official Report, column 60W.

  SI 2001 No. 1403 exempts from the regulatory scheme administered by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner certain educational institutions and public health bodies. SI 2001 No. 1393 provides temporary exemption from the scheme (until 31 January 2002) to voluntary bodies which, by 30 April 2001, formally committed themselves to apply for the Community Legal Services Quality Mark; and to employers who give immigration advice to work permit holders.

  Family Visitor Visa
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment his Department has made of the effect of fees on the number of family visitor visa appeals. [4747]

  Angela Eagle
  An inter-departmental review of the operation of the family visitor appeal scheme is being conducted. One of the review team's tasks is to assess the impact of the fees, and independent research is being commissioned to investigate this. The team's report will be available early next year.

  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many family visitor visa appeals have been funded by the Legal Services Commission in the last 12 months. [4593]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Legal Services Commission is unable to produce this information. Responsibility for recording the number of cases funded by the Legal Services Commission is devolved to suppliers under contracts. They are only required to record and report the total number of asylum cases and the total number of immigration cases. Family visitor appeals are included within the number of immigration cases and cannot be identified separately.

  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his Department will introduce a separate application form for family visitor visa applications which draws attention to the fact that any refusal will be subject to a right of appeal. [4748]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  I have been asked to reply.

  We have no plans at present to introduce a separate application form for family visitor visa applications. However, a revised version of the existing visa application form is being prepared which includes an expanded section for visitors. This will allow applicants to

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  indicate their intention to visit a family member. The accompanying information leaflet outlines the appeal right for this category of visitor.

  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent estimate he has made of the numbers of successful family visitor visa appeals(a) at oral hearings and (b) via paper only. [4750]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  I have been asked to reply.

  From October 2000 to June 2001, inclusive adjudicators at the Immigration Appellate Authorities decided:

  (a) 406 oral appeals, 279 of which were successful; and

  (b) 910 paper appeals, 323 of which were successful; with another 37 being successful on a further appeal to the Immigration Appeal Tribunal.

  Drugs
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of people aged 16 to 24 years reported that they had used illegal drugs during the(a) past year and (b) past month in (i) 1999, (ii) 2000 and (iii) 2001. [5226]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The British Crime Survey (BCS) provides data on the levels of self-reported drug use among a representative sample of the general population in England and Wales. The information requested is not available for the years requested.

  The table provides the relevant data for 1996 and 1998. Data were not collected in 1999 since the BCS has been conducted every two years. From 2000 onwards, however, the BCS will be done every year. Data for 2000 will be published in autumn 2001. Data collection for 2001 is not yet complete.

  Percentages of respondents aged 16 to 24 years reporting use of illegal drugs in the last year and last month, in England and Wales

  1996

  1998

  Last year

  29

  29

  Last month

  18

  19

  Sources

  BCS 1996 (weighted data)

  Drug Misuse Declared in 1998: results from the British Crime Survey, Home Office Research Study 197 (http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs/hors197.pfd)

  PFI/PPP
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. [4596]

  Mr. Blunkett
  The Public Finance Initiative (PFI) and Public Private Partnership (PPP) contracts agreed in the last five years, based on available information, are as follows:
  350W

  Number

  (a) Number of PFI contracts agreed in last five years

  21

  (b) Number of PPP contracts1 agreed in last five years

  1

  (c) Number satisfactorily completed

  20

  (i) Number where compensation paid for performance failure

  11

  (ii) Number where compensation claimed for performance failure

  12

  1Excludes PFI contracts shown above

  2All contracts are still running

  The level of compensation on one claim is still being negotiated.

  Charity Commission
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the policy of the Charity Commission in respect of an application to establish a new charity which replicates the scope and remit of an existing charity. [4927]

  Angela Eagle
  The Charity Commission is required by section 3(2) of the Charities Act 1993 to register any organisation which is established exclusively for charitable purposes and is not exempt or excepted from registration.

  Channel Tunnel (Security)
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many illegal immigrants have been apprehended at the Channel Tunnel terminal at Cheriton this year; and how many of them have applied for asylum. [5280]

  Angela Eagle
  Provisional figures indicate that, from 1 January 2001 to midnight on 14 July, 3,538 clandestine entrants have been detected at the Cheriton Terminal. The overwhelming majority claimed asylum in the United Kingdom. Action is in hand to implement Civil Penalties in respect of the Eurotunnel shuttles following a period of consultation. A consultation document including a draft code of practice, regulations and a Regulatory Impact Assessment was handed to Eurotunnel on 18 July. A copy of the document will be on the Home Office website at www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk from 20 July.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in completing the security arrangements at the Coquelles terminal of the Channel Tunnel. [5291]

  Angela Eagle
  The work on the inner security cordon around the platforms and freight allocation areas on the Coquelles site is not yet complete. The main fencing is in place but work remains to he done to complete protection on the over-bridges leading to the platforms and to secure some access points for road and rail. Eurotunnel also propose an extension to the inner cordon to protect the rail entrance route to the platforms.

  Action is in hand to implement civil penalties in respect of the Eurotunnel shuttles following a period of consultation. Officials met Eurotunnel on 18 July and outlined a number of improvements that needed urgent action.

  Criminal Justice and Court Services Act
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which provisions of the Criminal
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  Justice and Court Services Act 2000 are yet to come into force; what the planned timetable is for their introduction; what orders remain to be brought forward relating to the Act; and if he will make a statement. [5107]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Provisions of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 which have not yet been commenced are: sections 46 and 51, which are concerned with exclusion orders and requirements; section 53 which is concerned with breach of community orders; section 59 which is concerned with remand centres; section 61 which is concerned with the sentencing of offenders aged 18–21, and section 71 which is concerned with information held by the Police Information Technology Organisation for the purposes of part III of the Road Traffic Act 1988. It is hoped to bring section 71 into effect shortly. The exclusion provisions are to be piloted and the other sections will be commenced when possible.

  In respect of the powers to make orders under the Act I shall write to the hon. Member.

  Criminal Court Orders
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to change the names of criminal court orders. [5209]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 changed the names of Community Service Orders, Probation Orders and Combination Orders to Community Punishment Orders, Community Rehabilitation Orders and Community Punishment and Rehabilitation Orders. These changes have already taken effect.

  The Halliday Report on the Sentencing Framework includes proposals to create new sentences which, in due course, may have implications for the names of existing orders. These proposals are currently the subject of a consultation exercise.

  The Government have no other plans to change the names of orders imposed by the criminal courts.

  Fine Defaulters
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people(a) were imprisoned and (b) received a non-custodial sentence for fine default in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; how many fine defaults followed non-payment of a television licence fee; what was the average length of prison sentence in each year for fine default; and if he will make a statement. [5114]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Prison receptions data from the Prison statistics database do not include non-custodial sentences for defendants who have defaulted on payment of fines. Details of prison receptions for fine default and average days served are shown in Table A for males and females. Prison receptions for fine default following non-payment of a television licence fee are shown in Table B.
  352W

  Table A: Receptions of fine defaulters by year, and average time served by days and sex for prisons in England and Wales

  Average time served/days1

  Year

  Number of receptions

  Males

  Females

  1991

  18,973

  8.1

  6.8

  1992

  19,826

  7.0

  6.8

  1993

  22,403

  7.5

  6.0

  1994

  22,469

  7.3

  5.0

  1995

  20,157

  7.0

  5.0

  1996

  8,555

  7.0

  5.0

  1997

  6,336

  7.0

  5.0

  1998

  5,374

  7.0

  5.0

  1999

  3,727

  7.0

  5.0

  20002

  2,476

  7.0

  5.0

  1 Excluding those remaining in custody for fine default on completion of a custodial sentence

  2 Provisional data

  Table B: Fine Defaulters that have used a TV without a licence in prisons in England and Wales, by year

  Year

  Number of fine defaulters received1

  1991

  394

  1992

  568

  1993

  825

  1994

  730

  1995

  728

  1996

  327

  1997

  232

  1998

  145

  1999

  80

  20002

  33

  1 Includes those aged 17 up to 1992

  2 Provisional data

  A Home Office Occasional Paper, "New Measures for Fine Defaulters, Persistent Petty Offenders and Others: The Report of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 Pilots", by Robin Elliott and Jennifer Airs was published in 2000. The report looks in detail at fine default in Norwich and Manchester, including imprisonment, non-custodial sentences and type of offence.

  A copy is in the Library or can be accessed on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics website at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs/occ-fine.pdf.

  Reoffending
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average recorded reoffending rate was following(a) a community rehabilitation order with conditions, (b) a community rehabilitation order without conditions, (c) a community rehabilitation order with a condition of attendance at an accredited programme, (d) a community punishment order and (e) a community punishment and rehabilitation order on the most recent date for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [5208]

  Beverley Hughes
  Reoffending data for community penalty commencements are not collected. However data on reconviction following the commencement of various community penalties are collected. The latest available data are for commencements in the first quarter of 1997, and are shown in the table. It is not possible to identify
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  separately offenders with a condition of attendance at an accredited programme from those offenders with any conditions specified.

  Percentage of offenders reconvicted for a standard list offence within two years of commencing a community penalty in the first quarter of 1997

  Order type

  Percentage

  Community Rehabilitation Order with conditions

  58

  Community Rehabilitation Order without conditions

  68

  Community Punishment Order

  48

  Combination Punishment and Rehabilitation Order

  59

  Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which provisions of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 are yet to come into force; what the planned timetable is for their introduction; what orders remain to be brought forward relating to the Act; and if he will make a statement. [5111]

  Mr. Blunkett
  Part I Chapter II (acquisition and disclosure of communications data) and Part III (investigation of electronic data protected by encryption etc.) of the Act have yet to be implemented. We plan to bring these provisions into force by the end of this year. Orders under section 12 (maintenance of interception capability) and section 13 (Technical Advisory Board) of the Act will be laid before Parliament following the current period of public consultation on the section 12 order.

  Terrorism Act
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which provisions of the Terrorism Act 2000 are yet to come into force; what the planned timetable is for their introduction; what orders remain to be brought forward relating to the Act; and if he will make a statement. [5112]

  Mr. Blunkett
  The only provision in the Terrorism Act 2000 not brought into force on or before 19 February 2001 by any of the three commencement orders signed by my predecessor is section 100 in Part VII of the Act. This concerns the making of a code of practice for silent video recordings in Northern Ireland of those detained under the Act. Section 100 has not been brought into force because an order under paragraph 3 of schedule 8 to the Act has been made introducing video recording with sound in Northern Ireland with effect from 19 February. No order has been made prescribing the kind of information to be provided by passenger carriers about passengers, crew and vehicles travelling in the common travel area (paragraph 17 (4) of Schedule 7). Discussions continue about how the power to collect information is to be used and the kind of information to be collected. No order will be laid before the House without prior formal consultation with carriers.

  Probation Service
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his estimate is of the additional Probation Service staff that need to be recruited in order 354W
  to deliver the accredited programme strategy and the recommendations contained in "Making Punishments Work"; and if he will make a statement. [5214]

  Beverley Hughes
  We estimate that approximately 4,500 additional probation staff will be needed by 2003–04 in order to deliver accredited programmes under the What Works initiative. We have yet to take decisions on the implementation of "Making Punishments Work", but preliminary estimates are that some 4,800 extra probation staff would be required if it were implemented in full.

  Passports
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the backlog of unprocessed passport applications was at the end of each month since 1 January. [4940]

  Angela Eagle
  The backlog of unprocessed passport applications for each month was as follows:

  Month

  Backlog

  January

  154,048

  February

  184,704

  March

  150,503

  April

  179,729

  May

  237,719

  June

  175,148

  The increased backlog at the end of May is largely the result of normal seasonal demand, which peaks during May. Despite this backlog the average turnround time for straightforward, properly completed applications remained low at just over five days.

  May 2001 intake was 701,144, an increase of 7.5 per cent. over 2000. Much of this increase can be traced to the end of the postal dispute which artificially inflated May intake when compared to previous years.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who is providing the Passport Service's out-sourced call service mentioned in paragraph 2.11 of the Services Corporate and Business Plan 2001–2006. [4945]

  Angela Eagle
  Call centre services for United Kingdom Passport Service have been provided by MM Group since January 2000.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what legislative changes he is planning to allow the Passport Service greater access to other databases. [4961]

  Angela Eagle
  No legislation is currently planned for the Passport Service.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the incidence of internal fraud within the Passport Service. [4950]

  Angela Eagle
  Detection and prevention of fraud remains a top priority for the United Kingdom Passport Service (UKPS). Any suspected internal fraud or attempted fraud is investigated promptly and thoroughly and is followed up by legal and/or disciplinary action where appropriate. This is carried out with the full
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  co-operation of the police. Such cases are rare. A log of suspected and actual cases is maintained and is subject to regular review by the Agencies Management.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the original budgeted estimate was for the cost of moving the headquarters and London Regional Office of the UK Passport Agency; what the current estimated outturn is; and if he will make a statement. [4963]

  Angela Eagle
  The original budgeted estimate was £11.5 million. The current estimated outturn is £14.0 million.

  It should be noted that the functionality of the operation has been raised significantly to enable the introduction of a Tiered Application Service. The number of customer counters has been increased and an enhanced appointment and queue management system added. The level of security has also been improved for the added security of both customers and staff.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what work he has commissioned into(a) the incidence of passport fraud and (b) possible new measures to combat such fraud. [4944]

  Angela Eagle
  A specialist Fraud and Enforcement Unit has been set up within the Passport Service.

  Improved analysis of levels of passport fraud is being implemented and access to private and public sector databases is being considered to address particular fraud issues.

  The United Kingdom Passport Service will continue to play a full and active role in inter-departmental efforts to combat fraudulent activities across Government.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he plans to take to recover the deficit which the Passport Service is set to incur in the financial year 2001–02. [4953]

  Angela Eagle
  The objective of the Passport Service, when setting fees, is to break even after contribution to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for non-fee bearing consular services. Fee levels should be set to ensure that the Passport Service breaks even in any given year. Where this is not possible it is necessary for the Passport Service to enter into discussions with Her Majesty's Treasury to agree that recovery will take place over a longer period.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his estimate is of the percentage increase in the revenue of the Passport Service between 2001–02 and 2002–03; what proportion of that forecast increase is attributable to an assumed increase in fees; and if he will make a statement. [4955]

  Angela Eagle
  The forecast for income from the Passport Service is £135.4 million in 2001–02 and £156.8 million in 2002–03, an increase of just under 16 per cent. It is important to note that this increase does not simply reflect a potential general fee increase but also an increase in revenue as a result of the planned introduction of Tiered Application Services, for which applicants would choose to pay a fee premium to guarantee faster delivery times. It is intended to introduce these services during the final quarter of 2001–02 and this has been assumed in forecast revenue assumptions.
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  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many passports were scrapped prior to issue in(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000 and (d) 2000–01. [4951]

  Angela Eagle
  The number of passports scrapped before issue in each year was as follows:

  Year

  Number of passports scrapped prior to issue

  1997–98

  140,323

  1998–99

  138,037

  1999–2000

  121,481

  2000–01

  107,296

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken to recover the costs of the emergency measures introduced by the Passport Service in 1999. [4954]

  Angela Eagle
  In 2001–02 the United Kingdom Passport Service Accounts show a surplus of £4.9 million, which will recover some past deficits. The costs of the 1999 emergency measures are to be recovered through an efficiency programme.

  The programme of efficiency measures will commence following the cutover of all offices to the new passport issuing service, (PASS). As a result of delays to the completion of PASS rollout to minimise risk, this programme has not yet started. It is planned to complete the rollout later this year and to introduce an efficiency programme in 2002–03.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for(a) new passports and (b) renewals there have been in each month since 1 January. [4939]

  Angela Eagle
  The split of passport applications received by the Passport Service for each month is as follows:

  Month/Service type

  Number

  January

  New Adult Applications

  92,774

  Adult Renewals

  265,534

  Child Applications

  108,618

  Amendments/extensions to existing passports

  37,279

  February

  New Adult Applications

  111,273

  Adult Renewals

  273,271

  Child Applications

  139,140

  Amendments/extensions to existing passports

  38,129

  March

  New Adult Applications

  107,218

  Adult Renewals

  237,221

  Child Applications

  146,320

  Amendments/extensions to existing passports

  39,641

  April

  New Adult Applications

  109,229

  Adult Renewals

  193,114

  Child Applications

  184,417

  Amendments/extensions to existing passports

  41,595

  May

  New Adult Applications

  152,724

  Adult Renewals

  289,492

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  Month/Service type

  Number

  Child Applications

  194,421

  Amendments/extensions to existing passports

  55,958

  June

  New Adult Applications

  137,328

  Adult Renewals

  252,116

  Child Applications

  164,503

  Amendments/extensions to existing passports

  51,873

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average processing time was for(a) a new passport application and (b) a renewal in each month of 2001 to date. [4946]

  Angela Eagle
  It is not possible separately to identify the average processing times of new passport applications and renewals. The average processing times provided relate to all straightforward, properly completed applications issued by the Passport Service during the month.

  Month

  Average processing time (days)

  January

  3.31

  February

  4.46

  March

  4.67

  April

  4.66

  May

  5.12

  June

  5.61

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department to which(a) private sector and (b) public sector databases the Passport Service is seeking access. [4962]

  Angela Eagle
  The United Kingdom Passport Service is:

  (a) considering a trial starting this Autumn that will involve the use of a financial sector database; and

  (b) considering the scope for data matching procedures with the National Insurance Contributions Office and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to letters from the hon. Member for Woking dated 30 April and 4 and 6 July, ref. V1006539, re Mrs. Verney, formerly Egorova. [4918]

  Angela Eagle
  I wrote to the hon. Member on 19 July. I am sorry for the delay in replying.

  Social Action Initiatives
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to ensure that Christian and church-based social action initiatives are treated equitably in the allocation of Government funding. [5098]

  Angela Eagle
  I can assure the hon. Member that all applications for Government funding are treated in a fair and objective manner. The Government fully recognise the important role that all faith groups can make to addressing social needs. Codes of Good Practice under the Compact between Government and the Voluntary and Community Sector stress the potential of faith 358W
  organisations to contribute to social inclusion and that this is distinct from the promotion of religion. The consultation document recently issued by my Department in partnership with the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions puts forward proposals aimed at achieving a more integrated and accessible approach to Government funding of all community groups. More generally, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister also recently announced a review of the ways the Government interface with faith communities.

  Prisons (Rehabilitation)
  Dr. Palmer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to improve the record of prisons as institutions of effective rehabilitation. [633]

  Beverley Hughes
  [pursuant to the reply, 2 July 2001, c. 53W]This said the Prison Service would be investing an additional £30 million in 2002–03 from the Spending Review 2000. This should have read £50 million.

TRANSPORT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE REGIONS

  Autogas
  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what guidance the Government have issued on the safety of converting vehicles to use autogas. [4523]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The guidance on the safety of converting vehicles to use autogas is contained within UK legislation. The Motor Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 1998 (Statutory Instrument 1998 No. 2884) provides the technical standards for the use of compressed natural gas and Regulation 94 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (Statutory Instrument 1986 No. 1078) provides the technical standards for the use of liquefied petroleum gas.

  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what guidelines have been issued to licensing authorities about the use of private hire vehicles which use autogas. [4522]

  Ms Keeble
  The licensing of private hire vehicles is a matter for local licensing authorities (district/borough councils, unitary authorities or Transport for London). They will decide which vehicles, including the types of fuel used, are suitable for licensing according to local conditions and circumstances. We support local policies which encourage the licensing of vehicles which use cleaner fuels.

  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what steps the Government are taking to encourage the use of autogas in motor vehicles. [4521]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Government are encouraging the market for autogas (liquefied petroleum gas or LPG) in a number of ways. For example, as part of the response to the Green Fuels Challenge the Chancellor announced in Budget 2001 a cut in duty of 6p/kilogramme on LPG to
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  maintain the current differential with conventional fuels, and a commitment not to increase the duty in real terms until at least 2004.

  The Powershift programme, which is funded by the DTLR, has a budget of £30 million over the next three years—with £9.91 million for this financial year which will provide grants towards the purchase of around 10,000 clean fuel vehicles, many of which will use LPG. The Powershift programme has been successful in stimulating the development of a LPG infrastructure: there are now over 790 LPG refuelling stations in the UK.

  The new vehicle excise duty and company car taxation regimes also provide concessions for vehicles using LPG.

  Transport Funding
  Mr. Joyce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what share of national income is projected to be taken up by public investment in transport in 2011–12 and what change this represents, in real terms, from the level in 1991–92. [5110]

  Mr. Jamieson
  A projection of UK public capital investment in transport in 2011–12 as a share of national income is not available.

  UK public capital investment as a share of GDP is projected to be 0.62 per cent. by 2010–11. The equivalent figure for 1991–92 was 0.85 per cent.

  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much total UK transport capital expenditure is projected to rise in real terms by 2011 as a share of GDP. [5109]

  Mr. Jamieson
  UK capital investment in transport by the public and private sectors as a share of GDP is projected to rise from 0.91 per cent. in 2001–02 to 0.98 per cent. in 2010–11.

  "The Future of Aviation"
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he intends to make public the responses to the consultation document, "The Future of Aviation". [5425]

  Mr. Spellar
  We are preparing a summary of the responses, and when it has been completed intend to make it available on the Department's website, and to deposit paper copies of the summary in the House Libraries and the Vote Office. We expect that this will be during the summer recess.

  All responses to the consultation document, other than those from respondents who have requested confidentiality, can be viewed, by appointment, in the Department's Library at Ashdown House, Victoria street, London.

  Waste-burning Incinerators
  Dr. Richard Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the planning authorities that have refused applications to build waste-burning incinerators in urban areas in the last three years. [4520]
  360W
  Ms Keeble
  This information is not held centrally. Local planning authorities decide planning applications in the first instance. Only in those instances where the applicant appeals against the refusal of planning permission will the matter come before my right hon. Friend.

  English Regions
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what representations he has received on the inclusion of those parts of Cleveland south of the River Tees in(a) a Yorkshire (b) a northern and (c) a north-eastern region. [5082]

  Dr. Whitehead
  We have no record of any formal representations for the inclusion of Cleveland, south of the River Tees, in the Yorkshire and the Humber region, the old northern region or the north-east region.

  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what criteria are applied in defining the Government's standard regions for England. [5101]

  Dr. Whitehead
  The 'standard English regions' emerged from local government reorganisation in 1974 and resulted in the creation of eight regions which were used by a large number of Government Departments (though not all) for planning purposes, and became the standard regions for statistical purposes. These boundaries often continue to be termed standard regions.

  In 1994, the creation of the Government Offices (GOs) resulted in a new delineation of regions within England, (now generally referred to as GO boundaries). These reflected the boundaries of the then Regional Boards and the regional organisations of the (then) Departments of Transport and Environment. The GO regions are also of a more equally distributed population size than the standard regions.

  The existing GO boundaries have now become increasingly well-established, reflecting the Government's commitment, in the "Modernising Government" White Paper, that, where possible, all Government bodies should align with GO boundaries.

  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 a range of issues, including regional boundaries.

  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what considerations he has given to the creation of a Wessex(a) region and (b) regional assembly. [5080]

  Dr. Whitehead
  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 taking forward plans for elected regional assemblies, including the issue of regional boundaries.
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  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what representations he has received about including Cumberland and Westmorland in regions based on(a) Newcastle and (b) Manchester. [5081]

  Dr. Whitehead
  We have no record of any formal representations for the inclusion of Cumbria in the north-west and north-east regions.

  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what representations he has received on the inclusion of north Lincolnshire and north-east Lincolnshire in(a) a Yorkshire region and (b) an east midlands region. [5083]

  Dr. Whitehead
  We have no record of any formal representations for the inclusion of north and north-east Lincolnshire in the Yorkshire and Humber and east midlands regions.

  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the Government purposes for which, at 31 May 1997, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight were included with(a) Dorset and Wiltshire, (b) Sussex and Surrey and (c) Berkshire, with or without other counties in each case. [5099]

  Dr. Whitehead
  As at 31 May 1997, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight were part of the South West and Wessex Regional Health Authority, which also included the counties of Dorset and Wiltshire. This changed in April 1999, when Hampshire and the Isle of Wight were aligned with the South East Regional Health Authority. On 31 May 1997, the Environment Agency's south and west region, based largely on the GO south-west region, included a small part of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. That remains the case. For all other Government purposes, as far as we can ascertain, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight were, on 31 May 1997, included in the GO south-east region with the counties of Kent, Surrey, East and West Sussex, Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what requests he has received that Cornwall should not be included in a region which includes Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire. [5078]

  Dr. Whitehead
  On 11 July I met the hon. Members for St. Ives (Andrew George), North Cornwall (Mr. Tyler), and Truro and St. Austell (Matthew Taylor), to discuss their views on an elected Cornish assembly. I have also had a number of other representations on this matter.

  Ferry Subsidies
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much public money was spent on ferry subsidies in each of the last three years. [3335]

  Mr. Jamieson
  No ferry services in England and Wales are subsidised by Government. The devolved Administrations subsidise some ferry services in Scotland and Northern Ireland, for which they are, respectively,362W
  accountable to the Scottish Parliament and the Northern Ireland Assembly. Some local authorities in Scotland also subsidise local ferry services.

  Local Government Funding
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when it is intended that the proposed changes to the general funding formula for local government will take effect. [4582]

  Dr. Whitehead
  I hope to make an announcement shortly.

  Farm Diversification
  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when rate relief for new farm diversification enterprises will be available. [5970]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Rating (Former Agricultural Premises and Rural Shops) Act 2001, which received Royal Assent on 11 May will be brought into effect in England on 15 August. From this date all new small scale non-agricultural businesses on farms with rateable values of up to £6,000, whether or not operated by the fanner, will receive up to 5 years' mandatory 50 per cent. rate relief. Also from this date most small village food shops will qualify for 50 per cent. mandatory rate relief under the existing village shop rate relief scheme.

  The new relief will lower the start-up costs for small non-agricultural businesses located on what had been agricultural land and buildings. This will enable farmers to diversify either directly by starting new businesses themselves, or indirectly, through the sale or leasing of former agricultural premises.

  By extending the existing village shop rate relief to most other food shops, vital support will be given to more village businesses that provide essential services to the community.

  The introduction of these reliefs fulfils Government commitments made in the Action Plan for Farming, the Local Government Finance Green Paper and the Rural White Paper.

  Planning Inspectorate Annual Report
  Mr. Pound
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he expects to publish the Planning Inspectorate's annual report and accounts for 2000–01. [5980]

  Ms Keeble
  The Planning Inspectorate's annual report and accounts for 2000–01 are published today. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

  I am very pleased to report that the inspectorate has had another successful year, against a background of rising workloads, coupled with tighter targets for handling appeals. It has met all but one of the timeliness targets set for its work in England and Wales. The high standard of service to local authorities on development plan inquiries has been maintained with targets being exceeded. This has helped to create a greater certainty for all involved in the planning process as more of England and Wales is covered by up to date development plans.
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  Financially, the inspectorate has continued to seek greater efficiency in working practices, with major investment in business systems and an ongoing commitment to electronic service delivery. Once again expenditure has been contained very closely within budget, reflecting achievement of demanding Treasury efficiency targets. The agreement of a second successive three-year funding deal with DTLR has also introduced greater certainty into the business planning process, enabling a more strategic approach to the challenging years ahead.

  Customer surveys continue to show that the inspectorate's decisions are widely respected. In spite of rising workloads, the quality and efficiency targets were achieved.

  Regional Air Services
  Mr. Kevin Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what is the current status of work on the regional air services studies; and when he proposes to publish the regional consultation documents based upon them. [6176]

  Mr. Spellar
  Work on the six original regional air service studies proposed in the 1998 Transport White Paper was completed last year. Since then a second phase of work has been under way to co-ordinate these part 1 studies and audit them for consistency. This has involved reviewing air traffic forecasts for each airport under a range of national scenarios, examining catchments and route development in more detail, carrying out a more in-depth appraisal of options and integrating this work with the findings from a range of other UK-wide strategic studies. This part 2 work, known as the RASCO study, is nearing completion, but the emerging findings have highlighted a number of key strategic issues on which further work is needed. This is necessary to ensure that the regional air service consultation documents, which we hope to publish around the turn of the year, will provide a full and robust basis for public consultation.

  Two part 3 studies, one covering the midlands of England and the other the lowlands of Scotland, have therefore been commissioned to examine important long-term runway capacity. This work is programmed for completion before the end of the year and will be published shortly thereafter, along with the part 1 and 2 studies to help inform the regional air service consultation process.

  E-Government Local Authority Pathfinders
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to provide funding for the 25 e-government local authority pathfinders in 2001–02. [6179]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Government have made available £25 million of funding in 2001–02 to help achieve their target of ensuring that 100 per cent. of local authority services are capable of electronic delivery by 2005.

  I have today laid before the House a Special Grant Report setting out my intention to provide some £24 million of this funding in grant to 25 local e-government pathfinders. This will support a co-ordinated programme of experiment, innovation and shared learning. At the same time, up to a further £1.7 million of funding is being made available to
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  support the local government on-line project, which will disseminate best practice information from the pathfinders to all local authorities.

  The Government originally proposed to make available the funding to pathfinder authorities in the form of supplementary credit approvals. However, following representations from pathfinders, we are now seeking the agreement of the House to provide the funding in the form of a special grant.

  London Underground
  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many work days were lost due to stress-induced illness in London Underground staff broken down by(a)station staff, (b) train drivers, (c) managerial staff and (d) signal/points operators in each financial year since 1994–95 for each line of the London Underground. [5002]

  Mr. Jamieson
  This is an operational matter for London Underground, which informs me that it records staff absences and the reason for the absence if possible. Absence due to stress-induced illness could be declared as several different conditions. In addition, information on staff who have left the company is archived and not easily retrievable. Therefore a reply to this question could be obtained only at excessive cost.

  London Underground is currently specifying a much improved enterprise resource planning IT system which should, once installed, be able to produce such information with much greater ease.

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many driver working hours are needed to run the current level of trains on London Underground each week day, broken down by line. [5005]

  Mr. Jamieson
  This is an operational matter for London Underground, which has provided the following information which shows the total train operator hours required on any one week day to operate the current scheduled service:

  Underground line

  Driver hours needed each weekday

  Bakerloo

  811 hours 19 minutes

  Central and Waterloo and City

  1,692 hours 27 minutes

  Circle and Hammersmith and City

  943 hours 34 minutes

  District

  1,879 hours 22 minutes

  East London

  183 hours 17 minutes

  Jubilee

  1,181 hours 05 minutes

  Metropolitan

  1,094 hours 23 minutes

  Northern

  1,930 hours 56 minutes

  Piccadilly

  2,026 hours 14 minutes

  Victoria

  904 hours 20 minutes

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many London Underground trains were delayed more than 10 minutes in each year since 1994–95 broken down by line. [5012]

  Mr. Jamieson
  This is an operational matter for London Underground. It measures train delays of 15 minutes or more, rather than 10 minutes—in line with
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  the Customer Charter. London Underground work to 13 our-week periods in a year, and performance information is gathered on this basis. The following table

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Bakerloo

  22

  25

  14

  17

  20

  25

  23

  Central

  50

  37

  42

  55

  43

  37

  38

  Waterloo and City

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  District

  28

  29

  23

  19

  21

  24

  32

  Jubilee

  18

  9

  7

  8

  32

  34

  16

  East London

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  8

  Metropolitan

  39

  35

  22

  22

  18

  27

  31

  Circle and Hammersmith

  16

  17

  8

  15

  15

  16

  22

  Northern

  30

  33

  23

  26

  24

  23

  17

  Piccadilly

  21

  19

  15

  19

  18

  18

  21

  Victoria

  13

  8

  8

  14

  10

  11

  7

  Total

  237

  212

  162

  195

  201

  215

  219

  1. Waterloo and City included with Central to 1999–2000

  2. East London closed 1995–96 to 1997–98; included with Jubilee 1994–95 and 1998/99 to 1999–2000

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the companies used by London Underground Limited to(a) install, (b) maintain and (c) replace London Underground signals, line by line, in the last five years. [5011]

  Line

  Install

  Maintain

  Replace

  Jubilee

  WSL

  LUL/Infraco1

  LUL/Infraco1

  Northern

  LUL/Infraco/Kvaerner

  LUL/Infraco

  LUL/Infraco

  Piccadilly

  LUL/Infraco

  LUL/Infraco

  LUL/Infraco

  Bakerloo

  LUL/Infraco

  LUL/Infraco

  LUL/Infraco

  Central

  WSL/LUL

  LUL/Infraco1

  LUL/Infraco1

  Victoria

  LUL/Infraco2

  LUL/Infraco

  LUL/Infraco

  Waterloo and City

  LUL/Infraco2

  LUL/Infraco

  LUL/Infraco

  District

  LUL/Infraco2

  LUL/Infraco and AMEC for Wimbledon branch

  LUL/Infraco and AMEC for Wimbledon branch

  Metropolitan

  LUL/Infraco2

  LUL/Infraco

  LUL/Infraco

  Hammersmith and City

  LUL/Infraco2

  LUL/Infraco

  LUL/Infraco

  Circle

  LUL/Infraco1

  LUL/Infraco

  LUL/Infraco

  East London

  LUL/Infraco and Bombardier

  LUL/Infraco3

  LUL/Infraco3

  1 Second line maintenance support provided by WSL

  2 Only minor works

  3 Second line maintenance support provided by Marconi

  Notes

  WSL = Westinghouse Signals Ltd. (now known as Westinghouse Rail Systems Ltd.)

  AMEC = AMEC Rail Ltd. (subcontracted to Balfour Beatty BBRM)

  In providing this information, London Underground have assumed that "replace" means like-for-like renewals. Where external companies are named, these are the prime contractors and no details of their subcontractors are given. LUL/Infracos also receive front-line support for some signalling control systems from:

  Line

  Central Line

  WSL

  Jubilee Line

  Alcatel and Marconi

  East London Line

  Marconi

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what is the average length of time London Underground staff stayed working for London Underground, broken down by(a) station staff, (b) train drivers, (c) managerial staff and (d) signals and points operators, for each line of the London Underground in each of the last five years. [5001]
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  shows London Underground's figures for the average number of trains delayed for 15 minutes or more in a period for the years requested:

  Mr. Jamieson
  This is an operational matter for London Underground, which has provided the following information on companies used as prime contractors for signalling in the last five years:

  Mr. Jamieson
  This is an operational matter for London Underground, which has informed me that it does not hold data in a format which allows the question to be answered in precisely the form asked. However, it has been able to provide information on the average length of service of all those employees who left the company over each of the last five years. It has also provided information on the average number of years' service of staff currently still employed by London Underground.

  Years

  Station staff

  Train operators

  Managers

  Signal operators

  1996

  8.7

  15.8

  13

  17.1

  1997

  7.8

  13.6

  21.7

  15.1

  1998

  7.9

  16.6

  16.6

  14.4

  1999

  6.5

  16.2

  8.9

  12.9

  2000

  7.4

  16.6

  11.2

  25.6

  Still employed

  9.3

  13

  17.1

  17.2

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  This information cannot be broken down by line without incurring disproportionate cost.

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many trains ran per hour in(a) peak time and (b) other times in each year since 1994–95 broken down by line. [5009]

  Mr. Jamieson
  This information is not held centrally and could he obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) if he will make a statement on performance figures for the shadow running by the infraco companies in preparation for the partial privatisation of London Underground; [5015]

  (2) if he will list the performance targets set out for the shadow running by the infraco companies in preparation for the partial privatisation of London Underground. [5016]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Government do not set specific targets for the performance of the individual infrastructure companies. Their performance is, however, reflected in the targets set for London Underground itself.

  The table shows the performance targets that have been set for London Underground Ltd. in 2001–02, together with the corresponding actual performance at the end of March 2001:

  Actual performance at end March 2001

  Targeted performance by end March 2002

  Capacity1

  63.8

  65.6

  Reliability2

  3.69

  3.63

  Customer satisfaction measures:3

  Train service

  75

  75

  Information

  76

  77

  Customer safety and security

  80

  80

  Staff helpfulness and availability

  68

  69

  Cleanliness

  67

  67

  1 Train lams run in millions

  2 Unweighted excess journey time in minutes

  3 Average scores out of 100

  The Government will set stretching, longer-term performance targets for the London Underground as part of our proposals for a 21st century tube.

  In addition to these performance targets, London Underground Ltd. has also been set the following specific investment targets for 2001–02:
  Total investment expenditure of at least £410 million.
  Specific investment to he completed:

  19.5 km of track renewals

  five station upgrades

  five escalators replaced

  15 escalators refurbished or repaired.

  A number of other works on escalators, rolling stock, signalling, stations and track will also be started, progressed or completed during the year.
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  The Government do not set specific safety related targets. London Underground operates services under the terms of the railways safety case approved by the Health and Safety Executive. The executive now has a double lock on safety. Before the tube modernisation plans can proceed, the executive must accept, firstly, London Underground's safety plans and, secondly, its revised safety plans to reflect the role of the private sector bidders.

  The Government do not provide grant to London Transport for achieving individual targets, nor does London Underground Ltd. record actual expenditure on this basis. By the end of March 2002, a total of £2.781 billion of grant will have been provided to London Transport since April 1997, of which £2.399 billion will have been internally allocated to London Underground. The remainder has been utilised to provide other transport services, such as bus and river services, and Croydon Tramlink, before responsibility for these was transferred to Transport for London in July 2000.

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what proportion of the first year of public-private partnership funding of London Underground will be spent on(a) stations, (b) escalators, (c) signals and points and (d) track improvements. [5007]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Government's plans for the London Underground will deliver £13 billion of investment over the first 15 years, giving London the 21st century underground that it deserves. The contracts to deliver this investment remain under negotiation. However, London Underground estimate that in the first year of the contracts, approximately 50 per cent. of investment spending will be on train systems including rolling stock and signalling. A further 25 per cent. of investment expenditure will be on infrastructure, including track and civil assets. The remaining 25 per cent. will be on stations, delivering the improvements that 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.

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many violent incidents against London Underground staff by passengers there were in each financial year since 1994–95 broken down by each line of the London Underground. [5003]

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

  Year

  Physical assaults

  Threats and abuse

  Total

  1994–95

  419

  233

  652

  1995–96

  455

  278

  733

  1996–97

  399

  236

  635

  1997–98

  451

  257

  708

  1998–99

  460

  286

  746

  1999–2000

  518

  427

  945

  2000–01

  576

  539

  1,115

  369W
  The figures show the total number of assaults and threats of assault against London Underground staff by non-staff which have been reported internally. London Underground inform us that to provide a breakdown on a line-by-line basis would incur disproportionate costs as the data are not readily kept in this format.

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many trains per hour in(a) peak time and (b) other times Westinghouse Signals were contracted to provide on the Jubilee Line of London Underground. [5010]

  Mr. Jamieson
  London Underground provides train services on the Jubilee Line. Westinghouse Signals do not provide trains but were contracted to provide signalling infrastructure enabling trains to be run.

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many London Underground trains were delayed due to passenger illness in each month since 1994–95 broken down by line. [5006]

  2000–01

  P1

  P2

  P3

  P4

  P5

  P6

  P7

  P8

  P9

  P10

  P11

  P12

  P13

  Bakerloo

  —

  1

  1

  1

  —

  4

  2

  1

  5

  —

  3

  2

  1

  Central

  10

  7

  7

  14

  12

  6

  1

  6

  15

  2

  12

  11

  8

  Circle

  2

  1

  1

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  3

  2

  District

  4

  2

  4

  6

  7

  3

  1

  3

  5

  1

  3

  4

  7

  East London

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Hammersmith and City

  1

  2

  —

  1

  1

  1

  1

  2

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Jubilee

  6

  1

  7

  10

  4

  1

  6

  2

  2

  5

  5

  9

  4

  Metropolitan

  —

  1

  2

  1

  2

  1

  —

  —

  1

  2

  1

  2

  2

  Northern

  8

  9

  7

  10

  11

  6

  2

  10

  —

  2

  8

  8

  7

  Piccadilly

  6

  4

  5

  3

  12

  9

  11

  10

  5

  10

  11

  10

  5

  Victoria

  3

  5

  2

  3

  2

  3

  3

  5

  3

  5

  4

  2

  2

  Waterloo and City

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Total

  41

  33

  37

  50

  52

  34

  27

  39

  40

  27

  47

  52

  39

  2001–02

  P1

  P2

  P3

  Bakerloo

  2

  1

  —

  Central

  17

  6

  12

  Circle

  1

  3

  1

  District

  5

  6

  3

  East London

  —

  —

  1

  Hammersmith and City

  —

  —

  3

  Jubilee

  2

  6

  3

  Metropolitan

  2

  1

  —

  Northern

  10

  8

  5

  Piccadilly

  6

  6

  5

  Victoria

  5

  2

  1

  Waterloo and City

  —

  —

  —

  Total

  50

  39

  34

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Bakerloo

  1.2

  1.1

  2.7

  3.9

  4.6

  6.2

  5.8

  Central

  2.0

  2.0

  3.3

  4.5

  4.9

  6.2

  6.0

  District

  2.9

  4.6

  7.4

  6.9

  6.3

  6.7

  7.9

  Jubilee

  1.9

  1.5

  3.1

  4.8

  4.6

  4.9

  7.1

  East London1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5.3

  1.8

  Metropolitan

  1.1

  0.5

  1.8

  3.4

  5.5

  7.0

  8.5

  370W
  Mr. Jamieson
  This is an operational matter for London Underground. It operates to 13 four-week periods in a financial year and gathers its performance data to these timescales. It has provided the information in the tables as shown on train delays of over two minutes due to passenger illness, split by line and by period. London Underground does not hold data in this format prior to Period 7 (broadly September) in 1999. To collate previous information would incur disproportionate cost.

  1999–2000

  P7

  P8

  P9

  P10

  P11

  P12

  P13

  Bakerloo

  3

  1

  5

  2

  —

  1

  —

  Central

  12

  16

  15

  5

  12

  7

  15

  Circle

  1

  2

  1

  —

  —

  2

  1

  District

  4

  7

  8

  6

  6

  4

  6

  East London

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hammersmith and City

  2

  —

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Jubilee

  5

  —

  3

  2

  3

  8

  3

  Metropolitan

  2

  4

  —

  —

  2

  2

  3

  Northern

  11

  5

  5

  4

  16

  12

  10

  Piccadilly

  3

  9

  5

  7

  6

  6

  2

  Victoria

  3

  6

  4

  2

  8

  3

  4

  Waterloo and City

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Total

  46

  50

  47

  29

  54

  46

  45

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many customers waited more than 10 minutes to purchase tickets for London Underground journeys broken down by station in each year since 1994–95. [5013]

  Mr. Jamieson
  This is an operational matter for London Underground, which informs me that it does not gather information on ticket office performance in the format requested. It measures "the percentage of customers in a ticket queue for three minutes or more". This information is available by line, but it is not possible to break it down for the 253 stations operated by London Underground. The table sets out the average percentage of customers in a ticket queue for three minutes or more for each of the years requested.
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  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Circle and Hammersmith

  2.9

  3.0

  3.3

  5.2

  7.0

  7.2

  9.1

  Northern

  2.1

  2.2

  3.4

  4.8

  5.6

  6.8

  7.1

  Piccadilly

  2.6

  3.3

  3.7

  4.7

  7.3

  8.0

  8.7

  Victoria

  4.4

  3.0

  5.1

  8.9

  9.7

  11.6

  13.6

  Total

  2.3

  2.6

  4.0

  5.2

  6.1

  7.1

  7.9

  1East London line formerly managed jointly with the Jubilee line and not separately surveyed before 1999–2000.

  It should be noted that over this period as a whole the pressures on the Underground network have risen substantially, with some 200 million extra passenger journeys undertaken last year compared to 1994–95.

  Various measures are being taken as part of the Prestige PFI scheme to improve ticketing services. New multifare ticket machines have been installed across the network. These machines take credit and debit cards and are expected to help speed up ticket purchase time significantly. New ticket office machines and accounting systems are being installed which will help ticket office staff process transactions more swiftly. And by September 2001 50 new Queuebuster machines will be in place at key stations, selling a variety of tickets including weekly travelcards.

  Metro Systems
  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he compiles comparisons between the performances of the metro systems of major international cities. [5094]

  Ms Keeble
  My Department does not compile data that would enable comparisons to be made on a consistent basis between the performance of either major underground systems or integrated light rail systems in major cities. However, the data and research which my Department has examined or commissioned have shown that light rail schemes and associated integrated transport policies can play a significant role in improving the attractiveness and quality of public transport and increasing its usage.

  Rough Sleepers
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many people were sleeping rough in England in(a) April, (b) May and (c) June. [5228]

  Ms Keeble
  The Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions is currently collating statistics from independent counts that took place across England over the spring and will publish these figures in due course.

TREASURY

  Competitiveness
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact on manufacturing competitiveness of changes to the tax burden in the UK and other OECD countries in recent years. [3331]
  372W
  Mr. George Osborne
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of the impact of taxation on the competitiveness of the manufacturing sector; and if he will make a statement. [R] [3332]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Government recognise the difficulties that manufacturers are experiencing because of the slowdown in the world economy and the weakness of the euro. No country can ever insulate itself from world economic events. The Government's primary economic task is to create the right conditions of macro-economic stability within which all businesses, including manufacturers, can develop their potential; the Government keep all taxes under review and the changes to the tax system are considered as part of the normal Budget process, taking into account implications for the UK's international competitiveness.

  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of the UK's comparative position in international competitiveness. [3336]

  Mr. Boateng
  Since 1997 the Government have established the lowest inflation in the EU and highest employment of almost any country in the OECD. We have started a programme of structural reform to strengthen competition and promote enterprise, innovation and skills.

  And we will do more—starting with the reforms we have already announced to make our competition regime truly world-class.

  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of levels of taxation on the competitiveness of the UK. [3344]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government keep all taxes under review, and changes to the tax system are considered as part of the normal Budget process.

  EU Structural Funds
  Andrew George
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will make a statement on the progress of the delivery of European Union aid to the United Kingdom's Objective 1 regions; [3333]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the progress achieved by (a) Government and (b) the four UK Objective 1 regions in delivering the Objective 1 programmes within the pre-agreed timetable. [5299]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  All the UK's four Objective 1 regions are making good progress on their programmes. We are only 10 months into a seven-year programme, and already over 14 per cent. of the total grant available has been approved for projects. In Cornwall, projects to the value of £54 million grant have been approved—nearly
  373W
  17 per cent. of the programme's total allocation. In addition, projects with a grant value of also around £54 million—a further 17.6 per cent. of the programme's total allocation—are under appraisal.

  Andrew George
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what public match-funds have so far been used to support projects for which European Structural Funds have been offered in each of the four UK Objective 1 regions broken down by(a) public funds and (b) Government Department and by (i) amount offered and (ii) spent so far in each of the four Objective 1 regions; [5302]

  (2) what targets have been agreed with the European Commission for (a) financial commitments to projects and (b) receipt of money by projects to which financial commitments have been made in each of the four UK Objective 1 regions for European financial years ending 2001 to 2006; [5301]

  (3) how much of the money offered under (a) ERDF, (b) EAGGF, (c) ESF and (d) other European structural funds in each of the four UK Objective 1 regions has been paid out broken down by project, by (i) the total amount so far, (ii) proportion of total EU budget under that fund for the region's Objective 1 programme period and (iii) proportion of money so far offered; [5303]

  (4) what grant offers have been made by (a) number of projects and (b) amount of money (sterling) for (i) ERDF, (ii) EAGGF, (iii) ESF and (iv) other structural funds in each of the four UK Objective 1 regions so far. [5298]

  Alan Johnson
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information requested is not held centrally. My Department is in contact with the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (for the three English Objective 1 programmes) and the National Assembly for Wales (for the West Wales and the Valleys programme), which are the organisations responsible for implementation of the programmes, and I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Climate Change Levy
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the reduction in global carbon emissions resulting from the climate change levy. [3337]

  Mr. Boateng
  The climate change levy package will deliver emissions savings of an estimated 5 million tonnes of carbon by 2010.

  Debt Relief
  Ms Christine Russell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on recent progress in relieving the burden of debt in the world's poorest countries. [3338]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  The HIPC debt relief initiative is currently delivering debt relief of $53 billion to 23 of the World's poorest countries. This will see their debts fall to below the developing country average. The UK's 100 per cent. policy means that countries that reach a decision point receive relief on 100 per cent. of their outstanding debts to the UK. In addition, all payments from countries yet to receive debt relief—for example due 374W
  to conflict—are being held in trust to be returned when the money will go to the poorest, and not on conflict. The UK has called for other countries to follow its lead and demonstrate they too have no financial interest in these historic debts.

  Mrs. Betty Williams
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the UK's contribution to international efforts to relieve the debt burden of the world's most indebted countries. [3351]

  Mr. Boateng
  The HIPC debt relief initiative is currently delivering debt relief of $53 billion to 23 of the World's poorest countries. This will see their debts fall to below the developing country average. The UK's 100 per cent. policy means that countries that reach a decision point receive relief on 100 per cent. of their outstanding debts to the UK. In addition, all payments from countries yet to receive debt relief—for example due to conflict—are being held in trust to be returned when the money will go to the poorest, and not on conflict. The UK has called for other countries to follow its lead and demonstrate they too have no financial interest in these historic debts.

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Linda Perham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of the Working Families Tax Credit in London. [3340]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Working Families Tax Credit is a success in making work pay for families on low to middle incomes in London.

  At February this year the WFTC was helping 92,000 families in London to the extent of x00A3;400 million per year. This is 50 per cent. more families and double the cash help than was the case with its predecessor Family Credit.

  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what monitoring his Department undertakes of the impact of the Working Families Tax Credit on work incentives for second earners in recipient households; and if he will make a statement. [4454]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government have put in place a comprehensive programme to monitor and evaluate the Working Families Tax Credit. The Working Families Tax Credit is part of a wider package of measures designed to make work pay and thereby help to provide employment opportunity for all. These measures also include the introduction of the National Minimum Wage, the 10p starting rate of tax, and changes to employee and employer National Insurance Contributions. Independent estimates, which are consistent with those produced by the Treasury, suggest that these measures will lead to an increase in the labour supply of second earners.

  Children's Bond
  Mr. Prosser
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families will benefit from the proposed children's bond. [3341]

  Ruth Kelly
  In late April the Government announced a consultation on two new proposals to encourage saving and the build up of assets, the Child Trust Fund and the Saving Gateway. The Child Trust Fund would benefit each of the 700,000 or more children born every year. In addition to an endowment paid in by the Government,
  375W
  the scheme would allow parents, grandparents, friends and children themselves to make additional contributions, so providing families with a safe and secure account to save towards their children's future. The Child Trust Fund would provide all young people beginning their adult life with the advantage that owning financial assets brings.

  Credit Unions
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further action he is taking to develop the credit union sector. [3342]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Government support credit unions' ethos of self-help and thrift, and believe that by offering savings and affordable loans, particularly to the less well-off, they can make a valuable contribution in the area of increasing access to financial services. That is why the Government have been involved with a number of initiatives to help the sector grow, but ultimately every credit union's future rests in the hands of the members and the dedicated volunteers who run them.

  Unemployment
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his proposals on reducing unemployment. [3343]

  Ruth Kelly
  In order to achieve the Government's goal of employment opportunity for all we will be extending the principles behind the New Deal for Young People to a much wider group who face problems in finding work.

  By building upon the success of the New Deal for Young People, which has placed almost 300,000 18 to 24-year-olds into work, we now aim to tackle unemployment among three of the most disadvantaged groups: the long-term unemployed, through the improved New Deal 25 plus; lone parents, through the enhanced programme of choices available through the New Deal for Lone Parents; and disabled people through the nationally extended New Deal for Disabled People.

  Siobhain McDonagh
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of recent measures designed to reduce youth and long-term unemployment. [3349]

  Ruth Kelly
  Through the New Deal for Young People we have helped nearly 300,000 young unemployed people find jobs, and in addition over 70,000 long-term unemployed people have been helped to move from welfare into work through the New Deal for Long-Term Unemployed.

  Independent evaluation of the New Deal for Young People has shown that over 200,000 young people left unemployment earlier than they would have done without the programme, with 60,000 entering into employment.

  The New Deal helps the young and long-term unemployed to secure jobs as the most effective way of enhancing their incomes, increasing their skills and securing their future economic independence.

  Lone Parents
  Mr. Ross
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how his plans for public investment will affect measures to help lone parents into work. [3345]
  376W
  Mr. Boateng
  The Government have set a target for 70 per cent. of lone parents to be in work by the end of the decade. Improving the employment prospects of lone parents is a key priority, and the employment rate of lone parents has risen from 44 per cent in 1997 to over 50 per cent. in late 2000.

  The New Deal for Lone Parents is being expanded to offer more choices for lone parents considering full or part-time work or training. The Working Families Tax Credit has greatly improved work incentives for lone parents, especially the credit for child care. The National Child Care Strategy aims to provide high quality affordable child care places for 1.6 million children by 2004, to enable parents to move into work.

  Pensions
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his planned expenditure on pensions will be in the forthcoming year. [3346]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  For 2001–02 forecast spending in the UK on the basic state pension is £37.3 billion.

  Interest Rates
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with the Governor of the Bank of England regarding the level of interest rates; and if he will make a statement. [3347]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Chancellor and the Governor meet regularly to discuss a wide range of issues. The level of interest rates is a matter for the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England.

  Barnett Formula
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will review the Barnett formula. [3348]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave today to my right hon. Friend the Member for Gateshead, East and Washington, West (Joyce Quin),Official Report, column 425.

  Vehicle Fuel Taxation
  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to change levels of taxation on vehicle fuel. [3350]

  Mr. Boateng
  Taxation on fuel is reviewed on a Budget-by-Budget basis. In making his judgment, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer takes into account all relevant economic and social objectives as well as the UK's environmental commitments.

  However, we have already announced that Budget 2002 will introduce a lower rate of excise duty for biodiesel, at 20 pence per litre below the prevailing rate for ultra-low sulphur diesel. In addition, we will provide duty reductions or exemptions for pilot projects covering the more environmentally friendly fuels, methanol, bioethanol and biogas and hydrogen.

  Bank of England (Banking Facilities)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Bank of England will extend banking facilities to companies and organisations other than Huntingdon Life Sciences in circumstances where facilities from commercial banks are not forthcoming. [3352]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Bank of England offers banking facilities to the Government and the financial sector. It does not offer facilities to private sector customers outside the financial sector. Given the exceptional circumstances surrounding Huntingdon Life Sciences, it was decided that the Department of Trade and Industry would provide banking facilities to HLS through DTI accounts held at the bank. HLS is not a customer of the bank.

  Tax Burden
  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of net taxes and social security contributions as a percentage of GDP in(a) 1996–97 and (b) 2000–01. [3353]

  Mr. Goodman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the change in the tax burden during the last Parliament. [3358]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Estimates of net taxes and social security contributions as a percentage of GDP are contained in tables C10 and C23 of the 2001 Financial Statement and Budget Report.

  United States Slowdown
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the impact of the slowdown in the US economy on UK exports and employment. [3354]

  Ruth Kelly
  Prospects for the US economy and the potential implications for the UK economy are discussed in the Economy chapter of the 2001 "Financial Statement and Budget Report", paragraph B44 and Box B3.

  Cleaner Road Fuels
  Mr. Plaskitt
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what fiscal measures he is taking to promote the use of cleaner road fuels. [3356]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Government have shown that they are keen to stimulate the development of viable alternative fuels that offer environmental benefits over current conventional fuels and they launched their Green Fuel Challenge in November last year. In the March Budget, we reduced the duty on road fuel gases by the equivalent of a further 3 pence per litre and announced that duty on these gases will not be increased in real terms until 2004 at the earliest. We also announced that duty on biodiesel would be cut in Budget 2002, to 20 pence per litre below the then ULSD duty rate. We also legislated in the last Finance Bill to provide for duty reductions or exemptions for pilot projects covering more environmentally friendly fuels.

  Furthermore, over the last year duty differentials in favour of ultra-low sulphur petrol (ULSP) have achieved almost complete conversion of the UK unleaded petrol
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  market to ULSP, in the same way that earlier duty incentives had achieved conversion of the UK diesel market to ultra-low sulphur diesel (ULSD).

  Sex Discrimination
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures aimed at removing disadvantage to women he has introduced since 1997. [3357]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Government have introduced a series of measures to strengthen the labour market position of women and to help them combine work and family commitments. These include the National Minimum Wage, reforms to income tax and National Insurance Contributions, the Working Families Tax Credit, the New Deal, the National Childcare Strategy and improvements to paid maternity leave and the rights of part-time workers.

  Global Health Fund
  Judy Mallaber
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he is holding with his G8 counterparts on establishing the Global Trust Fund for Health. [3359]

  Ruth Kelly
  The UK Government's support for a new Global Health Fund was announced by the Chancellor and Secretary of State for International Development at the Westminster Conference "International Action Against Child Poverty—Meeting the 2015 Targets" on 26 February, and followed up by both Ministers through meetings at the IMF/World bank and at the UN with the Secretary-General and others. In addition, the Chancellor has discussed the Global Health Fund and other international development issues with other G7 Finance Ministers, at their meetings in Washington on 28 April and on 7 July in Rome.

  Government Spending
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the sustainability of the existing planned rate of increase in Government spending over the next five years. [3334]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  The Government's spending plans are set out in Table C11 of the 2001 Financial Statement and Budget Report. Table C2 of the Report shows that the projected path for the public finances is sustainable and is fully consistent with the Government's strict fiscal rules, the golden rule and the sustainable investment rule, throughout the next five years. The surplus on current budget remains positive throughout the forecast period. Public sector net debt has fallen by 12 percentage points since 1996–97 and is projected to fall further to 30 per cent. or lower, well below 40 per cent.

  Tobacco/Alcohol Smuggling
  Mr. Forth
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to tackle tobacco and alcohol smuggling. [3325]

  Mr. Boateng
  Last year the Government published the "Tackling Tobacco Smuggling" strategy and announced an additional investment of £209 million to fund almost 1,000 new Customs officers and a national network of the latest X-ray scanners. This strategy is designed to put tobacco smuggling into decline within three years.
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  The Government are determined to crack down on all forms of fraud, including cross-channel smuggling of alcohol. We aim to reduce revenue loss from all cross-channel smuggling by 10 per cent. year on year. To achieve this, 170 of the additional Customs officers have been specifically deployed at the channel ports to target both alcohol and tobacco smuggling.

  The strategy is at an early stage but it is already beginning to show results. In the first nine months of 2000–01, Customs have seized 1.4 billion cigarettes in the UK, helped overseas enforcement agencies seize nearly 700 million cigarettes en route to the UK and broken up 38 major organised criminal gangs.

  World Bank
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the Government's policy is on purchasing from firms and individuals listed by the World bank as ineligible for World bank financed contracts for violating the fraud and corruption provisions of the World bank Procurement Guidelines or the Consultants Guidelines; and if he will make a statement. [4455]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Government's procurement policy is that all Government procurement of goods and services is to be based on value for money, having due regard to propriety and regularity. It is for the individual Department to consider how best to meet this requirement in each case. The purchaser can exclude companies which have been convicted of an offence or are guilty of grave misconduct in the course of their business. In reaching decisions on exclusion, the purchaser will look, for example, at the nature and severity of the activity or offence and any remedial action taken. Verifiable and relevant information from external sources, including the World bank, can be taken into account in reaching decisions on exclusion.

  Independent Insurance
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if the FSA discussed with a director of the Independent Insurance Company the sale of shares to Independent's staff as a means to raise capital finance;[4487]

  (2) what plans he has to establish an (a) internal and (b) external inquiry into the role of the FSA in respect of the collapse of the Independent Insurance Company. [4486]

  Ruth Kelly
  Discussions between the FSA and the directors of the companies it regulates are confidential between the parties concerned.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans the Treasury has (1) to initiate an inquiry into the role of the FSA in regulating Independent Insurance; [5293]

  (2) to initiate an inquiry into the role of the FSA in regulating Independent Insurance. [5285]

  Ruth Kelly
  The current priority is the Serious Fraud Office investigation. That must be got right before we determine what other reviews may be necessary.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if the information on Independent Insurance provided to the FSA by the French Commission de Contrôle des Assurances had already been supplied to the FSA; [4482]
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  (2) what discussions the FSA had with the French Commission de Contrôle des Assurances regarding the activities of the Independent Insurance Group plc's subsidiaries; [4485]

  (3) what matters the FSA discussed with the French Commission de Contrôle des Assurances when they visited their offices in Paris in May; [4488]

  (4) what concerns the French Commission de Contrôle des Assurances has raised with the FSA regarding the Independent Insurance Group since January; [4489]

  (5) what information the FSA made available to the French Commission de Contrôle des Assurances in response to French concerns about the Independent Insurance Group; [4484]

  (6) when the French Commission de Contrôle des Assurances first raised with the FSA their concerns about the Independent Insurance Group; and what response the FSA made. [4483]

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, prior to Independent Insurance going into liquidation(a) his Department and (b) the FSA was informed of the large losses incurred by the company's French branch. [5284]

  Ruth Kelly
  The French regulator, the Commission de Contrôle des Assurances (CCA), first wrote to the FSA expressing their concerns about the French insurance subsidiary of the Independent Insurance Group on 11 January 2001. This company was a sister company of the UK-supervised insurer, representing about 5 per cent of group premium income, and was subject to French supervision. The FSA, following discussions with the UK company, and having received copies of the company's own detailed responses to the French authorities, replied to the CCA in March 2001. In that letter, the FSA noted its understanding that the group had provided additional financing to the French subsidiary. The FSA subsequently had a number of further contacts with the CCA including a visit to their offices in Paris, provided financial information about the financial position of the UK company, and kept the CCA informed of events in the period leading to the company's closure.

  Financial Services Authority
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many individuals have held the position of director of enforcement within the Financial Services Authority since 1 January 2000; for what periods they held office; and for what periods no postholder was in place. [4503]

  Ruth Kelly
  The post of director of enforcement in the FSA is currently vacant. The previous director of enforcement held the position throughout the period from 1 January 2000 to 4 June 2001. While a new appointment is being made, the responsibilities of the post are shared between relevant FSA Managing Directors and Enforcement Heads of Department.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to ensure that the Financial Services Authority make public(a) the operating restrictions,

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  (b) the fines and (c) the other sanctions which it applies to the companies it regulates. [4492]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 gives the FSA a wide range of powers over the firms it regulates, including the power to restrict their business and to impose financial penalties and other disciplinary sanctions, subject to proper procedural safeguards. The FSA has published details of how it will exercise these powers, and has set out its policy on publishing the sanctions which it has imposed, in its Enforcement Manual.

  Assets Sales
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update his estimate of proceeds from the sale of fixed assets contained in table C15 of the Financial Statement and Budget Report 2001; what estimate he has made of the outstanding stock of assets in the public sector; and if he will make a statement. [4456]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Updated information about proceeds of asset sales is contained in table 3.8 of Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses 2001–02. The estimated outturn for asset sales in 2000–01 is £4,552 million.

  The National Asset Register, which is being published today, will set out comprehensive information about the outstanding stock of assets in the public sector.

  Single Currency
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of the euro:sterling exchange rate on exports to the European Union since 1997; and what his policy is on the exchange rate. [4633]

  Ruth Kelly
  In the three months to April 2001 exports of goods to the European Union were 25 per cent. higher than in the same period in 1997.

  Stability-orientated policies based on low inflation and sound public finances will deliver a stable and competitive exchange rate over the medium term.

  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assumptions his Department will make on the level and evolution of the exchange rate for the purposes of the(a) preliminary technical work on the assessment of the five economic tests on the euro and (b) assessment of the economic tests. [4639]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Government have said that the Treasury will complete an assessment of the Five Tests within the start of this Parliament. Before any assessment is started, we must, of course, continue to do the necessary preliminary work for our analysis—technical work that is necessary to allow us to undertake the assessment within two years.

  Public Services
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his planned level of spending on public services will be over the next three years. [3322]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Government's forward plans for public spending up to 2003–04 are set out in the 2000 Spending Review, "Prudent for a Purpose: building 382W
  opportunity and security for all", published in July 2000 as Command Paper 4807. The 2002 Spending Review, which will conclude in the summer of 2002, will roll forward existing spending plans and set budgets and outcome targets for Departments up to 2005–06.

  Landlords
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of landlords who benefit from the Rent a Room scheme; and if he will make a statement [4453]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The number of landlords who benefit from the Rent a Room scheme is not known because many of those landlords do not have to complete a self-assessment tax return. For the purposes of estimating the costs of the scheme, published in Table 1.5 of Inland Revenue Statistics, the Revenue tentatively estimates that around 150,000 landlords may benefit.

  Self-assessment (Internet)
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many individual taxpayers who file self-assessment tax returns have registered for the Inland Revenue service for filing tax returns on the internet in each month since the service became available; and if he will make a statement. [4457]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Since the registration service became available on 3 April 2000, 146,397 individual taxpayers who file self-assessment tax returns have registered for the Inland Revenue service for filing tax returns over the internet. The number of registrations in each month were:

  Month

  Registrations

  Cumulative total

  April 2000

  32,937

  32,937

  May 2000

  14,877

  47,814

  June 2000

  10,677

  58,491

  July 2000

  11,703

  70,194

  August 2000

  11,700

  81,894

  September 2000

  16,557

  98,451

  October 2000

  2,736

  101,187

  November 2000

  1,697

  102,884

  December 2000

  2,902

  105,786

  January 2001

  14,162

  119,948

  February 2001

  595

  120,543

  March 2001

  522

  121,065

  April 2001

  13,485

  134,550

  May 2001

  5,208

  139,758

  June 2001

  4,021

  143,779

  July 2001 to 16 July 2001

  2,618

  146,397

  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of(a) the fixed cost and (b) the marginal cost of providing self-assessment tax returns on the internet; and if he will make a statement. [4458]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The estimated cost of implementing the internet service for self-assessment for years one and two is just under £10 million. The ongoing support cost, including maintenance, help desk support and ongoing improvements to the system is around £3 million per annum.

  Drug Trafficking
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the policy is of HM Customs and Excise in relation to targeted investigations of major cannabis trafficking into the UK; and if he will make a statement. [4733]

  Mr. Boateng
  HM Customs and Excise's task, with partners at home and abroad, is to reduce the availability of all prohibited drugs in the UK.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton can expect a reply to his letter dated 12 June to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury with regard to Mrs. Denise Southworth. [4502]

  Mr. Boateng
  I have already done so.

  National Statistics Annual Report
  Mr. Russell Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects the National Statistics annual report for 2000–01 to be published. [6185]

  Ruth Kelly
  The National Statistics annual report for 2000–01, which provides a comprehensive report on the opening year of National Statistics, is being published today. The report has been laid before Parliament and copies are available in the Libraries of both Houses.

  National Statistics was launched on 7 June 2000, with the overall aim of providing an up-to-date, comprehensive and meaningful description of the UK economy and society. It provides a focus for the work of the Government Statistical Services (GSS), the major provider of official statistics in the UK, with a renewed emphasis on quality, independence and coherence of outputs, to deliver a trusted statistical service for users.

  Framework Document for National Savings
  Mr. Russell Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will publish a revised Framework Document for National Savings. [6347]

  Ruth Kelly
  I have today arranged for copies of National Savings' revised Framework Document to be published and for copies to be placed in the Library. A copy has also been placed on the agency's website.

  It is part of the usual arrangements for Next Steps Agencies to review their operations and revise their Framework Document every three to five years. Following the completion of a review of National Savings, which was announced in July 2000, changes have been made to the agency's objectives and governance arrangements. The revised Framework document reflects these changes and sets out the relationship between National Savings, the Treasury and the Minister responsible for the delivery of its service.

  ECOFIN Council
  Mrs. Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the outcome was of the ECOFIN Council held in Brussels on 10 July; what the Government's voting record was at the Council; and if he will make a statement. [6348]
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  Mr. Gordon Brown
  The Economic Secretary to the Treasury and I attended the meeting of the Economic and Finance Council of Ministers.

  The Presidency set out its work programme and stressed the importance it attached to economic policy co-ordination, the introduction of euro notes and coins, and structural reform.

  I made a strong appeal for the EU to be outward-looking and reformist: the priority must be to step up the momentum of structural economic reform in product, capital and labour markets rather than, for example, tax harmonisation or a new eurotax. I called for progress in areas such as R&D spending, community patent, and launching a new trade round. I also called on the EU to maximise the impact of its development programmes, and emphasised the importance of the Global Health Fund.

  The Council discussed taking forward the mandates from the Gothenburg European Council. The Chair of the Economic Policy Committee set out how the EPC and other committees would take on relevant aspects of the work regarding pension reform and sustainable development.

  ECOFIN endorsed the Economic and Financial Committee's report and revised Code of Conduct on the assessment of Stability and Convergence Programmes.

  The Commission presented its Communication on future tax policy. No conclusions were drawn, but I stated that ECOFIN's priorities should be completing the Tax Package involving exchange of information on savings income and reaching an appropriate long-term solution to VAT on e-commerce; and made it clear that fair tax competition should be encouraged.

  ECOFIN adopted a timetable for the Tax Package.

  No votes were taken in the course of the meeting.

  Excise Fraud
  Mrs. Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps the Government are taking to tackle excise fraud. [6184]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Since 1997 the Government have taken firm action to tackle excise fraud. In June 2000, the Government commissioned an investigation into excise duty collection in HM Customs and Excise. The investigation was conducted by Mr. John Rogues, former senior partner of Deloitte Touche. His report and the Government's response to it have today been laid before Parliament (as Cm 5239).

  I understand that the Comptroller and Auditor General is also publishing a report on the same issue today.

  National Asset Register
  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to update the National Asset Register. [6186]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  An updated and improved National Asset Register has today been laid before Parliament, providing for the first time a comprehensive list and valuation of all assets owned by central Government Departments, their executive agencies and
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  sponsored bodies and the devolved Administrations. Copies of the register are available in the Vote Office and the Libraries of both Houses; it can also be accessed on the internet at www.hm-treasury.gov.uk.

  The total value of the assets listed in the register was £274 billion at the end of 1999–2000. The register is a useful tool in the management of these public assets and details changes in asset holdings since 1997. It shows that in 1999–2000 alone £1.3 billion worth of surplus assets were disposed of, unlocking resources that can be used more productively elsewhere.

  Money Laundering
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the seven banks referred to by the Managing Director of the Financial Services Authority on 8 March in connection with weaknesses in money laundering prevention are fully compliant. [5296]

  Ruth Kelly
  The exercise of powers under the Banking Act 1987 is a matter for the FSA.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the results of discussions between the Financial Services Authority, the law enforcement agencies and the banks following money laundering allegations in the case of the Abacha family. [5295]

  Ruth Kelly
  The discussions are a matter for the parties concerned. It is not the policy of the Government to comment on possible on-going investigations.

  Equitable Life
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will ensure that the FSA produces an interim report on Equitable Life by 20 July. [4999]

  Ruth Kelly
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Dumfries (Mr. Brown) on 13 July 2001,Official Report, column 663W.

  Healthy Life Expectancy
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the healthy life expectancy at age 65 years for(a) men and (b) women in (i) England and (ii) Great Britain. [5217]

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

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Frank Field, dated 19 July 2001 As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your question concerning healthy life expectancy at age 65 years for (a) men and (b) women in (i) England and (ii) Great Britain.
  The latest available figures are given in the table. Figures presented use the General Household Survey (GHS) question on self-reported general health, to show the further years in good or fairly good health that a person aged 65 could expect to live.
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  Healthy life expectancy in years1 at age 65, 19972

  Males

  Females

  England

  11.9

  13.3

  Great Britain

  11.7

  13.2

  1 Healthy life expectancy combines mortality and morbidity into a single index.

  2 Figures for 1997 are based on 1996–98 mortality data and 1996 and 1998 data from the GHS. The figures for Great Britain and the methodology used to calculate them were published in the ONS journal, "Health Statistics Quarterly 07", August 2000.

  Teenage Mothers
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the conception rate was for under 18-year-olds per thousand women aged 15 to 17 in(a) 1998, (b) 1999 and (c) 2000. [5235]

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

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Frank Field, dated 19 July 2001 As National Statistician. I have been asked to reply to your recent question concerning the conception rate for under 18 year olds per thousand aged 15–17in (a) 1998, (b) 1999 and (c) 2000. (5235)
  The conception rate for under 18 year olds in England and Wales was 47.0 per thousand women aged 15–17 in 1998 and provisional figures for 1999 were 45.0 per thousand women aged 15–17.
  Data for 2000 are not yet available.

  Registrar General (Census)
  Mr. John Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Minister of Health's powers to control and direct the Registrar General in the performance of his duties under the Census Act 1920 were rescinded; who now holds those powers; and what amendments have been made to section 2(2) of the Act to reflect the change of ministerial control. [4994]

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

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. John Taylor, dated 19 July 2001 As National Statistician and Registrar General for England and Wales, I have been asked to reply to your recent question on when the Minister of Health's powers to control and direct the Registrar General in the performance of his duties under the Census Act 1920 were rescinded, as well as who now holds those powers and what amendments were made to section 2(2) of the Act to reflect the change in ministerial control (4994).
  The functions of the Minister for Health in respect of his powers under the provisions of the Census Act 1920 were transferred to the Secretary of State for Social Services in 1968 by the Secretary of State for Social Services Order (Statutory Instrument 1968/1699). An amendment to the wording of the section 2(2) of the Census Act 1920 was made accordingly, replacing 'Minister for Health' with `Secretary of State'.
  These functions were subsequently transferred to the Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1996 when the Office for Population Censuses and Surveys was merged with the Central Statistical Office to form the Office for National Statistics. This merger was implemented under the Transfer of Functions (Registration and Statistics) Order (Statutory Instrument 1996/273), which was made on 14 February

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  1996 and came into force on 1 April 1996. No amendment to the Census Act itself was necessary to reflect this change in ministerial control.

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

  Sustainable Agriculture
  Lembit Äpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on her policy relating to supporting a sustainable agricultural economy. [4641]

  Mr. Morley
  Sustainable rural development is one of the key objectives of my new Department. We will be preparing a sustainable development strategy that will look both at the promotion of sustainable food chains within the United Kingdom and promoting sustainability within the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. This will involve the transfer of resources from market support measures—so-called first pillar policies—to the second pillar of the Common Agricultural Policy as the key mechanism for delivering environmental, economic and social policy goals in rural areas and for facilitating restructuring of the agricultural industry.

  We have already said that we will be setting up an Independent Commission to advise on how we can assist the development of a sustainable, competitive and diverse farming and food sector within a thriving rural economy which advances environmental health and animal welfare goals. An announcement on this will be made shortly.

  Foot and Mouth
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) how many jobs have been lost in Cumbria in the(a) agricultural sector and (b) tourist industry as a result of the foot and mouth outbreak; [2552]

  (2) how many rural businesses have closed since the start of the foot and mouth outbreak. [2571]

  Alun Michael
  The Department does not have statistics on job losses in the agricultural sector in Cumbria resulting from foot and mouth disease. We are, however, planning to organise a telephone survey of a sample of farmers who have been directly or indirectly affected by foot and mouth disease. It is proposed that questions relating to the employment effects of the outbreak will be included in this survey.

  It is too early to make a full assessment of the number of jobs lost as a result of the foot and mouth outbreak, and for many businesses the worst impacts are likely to occur over the autumn and winter period. However, the Insolvency Service has identified that about 33 businesses have cited foot and mouth disease as the reason for closure since 12 April and anticipate that this figure will rise. Evidence on labour market impact in most of the areas which are seriously affected suggests that foot and mouth disease has slowed the rate at which unemployment is falling, through an effect on both job losses and recruitment. Local survey evidence suggests that the tourism industry in the worst affected areas has suffered a large loss of trade in the past four months,
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  which is likely to have resulted in a fall in the number of seasonal employees in these areas, besides any business failures and permanent jobs lost.

  The Government have introduced a range of measures to help businesses cope with the impact of foot and mouth disease and will continue to assess the scope for further action through the Rural Task Force, chaired by myself.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps were taken to ensure that farmers were aware(a) of the law surrounding slaughter of animals as a result of foot and mouth disease control and (b) of their rights relating to property prior to the slaughter of their animals; and if she will make a statement. [45]

  Mr. Morley
  The Animal Health Act 1981 provides the powers to require the slaughter of any animals affected with foot and mouth disease, or suspected of being infected. It also sets the rate of compensation. The Department took a number of steps to inform farmers of the policies being pursued to eradicate foot and mouth, including letters, the provision of information via the internet and the establishment of a helpline. Veterinary staff and other DEFRA staff in disease control centres throughout the country are available to provide any explanation required by the owner of an infected premises. Owners of infected premises will have the range of movement and other restrictions explained to them.

  Farmers are also made aware of their rights regarding procedures for disputed valuations. Of course, up to the point where the animals are slaughtered, responsibility for the care and welfare of the animals rests with their owner.

  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the proposed 20-day standstill period on the movement of sheep and cattle. [4426]

  Mr. Morley
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 12 July 2001,Official Report, columns 627–28W.

  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how long foot and mouth vaccination lasts after administration to livestock. [2553]

  Mr. Morley
  With conventional foot and mouth disease vaccines which meet international criteria of safety and potency and following the routine, two-dose primary course of vaccination, there should be no likelihood of vaccinated animals becoming clinically infected with a closely related strain within the same virus serotype for approximately 12 months. This is dependent on vaccination being part of an overall control programme, which includes movement restrictions.

  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will publish the protocols and guidance notes for the disinfection of milking parlours following foot and mouth disease. [2768]

  Mr. Morley
  Detailed guidance is currently being drafted in respect of cleansing and the disinfection of milking parlours. It will be distributed widely among all interested parties and a copy will be placed in the Libraries of the House. Information is available on the website in respect of disinfectants and their use generally in cleaning farms following an outbreak of FMD.
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  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on what date it is estimated that the last milking parlour on currently infected premises will be disinfected and reinstated ready for use. [2769]

  Mr. Morley
  Central records of infected premises do not specify whether they have a milking parlour. However, even if this information were available, it would not be possible to predict a date given the many variables involved in the process of disinfecting and reinstating premises infected by foot and mouth.

  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations have been made to the Government by other countries who have suffered a foot and mouth outbreak. [2566]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government have received a number of representations from Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay both via official and diplomatic channels. All of these countries have recently suffered outbreaks of foot and mouth and the representations primarily concerned the UK's position on imports of meat from those countries.

  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) if she will publish the protocols or guidance for the removal of ash from a foot and mouth disease burn site; [2755]

  (2) what plans she has to dispose of ash from pyre sites in (a) Cumbria and (b) the rest of the United Kingdom; and if she will publish the precautions to be taken in such circumstances. [3443]

  Mr. Morley
  Ash from pyres will normally be buried on site in those cases where the Environment Agency has issued a Groundwater Authorisation that permits this. Where this cannot be done it will be disposed of in licensed landfill sites. A copy of the protocols governing the removal and disposal of ash has been deposited in the Library of the House.

  Copies of this document are available from the DEFRA Foot and Mouth Disease Joint Co-ordination Centre, la Page St., London SW 1P 4PQ (Tel.: 0845 0504141); it will also be published on the DEFRA website as soon as possible.

  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made that vaccinated animals can act as virus carriers of foot and mouth disease. [2578]

  Mr. Morley
  I am guided on this matter by the expert veterinary and scientific advice received, which is that once vaccinated animals are fully protected they should not develop clinical foot and mouth disease. However, the virus can replicate even in animals immune against the development of clinical disease, if they are exposed to infection. A proportion of such animals can become persistently infected while never developing clinical disease. These are so-called "carriers". Virus replication in carrier animals is confined to the oro-pharynx (throat) and occurs only in ruminants (cattle, sheep and goats). Pigs do not become carriers.

  Expert scientific advice is that spread from vaccinated carrier animals is an extremely rare event; the amount of virus excreted is many orders of magnitude less than that expected by animals during the acute phase of disease or
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  during the sub-clinical incubation period. To minimise the risks further, movement restrictions would be applied to all vaccinated animals for 12 months. Any risk of spread of foot and mouth disease from vaccinated carrier animals is considered to be extremely remote. However, it can be one reason to prohibit the export of animals and animal products from countries which practise vaccination to those which do not and which are free of the disease.

  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment the Government have made of the risk of infection of foot and mouth via the wild animal population, with particular reference to deer, hedgehogs and rats. [2556]

  Mr. Morley
  Our current veterinary risk assessment concludes that infected deer could transmit foot and mouth disease to susceptible livestock during the clinical stages of the disease. However the risk of wild deer playing any significant part in the spread of the disease is assessed as very low and feral deer are unlikely to represent a longer term risk. During the current outbreak over 60 deer have been examined for foot and mouth disease with negative results, and we have no evidence of deer playing any part in the spread of disease.

  Hedgehogs are susceptible to foot and mouth disease but do not appear to have played any part in the spread of the disease. Rats are not susceptible to foot and mouth disease but may have a role in spreading the disease indirectly. For this reason an intensive programme of rodent control is carried out on infected premises.

  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the use of real-time video in undertaking veterinary surveillance of animal herds to detect clinical signs of foot and mouth. [3558]

  Mr. Morley
  No formal assessment has been made but experience has shown that the disease, especially in sheep, may be difficult to detect even by close physical examination by a veterinary inspector. Real-time video is therefore not considered to he a practical proposition.

  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farmers in(a) Cumbria and (b) England entered their sheep for the welfare disposal scheme when it was fixed at £45 per head; and how many were (i) not collected and (ii) pending collection when the price was dropped to £30 per head. [3557]

  Mr. Morley
  The Livestock Welfare Disposal Scheme (LWDS) was introduced to provide a means of resolving serious animal welfare problems arising directly from the FMD movement restrictions. Payments made under the scheme are to alleviate welfare problems, and are not a form of compensation. The payment rates were changed on 30 April in the light of evidence that applicants were using the scheme as an alternative market, despite the introduction of various schemes to allow livestock movements from 23 April.
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  As LWDS has progressed, an average of 30 per cent. of animals put forward for the scheme are withdrawn by applicants at the point of slaughter as more opportunities to move livestock have become available. Accurate figures of animals "non collected" or "pending collection" from specific counties are not available. A comprehensive breakdown by category of animal of livestock notified under the scheme is not available for the first few weeks of LWDS.

  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farmers' animals have received(a) pre-22 March stock valuations and (b) standard valuations; and how many animals were involved in each case. [3425]

  Mr. Morley
  The information is not yet available in the form requested. The Department is currently preparing a database of detailed information on livestock valuations and I will write to the right hon. Member when I am able to provide more information.

  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farms within a 10-mile radius of Heddon-on-the-Wall have been infected with foot and mouth disease. [3245]

  Mr. Morley
  Twenty two farms within a 10-mile radius of Heddon-on-the-Wall have been infected with foot and mouth disease.

  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what statutory powers governed the(a) use of vaccination as an eradication policy and (b) other vaccination options considered by her Department in respect of foot and mouth disease. [3231]

  Mr. Morley
  Vaccination against foot and mouth disease is covered by the provisions of Council Directive 85/511/EEC, which requires member states to prohibit vaccination. This has been implemented through the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Control of Vaccination) (England) Regulations 2001.

  However, the Directive also provides for limited recourse to emergency vaccination, in accordance with plans which must be authorised by the European Commission, working through the European Union's Standing Veterinary Committee. Any Commission Decision to permit vaccination would be implemented in the UK by Regulations made under the European Communities Act 1972.

  During the early stage of the current outbreak, two Commission Decisions were adopted which permitted vaccination in parts of the UK in limited circumstances. In the event, these were not put into effect. The use of vaccination against foot and mouth disease is under continuous review, in the light of changing circumstances and knowledge about the disease outbreak.

  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment the Government have made of the incidence of delays in 392W
  payment of livestock compensation to farmers whose animals have been slaughtered in the foot and mouth crisis; and if she will pay interest from the date of stock loss. [2175]

  Mr. Morley
  I recognise that there have been delays in payment of compensation to some farmers whose animals have been slaughtered in the foot and mouth outbreak, and that at the peak period of April and May these delays could be extensive. However, delays are reducing and new claims should be paid within three weeks of the receipt of correct documents. Ministers are considering whether the payment of interest on delayed compensation payments would be justified. Standard valuations were introduced on 22 March which could help to reduce the time taken between diagnosis of disease and payment of compensation. However, this facility has only been used by a minority of farmers.

  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reasons a 24 hour slaughter policy was not in place in the initial confirmed cases of foot and mouth disease. [2186]

  Mr. Morley
  Veterinary instructions in place before the start of the outbreak required that animals in which disease was confirmed should be slaughtered with all practical speed and that those animals showing clinical signs should be slaughtered immediately on confirmation. The 24-hour policy was introduced as part of an on-going review of the Government's control policies and provided veterinary staff with a more precise target.

  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what changes were made to the foot and mouth contingency plan as a result of the updating exercises conducted in November and December 2000. [787]

  Mr. Morley
  The Great Britain contingency plan was reviewed and updated in July 2000. No further updates were carried out in November or December.

  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the(a) farmers and (b) farms whose stock was slaughtered out because they were categorised as (i) direct contacts, (ii) contiguous cull, (iii) slaughter on suspicion and (iv) voluntary cull. [788]

  Mr. Morley
  Our policy, based on legal advice, is to publish on the DEFRA website details of infected premises as this is essential public information in the fight against foot and mouth disease. For reasons of data protection and confidentiality, we are not releasing information on other affected premises, other than to organisations that require it for the purpose of safeguarding public health and for co-ordination of the rural recovery programmes. Data may otherwise be released with the written consent of the individual concerned.

  Aggregated statistical information, broken down into the above categories, is available on the website.
  393W
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on what basis 10 km was decided on as the distance from an infected premises for the ban on animal movement. [4049]

  Mr. Morley
  EU legislation requires member states to declare an Infected Area at a minimum of a 10 km radius around an Infected Premises (IP), taking account of natural boundaries and any epidemiological factors such as the dispersal of virus by windborne spread. This is based on scientific and veterinary advice and experience in dealing with disease.

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action the Government are taking to lift the blanket closures of footpaths and bridleways imposed by local authorities under the Foot and Mouth Disease Order 1983; and if she will make a statement. [6183]

  Alun Michael
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 21 June 2001,Official Report, column 166, that she had asked me to look urgently at revoking remaining blanket closures of rights of way imposed by local authorities in England. Letters were sent to local authorities the next day explaining the Government's proposals in more detail and inviting them to make representations if they considered they could justify retaining blanket closures beyond 20 July.

  I have now considered carefully the representations received. I have agreed that blanket closures may remain in place for the time being in Cumbria and in parts of Devon, Lancashire, Durham, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire. I have also allowed Somerset to retain partial blanket closure until 27 July, and agreed with north Yorkshire their proposals for temporarily retaining closures in parts of the county. In granting these exemptions we have recognised the logistical difficulties which revocation would pose for a few authorities, particularly those hardest hit by foot and mouth disease.

  With the exception of the authorities mentioned above, all remaining closures under article 35B will be lifted from midnight on Friday 20 July. At midnight the following Friday, 27 July, any remaining closures under article 35A (which allowed authorities to close individual paths outside Infected Areas without ministerial consent) will be revoked.

  These actions will ensure that public rights of way are closed only where this is justified. The Department's guidance and veterinary risk assessment issued on 23 May makes it clear that, except within 3 km Protection Zones around infected premises, paths may safely be re-opened. We expect authorities to continue to re-open paths where this can be done safely, in line with the guidance. We shall review the position no later than early September.

  Lifting blanket closures does not mean that all paths will be open. Local authorities retain power to close individual paths, though outside Infected Areas this requires the Department's consent. All such closures must be signed at entrances to the path. Authorities should use their power to close paths selectively, in the areas affected by revocation and elsewhere, only where justified on disease control grounds in line with the Department's guidance. Where paths within Protection Zones are
  394W
  affected by the lifting of a blanket closure, authorities should arrange for their selective re-closure where appropriate.

  People using paths should take sensible precautions to reduce even further any risk of spreading the disease. These are set out in the codes for path users accompanying the guidance to local authorities of 23 May. Authorities should publicise these precautions, particularly the need to stay off farmland if people have recently handled farm animals and to avoid going near, touching or feeding livestock.

  The Government's decision to open footpaths to walkers is entirely consistent with our strong advice to farmers to observe tight bio-security and reflects very different risks. The risks of footpath users transmitting the disease are tiny, particularly when compared with those posed by farmers and others who handle livestock.

  Foot and mouth disease remains a serious problem in a few areas and we continue to do all that is necessary to contain and eradicate it. But in most of England there is no case for wholesale closures. Keeping footpaths closed hurts the rural economy and prevents people enjoying the countryside. We have received strong representations in favour of our approach from those engaged in tourism and other rural businesses—including farmers who have diversified their activities—because of the extent to which their income has been devastated by the consequences of the outbreak. Revoking unnecessary closures now means the vast majority of our countryside will be open for the summer holidays and people will know where they can walk, cycle or ride.

  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 4 July 2001,Official Report, columns 189–90W, how many foreign vets, from which countries, have assisted the UK during the foot and mouth epidemic; and how many left the UK before receiving payment. [791]

  Mr. Morley
  [pursuant to the reply, 4 July 2001, c. 189–90W]I am sorry that there was an error in the list of foreign vets and in which country they are from. Spain was included in error on the list of foreign Government vets.

  The rest of the answer remains correct.

  Foreign veterinary assistance has been provided in two ways. Governments have loaned state veterinarians to the Department. Terms and conditions were agreed with the relevant authorities in each country prior to the vets travelling to GB. Their salaries continue to be paid by the authorities in their own country.

  Other foreign vets have also been appointed as Temporary Veterinary Inspectors (TVIs). TVIs are paid a daily rate, which is claimed retrospectively. The necessary details to allow payment of moneys due is requested at the time of appointment. Information concerning the timing of payments to individuals in relation to their date of departure from GB is not recorded.
  395W
  To date 463 state veterinarians from the following countries have provided assistance during the foot and mouth disease outbreak:

  Australia

  Bulgaria

  Canada

  Cuba

  Denmark

  Finland

  France

  Germany

  Hungary

  Iceland

  Ireland

  Israel

  Italy

  Netherlands

  New Zealand

  Norway

  Sweden

  Switzerland

  USA.

  The number of foreign TVI's appointed is currently 375 and they come from one the following countries

  Australia

  Austria

  Belgium

  Canada

  Czech Republic

  Denmark

  Egypt

  France

  Germany

  Greece

  Ireland

  Israel

  Italy

  Namibia

  Netherlands

  New Zealand

  Norway

  Portugal

  South Africa

  Spain

  Sweden

  Zimbabwe.

  Horticulture
  Hugh Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to grant an exemption to horticulturalists from the licensing scheme for trickle irrigation. [4540]

  Mr. Morley
  We have no plans to exempt horticulturalists from the abstraction licensing system. The draft Water Bill published last November proposed that trickle irrigation be brought into the licensing system. The system will be revised by a Water Bill when parliamentary time permits.
  396W
  However, it was proposed in the draft Water Bill that the standard threshold above which an abstraction licence is required should be raised to 20 cubic metres per day. The draft Bill also proposed that the Environment Agency should have the power to set different thresholds in specified areas. So horticulturalists will be exempt if they abstract less than the relevant threshold amount in any area.

  GMOs
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will publish the results of testing of(a) seed, (b) food and (c) feed that the Government and its agencies have carried out to identify the presence of approved or unapproved GMOs in the last 12 months. [3754]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 16 July 2001]The Department will shortly publish a summary of the activities carried out over the last year by our GM inspectorate at the Central Science Laboratory (CSL), which will include information on audits of seed imports that the CSL has undertaken on our behalf. This will be placed on the Department's website http://www.defra.gov.uk/.

  The testing of food and feed to ensure compliance with relevant legislation is the responsibility of local authorities. Relevant information reporting the test results is not kept centrally.

  Flooding (Robertsbridge)
  Mr. Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the impact of the inability of water to escape from the upriver side of the Robertsbridge bypass on the repeated flooding of parts of the village; what account the Environment Agency has taken of evidence from the fire brigade of the differential levels of flooding on either side of the bypass; and if she will take steps to enlarge the culverts under the bypass before the autumn. [3857]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 16 July 2001]Operational responsibility for flood defence rests with local operating authorities, such as the Environment Agency, and other bodies, such as the Highway's Agency insofar as highways are concerned. I understand that the Environment Agency has undertaken a pre-feasibility study of the flooding problems at Robertsbridge, including hydraulic modelling and investigation of suggestions that the bypass may have an impact. The Environment Agency's current view is that the bypass does not impede floodwaters and that there is no need to enlarge the culverts under the bypass.

  Emergency Planning
  Mr. Oaten
  to ask the Secretary of State for Environment. Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of contingency arrangements to deal with future incidents of(a) flooding, (b) epidemics in farm animals, (c) contamination of food for human or animal (d) interruptions of water supplies and (e) other emergencies; and if she will place copies of the relevant contingency plans in the Library. [4372]
  397W
  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 16 July 2001]The Department has contingency arrangements for response to emergencies affecting its policy responsibilities. These are subject to annual review and report to Ministers. After an emergency or exercise, a lessons learned review is carried out and revisions implemented to arrangements where required. It has not been the practice to make individual plans public because of the inclusion of personal telephone numbers. However we have an overarching plan which sets out the principal requirements for departmental emergency response plans. This is currently being expanded to incorporate the responsibilities of the new Department and the lessons learned from recent emergencies. Once completed I will place a copy in the Library.

  DEFRA no longer has responsibility for incidents concerning the contamination of food for human consumption; this is the remit of the Food Standards Agency.

  Rural Recovery Fund (Worcestershire)
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will extend the rural recovery fund to Worcestershire. [4135]

  Alun Michael
  In the second tranche of Business Recovery Fund allocations announced on 7 May an extra £3 million was allocated to Advantage West Midlands,

  Contractor

  Description

  Type of contract

  Start date

  Contract term

  Annual value

  Lason Information Management Ltd.

  Data Capture Management Services

  Service Provision Agreement

  August 2000

  8 weeks

  696,070

  Global Crossing

  Wide Area Data Networking Services

  Framework

  May 2000

  3 years

  1,800,000

  Compuware Ltd.

  Uniface Software Licensing and Support

  Support Agreement

  April 2000

  Renewed annually

  346,625

  International Computers Ltd.

  IT Supply, Maintenance and Support Services

  Framework

  April 1999

  3 years, with option to extend to 5 years

  18,202,687

  Sema Group UK Ltd.

  Applications Development Services

  Framework

  April 1999

  3 years, with option to extend to 5 years

  15,415.7411

  Sherwood International Group Ltd

  Applications Development Services

  Framework

  April 1999

  3 years, with option to extend to 5 years

  12,030,130

  SAS Software Ltd.

  SAS Software Licences

  Support Agreement

  January 1999

  Renewed annually

  127,499

  Vodafone Corporate Limited

  Mobile Communication Services

  Framework

  1998

  3 years

  458,000

  Computer Associates

  Network Licences

  Support Agreement

  March 1998

  Renewed annually

  176,250

  Oracle Corporation UK Ltd.

  Consultancy and Education Services

  Service Provision Agreement

  Mary 1997

  Renewed annually

  1,500,000

  Oracle Corporation UK Ltd.

  Gold Software Support Service

  Support Agreement

  May 1997

  Renewed annually

  520,391

  Fujitsu Siemens Computers Ltd.

  Unidata Software Licensing and Support

  Support Agreement

  February 1997

  5 years

  480,583

  PC World Business Direct

  Computer Supplies/Products

  Framework

  1996

  3 years, with the option to extend to 5 years

  240,000

  Orion Media Marketing Ltd.

  Computer Supplies/Products

  Framework

  1996

  3 years, with the option to extend to 5 years

  233,0013

  Abacus Direct Marketing and Computer Services Ltd.

  Processor Controlled Keying Services

  Service Provision Agreement

  July 1996

  2 years, with the option to extend to 5 years

  111,470

  Siemens Communications Ltd.

  Telephone Systems and Services

  Framework

  November 1993

  Reviewed 6-monthly

  626,506

  British Telecommunications Plc. Ltd

  Leased Data Circuits

  Framework

  May 1990

  Ongoing

  1,000,000

  398W
  bringing their total allocation to £5.5 million. This has enabled the Agency to help businesses in Worcestershire affected by the foot and mouth restrictions.

  IT Contracts
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 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. [3512]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 17 July 2001]The full details that my right hon. Friend requests back to 1991 are available only at disproportionate cost. A list of major IT contracts valued at more than £500,000 (cumulatively) let and currently used by the Department is however shown in the table, together with supplementary information.

  The Department makes best use of Framework Arrangements/Agreements with service providers and suppliers for the provision of IT goods and services, and has established strategic partnerships with several prime contractors. These ensure best value and cost-effectiveness for the Department.

  To ensure probity and value for money, all procurements are also undertaken in compliance with EC public procurement rules, UK Government domestic procurement policy and best practice guidance, Government accounting rules and National Audit requirements.

  Correspondence
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire will receive a reply to his letter of 18 April, forwarded by the Prime Minister, on behalf of his constituent Mrs. White. [3567]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 12 July 2001]: I replied to the letter from the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire on 12 July 2001.

  Fishing
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total UK sea bass landings were for(a) the commercial fleet and (b) other catches in 2000. [4327]

  Mr. Morley
  Fisheries Departments' statistics record total landings of bass by the UK commercial fleet for 2000 as 407 tonnes. Data on other catches in 2000 drawn from the CEFAS fishermen's voluntary logbook scheme are currently being compiled and will be available at the end of August.

  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with fishing industry representatives; and what assessment she has made in respect of stock recovery programmes in waters fished by UK regional vessels. [4360]

  Mr. Morley
  I met representatives of the fishing industry immediately prior to the Fisheries Council on 18 June which discussed recovery plans. Industry representatives from the UK and other member states have attended a series of consultation meetings with the Commission as the stock recovery plans have been developed. The UK industry in particular has made a key contribution to this work. In view of the advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas, the United Kingdom is fully convinced of the need to develop recovery programmes for North sea cod, west of Scotland cod, and Irish sea cod as well as for northern hake.

  Flag of Convenience Vessels
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the anticipated costs are of meeting the claims arising from the ruling over the Factortame case brought by owners of flag of convenience vessels. [4358]

  Mr. Morley
  Settlement has been reached with all the applicants involved in the Factortame litigation with the exception of two who are appealing against the rejection of their claims by the court. Under the terms of the settlement the total sum of damages paid is £55 million which includes some £26 million interest. The legal costs of the applicants, liability for which was accepted as part of the settlement agreements, are the subject of further legal proceedings and will not be assessed until these are completed. The claims submitted by the applicants totalled some £285 million before interest.

  Organic Food
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent 400W
  estimate she has made of the levels of organic food (a) production and (b) consumption in Great Britain; what targets she has for expansion of organic production in (i) 2005, (ii) 2010 and (iii) 2015; and if she will make a statement. [3989]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 13 July 2001]I have made no such estimates. However estimates prepared by the Soil Association (in their Organic Food and Farming Report 2000) indicate that the farm gate value of UK organic produce was around £67 million in 1999–2000 and that the retail value of all organic produce sold in the UK in the same period was just over £605 million.

  We very much welcome the expansion of organic farming and we have done much to assist it. In particular, we have made substantial cash injections into the sector in aid for conversion to organic farming for which there is an ongoing commitment under the England Rural Development Programme. We do not favour setting arbitrary targets for the conversion of land to organic farming or for the producing of organic food.

  Annual Reports
  Mr. Edwards
  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 Veterinary Laboratory Agency. [6048]

  Margaret Beckett
  The 2000–01 Annual Report and Accounts for the Veterinary Laboratory Agency were laid before Parliament today. Copies are available in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will publish the 2000–2001 Annual report and Accounts for the Veterinary Medicines Directorate [6046]

  Margaret Beckett
  The 2000–01 Annual Report and Accounts for the Veterinary Medicines Directorate were laid before Parliament today. Copies are available in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will publish the 2000–2001 Annual report and Accounts for the Intervention Board Executive Agency. [6047]

  Margaret Beckett
  The 2000–01 Annual Report and Accounts for the Intervention Board Executive Agency were laid before Parliament today. Copies are available in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Edwards
  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 Central Science Laboratory. [6049]

  Margaret Beckett
  The 2000–01 annual report and accounts for the Central Science Laboratory were laid before Parliament today. Copies are available in the Library of the House.

  BSE
  James Purnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the findings of the review of the origin of BSE undertaken by Professor Horn will be available. [6045]
  401W
  Margaret Beckett
  Professor Horn has now completed his review and I have today placed a copy of his report in the Library of the House.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

  Teacher Vacancies
  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how many teacher vacancies there were at(a) January 2001 and (b) January 2000 in each local education authority; and if she will place these figures in the Library; [4931]

  (2) if she will place in the Library the teacher vacancies statistics for January 2001. [5371]

  Mr. Timms
  The information requested is contained in a table which has been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills why the number of vacancies for(a) mathematics and (b) information technology teachers changed between 1997 and 2000. [5370]

  Mr. Timms
  The additional funding of £350 per pupil in real terms that the Government provided for schools in England between 1997–98 and 2000–01 allowed more teaching posts to be created. Although the total number of teacher vacancies rose by 867 between January 1997 and January 2000, the number of full-time equivalent regular teachers also rose, by almost 5,500. Between January 2000 and January 2001, there was a further increase of over 5,500 in teacher numbers. Data on how many of these additional posts were in mathematics and information technology are not collected centrally.

  Since January 2000, new Government funding for teacher training bursaries, Golden Hello incentives and the Graduate Teacher Programme have been introduced to encourage more new teachers into the profession, especially in secondary shortage subjects like mathematics and information technology.

  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills for what reason teacher vacancies as a percentage of teachers in post changed from 1997 to 2000(a) in the south-east and (b) in London. [5376]

  Mr. Timms
  Between 1997–98 and 2001–01, funding per pupil rose in real terms by £550 in London and the south-east. These extra resources allowed more teaching posts to be funded. The number of teacher vacancies in London and the south-east rose by 480 between January 1997 and January 2000. In the same period, the number of full-time equivalent regular teachers employed in the region rose by 2,168.

  Grant-maintained Schools (Surrey)
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what funding per pupil was provided to grant-maintained schools in Surrey in the year immediately prior to the end of grant-maintained status; and what funding per pupil those schools receive in the current financial year [2543]

  Mr. Timms
  In the financial year 1998–99, grant-maintained (GM) schools in Surrey received recurrent funding from the former Funding Agency for 402W
  Schools (FAS) amounting on average to £1,810 per pupil in the case of primary schools and £2,410 per pupil in the case of secondary schools. For the financial year 2001–02, the most closely comparable figures currently available in respect of these schools are £2,060 per pupil and £2,660 per pupil respectively. All figures have been calculated to the nearest £10 on the basis of pupil numbers from the Annual Schools Census for January 1998 and January 2001.

  The calculations for 1998–99 are based on financial information supplied to the Department by FAS. The figures include annual maintenance grant together with special purpose grants for development, nursery education, premises insurance, primary support and the purchase of books, but not other special purpose grants or capital grants. Most GM schools' annual maintenance grant included an element to compensate the schools for their inability to reclaim VAT: appropriate adjustments have been made to reflect this.

  The calculations for 2001–02 are based on information from the budget statement published by the local education authority under section 52 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, supplemented and updated (in the case of specific grants) by information separately provided by the LEA. The figures include the schools' budget shares (including School Standards Grant and transitional funding); Standards Fund resources devolved to the schools (but excluding capital grants, and other grants relating to school security and the National Grid for Learning); and Infant Class Size grants devolved to schools otherwise than through their budget shares.

  In 1998–99, under arrangements specific to the GM sector, the GM schools received formula capital allocations from FAS amounting on average to £46 per pupil (primary) and £31 per pupil (secondary). Under the NDS devolved formula capital arrangements which apply to all schools, the Surrey ex-GM schools' allocations for 2001–02 amount on average to £37 per pupil (primary) and £28 per pupil (secondary); all these figures are rounded to the nearest pound.

  Blenheim School has been excluded from the calculations because its funding levels are significantly affected by the school's recent establishment. The calculations also exclude Nonsuch High School for Girls, which is situated in Surrey but maintained by the London Borough of Sutton.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the change in incidence of special needs children with statements between 1997 and 2001 as a proportion of pupils on roll at all schools. [5372]

  Mr. Timms
  Since 1997 the percentage of children with statements of special educational need has increased from 2.9 per cent. in January 1997 to 3.1 per cent. in January 2001. This continues an increase from earlier years: for example, the proportion of statemented pupils was 2.6 per cent. in 1995. We believe that these increases reflect improved early identification measures, and improved procedures, in particular the introduction of the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice on the Identification and Assessment of Special Needs in 1994.
  403W
  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the factors underlying the change in the incidence of special educational needs children without statement from 1997 to 2001 as a proportion of pupils at all schools. [5373]

  Mr. Timms
  Since 1997 the percentage of children with identified special educational needs without a statement has increased from 15.1 per cent. in January 1997 to 18.8 per cent. in January 2001. We believe that this increase reflects improved early identification measures, and improved procedures, in particular the introduction of the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice on the Identification and Assessment of Special Needs in 1994.

  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many appeals were heard by the Special Educational Needs Tribunal; and how many were successful in 1999–2000 [5377]

  Mr. Timms
  The number of appeals heard by the Special Educational Needs Tribunal in 1999–2000 was 1,196. Of these some 931 were successful, in whole or in part.

  Further Education
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on trends in enrolment to further education. [3184]

  John Healey
  [holding answer 11 July 2001]The number of students enrolled in FE colleges and on further education provision in other institutions in 1999–2000 was 4,274,000. This compares with a peak of 4,463,000 in 1996–97, when inappropriate franchising arrangements, some of which gave rise to provision of dubious worth, had caused the participation figures to increase sharply and unsustainably. We are committed to increasing real participation in further education and we are providing real terms increases in further education funding to achieve this.

  Lecturers
  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many further education lecturers have left the profession in each of the last 10 years. [2996]

  John Healey
  [holding answer 9 July 2001]: Full-time lecturers in the further education (FE) sector in England at March each year who were no longer employed as full-time in the FE sector one year later, in either England or Wales, in the financial years 1989–90 to 1998–99 (the last year for which records are available) are as follows:

  Year

  Number of FE leavers

  1998–99

  3,955

  1997–98

  7,115

  1996–97

  6,808

  1995–96

  5,953

  1994–95

  4,943

  1993–94

  5,243

  1992–931

  5,081

  1991–921

  4,525

  1990–911

  5,088

  1989–901

  4,810

  1Excludes sixth-form colleges

  404W
  2 Full-time FE lecturers who became part-time FE lecturers are counted as leavers.

  Source

  The DfES Database of Teacher Records. The most recent data available are for 31 March 1999.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what information she has collated regarding vacancy rates in lecturer/senior lecturer grades over the last five years, in each university. [4572]

  Margaret Hodge
  [answer 18 July 2001]: The information is not held centrally. Individual universities, as employers, are responsible for monitoring their own vacancies.

  Schools (Investment)
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on her plans for public investment in schools. [3355]

  Mr. Timms
  Our proposals mean that the recurrent funding for schools in England will have risen by £9.5 billion between 1997–98 and 2003–04. On capital funding, in 2000–01 we invested over £2 billion in school buildings. This is three times the £693 million invested in 1996–97. In addition, we are investing £8.5 billion in our school buildings over the Spending Review period. We are determined to continue to improve schools through sustained investment and reform.

  Individual Learning Accounts
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the number of individual learning accounts(a) opened and (b) used by (i) gender, (ii) age and (iii) occupation. [4414]

  John Healey
  [holding answer 17 July 2001]The figures requested for England up to the period 29 June 2001 are set out in the following tables:

  By gender

  Accounts open

  Accounts used

  Female

  709,728

  310,480

  Male

  523,528

  229,500

  Unknown

  3,786

  2,171

  Total

  1,237,042

  542,151

  By age

  Accounts open

  Accounts used

  19–30

  371,594

  151,895

  31–40

  367,395

  159,362

  41–50

  261,886

  116,387

  51–60

  158,532

  74,115

  60±

  77,635

  40,392

  Total

  1,237,042

  542,151

  By occupation

  Accounts open

  Accounts used

  Housewife/homemaker

  103,241

  50,040

  Manual/factory worker

  67,318

  30,112

  Manager (own business less than 250 staff)

  42,119

  18,886

  Office/retail worker

  220,193

  95,050

  Senior manager/professional

  120,279

  49,920

  Skilled worker/tradesperson

  96,716

  42,164

  405W

  By occupation

  Accounts open

  Accounts used

  Teaching/lecturer

  52,330

  21,672

  Data not supplied

  276,772

  123,471

  Other

  258,074

  110,836

  Total

  1,237,042

  542,151

  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many individual learning accounts have been opened under the national framework since June 2000. [4447]

  John Healey
  [holding answer 17 July 2001]: There have been 1,237,042 individual learning accounts opened under the national framework in England up to 29 June 2001.

  Vandalism (Schools)
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to reduce the amount of vandalism to school premises committed out of school hours. [4451]

  Mr. Timms
  Schools are often most vulnerable to attack when they are closed, and acts of vandalism can have a seriously demoralising effect on schools, with the costs of removing graffiti or replacing broken windows being a drain on resources.

  My Department makes specific funding available to local education authorities, through the Standards Fund, to support school security improvements at maintained schools in their areas. This amounts to £22 million per year. The aim of the grant, which was introduced in 1997–98, is not only to make schools safer environments for staff and pupils, which must be the main priority, but also to help reduce the incidence and associated costs of crime in schools. Local education authorities have reported significant reductions in vandalism where schools have had improvements funded from the grant.

  We have also produced guidance on reducing crime in schools, such as the booklet "Improving School Security", and the video "Can You See What They See?" A school security website has been established.

  PFI/PPP
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many(a) PFI and (b) PPP contracts have been agreed by her Department in 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. [4603]

  Mr. Timms
  In the last five years, a total of 56 schools PFI projects have been approved by this Department. Of these, 31 have so far signed contracts. The remaining 25 projects are working towards contract signature following approval by DIES and the Treasury chaired Project Review Group.

  In addition, 12 PPP projects, which were developed with support from New Deal for Schools funding, have reached contract signature.
  406W
  Local authorities are generally responsible for monitoring the performance of schools PH and PPP contracts.

  Education (Bedfordshire)
  Mr. Selous
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment has been made of the requirement for new(a) lower, (b) middle and (c) upper schools in the South-West Bedfordshire constituency to take account of anticipated house building in the area until 2011. [4717]

  Mr. Timms
  The Government believe that decisions concerning the organisation and supply of school places are best taken locally—by the main partners in the provision of education who have knowledge of local needs. It is the responsibility of local education authorities (LEAs) to ensure that there are sufficient school places within their area.

  Should a district council propose new housing developments we would expect the LEA's School Organisation Plan (SOP) to reflect any projected increases in the pupil population. All LEAs are required to produce a SOP, which sets out how they propose to deal with deficits and surpluses of school provision over a rolling 5-year period. The SOP sets the context for proposals to change school organisation in the area, and may include proposals to establish new schools or enlarge existing ones.

  If, as a result of housing developments, the LEA identifies a need for additional school places, we would consider any future capital bids from Bedfordshire that meet the published criteria for support.

  Mr. Selous
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children in South-West Bedfordshire have school meals provided by the local authority. [4718]

  Mr. Timms
  The information requested is shown in the following table.

  Number and percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals, January 2000

  Number of pupils

  Percentage of pupils

  South-West Bedfordshire

  Parliamentary Constituency

  Maintained nursery and primary schools

  813

  11.4

  Maintained secondary schools

  855

  9.1

  England

  Maintained nursery and primary schools

  821,521

  18.3

  Maintained secondary schools

  523,630

  16.5

  Mr. Selous
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the class sizes for(a) lower, (b) middle and (c) upper schools were in Bedfordshire on 1 May; and what they are projected to be on 1 May 2002. [4720]

  Mr. Timms
  The available information is shown in the following table.
  407W

  Average class sizes in Bedfordshire LEA, January 20011

  Schools

  Average class size

  Middle deemed Secondary schools

  26.2

  Comprehensive Upper schools

  19.4

  1 Provisional

  Plain English
  Mr. Selous
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to ensure that all documents that school governing bodies are required to consider are written in plain English. [4774]

  Mr. Timms
  All documents sent to governing bodies by the DIES, and the former DIEE, either bear the 'Crystal Mark' awarded by the Plain English Commission, or are produced to communication standards based on plain English principles. The Department has no direct control over the many communications for school governors prepared by local education authorities but has urged them to adopt the same principles and to keep such communications to a minimum.

  GCSEs
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of 16-year-olds had at least one GCSE at grade A*-G in 2000. [4800]

  Mr. Timms
  The proportion of 16-year-olds that achieved at least one GCSE at grade A*-G in England in 2000 was 94.4 per cent.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of young people left local authority care with one or more GCSE at grade A* to G for the year for which she has the most recent data. [5239]

  Jacqui Smith
  I have been asked to reply.

  The most recent data were published by the Department of Health on 26 October 2000. These show that 29 per cent. of young people leaving local authority care at age 16 or more during year ending 31 March 2000 achieved at least one GCSE at grade A* to G.

  School Absences
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of school half days were missed in the year 2000 through unauthorised absence. [4807]

  Mr. Timms
  0.7 per cent. of half days were missed in English schools in 1999–2000 as a result of unauthorised absence. Pupil absence data for England are collected by school year, and are published during the following autumn term by DfES in the National Pupil Absence Tables and in School Performance Tables. Figures for the school year 2000–01 are therefore not available yet.

  Teachers' Code of Conduct
  Andrew Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will take into account the concerns of teachers about the proposed clause 5 of the professional code of conduct of teachers, drafted by the General Teaching Council, on the grounds of religious conscience. [4920]
  408W
  Mr. Timms
  The professional code of practice is a matter for the General Teaching Council (GTC). Paragraph 5 relates to the way teachers support children in their care, by providing an environment of tolerance and respect that allows all children to flourish irrespective of their home circumstances. Children come from diverse backgrounds and it is important that teachers protect them from antisocial behaviour such as name calling or bullying. The GTC has published its current draft widely, sending it to all registered teachers and their responses, including those relating to paragraph 5, will be considered by the GTC's Council in due course.

  School Exclusion
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidance has been issued on the circumstances in which it is appropriate for a local education authority exclusion officer to overrule a school over a decision to exclude. [4930]

  Mr. Timms
  A local education exclusion officer has no powers to overrule an exclusion, whatever the circumstances. The officer's role is to give advice on the appropriateness of the exclusion. The LEA can make a statement to the school's Discipline Committee considering whether or not to uphold an exclusion, for example about how other schools in the authority have responded to similar incidents.

  Nursery Places
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what her timetable is for extending free nursery places to all three-year-olds in(a) Staffordshire and (b) England. [4983]

  Mr. Timms
  Our commitment is to provide every three-year-old, whose parents want one, with a free nursery education place by September 2004. In March 2001, around 55 per cent. of three-year-olds in England had access to a free part-time nursery education place. We are currently on target to provide 66 per cent. of all three-year-olds with a free place by March 2002.

  Staffordshire local education authority estimates that around 35 per cent. of three-year-olds have access to a free nursery education place in their area. The access to free nursery education is influenced by the level of provision that the local authority makes available in its own area, as well as the places funded directly by Government. The allocation made by Government, through the Nursery Education Grant, is made on the basis of social disadvantage.

  Childcare (Warrington, North)
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many day care places in nurseries have been created in Warrington, North since 1997. [4992]

  Mr. Timms
  Early Years Development and Child Care 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 Warrington Early Years Development and Child Care Partnership has reported the creation of 188 daycare places1 in the constituency of Warrington, North.

  409W
  1This figure includes daycare places created in day nurseries, pre-schools and playgroups. It is not possible to break down the figures to show those in nurseries only.

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many out-of-school hours childcare places have been created in Warrington, North since 1997; and how many of those places are in wards which are among the most deprived 20 per cent. of wards in England as measured by the Official Index of Deprivation. [4993]

  Mr. Timms
  Early Years Development and Child Care Partnerships have provided details only of the new child care places that have opened by constituency since April 1999. Between April 1999 and March 2001 Warrington Early Years Development and Child Care Partnership has reported the creation of 337 new out of school hours places1 in Warrington, North.

  Data on child care places are grouped at local education authority and constituency level. We are not able to break the data down to ward level.
  1Data includes places created in out of school clubs and holiday schemes.

  School Transport
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions she has had with religious organisations about the implications for church schools of new funding arrangements for school transport of pupils over the age of 16 years. [4996]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  There have been no changes to the national funding arrangements for post-16 transport. My officials have not, therefore, had discussions with religious organisations. I understand that Northumberland LEA is considering changes to the support that it provides for transport locally and is consulting on these changes. It is for each LEA to determine the level of support that it makes in relation to local needs, and to have regard to parents' religious preferences.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidance she has issued to education authorities and to learning and skills councils on future funding arrangements for transport to school for pupils aged over 16 years; how many education authorities propose to discontinue free transport on post-16 pupils; and if she will make a statement. [4997]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  There have been no changes to the national funding arrangements for post-16 transport and no guidance has been issued. We do not have figures on the numbers of LEAs who propose to discontinue the provision of free transport for post-16 pupils. We are awaiting the outcome of a study into post-16 transport arrangements in September 2001 and will consider any recommendations and issue our response thereafter.

  Early Years Provision
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what requirements she has placed on(a) local authorities and (b) pre-school settings for the preparation of and application for kitemark schemes. [5084]
  410W
  Mr. Timms
  A range of quality assurance mechanisms is being used successfully by local authorities to raise standards. These include: Investors in People, Charter Mark and the Excellence Model. Some local authorities have also developed their own models. The revised LEA Code of Practice, which came into effect in February 2001, contains a non-statutory Annexe setting out the standards that local authorities should adhere to in their communications with schools.

  In March, Government announced "Investors in Children" a national quality-rating scheme for child care and early years education, as proposed in the Green Paper "Schools Building on Success". Early Years Development and Child Care Partnerships are working to meet a new national target to ensure that at least 40 per cent. of early years and child care providers have been accredited by a quality assurance scheme by 2004.

  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will publish, for each local education authority, in respect of(a) three year olds and (b) four year olds (i) the number resident in each local education authority, (ii) the number for whom places are available in pre-school settings, (iii) the number for whom places are available in schools, (iv) the number of places for which Government funding is provided, (v) category (iv) as a percentage of (i), (vi) category (iv) as a percentage of (ii) and (iii) and (vii) the number of residents whom the local EYCDP identifies as in need of provision. [5085]

  Mr. Timms
  The information requested can be collected only at disproportionate cost.

  Bullying
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the criteria for the inclusion of organisations in her Department's anti-bullying website, "Don't Suffer in Silence". [5122]

  Mr. Timms
  In installing links from our website to other websites of interest to bullied pupils we have considered the usefulness of the other sites to users, whether there is any controversial or inappropriate material, and whether the sites appear to support our policy on bullying.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when her officials plan to meet representatives of the charity Bullying Online. [5123]

  Mr. Timms
  My officials are ready to meet the representatives of Bullying Online at any time. My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State made this clear in a letter to the Director of the charity on 5 July.

  Trainee Teachers (Tests)
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to her answer of 9 July 2001, Official Report, column 403W, how many students who obtained QTS status last summer have(a) failed the skills tests in numeracy and literacy and (b) applied for an extension in order to retake the tests that they have failed. [5357]

  Mr. Timms
  231 of last year's newly qualified teachers have failed so far to pass the computerised numeracy skills test. They are not required to take the literacy test. We do not yet know how many have applied for an extension to their induction period to retake the test.

  Chief Inspector of Schools
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what arrangements are being made to recruit the next HM Chief Inspector of Schools in England. [5610]

  Estelle Morris
  I am grateful to Mike Tomlinson for agreeing to extend his one-year appointment as HM Chief Inspector for five months. This extension, until 30 April 2002, was confirmed yesterday by Order in Council. Recruitment for the post will be run in accordance with the guidelines of the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments following advertisement in the national press in September.

SCOTLAND

  Foot and Mouth
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will publish the protocols and guidance notes for the disinfection of milking parlours in Scotland following foot and mouth disease. [2767]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Detailed guidance is currently being drafted by DEFRA in respect of cleansing and the disinfection of milking parlours. It will be distributed widely among interested parties and a copy will be placed in the Libraries of the House. Information is available on the DEFRA and Scottish Executive websites in respect of disinfectants and their use generally in cleaning farms following an outbreak of FMD.

  Ministerial Travel
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when she last travelled on the London Underground in the course of her official duties. [3685]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I use the most efficient and cost-effective mode of transport and travel on the underground as and when appropriate.

  Motoring Fines
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much the Treasury received from motoring fines in Scotland in each of the last five years. [3883]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 13 July 2001]: The information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Scottish Homes
  Phil Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much public funding Scottish Homes has received each year since 1989 [4033]

  Mr. Foulkes
  The table sets out the grant-in-aid allocations made to Scottish Homes each year between 1989 and 1999. On 1 July 1999 this became a devolved matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  £ million

  Financial year

  Public funding

  1989–90

  229.146

  1990–91

  266.445

  412W

  £ million

  Financial year

  Public funding

  1991–92

  450.746

  1992–93

  566.897

  1993–94

  320.212

  1994–95

  324.742

  1995–96

  294.921

  1996–97

  281.190

  1997–98

  314.986

  1998–99

  340.591

  Phil Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many performance audits Scottish Homes has conducted each year since 1989. [4035]

  Mr. Foulkes
  The table shows how many performance audit inspections Scottish Homes conducted each year between 1989 and 1999. Figures from 1989 to 1993 are based on estimates only. On 1 July 1999 this became a devolved matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Year

  Number of performance audits conducted

  1989–90

  145

  1990–91

  145

  1991–92

  145

  1992–93

  145

  1993–94

  53

  1994–95

  46

  1995–96

  67

  1996–97

  82

  1997–98

  101

  1998–99

  90

  1 Estimates

  Phil Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many statutory inquiries Scottish Homes has conducted each year since 1989. [4034]

  Mr. Foulkes
  The table sets out the number of statutory inquiries Scottish Homes instructed each year between 1989 and 1999. On 1 July 1999, this became a devolved matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Year

  Inquiries

  1989–90

  1

  1990–91

  0

  1991–92

  1

  1992–93

  2

  1993–94

  1

  1994–95

  0

  1995–96

  0

  1996–97

  0

  1997–98

  2

  1998–99

  0

  Ministerial Duties
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. [4899]

  Mrs. Liddell
  A Minister will be on duty throughout the summer break, in line with the requirements of the current Ministerial Code.

WORK AND PENSIONS

  Bereavement Payment
  Ms Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if entitlement to bereavement payment in relation to persons abroad remains the same as that for widow's payment. [6037]

  Malcolm Wicks
  Yes. We shall shortly lay regulations (The Welfare Reform and Pensions (Persons Abroad: Benefits for Widows and Widowers) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2001) amending the 1975 Persons Abroad regulations that restore the long established arrangements in the Widows Benefit scheme. These changes come into effect from 20 August 2001. Until then the few cases arising where the current Bereavement Benefit rules are not as we intended them to be from the outset in April this year will be dealt with in line with our original intention and the expenditure will be met by an extra-statutory arrangement.

  Annual Reports
  Paul Goggins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when the Employment Service annual report and accounts for 2000–01 will be laid before Parliament. [6038]

  Mr. Darling
  I have today laid before the House the Employment Service's annual report and accounts for 2000–2001 which gives full details of the Agency's performance and expenditure for that year.

  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will publish the 2000–01 annual report and accounts for each of his agencies. [6039]

  Mr. Darling
  The 2000–2001 annual reports and accounts for the Benefits Agency (HC153), Child Support Agency (HC87), The Appeals Service (HC156) and War Pensions Agency (HC57) have been laid before Parliament today.

  Social Security Fraud Act
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will publish for public consultation the draft Code of Practice governing the information gathering powers in the Social Security Fraud Act 2001. [6040]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The Social Security Fraud Act contains new powers for the Department and local authorities to obtain information from the private sector and some public sector organisations, to combat benefit fraud.

  The Act makes provision for a statutory Code of Practice to govern the use of these powers. A draft Code was made available in the last Parliament and we now propose to conduct a formal public consultation exercise.

  Copies of the Code will be sent to a wide range of interested parties, and it will be placed on the Department's website. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses, and are available from the Vote Office. Respondents will have three months to respond.

  Occupational Pensions
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans there are to ensure that occupational pension schemes have independent chairmen. [4620]

  Mr. McCartney
  The Government are currently working on changes to the Pensions Act 1995 that will ensure that more members will have the opportunity to become trustees of their occupational pension scheme. We expect to introduce regulations during this parliamentary Session.

  We have no plans to require the trustee boards of occupational pension schemes to have independent chairmen.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans there are to ensure that members of an occupational pension fund benefit from it in proportion to their contributions. [4621]

  Mr. McCartney
  The factors determining the benefits received by a member of an occupational pension fund differ depending on the type of scheme and the particular scheme rules.

  The Trustees of an occupational pension scheme must use the scheme's assets to provide benefits for members in accordance with the scheme rules.

  Non-state Pensions
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was contributed to non-state pensions in(a) 1999 and (b) 2000 adjusted in each case to 1997 price terms. [5222]

  Mr. McCartney
  The information requested is in the table.

  The amount contributed to non-state pensions in each of the following years

  Year

  £ billion

  1999

  65

  2000

  69

  Notes

  1. Figures are in 1997 prices, rounded to the nearest billion

  2. Figures represent the contributions of employers and employees to self-administered pension funds and the pensions business of insurance companies

  Source

  MQ5 publication from the Office for National Statistics

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of working age(a) men and (b) women were contributing to a non-state pension in (i) 1999–2000 and (ii) 2000–01. [5224]

  Mr. McCartney
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.

  These figures are not directly comparable with the figures for preceding years due to a change in methodology of the Family Resources Survey.
  415W

  Proportion of working age people contributing to a non-state pension in 1999–2000

  Percentage

  Male

  63

  Female

  54

  All

  59

  Notes

  1. Non-state pension refers to either an occupational or personal pension

  2. Working age refers to all those aged between 20 and the state retirement age who are in work

  3. The information is not available for the years 2000–01

  Source

  The Family Resources Survey

  English House Condition. Survey
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of people aged 60 years or over live in a home that falls below the standard of decency set out in the English House Condition Survey. [5216]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The latest information can be found in "Opportunity for All, One Year on: making a difference" (Cm 4865). Copies of this report have been placed in the Library.

  Household Incomes
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what percentage of children have lived in households with incomes(a) below 60 per cent. and (b) below 70 per cent. of median household incomes, before housing costs, in at least three out of the last four years; [4803]

  (2) what percentage of children were living in households with income below (a) 40 per cent. of the mean before housing costs, (b) 40 per cent. of the mean after housing costs, (c) 50 per cent. of the mean before housing costs, (d) 50 per cent. of the mean after housing costs, (e) 60 per cent. of the mean before housing costs, (f) 60 per cent. of the mean after housing costs, (g) 50 per cent. of the median before housing costs, (h) 50 per cent. of the median after housing costs, (i) 60 per cent. of the median before housing costs. (j) 60 per cent. of the median after housing costs, (k) 70 per cent. of the median before housing costs and (l) 70 per cent. of the median after housing costs, with the mean and median incomes fixed at 1996–97 levels in real terms; [4805]

  (3) what percentage of pensioners in 1999–2000 were living in households with incomes below (a) 40 per cent. of mean household income before, (b) 50 per cent. of mean household income before, (c) 60 per cent. of mean household income before, (d) 40 per cent. of mean household income after, (e) 50 per cent. of mean household income after, (f) 60 per cent. of mean household income after, (g) 50 per cent. of median household income before, (h) 60 per cent. of median household income before, (i) 70 per cent. of median household income before, (j) 50 per cent. of median household income after, (k) 60 per cent. of median household income after and (l) 70 per cent. of median household income after housing costs; [5219]

  (4) what percentage of pensioners have had incomes (a) below 60 per cent. and (b) below 70 per cent. of median household incomes, in at least three out of the last four years; [5221]
  416W
  (5) what percentage of working age adults lived in households with incomes (a) below 60 per cent. and (b) below 70 per cent. of the median household income in at least three out of the last four years; [5227]

  (6) what percentage of pensioners in 1999–2000 were living in households with incomes below (a) 40 per cent. of mean household income before housing costs, (ii) 50 per cent. of mean household income before housing costs, (iii) 60 per cent. of mean household income before housing costs, (iv) 40 per cent. of mean household income after housing costs, (v) 50 per cent. of mean household income after housing costs, (vi) 60 per cent. of mean household income after housing costs, (vii) 50 per cent. of median household income before housing costs, (viii) 60 per cent. of median household income before housing costs, (ix) 70 per cent. of median household income before housing costs, (x) 50 per cent. of median household income after housing costs, (xi) 60 per cent. of median household income after housing costs and (xii) 70 per cent. of median household income after housing costs in each case taking mean and median household income to be 1996–97 values held constant in real terms; [5229]

  (7) what percentage of working age adults lived in households with an income below 40 per cent. of the mean before housing costs, (b) 50 per cent. of the mean before housing costs, (c) 60 per cent. of the mean before housing costs, (d) 40 per cent. of the mean after housing costs, (e) 50 per cent. of the mean after housing costs, (f) 60 per cent. of the mean after housing costs, (g) 50 per cent, of the median before housing costs, (h) 60 per cent. of the median before housing costs, (i) 70 per cent. of the median before housing costs, (j) 50 per cent. of the median after housing costs, (k) 60 per cent. of the median after housing costs and (l) 70 per cent. of the median after housing costs in each case using 1996–97 mean and median income held constant in real terms in 1999–2000; [5230]

  (8) what percentage of working age adults lived in households with an income below (a) 40 per cent. of the mean before housing costs, (b) 50 per cent. of the mean before housing costs, (c) 60 per cent. of the mean before housing costs, (d) 40 per cent. of the mean after housing costs, (e) 50 per cent. of the mean after housing costs, (f) 60 per cent. of the mean after housing costs, (g) 50 per cent. of the median before housing costs, (h) 60 per cent. of the median before housing costs, (i) 70 per cent. of the median before housing costs, (j) 50 per cent. of the median after housing costs, (k) 60 per cent. of the median after housing costs and (1) 70 per cent. of the median after housing costs in 1999–2000. [5231]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The information is contained in the Households Below Average Income 1994–95 to 1999–2000 report. Pages 59,75 and 88 show the specific results for children, working age adults and pensioners respectively. Copies of the publication have been placed in the Library.

  Disability and Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what work(a) is being and (b) has been carried out by his Department to develop a method of

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  collecting information on (i) the number of people claiming incapacity benefit who are re-tested and (ii) the frequency with which they are re-tested; [5211]

  (2) which disability organisations have been consulted by his Department about the development of a method to collect information on (a) the number of people claiming incapacity benefit who are re-tested and (b) the frequency with which they are re-tested. [5212]

  Malcolm Wicks
  We already monitor the number of re-tests carried out and are always looking at ways to improve this information.

  As announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 11 July 2001, Official Report, column 567, we will discuss with groups representing disabled people the precise administrative arrangements that will underpin the proposed changes to Incapacity Benefit.

  Mr. Tony Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people on Incapacity Benefit have not been subject to a medical to assess capacity for work for(a) 10, (b) 15 and (c) 20 years; and what proportion this represents of total numbers of Incapacity Benefit recipients. [3465]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The majority of Incapacity Benefit recipients will have undergone a Personal Capability Assessment (known as the All Work Test before April 2000) to assess their capacity for work, which may have involved a medical examination. While data are kept on the number of medical examinations conducted, information is not available in the format requested.

  The proposed changes to Incapacity Benefit will shift the emphasis from disability to ability. People will be provided with help and guidance to move from benefit to work where they are able and wish to do so.

  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of people awarded short-term Incapacity Benefit have subsequently been awarded the long-term rate for an indefinite period in each of the last three years. [3224]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The available information is in the table.

  Percentage of people awarded Incapacity Benefit at the short-term rate who subsequently became entitled to benefit at the long-term rate

  Year

  1 April 1996 to 31 March 1997

  49

  1 April 1997 to 31 March 1998

  48

  1 April 1998 to 31 March 1999

  48

  Notes

  1. Figures are based on a 1 per cent. sample of claims to benefit.

  2. Entitlement to Incapacity Benefit was subject to the All Work Test during the period covered by this table (this was replaced by the Personal Capability Assessment from April 2000) unless the person was an exempt category. Long-term rate Incapacity Benefit is payable after 52 weeks of incapacity.

  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in receipt of(a) Incapacity Benefit, (b) Disability Living Allowance and (c) Severe Disability Allowance have had their benefit (i) cut and (ii) removed altogether following a Benefits Agency medical assessment in each of the last three years. [4346]
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  Malcolm Wicks
  The available information is in the table.

  There is no provision within the Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance schemes to award benefit at a reduced rate following a medical examination.

  Number of cases where entitlement to Incapacity Benefit (IB) and Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA) ceased following a personal capability assessment1

  Thousand

  1 March 1999 to 29 February 2000

  IB

  127.6

  SDA

  0.9

  1 March 2000 to 28 February 2001

  IB

  96.9

  SDA

  0.7

  1 All work test prior to April 2000

  Notes

  1. National Insurance credits only cases are included in these figures

  2. Data are not available for 1998–99

  3. Analogous data are not available for Disability Living Allowance

  Source

  5 per cent. sample (excluding a small number of clerically held cases)

  Benefit Fraud
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate, for each local authority, the total amount saved in benefit expenditure in the most recent year for which figures are available arising from anti-fraud initiatives; what this figure was as a percentage of the total expenditure on social security benefits administered by each local authority; and what his aggregate estimate is for Great Britain. [4062]

  Malcolm Wicks
  [holding answer 16 July 2001]We aim to ensure that all our anti-fraud initiatives are effective in combating fraud and error. It is not possible to quantify the precise savings arising from our anti-fraud initiatives. We can measure the amount of savings from fraud that we have discovered and estimate how much is saved by our preventive initiatives.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff have been employed at the Benefits Fraud Investigations Services, on average, in each year since 1997; and how many positions are vacant. [2259]

  Malcolm Wicks
  We set out our strategy for tackling fraud and error in the paper—"A New Contract for Welfare: Safeguarding Social Security" (CM 4276)—published on 23 March 1999. The overall aim of the strategy is to have a benefit system which is secure from first claim to final payment. The implementation of this strategy means that an anti-fraud focus is integral to the work of the Department, not just those staff involved in detecting fraud that has already occurred.

  The number of staff employed in BFIS since 1997 is shown in the table.
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  Average number of BF1S staff employed in each year

  Number

  1996–97

  5,000

  1997–98

  5,184

  1998–99

  5,183

  1999–2000

  4,968

  2000–01

  4,914

  There were 313 vacant posts in BFIS at 9 July 2001. We are in competition with a number of agencies locally for staff with the right skills, however, the number of vacancies is expected to reduce over the next quarter due to promotion and recruitment exercises currently being undertaken.

  Benefits Agency Medical Services
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the three Benefits Agency Medical Services contracts awarded to SEMA with particular reference to their impact on(a) management and investment in BAMS, (b) the delivery of service improvements to customers including speedier appointments and reduced waiting times, (c) the maintenance and improvement of quality of service and (d) the value for money offered to the taxpayer. [4404]

  Malcolm Wicks
  [holding answer 16 July 2001]: All contracts awarded by the Department give due regard to value for money and quality of service. They are kept under continuous review to ensure that throughout the lifetime of the contract targets are met. The contracts awarded to SchlumbergerSema include targets on the length of the time taken to clear cases and reduce waiting times.

  Winter Fuel Payment
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people received the year 2000 winter fuel payment; and what the total cost was. [4528]
  420W
  Mr. McCartney
  Over 11 million winter fuel payments were made last winter, 2000–01, at a cost of £1.7 billion.

  Invalid Care Allowance
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when the age limit on women in receipt of retirement state pension and able to claim invalid care allowance was reduced to 60 years; for what reasons this change was made; and if he will make a statement. [4112]

  Mr. McCartney
  From the introduction of Invalid Care Allowance in 1976 until 1994 the age limit for claiming the benefit was "pensionable age", which was 65 for men and 60 for women. On 28 October 1994 the maximum age at which Invalid Care Allowance could be claimed was changed from "pensionable age" to "age 65" in order to provide equality of treatment for both men and women. A woman can, therefore, claim Invalid Care Allowance between the ages of 60 and 65 while receiving State Retirement Pension.

  Retirement Pension and Invalid Care Allowance are both intended to help maintain income to avoid duplicate provision; however, the payment of the pension may extinguish or reduce the payment of the Invalid Care Allowance. On 3 October 2000 we announced that carers aged 65 and over would also be allowed to claim Invalid Care Allowance and this will be introduced as soon as possible.

  Old Age Pension
  Mr. Roy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many women received their first old age pension payment on the date of their 60'h birthday in 2000; [3535]

  (2) how many men received their first old age pension on the date of their 65 th birthday in 2000. [3536]

  Mr. McCartney
  The information is not available in the format requested.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Ian Stillman
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received regarding the imprisonment of Ian Stillman; and if he will make a statement. [4101]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  As of 17 July the Foreign and Commonwealth Office had received 185 letters from Members of Parliament on behalf of their constituents. We have also received correspondence from the Stillman family, members of the public, non-governmental organisations, Church groups and others.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to secure the release of Ian Stillman; and if he will make a statement. [4100]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised the concerns about Mr. Stillman's welfare at a meeting on 26 June with the Indian High Commissioners and Prime Minister Vajpayee's Principal Secretary. The Indian High Commissioner asked for a written note highlighting our concerns and the Foreign Secretary duly wrote to the High Commissioner on 28 June.

  We will continue to speak to the Indian authorities to ensure that his appeal is heard swiftly.

  'Your Britain, Your Europe'
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much has been spent by his Department on producing documents in the `Your Britain, Your Europe …', series. [4375]

  Peter Hain
  Ten different FCO leaflets published between November 1999 and June 2001 carry the 'Your Britain, Your Europe' logo: 'Your Britain, Your Europe' (17,000 copies); IGC: Reform for Enlargement (5,000 copies); 'The Future of Europe' (10,000 copies; 'Want to know more about Europe' (11,000 copies); 'What has the EU ever done for us' (8,000 copies); 'Regional Factsheets' (2,200 copies); 'The EU: What's in it for you?' (25,000 copies); 'The Treaty of Nice' (16,200 copies); 'The Stockholm European Council' (3,000 copies); 'The EU: International Crime and Courts' (5,000 copies). The total cost of these was £24,940.51. In addition, five quarterly newsletters were produced with a distribution of 10,000 copies each at a total cost of £18,568.

  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which of the documents in the 'Your Britain, Your Europe …', series has been checked for compliance with COI rules on public information. [4376]

  Peter Hain
  The FCO is committed by its Public Service Agreement to promote a better understanding of Britain's EU membership. The guidelines on Government information work are laid down by the Cabinet Office and are available at: http://www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/central/1999/workgis/annex_a.htm. The FCO seeks to ensure that all its publications are fully consistent with these guidelines.
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  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent the Rural Development Plan referred to in his Department's document, 'Your Britain, Your Europe, Your Wales' is funded by the EU. [4323]

  Peter Hain
  Since devolution, issues concerning the Rural Development Plan in Wales are now the responsibility of the National Assembly for Wales. They provided the information referred to in the 'Your Britain, Your Europe, Your Wales' document.

  EU-Israel Customs Co-operation Committee
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what items will be placed on the agenda of the EU-Israel Customs Co-operation Committee for 23 July. [3171]

  Peter Hain
  The EU/Israel Customs Co-operation Committee on 23–24 July will discuss a number of items of interest to the two parties. This discussion will include: questions relating to origin (including the implementation of Protocol 4 of the EU/Israel Association Agreement), extension and continuation of the EU/Israel customs dialogue, and mutual assistance between administrative authorities in customs matters.

  Private Military Companies
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the guidance issued to British embassies requiring them to report contact with companies which may be judged to fall within the sector of mercenaries and private military companies; and on what date this guidance was issued. [3398]

  Peter Hain
  Interim guidance to British embassies requiring them to report contacts with companies that may be judged to fall into the private military or security sector was issued in July 1998. This guidance was revised in April 1999. Disclosure of the report could harm the proper and efficient conduct of the operations of this Department.

  US Export Administration Act
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations he has had with the United States Administration in relation to the US Export Administration Act since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [3707]

  Mr. MacShane
  Since we came to office, there has been no contact between the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and the United States Administration in relation to the US Export Administration Act.

  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the impact of the US Export Administration Act in relation to the operation of UK law. [4277]

  Mr. MacShane
  The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has made no assessment of the impact of the US Export Administration Act in relation to the operation of UK law.

  Treaty of Rome
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish a consolidated version of the treaty of Rome, as amended by the treaty of Nice. [4258]

  Peter Hain
  [holding answer 16 July 2001]The Inter-Governmental Conference did not prepare a consolidated version of the treaty of Rome, and therefore it was not included in the Command Paper (Cm 5090) publishing the treaty of Nice. But we expect the Office for Official Publications of the European Union to publish

  Contract

  Original estimated cost (£ million)

  Original estimated completion date

  Actual cost (£ million)

  Actual Completion

  Remarks

  FTN Foreign Office Telecommunications Network

  165

  May 2010

  —

  —

  PFI contract

  Firecrest (external supply)

  45

  June 2001

  —

  —

  Call-off framework agreement contract. Further one year extension just signed

  Prism (procurement phase)

  2.2

  October 2001

  —

  —

  Planning and procurement costs

  Passports

  1.2

  May 2001

  1.2

  May 2001

  Capital purchases

  Dynamics

  0.8

  October 1999

  0.8

  August 2000

  —

  Consular Database

  1.0

  June 2006

  —

  —

  —

  Internet

  6.4

  July 2002

  —

  —

  —

  Fortress

  1.6

  March 1999

  1.6

  October 1999

  —

  FMAS Support

  11.3

  —

  —

  —

  Software support plus

  Microsoft Enterprise Licences

  5.6

  March 2001

  5.6

  March 2001

  —

  NAI Licences

  2.0

  End 2001

  —

  —

  —

  Pay

  1.4

  March 2002

  —

  —

  —

  Aramis

  10.27

  End 2003

  —

  —

  Annual costs predicted to fall as equipment is withdrawn

  Minerva

  10.2

  March 2007

  —

  —

  10 year PFI contract

  1 Per annum

  It would require disproportionate expense to provide details of contracts preceding the last three years.

  The information about suppliers cannot be supplied as it may be commercially confidential or have been supplied in confidence. There was insufficient time to seek the consent of the suppliers to its disclosure.

  Conference against Racism
  Hugh Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who will represent the Government at the World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance in Durban. [5077]

  Peter Hain
  A final decision on UK representation at the World Conference Against Racism has not yet been taken.

  Westminster Foundation for Democracy
  Mr. Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the annual report of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy will be available. [5981]
  424W
  a version of the consolidated treaties in due course. We will place this in the Libraries of both Houses as soon as it becomes available.

  IT Contracts
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the information technology contracts in excess of £500,000 let by his 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 his Department. [3498]

  Mr. MacShane
  [holding answer 17 July 2001]The information is in the table.

  Peter Hain
  The foundation has continued its crucial work in building democracy overseas, through a variety of targeted programmes ranging from the fostering of good governance to the promotion of civil society. The demands have been great, and the foundation has had some notable successes. The highlight was their work in Serbia where, through a wide-ranging programme of work, they helped the Serbian people assert their democratic rights. Work elsewhere in the Balkans, Africa and central and eastern Europe has also continued to bear fruit. In 2000–01 the foundation received a grant-in-aid of £4,155,000 from the FCO. Copies of the annual report have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Hong Kong
  Liz Blackman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will publish the next report to Parliament on Hong Kong and the Sino-British Joint Declaration. [5982]

  Mr. MacShane
  The ninth report in this series covering the period January to June 2001 was published today and copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House. A copy of the report is also available on the Foreign and
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  Commonwealth Office website (www.fco.gov.uk). The report includes a foreword by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary. I commend the report to the House.

  Yugoslavia
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what changes have been made to EU sanctions in relation to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. [5983]

  Peter Hain
  In its conclusions of 22 January 2001, the EU General Affairs Council welcomed the free and fair conditions in which the legislative elections in Serbia in December 2000 had been held. Their outcome confirmed the determination of the people of Serbia to continue the consolidation of democracy in their country. It was decided that restrictive measures should therefore be confined to the former President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Mr. Slobodan Milosevic, his family, and persons indicated by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.

  On 26 February 2001, the list of those affected by the EU visa ban was amended from 600 to 13 to fall in line with this decision. On 19 June 2001, the EC adopted Council Regulation (EC) 1205/2001 reducing the number of persons subject to Council Regulation (EC) No. 2488/2000, maintaining a freeze of funds in relation to Mr. Milosevic and those persons associated with him, to the same list of persons.

  UK implementing legislation will be amended to take account of EC Regulation 1205/2001.

  Annual Reports
  Mr. Hendrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the annual report on Strategic Export Controls will be published. [5984]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The 2000 annual report on Strategic Export Controls will be published at 10 am on 20 July. The report marks a further step forward in this Government's commitment to transparent and responsible controls on British strategic exports. It includes more detail on export licensing decisions and policy than in previous years, including data on surplus small arms destroyed by the Government and the number of small arms covered by standard individual export licences agreed in 2000. It will be available on the FCO website and through the Stationery Office.

  Diplomatic Immunity (Offences)
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many serious offences were allegedly committed in 2000 by persons entitled to immunity by virtue of their employment by a diplomatic mission or an international organisation, and by their dependants. [5985]

  Mr. MacShane
  From a community of over 19,500 persons entitled to immunity, 17 serious offences, allegedly committed by such persons, were drawn to the attention of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 2000. "Serious offences" are defined in accordance with the 1985 White Paper on Diplomatic Immunities and Privilege—ie as offences that would, in certain circumstances, carry a penalty of 12 months' or more imprisonment.

  China
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Government of China regarding the treatment of Falun Gong members and their families. [4858]

  Mr. MacShane
  We raise our concerns about the harsh treatment and detention of Falun Gong adherents with the Chinese authorities at every appropriate opportunity including the twice-yearly UK and EU human rights dialogues. We did so most recently during talks in July in Beijing between senior officials on human rights issues.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to review the policy of critical engagement with the Chinese Government. [4857]

  Mr. MacShane
  The Government's strategy of encouraging and supporting China's closer integration in the international system was endorsed by the Foreign Affairs Committee in its report of November 2000 (HC 574-I). We believe that the most effective way for helping to bring about long-term and positive change in China is through engagement. At the same time, we criticise China where necessary, including over its human rights record.

  UN Register of Conventional Arms
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the United Kingdom submitted its 2000 return to the UN Register of Conventional Arms; and if copies of the return will be placed in the Library. [5358]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The Government submitted the UK's return to the UN Register covering conventional arms transfers in calendar year 2000 on 11 July. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  World Service
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reason BBC World Service broadcasts are no longer available via short wave in North America; and what percentage of the North American land mass is now within broadcast range of the World Service. [5102]

  Mr. MacShane
  The BBC World Service has stopped short wave broadcasts to North America because audiences there listen mainly on FM and the internet. The impact on audience figures will be reviewed next year. The funding released will help extend the World Service's global reach through new services, including short wave where it is needed. World Service broadcasts are available to the whole of North America on the internet and on FM and medium wave through over 230 public radio stations.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Church Buildings (Maintenance)
  Paul Flynn
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, pursuant to his answer of 16 July 2001,Official Report,

  427W
  column 17, on Church Buildings (Maintenance), how much has been invested in the maintenance of church buildings in each of the last five years; and what has been the percentage increase in real terms. [5891]

  Mr. Bell
  The repair and maintenance of the Church of England's 16,250 churches are the responsibility of individual parochial church councils.

  A survey conducted for the Council for the Care of Churches estimated a total repair cost in 1998 of £123 million for such buildings. A study commissioned by the Churches Main Committee, based on a survey of a sample group of churches of all denominations in 1999, broadly supported a similar figure.

  Comparable figures for earlier years cannot readily be given as the basis on which that information is collected has changed during the five-year period.

HEALTH

  Annual Reports
  Laura Moffatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency will publish its annual report and accounts. [5979]

  Ms Blears
  The NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency's annual report and accounts have been published today and copies have been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Salter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the 2000–01 annual report and accounts of the Medical Devices Agency. [6036]

  Yvette Cooper
  We have received the report and accounts of the Medical Devices Agency and copies have today been laid before both Houses of Parliament in accordance with the requirements of sections 5(2) and 5(3) of the Exchequer and Audit Departments Act 1921. Copies have also been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will publish the annual report and accounts of the NHS Pensions Agency. [6042]

  Mr. Hutton
  We have approved the report and accounts which have today been laid before both Houses of Parliament in accordance with the requirements of section 5(2) and 5(3) of the Exchequer and Audit Departments Act 1921.

  Copies have been placed in the Library.

  Breast Implants
  Jon Cruddas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Government will respond to the Health Committee's report on the provision of information on the safety of breast implants, HC 308, Session 2000–01. [6041]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Government's response has been provided to the Committee today and copies are available in the Library.

  Prostate/Testicular Cancer
  Vernon Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many men were diagnosed with (a) prostate and (b) testicular cancer in (i) 1971, (ii) 1980, (iii) 1990 and (iv) 2000. [4273]
  428W
  Ruth Kelly
  I have been asked to reply.

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

  Letter from Len Cook to Vernon Coaker, dated 18 July 2001 As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question concerning the number of men diagnosed with (a) prostate cancer and (b) testicular cancer in (i) 1971, (ii) 1980, (iii) 1990 and (iv) 2000.
  The latest available figures on the number of registrations of prostate and testicular cancer in 1971, 1980, 1990 and 1997 (the most recent year for which data are available) in England are given in the table below.

  Year of diagnosis

  Prostate

  Testis

  1971

  5,789

  612

  1980

  8,440

  826

  1990

  12,518

  1,199

  1997

  18,201

  1,411

  Disability Equipment
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress he has made in response to last year's Audit Commission report 'Fully Equipped' in respect of disability equipment available through the NHS. [4345]

  Jacqui Smith
  Leading up to and following the publication of the Audit Commission Report "Fully Equipped" the Government have taken the following steps:

  We have made available £105 million to the National Health Service for community equipment services over the years 2001–02, 2002–03 and 2003–04. We also took account of the need for additional investment in the personal social services settlement for 2001–02 to 2003–04 to enable councils to contribute an appropriate share to the expansion and integration of these services.

  The NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency (NHS PASA) has commissioned a path-finding project looking at ways to modernise orthotic services in the NHS. We will be reviewing the findings in due course.

  As outlined in Health Service Circular 2001–01 and Local Authority Circular (2001) 1, we made available £0.5 million in 2001–02 and £ £1.5 million and £2.0 million in 2002–03 and 2003–04 respectively to be invested in silicone cosmesis. The NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency have undertaken a tendering exercise to make these products available on the NHS during August 2001.

  During 2000, we continued the £14 million from 1999–2000 for funding invested in indoor/outdoor powered chairs and vouchers and made it recurrent. We also made some adjustments to encourage the effective operation of the service, ending the separation of the allocations for wheelchairs and for vouchers, enabling funds to be spent on either, according to users' wishes, with a voucher scheme being retained in all locations to provide choice. We hope that this greater freedom in the use of funds will help people's needs to be met as effectively as possible.
  429W
  The Department's project "Modernising NHS hearing aid services" is evaluating leading-edge digital hearing aids for NHS patients, coupled with an evaluation of associated service delivery changes. Digital hearing aids require different service delivery models as they incorporate information technology based assessment and fitting procedures. £10.75 million will be available for the 20 NHS hearing aid departments involved in the project over the two years 2000 –01 and 2001–02. If the project is successful by 2003–04 we will be investing an extra £25 million in NHS hearing aid services.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has commissioned into(a) waiting times and (b) the standard of provision of disability equipment services since the publication of the Audit Commission's report "Fully Equipped". [5230]

  Jacqui Smith
  Leading up to and following the publication of the Audit Commission report "Fully Equipped", the Department is undertaking a major piece of work as part of the NHS Plan in modernising community equipment services. The Department published guidance "Guide to Integrating Community Equipment", issued on 27 March.

  The National Health Service Purchasing and Supply Agency have commissioned some work looking at ways to modernise orthotic services in the NHS. We will be reviewing the findings in due course.

  The departmental project "Modernising NHS hearing aid services" is evaluating leading edge digital hearing aids for NHS patients, coupled with an evaluation of associated service delivery changes. Digital hearing aids require different service delivery models as they incorporate IT-based assessment and fitting procedures. £10.75 million will be available for the 20 NHS hearing aid departments involved in the project over the two years 2000–01 and 2001–02. If the project is successful by 2003–04 we will be investing an extra £ million in NHS hearing aid services.

  No research has been commissioned to date on prosthetic and wheelchair services.

  Health Care (Costs)
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assumptions on the level of health care cost inflation his Department is using in respect of the financial years(a) 1998–99, (b) 1999–2000, (c) 2000–01, (d) 2001–02, (e) 2002–03 and (f) 2003–04. [4144]

  Mr. Hutton
  The level of health care cost inflation for the financial year 1998–99 was 4.0 per cent. and for 1999–2000 it was 4.5 per cent. The figures are taken from the National Health Service hospital and community health service (HCHS) pay and price inflation index. The latest year that data are available is 1999–2000.

  Assumptions for future years will be made based on our inflation target and possible recommendations from the pay review bodies.

  The HCHS pay and price inflation index provides an indication of inflation experienced within the NHS HCHS. It is compiled by combining pay and price inflation within the HCHS. It is a retrospective index in that it is developed from available data and therefore projections of future years are not available.

  St. George's Hospital, Tooting
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many acute beds there are at St. George's Hospital, Tooting. [4530]

  Mr. Hutton
  In the financial year 1999–2000, St. George's Healthcare National Health Service Trust had 767 average daily number of acute beds in wards open overnight.

  Figures are taken from the annual 'Omer return KH03—"Bed availability and occupancy" England 1999–2000.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding has been allocated for the present financial year to(a) St George's Hospital, Tooting, and (b) Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth health authority. [4879]

  Mr. Hutton
  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth health authority's allocation for 2001–02 is £ £498.646 million. This represents an increase of £42.445 million or 9.3 per cent. over the allocation for the previous financial year.

  Revenue funding is not allocated directly to national health service trusts. Trusts receive their income by way of service agreements with health authorities. However, St. George's NHS Trust has received capital allocations of £6.400 million in 2001–02. This includes £0.675 million for the Local Capital Modernisation Fund and £1.152 million for "action on" programmes for orthopaedics and ear, nose and throat.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were treated at St. George's hospital, Tooting, in 2000. [4880]

  Mr. Hutton
  The number of admissions to St George's National Health Service Trust in the year 1999–2000 was 66,121.

  This information is extracted from the Hospital Episode Statistics system, which contains details of patients admitted to and treated in NHS hospitals in England. Some individuals may be treated more than once.

  Chiropodists
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the role of chiropodists in the NHS, with particular reference to their screening for diabetes. [4281]

  Jacqui Smith
  We have published the Allied Health Professions Strategy, which highlights the role of chiropodists/podiatrists. Chiropodists are an integral part of the Government patient-focused policy programme, particularly in relation to older people and diabetes, which are part of the National Service Framework programme.

  Chiropodists/podiatrists are valued members of the national health service work force: they play a key role in detecting indications of diabetes, eg foot ulcers. However, there are also screening methods which can pick up indications of diabetes or those at risk of developing it, before such signs become apparent.
  431W
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on access to chiropody services in the(a) NHS and (b) independent sector. [4280]

  Jacqui Smith
  Information about patient contacts with the chiropody service in England is collected on Department of Health return KT23 and published each year. The latest publication "Chiropody services: summary information for 1999–2000, England" is in the Library. The Department does not collect data on the independent sector.

  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of proposals to regulate chiropodists in the non-state registered sector. [4868]

  Mr. Hutton
  The new Health Professions Council will determine arrangements for the admission to the register. The council will have a duty to consult and involve those likely to be affected by its proposals.

  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the representation of private chiropodists on the NPC, indicating if private chiropodists will be allowed to select their own representative. [4925]

  Mr. Hutton
  The new Health Professions Council has one professional member from each of the professions, including Chiropody, currently regulated by the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine. There is no specific provision for non-state registered chiropodists to be represented on the new council. However the new council will have a duty to consult and involve those likely to be affected by its proposals.

  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the competency tests proposed for private chiropodists; and for what reason those tests will not be applied to all chiropodists. [4926]

  Mr. Hutton
  The new council will be responsible for determining competency tests required for registration. The tests will apply to all professions including chiropodists. The new council will have a duty to consult and involve those likely to be affected about the standards of proficiency it requires for registration.

  Prosthetic Services
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that national prosthetic services attracts the appropriate calibre of qualified personnel. [5330]

  Jacqui Smith
  All professional staff in prosthetic services are highly skilled graduates. The team is made up of multi-professional members including doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and, importantly, prosthetists. All the staff are graduates and have to be state registered.

  Qualification for prosthetists are B.Sc. Honours; entry onto the courses is at Strathclyde and Salford Universities. Once students qualify, they are state registered by the Council of Professions Supplementary to Medicine (CPSM). Prosthetic service contracts negotiated by the National Health Service Purchasing and Supply Agency generally stipulate the minimum number of days a prosthetist will be allocated to continuing professional development. This is normally around one day per month.
  432W
  Other staff groups including physiotherapists and occupational therapists are provided by the NHS for these services. All staff have a professional obligation to keep themselves up to date and maintain and develop their skills.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that the national prosthetic service is adequately funded. [5328]

  Jacqui Smith
  Prosthetic services are currently commissioned and funded by health authorities who base their resource allocation on local need.

  The National Health Service Purchasing and Supply Agency, supported by the Department, has commenced work on the development of a commissioning guide for prosthetic services. This will provide a tool for commissioners to ensure that funding is utilised in the most effective way and highlight to them the most important factors required for a user focused service.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that patients requiring modern prosthetic limbs have access to a high quality, well fitting and comfortable choice. [5329]

  Jacqui Smith
  Patients who require artificial limb components have available to them through their national health service limb centre the widest possible range of limb componentry. The NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency who negotiate the contract on behalf of the NHS source these products from manufacturers across Europe and North America. The NHS PASA contract has some 18,000 lines available to NHS rehabilitation centres. If any new products become available from contracted suppliers, the NHS PASA contract has the flexibility to add these throughout the contract term. There is an emphasis in contracts on continuing professional development to ensure that prosthetic staff are able to deliver the highest quality service to their patients.

  New products such as gel liners/silicone liners, and techniques such as computer aided design and computer aided manufacture for fitting limbs are already being used by some trusts across the country to maximise comfort and fitting. Modernisation of this sort will be evaluated and where appropriate will expand to all centres.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that the quality of prosthetic services available to patients in the UK are of at least an equal standard to those available in(a) the rest of Europe and (b) in North America. [5364]

  Jacqui Smith
  Prosthetic services have moved from providing a "limb fitting service" to an "amputee rehabilitation service". Disablement service centres (DSCs) now treat users in a more holistic manner. This has resulted in the development of a whole package of care and has given more involvement to occupational therapists, physiotherapists and counsellors in the service. The United Kingdom is at the forefront of this multi-professional approach.

  Many DSCs prescribe state of the art components. The UK was the first country in the world to develop and

  433W
  adopt an intelligent prosthesis. Another important feature of the UK service is that product prescription is impartial, based on clinical need, whereas in some countries commercial considerations are taken into account.

  The delivery of prosthetic services around the world is far more fragmented than in the UK. For example England delivers prosthetic services from 33 DSCs which means that the service benefits from the concentration of expertise and economies of scale.

  The UK prosthetic service is well structured, provides good value for money and delivers a coherent service.

  A recent Government development is the introduction of silicon cosmesis, as outlined in HSC2001/01 and LAC (2001)1. We have made available £0.5 million in 2001–02 and ££;.5 million and –2.0 million in 2002–03 and 2003–04 respectively to be invested in silicone cosmesis. The National Health Service Purchasing and Supply Agency have undertaken a tendering exercise to

  Scheme

  Capital value (£ million)

  Consortia

  Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

  94

  Carillion Construction1

  Carillion Services Ltd.2

  Carlisle Hospitals NHS Trust

  65

  AMEC1

  Building and Property Group2

  South Buckinghamshire NHS Trust

  45

  Taylor Woodrow1

  Healthcare Group2

  Greenwich Healthcare NHS Trust

  93

  Kvaerner Construction1

  ISS Mediclean/Kvaerner Rashleigh/Weatherfoil2

  Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust

  65

  Bovis1

  RCO/Bovis Building Management2

  North Durham Health Care NHS Trust

  61

  Balfour Haden JV1

  Initial/Haden2

  Norfolk and Norwich NHS Trust

  158

  Laing1

  Serco2

  South Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust

  66

  Alfred McAlpine1

  WS Atkins/Sodexho1

  Bromley Healthcare NHS Trust

  118

  Taylor Woodrow1

  Taylor Woodrow/ISS Mediclean2

  Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust

  54

  Bouygues1

  Ecovert South2

  Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

  87

  Bovis1

  RCO/Bovis2

  Hereford Hospitals NHS Trust

  64

  Alfred McAlpine/1

  Sodexho/WS Atkins2

  South Durham Healthcare NHS Trust

  41

  Shepherds1

  Jarvis/ISS Mediclean2

  South Tees Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

  122

  Mowlem1

  Aqumen FM2

  Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust

  96

  Carillion Construction1

  Carillion Services Ltd.2

  King's Healthcare NHS Trust

  64

  Costain/Skanska1

  Sodexho2

  Leeds Community NHS Trust

  47

  Carillion/Weaver Construction1

  Bradford and Northern Housing Association2

  St. George's Hospital NHS Trust

  49

  Gleeson1

  Chesterton2

  University College London Hospitals NHS Trust

  404

  AMEC/Balfour Beatty1

  Building and Property Group2

  Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust

  22

  Bilfinger and Berger/Haden Young1

  MandW Zander2

  West Middlesex University Hospitals NHS Trust

  60

  Bouygues1

  Ecovert2

  Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Trust

  137

  Sir Robert McAlpine1

  Building and Property2

  West Berkshire Priority Care NHS Trust

  30

  Kier1

  ISS2

  1 Constructor

  2 FM provider

  434W
  make these products available on the NHS during August 2001. This was announced by my predecessor, my right hon. Friend the Member for Barrow and Furness (Mr. Hutton), in March 2001.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the PH contracts entered into since 1997, indicating(a) the value of the PFI,.(b) the name of the successful contractor, (c) those PFIs which have benefited from refinancing arrangements, (d) the value of the benefit accrued to the company concerned and (e) the extent of the clawback. [4534]

  Mr. Hutton
  There follows a list of major private finance initiatives contracts which have been signed since May 1997; the capital value of the contract; and the names of the leading contractors and facilities management firms who make up the successful consortia. To date none of the PFI schemes listed have been refinanced.

  Constructor FM provider
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what central monitoring his Department undertakes of value for money obtained in Private Finance Initiative projects; and if he will make a statement. [4460]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department reviews all private finance initiative projects over £ million in value through the Business Case approval system. To be approved, the Business Case must clearly demonstrate that, overall, the private finance option is better value for money when compared to the publicly funded alternative, the Public Sector Comparator, and that it provides improved facilities for the national health service. NHS trusts are required to monitor performance throughout the lifetime of the PFI contract.

  As a result of PFI, six major new hospitals have opened and another 17 are under construction, representing capital investment in the NHS of over £2 billion.

  Consultant
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the number of whole-time equivalent consultant vacancies in the NHS by specialty. [4421]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information is not available about the number of whole-time equivalent consultant vacancies. The Department collects information about vacant consultant posts, and information by speciality, taken from the 2001 vacancy survey, is provided in the table.

  Department of Health vacancies survey, March 2001—vacancies in national health service trusts in England—consultants three month vacancy rates1,2 and numbers3 for total of each group

  Rates (percentage)

  Vacancies

  Total consultants

  3.0

  670

  Specific specialities

  Accident and emergency

  7.9

  40

  Anaesthetics (inc. intensive care)

  1.7

  60

  General surgery

  1.7

  20

  Obstetrics and gynaecology

  1.5

  20

  Ophthalmology

  0.8

  10

  Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgery

  5.6

  10

  Otolaryngology

  2.9

  10

  Paediatric surgery

  5.7

  10

  Plastic surgery

  2.9

  10

  Trauma and orthopaedic surgery

  2.2

  30

  Urology

  2.7

  10

  Cardiology

  2.6

  10

  Cardiothoracic surgery

  1.6

  0

  Clinical oncology

  3.8

  10

  Clinical radiology

  4.6

  70

  Haematology

  2.1

  10

  Histopathology

  6.0

  50

  Medical oncology

  3.8

  0

  Palliative medicine

  7.4

  10

  Forensic psychiatry

  5.2

  10

  General psychiatry

  7.8

  130

  Learning Disabilities

  13.3

  30

  Geriatric medicine

  3.0

  20

  Old Age Psychiatry

  9.3

  30

  Diabetes medicine

  2.7

  10

  1 Three month vacancies are vacancies as at 31 March 2001 which trusts are actively trying to fill, which had lasted for three months or more (whole-time equivalents)

  436W
  2 Three month vacancy rates are three month vacancies expressed as a percentage of three month vacancies plus staff in post from the September 2000 medical and dental and non-medical work force censuses (whole-time equivalent)

  3 Numbers are rounded to the nearest ten

  Notes:

  1. Percentages rounded to one decimal place

  2. England totals include staff from Special Health Authorities

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

  Source:

  Department of Health Vacancies Survey 2001

  Mr. Goodman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many consultants left the NHS in(a) England and (b) Buckingham in each year since 1980. [5644]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Information about consultant vacancies in England and in Buckinghamshire health authority are shown in the table.

  Department of Health Vacancies Survey, 1999–2001 Consultant vacancies in Buckinghamshire health authority3 Three-month vacancy rates1,2 and numbers4

  Number of three-month consultant vacancies

  Three-month consultant vacancy rate (percentage)5

  1999

  England

  470

  2.3

  Buckinghamshire HA

  10

  2.6

  2000

  England

  600

  2.8

  Buckinghamshire HA

  40

  0.8

  2001

  England

  670

  3.0

  Buckinghamshire HA

  40

  0.4

  1 Three-month vacancies are vacancies as at 31 March 2001 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 2000 medical and dental and non-medical work force censuses (whole time equivalent).

  3 HA figures are based on Trusts, and do not necessarily reflect the geographical provision of health care.

  4 Numbers are rounded to the nearest 10.

  5 Percentages are calculated on unrounded figures and rounded to one decimal place.

  Source

  Department of Health Vacancies Survey 2001

  Hospital Travel Costs Scheme
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to extend the hospital travel costs scheme; and if he will make a statement. [4642]

  Mr. Hutton
  We have no immediate plans to extend the hospital travel costs scheme. However, the scheme is being kept under review.

  National Service Framework
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out the terms of reference, work programme and schedule for the national service framework reviews. [4081]
  437W
  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 17 July 2001]: The Commission for Health Improvement (CHI), with the Audit Commission—and Social Services Inspectorate where appropriate—will review the implementation of each national service framework (NSF) at an appropriate time following their publication to allow for a period of early implementation prior to review.

  NSFs which have already been published are: Mental Health NSF, September 1999; Coronary Heart Disease NSF, March 2000; and Older People NSF, March 2001.

  The next NSF due to be published in 2001 is the Diabetes NSF. We have announced further NSFs on Renal Services, Children's Services, and Long Term Conditions.

  CHI will publish details of the broad scope and timing of each review once this has been agreed.

  CHI and the Audit Commission have already undertaken a review of the implementation of the Calman-Hine/Cameron reports on commissioning cancer services in England and Wales. The report is expected in the autumn.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the implications of the National Service Framework for Older People set out in paragraph 29, page 141 of the NSF; and what plans his Department has to analyse the impact of them. [4873]

  Jacqui Smith
  A general assessment of implications for wider areas of education and training was provided within the National Service Framework (NSF) for Older People. A more detailed assessment and analysis to ensure achievement of the NSF milestones will be undertaken nationally by the National Workforce Development Board, informed by the Care Group Workforce Team for older people to be established shortly, and working with education and training bodies. Regional directors of workforce development and local workforce development confederations working with local education and training organisations will play a local role.

  Child Protection Register
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children in each London borough council are registered on the child protection register; and if he will make a statement. [4788]

  Jacqui Smith
  The latest figures available show the number of children on the child protection register of each London borough council as at 31 March 2000. These are as shown in the table.

  Numbers of children on child protection registers at 31 March 2000, and rates per 10,000 of the population

  Numbers of children on the CPR at 31 March 2000

  Rate per 10,000 population

  London

  4,809

  29

  Inner London

  Camden

  179

  48

  City of London

  1

  12

  Greenwich

  255

  47

  Hackney

  263

  51

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  153

  50

  438W

  Numbers of children on child protection registers at 31 March 2000, and rates per 10,000 of the population

  Numbers of children on the CPR at 31 March 2000

  Rate per 10,000 population

  Islington

  221

  58

  Kensington and Chelsea

  70

  22

  Lambeth

  212

  34

  Lewisham

  217

  37

  Southwark

  164

  28

  Tower Hamlets

  130

  25

  Wandsworth

  142

  29

  Westminster

  98

  26

  Outer London

  Barking and Dagenham

  110

  27

  Barnet

  181

  24

  Bexley

  137

  27

  Brent

  112

  19

  Bromley

  172

  27

  Croydon

  294

  37

  Ealing

  84

  12

  Enfield

  101

  16

  Haringey

  226

  44

  Harrow

  148

  30

  Havering

  106

  21

  Hillingdon

  129

  22

  Hounslow

  214

  43

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  37

  12

  Merton

  87

  21

  Newham

  223

  31

  Redbridge

  73

  13

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  83

  22

  Sutton

  101

  25

  Waltham Forest

  86

  16

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of children aged under 18 years registered during 1999–2000 on the child protection register had previously been registered. [5233]

  Jacqui Smith
  Of those children registered on a child protection register in England during the year ending 31 March 2000, 14 per cent. had previously been registered.

  Health Care (Undergraduates)
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his estimate is of the annual cost of providing to undergraduate students(a) free dental care, (b) free eye tests and (c) free prescriptions. [4911]

  Mr. Hutton
  The estimated costs of extending free treatment to undergraduate students in England are shown in the table:

  Free treatment

  Approximate figure £ million

  Dental care

  12

  Eye tests

  5

  Prescriptions

  34

  Nursing Vacancies
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nursing vacancies there are in(a) England and (b) Cumbria. [5341]
  439W
  Mr. Hutton
  The listed data show the number of nursing posts which have been vacant for three months or more (and the vacancy rate) in England and in North Cumbria and Morecambe Bay health authorities.

  Department of Health vacancies survey, March 2001 Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff vacancies in England and in the specified health authority areas1 three month vacancy rates2,3 and numbers4

  Vacancies

  Vacancy rate (percentage5,6)

  England

  9,020

  3.4

  North Cumbria HA

  20

  1.4

  Morecambe Bay HA

  10

  0.7

  1 HA figures are based on Trusts, and do not necessarily reflect the geographical provision of healthcare.

  2 Three month vacancies are vacancies as at 31 March 2001 which trusts are actively trying to fill, which had lasted for three months or more (whole-time equivalents).

  3 Three month vacancy rates are three month vacancies expressed as a percentage of three month vacancies plus staff in post from September 2000 medical and dental and non-medical workforce censuses (whole-time equivalent).

  4 Numbers are rounded to the nearest 10.

  5 Percentages are calculated on unrounded figures.

  6 Percentages rounded to one decimal.

  Source:

  Department of Health Vacancies Survey 2001.

  Absence
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many days on average were lost per employee in his Department because of sickness; and how many officials retired early from his Department in each of the past 10 years. [R] [5055]

  Ms Blears
  The information requested is shown in the table.

  Year

  Average1 days lost per employee through sickness

  Early retirements

  1992

  2—

  64

  1993

  9.7

  104

  1994

  9.68

  92

  1995

  9.8

  253

  1996

  7.14

  171

  1997

  7.8

  44

  1998

  7.4

  26

  1999

  6.8

  21

  2000

  3—

  26

  2001

  3—

  10

  1 Working days absences exclude weekends and bank holidays for staff working a "Monday to Friday" week

  2 Not available

  3 Not yet published

  Note:

  Combined data for the Departments of Health and Social Security continued to be collected by the then Department of Social Security (DSS) following the break up of the Department of Health and Social Security (DHSS). Separate figures are not available for the Department of Health.

  Psychiatric Services
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS psychiatrists and psychiatric nurses are 440W
  qualified to work with children and adolescents in Milton Keynes; and how many this represents in relation to the population under 16 years of age. [5315]

  Jacqui Smith
  The information requested is not available centrally in the format requested. Information on child and adolescent psychiatrists and psychiatric nurses for Buckinghamshire is as follows:

  National health service hospital and community health services: medical and dental and qualified non-medical staff working in the psychiatric areas of work within Buckinghamshire health authority as at 30 September 2000

  headcount

  per 100,000 of under 16 population

  Psychiatric nurses of which:

  440

  296.3

  Community psychiatry

  130

  88.6

  Other psychiatry

  310

  207.7

  Child and adolescent psychiatrists

  20

  10.8

  Notes:

  1. Figures exclude learners and agency staff

  2. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10

  3. Due to rounding totals may not equal the sum of component parts

  Source:

  Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census

  Department of Health Medical and Dental Workforce Census

  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the waiting times are for referrals to child and adolescent psychiatric services in Milton Keynes. [5316]

  Jacqui Smith
  Information on the waiting times for an appointment for child and adolescent services following referral are collected on a quarterly basis and placed in the Library. The latest figures for quarter 4 (January to March 2001) of the 2000–01 financial year indicate that Milton Keynes Primary Care Trust had no patients waiting over 13 weeks.

  Drug Procedures
  Mr. Tynan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what procedures are in place to ensure that injections of drugs that may be life threatening are correctly and safely administered. [4578]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 18 July 2001]The controls assurance framework requires all national health service trusts to identify the risks associated with the safe and secure handling of medicines and develop and implement procedures to ensure the minimisation of risk. These procedures would cover drugs which would be hazardous if given by the wrong route, for example, injected intrathecally rather than intravenously.

  Human Fertilisation and Embryology
  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has
  441W
  received applications for research for the purposes set out in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Research Purposes) Regulations 2001. [6035]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has recently received an application for research from the Centre for Genome Research in Edinburgh. I understand that this centre has an established research team which has already held licences for embryo and stem cell research.

  The application proposes to establish stem cell lines from spare embryos, with a view to depositing the resulting cells in the Medical Research Council stem cell bank, to improve understanding of the growth and survival of pre-implantation human embryos, thereby benefiting in-vitro fertilisation treatment programmes. The proposed programme will also examine the potential for cell replacement and tissue repair therapies for a range of serious diseases.

  Embryo research in the United Kingdom is subject to the most comprehensive regulation. As with all applications for research involving embryos, this application will be subject to detailed consideration by the HFEA to ensure that it meets the strict requirements of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. Before deciding on the application, the HFEA requires full details of the project and Research Ethics Committee approval. The application must also explain the project's objectives, protocols and why the use of embryos is necessary for the research.

  This application will require specific justification for the extraction of stem cells and will be subject to peer review on its merits. It will also require details of patient information and consent forms specifying the purpose of the research and all possible uses of the cells lines derived from it. If approved, the project will be closely monitored by the HFEA to ensure that it continues to meet the conditions laid down by the 1990 Act and any conditions imposed by the authority.

  Nurses
  Annette Brooke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average length of time it took the UK Central Council to register nurses from overseas over the last six months for which figures are available, broken down by country. [4188]

  Jacqui Smith
  This is a matter for the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting (UKCC). The UKCC does not collect information on the length of time for specific registrations by country. However, I am informed by the UKCC that the average time for processing non-European Union applications for registration is 85 working days.

  Recruitment Agencies
  Annette Brooke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health by what procedure recruitment agencies achieve recognition by an NHS trust; and what steps he takes to monitor their performance. [4189]

  Jacqui Smith
  Individual national health service trusts have their own procedures for recruiting staff and may use a variety of ways to select recruitment agencies.
  442W
  The NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency helps by awarding, where appropriate, national or regional contracts for medical locums or nurses. The NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency monitors the performance of the contracts that it awards by holding regular meetings with the NHS trusts and the agencies involved to monitor whether the NHS is receiving value for money. The NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency inserts a clause in these contracts that allows it to carry out an audit of the contracted agencies.

  The NHS Professionals Agency which will be set up from August 2001 will provide a non-profit making staffing service for the NHS. Initially it will provide nursing staff, but eventually will also cover other medical staff. The NHS Professionals Agency will oversee training and continuing personal development, give temporary staff a better employment package, and will provide a cost-effective staffing solution for the NHS.

  Nursing Homes
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will set out the timetable for commencement of section 49 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001 for each group affected by the provision; [4924]

  (2) what arrangements will be made to monitor the adequacy of the money allocated for free nursing care from October to April and to allocate additional funds in the event of a shortfall of allocation to actual expenditure; [4923]

  (3) if he will make a statement on the draft guidance and directions he plans to issue to implement the provisions of section 49 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001; [4869]

  Jacqui Smith
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Stafford (Mr. Kidney) on 17 July 2001,Official Report, columns 113–14W.

  Anti-psychotic Medication
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 11 July 2001,Official Report, on anti-psychotic medication, what work his Department has undertaken to explain the trend in prescribing; what were the key findings; and if he will set out prescription numbers (a) by region and (b) by ages (i) under 16, (ii) 16 to 25, (iii) 26 to 35, (iv) 36 to 45, (v) 46 to 55, (vi) 56 to 65, (vii) 66 to 75 and (viii) over 75. [5292]

  Jacqui Smith
  The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is expected to issue guidance on the use of these drugs in December.
  443W
  The two tables show:

  (a) The number of prescription items dispensed in the community in England by health authority for atypical anti-psychotic drugs, 1999 and 2000; and

  (b) The number of prescription items dispensed in the community in England for atypical anti-psychotic drugs by broad age group 1999 and 2000.

  We do not hold prescribing information on the age breakdown asked for.

  Number of prescription items dispensed in the community in England for atypical anti-psychotic drugs, 1999 and 2000

  Thousand

  Health authority

  1999

  2000

  Avon

  13.4

  21.7

  Barking and Havering

  5.1

  8.0

  Barnet

  6.9

  10.1

  Barnsley

  2.6

  4.1

  Bedfordshire

  4.7

  10.3

  Berkshire

  11.2

  16.2

  Bexley and Greenwich

  5.7

  8.1

  Birmingham

  16.7

  25.3

  Bradford

  6.8

  10.5

  Brent and Harrow

  8.7

  12.6

  Bromley

  4.8

  6.6

  Buckinghamshire

  9.4

  14.7

  Bury and Rochdale

  6.4

  9.6

  Calderdale and Kirklees

  8.5

  14.3

  Cambridgeshire

  8.6

  13.2

  Camden and Islington

  8.2

  11.4

  Cornwall and Isles Of Scilly

  6.2

  8.5

  County Durham and Darlington

  8.5

  13.7

  Coventry

  7.8

  12.0

  Croydon

  7.5

  10.9

  Doncaster

  4.0

  5.0

  Dorset

  10.3

  13.8

  Dudley

  3.1

  4.3

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow

  10.7

  15.6

  East and North Hertfordshire

  6.8

  10.3

  East Kent

  12.0

  16.5

  East Lancashire

  9.3

  13.9

  East London and The City

  12.4

  17.4

  East Riding and Hull

  10.1

  14.5

  East Surrey

  5.8

  7.3

  East Sussex, Brighton and Hove

  15.5

  22.0

  Enfield and Haringey

  8.6

  13.2

  Gateshead and South Tyneside

  6.5

  8.9

  Gloucestershire

  5.4

  8.3

  Herefordshire

  1.3

  2.1

  Hillingdon

  2.5

  3.5

  Isle Of Wight

  3.3

  4.9

  Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster

  7.6

  11.1

  Kingston and Richmond

  5.4

  8.4

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham

  15.7

  22.8

  Leeds

  17.1

  23.5

  Leicestershire

  11.6

  16.8

  Lincolnshire

  6.5

  10.2

  Liverpool

  12.8

  18.1

  Manchester

  12.7

  18.7

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth

  12.9

  18.4

  Morecambe Bay

  6.2

  9.1

  Newcastle and North Tyneside

  15.6

  21.6

  Norfolk

  9.1

  15.5

  North and East Devon

  9.1

  12.8

  North and Mid Hampshire

  10.2

  14.2

  North Cheshire

  3.8

  5.6

  North Cumbria

  5.9

  8.9

  North Derbyshire

  3.9

  5.8

  North Essex

  12.9

  19.0

  North Nottinghamshire

  4.2

  5.6

  North Staffordshire

  5.2

  7.9

  North West Lancashire

  7.5

  14.5

  North Yorkshire

  7.8

  12.6

  444W

  Number of prescription items dispensed in the community in England for atypical anti-psychotic drugs, 1999 and 2000

  Thousand

  Health authority

  1999

  2000

  Northamptonshire

  8.6

  10.8

  Northumberland

  6.0

  7.6

  Nottingham

  2.7

  3.1

  Oxfordshire

  9.5

  14.5

  Portsmouth and South East Hampshire

  8.6

  12.7

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest

  8.1

  11.7

  Rotherham

  5.1

  7.1

  Salford and Trafford

  9.0

  13.8

  Sandwell

  4.5

  4.7

  Sefton

  6.0

  10.5

  Sheffield

  5.5

  7.1

  Shropshire

  6.3

  9.2

  Solihull

  3.2

  4.0

  Somerset

  4.5

  8.3

  South and West Devon

  9.8

  17.4

  South Cheshire

  11.3

  17.9

  South Essex

  9.3

  13.8

  South Humber

  4.5

  5.9

  South Lancashire

  4.0

  7.0

  South Staffordshire

  5.9

  9.5

  Southampton and South West Hampshire

  9.7

  17.2

  Southern Derbyshire

  4.1

  6.1

  St Helens and Knowsley

  6.2

  10.9

  Stockport

  5.8

  8.9

  Suffolk

  6.7

  11.4

  Sunderland

  5.2

  6.7

  Tees

  7.8

  12.6

  Wakefield

  6.1

  9.1

  Walsall

  4.8

  5.7

  Warwickshire

  8.1

  11.8

  West Hertfordshire

  8.4

  12.1

  West Kent

  12.8

  21.4

  West Pennine

  6.9

  8.8

  West Surrey

  8.0

  13.1

  West Sussex

  11.2

  16.6

  Wigan and Bolton

  10.2

  16.0

  Wiltshire

  10.3

  14.1

  Wirral

  9.2

  13.6

  Wolverhampton

  5.1

  5.5

  Worcestershire

  4.8

  7.0

  England

  772.6

  1,149.4

  Notes:

  1. The prescription information is from the Prescription Cost Analysis (PCA) system and is based on a full analysis of all prescriptions dispensed in the community, i.e. by community pharmacists and appliance contractors, dispensing doctors and prescriptions submitted by prescribing doctors for items personally administered in England. Also included are prescriptions written in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man but dispensed in England. The information shows the number of prescription items dispensed in each health authority. The data do not cover drugs dispensed in hospital or private prescriptions.

  2. Atypical anti-psychotics are defined within British National Formulary paragraph 4.2.1, antipsychotic drugs, and cover the drugs Amisulpride, Clozapine, Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Risperidone and Zotepine,

  Number of prescription items dispensed in the community in England for atypical anti-psychotic drugs by broad age group 1999 and 2000

  1999

  2000

  Prescription items dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors only (thousands)

  Children aged 0–15 years

  6.5

  9.7

  Elderly people aged 60 and over

  252.7

  428.8

  Aged 16 to 59 years1

  405.4

  555.1

  Aged 16 to 59 years2,3

  81.5

  117.4

  445W

  Number of prescription items dispensed in the community in England for atypical anti-psychotic drugs by broad age group 1999 and 2000

  1999

  2000

  Prescription items dispensed by dispensing doctors and items personally administered (thousands)

  All ages

  26.5

  38.4

  All prescription items dispensed in the community

  All ages

  772.6

  1,149.4

  1 Exempt

  2 Charged

  3 Includes prepayments

  Notes:

  1. The age related information is based on an analysis of those not required to pay a charge indicated by the categories completed on the back of the prescription form. This is based on a 1 in 20 sample of all prescription items submitted to the Prescription Pricing Authority by community pharmacists and appliance contractors only. Dispensing doctor prescriptions were not analysed into categories for 1999 and most of 2000. Personally administered items are free of charge.

  2. Atypical anti-psychotics are defined within British National Formulary paragraph 4.2.1, antipsychotic drugs, and cover the drugs Amisulpride, Clozapine, Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Risperidone and Zotepine.

  Community-based Services
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of people aged 65 years and over receive community-based services. [5218]

  Jacqui Smith
  As at 31 March 2000 (the latest date for which data are available), an average of 8.5 per cent. of people in England aged 65 years and over were in receipt of community-based social services provided or commissioned by local authorities.

  In 1999–2000, the latest year for which information is available, it is estimated that 21 per cent. of people aged 65 and over were receiving care from the district nursing service, 2 per cent. from health visitors and 2 per cent. from the community psychiatric nursing service. Contact with the community learning disability service for this age group was negligible. We do not hold data centrally on the proportion of people aged 65 and over who receive primary care-based services.

  Nursing and Residential Care
  Mr. Goodman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nursing and residential care(a) homes and (b) beds have closed in Buckingham in each year since 1997. [5637]

  Jacqui Smith
  The number of residential and nursing care establishment closures in 1999 and 2000, together with number of new registrations, are shown in the table. Information is not available centrally on the number of beds associated with closures or new registrations.

  Number of care home establishment closures and new home registrations in Buckinghamshire. Year ending 31 March

  1999

  2000

  Number of establishment closures

  Residential1

  5

  5

  Nursing2

  3—

  3

  446W

  Number of care home establishment closures and new home registrations in Buckinghamshire. Year ending 31 March

  1999

  2000

  Number of new registrations

  Residential1

  10

  10

  Nursing2

  3—

  2

  1 Buckinghamshire county council and Milton Keynes council

  2 Buckinghamshire health authority

  3 Not available

  Source:

  Registration and Inspection Survey

  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nursing and residential care(a) homes and (b) beds have closed in Cumbria in each year since 1997. [5764]

  Jacqui Smith
  The number of residential and nursing care establishment closures in 1999 and 2000, together with number of new registrations, are shown in the table. Information is not available centrally on the number of beds associated with closures or new registrations.

  Number of care home establishment closures and new home registrations in Cumbria. Year ending 31 March

  1999

  2000

  Number of establishment closures

  Residential1

  19

  11

  Nursing2

  2

  2

  Number of new registrations

  Residential1

  15

  8

  Nursing2

  0

  0

  1 Cumbria county council

  2 North Cumbria and Morecambe Bay health authorities

  Source:

  Registration and Inspection Survey

  General Practitioners
  Mr. Goodman
  To ask the Secretary of State for (1) Health how many general practitioners there were in(a) England and (b) Buckingham in each year since 1980; [5639]

  (2) how many general practitioners ceased working in (a) England and (b) Buckingham in each year since 1980. [5641]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information regarding the number of general practitioners in England and Buckinghamshire in each year since 1980 is shown in table 1. Information regarding leavers is available only from 1990–91. This information is shown in table 2.

  Table 1: Unrestricted principals and equivalents (UPEs) 1 in England and Buckinghamshire FHSA/HA 1980 to 20002

  Headcount

  Year

  England

  Buckinghamshire FHSA

  UPEs in post

  1980

  21,812

  255

  1981

  22,304

  264

  1982

  22,786

  273

  1983

  23,254

  282

  1984

  23,640

  293

  1985

  24,035

  304

  1986

  24,460

  312

  1987

  24,922

  323

  1988

  25,322

  332

  447W

  Table 1: Unrestricted principals and equivalents (UPEs) 1 in England and Buckinghamshire FHSA/HA 1980 to 20002

  Headcount

  Year

  England

  Buckinghamshire FHSA

  1989

  25,608

  335

  1990

  25,622

  337

  1991

  25,686

  348

  1992

  25,968

  353

  1993

  26,289

  358

  1994

  26,567

  365

  1995

  26,702

  367

  1996

  26,855

  375

  1997

  27,099

  372

  1998

  27,392

  382

  1999

  27,591

  396

  2000

  27,704

  403

  1 UPEs includes GMS unrestricted principals, PMS contracted GPs and PMS salaried

  2 Data as at 1 October 1980 to 1999 and 30 September 2000

  Source:

  Department of Health General Medical Personal Service Statistics

  Table 2: Unrestricted principals and equivalents (UPEs) 1: Leavers2 from England and Buckinghamshire FHSA/HA 1990–91 to 1999–20003

  Headcount

  Year

  England

  Leavers Buckinghamshire FHSA/HA4

  1990–91

  1,432

  17

  1991–92

  1,171

  15

  1992–93

  1,030

  12

  1993–94

  1,048

  14

  1994–95

  1,249

  25

  1995–96

  1,184

  18

  1996–97

  1,058

  14

  1997–98

  1,040

  13

  1998–99

  1,030

  12

  1999–2000

  1,090

  17

  1 UPEs include unrestricted principals, PMS contracted GPs and PMS salaried GPs.

  2 Leavers and defined as those UPEs reported in the Department of Health's annual GP census in one year but not reported the following year. Leavers will include both career breaks and wastage.

  3 Date relate to those leaving between 1 October and 30 September.

  4 Excludes UPEs who moved to another FHSA/HA.

  Source:

  Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics

  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many GPs were appointed last year. [4424]

  Mr. Hutton
  Between October 1999 and September 2000 1,203 unrestricted principals and equivalent general practitioners joined the National Health Service in England.

  Health Visitors
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on the recognition of health visitors as specialist nurses. [4929]

  Mr. Hutton
  The recognition of health visitors is a matter for the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting. The proposals for replacing the council with the Nursing and Midwifery Council include the retention of current arrangements.

  Health Committee
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the third report of the Health Committee, Session 2000–01, HC 307. [4991]

  Mr. Hutton
  We expect to publish our response to the report before Parliament rises on 20 July.

  Health Trusts and Boards (Membership)
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what machinery is used for reviewing the panel of members of the public accepted as eligible for membership of health trusts and boards; and if he will make a statement. [4917]

  Ms Blears
  Since 1 April 2001, appointments of chairs and non-executives to the boards of National Health Service trusts, health authorities and primary care trusts have been the responsibility of the NHS Appointments Commission. Details of the appointment process are therefore a matter for the Commission.

  Care Homes
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 12 July 2001,Official Report, column 590W, concerning care homes, if he will place a copy of the interim report in the Library; and if he will list the research projects and their purpose and reporting dates. [5366]

  Jacqui Smith
  The purpose of the research projects commissioned from the Personal Social Services Research Unit (PSSRU) is to:Collect information on the costs, fees, profitability and closures of care homes.
  Collect information on local authority purchasing and contracting arrangements.
  Study local variations in numbers of supported older care home residents.
  Model future demand for publicly funded residential and nursing home care over the next decade.

  These reports will be delivered by the end of the year. I understand from PSSRU, which retains intellectual property rights in the research, that publications arising from these streams of work will be published by the end of the year. I will ensure that copies are placed in the Library when publication takes place. Existing studies by PSSRU, on which these projects build, have already been published.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Freedom of Information Act
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he expects to announce a timetable for implementation of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. [5088]

  Mr. Wills
  The Freedom of Information Act received Royal Assent on the 30 November 2000 and so has to be fully implemented by 30 November 2005. However, the Government are firmly committed to implementation of the Act before this deadline which we set for ourselves.

  As of yet, there is no timetable for implementation within this deadline but the Lord Chancellor will be under a statutory duty to report to Parliament on progress towards implementation by 30 November this year. Before a timetable for implementation of the Act can be announced, there are consultations which need to be completed with the Information Commissioner, most notably with regard to the work needing to be done on publication schemes.

  Tony Wright
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) how many bodies subject to the open government code of practice have indicated that they could not fully implement the Freedom of Information Act 2000 by July 2002; [5086]

  (2) if the Information Commissioner has indicated that she would be unable to discharge her responsibilities under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in relation to bodies subject to the open government code of practice by July 2002. [5087]

  Mr. Wills
  It is not a question of bodies or the Information Commissioner expressing doubts as to meeting any particular date for implementation, but simply that no one can be certain, as yet, as to when all of the preparatory work towards implementation of the Act will be completed.

  My officials are currently in consultation with the Information Commissioner and public authorities, including the several hundred currently covered by the code of practice on access to Government information, in order to determine how soon it is practicable for them to be able to implement the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

  One of the major issues which has to be resolved before a definitive date for implementation of the Act can be set is the obligation on all public authorities to produce and maintain a publication scheme setting out what information they are proactively making available.

  Before public authorities can make a definitive judgment as to when they can have their publication schemes ready, and hence when the Information Commissioner will be able to devise a timeframe for approval of the schemes, the Commissioner has to decide what she expects from the content of the schemes. To this end, the Commissioner arranged a conference, held in Manchester on 17 July 2001, to discuss the content and format of publication schemes.

  In addition there are five bodies taking part in a pilot publication scheme programme in conjunction with the Commissioner, as she announced on the 16 July 2001.
  450W
  These bodies are the Ministry of Defence, the Department for International Development, the Health and Safety Executive, the Medicines Control Agency and the Public Record Office. The pilot programme should be completed by the end of this year.

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary. Lord Chancellor's Department which provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 are yet to come into force; what the planned timetable is for their introduction; what orders remains to be brought forward relating to the Act; and if he will make a statement. [5113]

  Mr. Wills
  The provisions of the Act set out in section 87(1) came into force on 30 November 2000, when the Act was passed. These provisions relate to:the bodies covered by the Act:
  approval of publication schemes by the Information Commissioner;
  recommendations as to good practice from the Information Commissioner;
  the Commissioner's obligation to report to Parliament:
  the power to make environmental information regulations relating to the Aarhus Convention;
  the power to amend or repeal statutory bars to disclosure of information; and
  certain miscellaneous provisions, for example, relating to interpretation of terms used in the legislation.

  The provisions set out in section 87(2) of the Act came into force on 30 January 2001. These relate primarily to the creation of the post of the Information Commissioner.

  Certain provisions relating to the amendment of the Data Protection Act, as provided for by the Freedom of Information Act 2000, were brought into force on 14 May by a Commencement Order in Statutory Instrument 2001 No. 1637, made on 30 April 2001.

  All other provisions of the Act are not yet in force. The Act must be fully implemented by 30 November 2005 and, as yet, there is no other timetable than this outer date. However, the Government are committed to bringing the Act into force before this deadline and to ensuring that the time taken to ensure that implementation is a success will be used well.

  Some powers contained in the Act will need to be exercised before the Act comes into force, for example the Codes of Practice to be made under sections 45 and 46 of the Act will need to be agreed.

  Others, such as the ability to amend Schedule 1, contained in section 4, or the ability to amend or repeal statutory bars to disclosure, contained in section 75, are on-going processes. These will have to be exercised regularly when, for example, new non-departmental public bodies are created, or decisions are taken that specified statutory bars could be amended or repealed.

  Powers, such as that to provide for environmental information regulations in relation to the Aarhus Convention, contained in section 74, will only need to be exercised once or very infrequently.

  Discussions are under way on the terms of those Orders or regulations which need to be made before the Act can be fully implemented. Drafts of the two Codes of Practice have been circulated for public consultation.

  Parental Responsibility
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will place a copy of the Government's response to the EU Commission's working document "Mutual Recognition of Decisions on Parental Responsibility", when made, in the Library. [4103]

  Mr. Wills
  The Government have submitted to Parliament an Explanatory Memorandum in response to the European Commission's working document, "Mutual Recognition of Decisions on Parental Responsibility". This was deposited on 20 June and copies of it have been placed in the House of Commons Library. It did not contain a substantive response on issues of policy because the Commission's document did not seek views, and the Commission intends to propose a draft Regulation on this subject in early September. The Government will submit an Explanatory Memorandum on this proposal in the autumn; this will deal with the policy issues raised in that proposal, although a final view on these will only be taken after proper consultation with the judiciary and legal practitioners.

  Correspondence
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the letter that her predecessor undertook to write to the right hon. Member for Tonbridge and Malling at the conclusion of his Adjournment debate on child abduction on 3 May will be sent. [4102]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  I have now written to the right hon. Member, and apologise for the delay in doing so.

  Civil Enforcement
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what progress has been made on phase two of the review of civil enforcement. [6178]

  Mr. Wills
  I am pleased to announce the publication of "Towards Effective Enforcement", a Green Paper on the structure and regulation of enforcement and a single piece of bailiff law. It explores options for the regulation of all enforcement agents.

  The paper discusses what legal powers are needed to allow agents to do the job properly and proposes principles for the fees for enforcement and costs of regulation. It also examines the possibilities of improving access to information and making better use of information through clear, precise and limited powers.

  The primary purpose of the Green Paper is to look at how best to achieve a fundamental improvement in warrant enforcement by opening up to public consultation a range of options and ideas for the future regulation of enforcement agents in England and Wales. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  A White Paper will be published in early 2002 setting out proposals for legislation in the light of this public consultation. It will also cover revised procedures for attachment of earnings, garnishee orders and charging orders arising from Phase One of the Review. At that stage it ought to be possible to develop a practical structure for warrant enforcement service delivery.
  452W

  Public Records Act
  Mr. John Taylor
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department which Minister in the Lord Chancellor's Department has responsibility for the execution of the Public Records Act 1958 and for decisions about the opening of the 1911 Census records to public inspection. [4995]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The Minister responsible for the execution of the Public Records Act 1958 is my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor. Under the Act, the Lord Chancellor may, with the approval, or at the request, of the Minister primarily concerned vary the closure period for a particular class of public records. In the case of the 1911 Census, the Minister primarily concerned is my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

  Magistrates
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many magistrates are in post in the St. Helens and Knowsley court service. [5531]

  Mr. Leslie
  I have been asked to reply.

  My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, who is responsible for the appointment of magistrates in Merseyside, has provided the following information. There are 108 magistrates on the St. Helens bench and 94 on the Knowsley bench.

  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what measures are taken to make sure that people apply to be magistrates who declare themselves politically do not face discrimination. [5535]

  Mr. Leslie
  I have been asked to reply.

  My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, who is responsible for the appointment of magistrates in Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside, has asked me to say that an individual must be personally suitable for appointment as a magistrate before any other factors are considered. He will then take into account gender, residence, occupation, and political views in order to try and achieve a bench which reflects the community it serves.

  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the establishment figure is for magistrates in St. Helens and Knowsley. [5530]

  Mr. Leslie
  I have been asked to reply.

  My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, who is responsible for the appointment of magistrates in Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside, has asked me to say that the target number of magistrates required for the St. Helens bench is 130 and Knowsley bench 110.

  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what action the Lord Chancellor takes to monitor the(a) political balance of magistrates court and (b) residential areas from which magistrates are recruited. [5537]

  Mr. Leslie
  I have been asked to reply.

  My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, who is responsible for the appointment of magistrates in Lancashire, Greater Manchester and

  453W
  Merseyside, has asked me to say that he takes into account the political balance of benches and candidates' areas of residence when considering appointments to a bench.

  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what action the Lord Chancellor's Department takes to make sure political balance among magistrates is maintained. [5534]

  Mr. Leslie
  I have been asked to reply.

  My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, who is responsible for the appointment of magistrates in Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside, publishes Directions to Advisory Committees on Justices of the Peace. The section on political balance states:
  "The political views of a candidate are neither a qualification nor a disqualification for appointment. However, the Chancellor requires, in the interests of balance, that the voting pattern for the area as evidenced by the last two general elections, should be broadly reflected in the composition of the bench."

  The same Directions are published by the Lord Chancellor for Advisory Committees in the remainder of England and Wales.

  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many people applied to be magistrates in St. Helens and Knowsley in 2000. [5533]

  Mr. Leslie
  I have been asked to reply.

  My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, who is responsible for the appointment of magistrates in Merseyside, has provided the following information. During 2000, 13 candidates applied to become magistrates on the St. Helens bench and 14 on the Knowsley bench.

  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if the Lord Chancellor will make it a requirement for all people to declare their political allegiance in order to maintain the political balance in the magistrates courts system. [5536]

  Mr. Leslie
  I have been asked to reply.

  My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, who is responsible for the appointment of magistrates in Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside, has asked me to say that application forms for the magistracy require applicants to state which political party they generally support.

  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the current political balance of magistrates is in courts in St. Helens and Knowsley. [5532]

  Mr. Leslie
  I have been asked to reply.

  Comparison with performance in 1998–99 and MPs' correspondence

  Responses within target (1)

  Performance on MPs' correspondence1 2000 (%)

  Department/agency

  Target (working days)

  2000–01 (%)

  1999–2000(%)

  1998–99(%)

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (2)

  15

  91

  92

  91

  30

  Cabinet Office

  15

  96

  99

  100

  85

  Crown Prosecution Service (3)

  10

  n/a

  88

  83

  100

  Department for Culture, Media and Sport

  18

  85

  81

  71

  82

  HM Customs and Excise

  10

  93

  94

  91

  68

  Ministry of Defence (4)

  20

  81

  84

  78

  78

  454W
  My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, who is responsible for the appointment of magistrates in Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside, has provided the following information on the political balance of the St. Helens and Knowsley benches.

  St. Helens

  Knowsley

  Labour

  19

  25

  Conservative

  21

  30

  Liberal Democrat

  12

  16

  Other/uncommitted

  56

  23

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

  Government Performance
  Geraint Davies
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the performance of the main Departments and agencies against the six service standards for central Government over the last financial year. [6177]

  Mr. Leslie
  I have arranged for a report on the performance of the main Departments and agencies to be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  In most cases, Departments' performance in responding to correspondence from the public has continued to improve and there have been some particularly encouraging performances leading to a considerable narrowing in the range of performance. In particular, for the first time, all Departments and agencies have answered at least 70 per cent. of correspondence within their published target. But there is no room for complacency, which is why we have introduced targets for improvements in most Departments' Service Delivery Agreements. The performance of the main Departments and agencies is summarised in the table.

  Against the other standards, the report shows that performance and standards are generally in line with public expectations. Visitors to public offices are usually seen within 10 minutes of their appointment, and most visitors without an appointment are seen within the designated standards. All Departments have at least one telephone inquiry point, and calls are usually answered promptly. Use of the internet is increasing rapidly and all the main Departments dealing with the public have websites, publicise their complaints procedure on-line and are able to accept e-mailed inquiries. The report also shows some of the innovative ways in which Departments and agencies are consulting their users and making their services more responsive to users' needs.
  455W

  Comparison with performance in 1998–99 and MPs' correspondence

  Responses within target (1)

  Performance on MPs' correspondence1 2000 (%)

  Department/agency

  Target (working days)

  2000–01 (%)

  1999–2000(%)

  1998–99(%)

  Department for Education and Employment

  15

  94

  90

  89

  72

  Employment Service (Jobcentres (5)/Chief Executive Office)

  10/15

  90/98

  90/97

  94

  98

  Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

  15

  93

  89

  78

  69

  Driving Standards Agency

  15

  98

  99

  99

  n/a

  Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)

  15

  97

  97

  97

  99

  Highways Agency

  15

  87

  83

  83

  78

  Maritime and Coastguard Agency

  15

  96

  92

  93

  n/a

  Vehicle Inspectorate

  15

  99

  100

  93

  n/a

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  20

  83

  84

  87

  78/70 (6)

  Government Offices for the Regions

  215

  93

  80–99

  81–100

  n/a

  Department of Health

  20

  78

  48

  63

  50

  Medicines Control Agency

  7

  100

  93

  —

  n/a

  NHS Pensions Agency

  20

  99

  100

  —

  n/a

  Home Office

  20

  72

  64

  23

  41

  UK Passport Agency

  10

  98

  81

  97

  100

  HM Prison Service

  20

  95

  94

  85

  75

  Inland Revenue (7)

  20

  84

  84

  80

  72

  Intervention Board

  10

  93

  92

  79

  n/a

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  20

  84

  88

  72

  74

  Court Service

  20

  87

  93

  97

  66

  HM Land Registry

  5

  96

  100

  94

  n/a

  Department of Social Security

  20

  72

  63

  60

  75

  Benefits Agency

  10

  87

  78

  81-88

  45

  Child Support Agency

  10

  72

  66

  56

  97

  War Pensions Agency (8)

  10

  98

  98

  71

  99

  Department of Trade and Industry

  15

  95

  96

  92

  60

  Companies House

  10

  99

  98

  —

  100

  Employment Tribunal Service

  10

  81

  97

  —

  n/a

  Patent Office

  5

  100

  100

  —

  99

  insolvency Service

  15

  98

  97

  —

  87

  Radiocommunications Agency

  15

  99

  98

  —

  n/1

  HM Treasury

  15

  74

  36

  —

  60

  1 Where available

  2 Max.

  Note:

  Performance has been rounded up or down to the nearest whole figure

  Government Consultations
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what representations he has received concerning the variations between the consultation processes undertaken by Government Departments. [5369]

  Mr. Leslie
  No such representations have been made directly to the Deputy Prime Minister; earlier representations about practice in conducting written consultations, especially the time allowed for responses, led to the publication in November 2000 of the Code of Practice on written consultation. The Code sets out minimum standards for consultation documents, and more generally promotes techniques of effective public involvement. It applies to all public national consultation documents issued from 1 January 2001. In response to views expressed during the passing of the Regulatory Reform Act 2001, supplementary guidance has also been issued to Departments by the Cabinet Office in respect of consultation documents under the Act.

  Departmental Targets
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if his responsibilities include monitoring the performance of Departments other than his own against targets set out in departmental annual reports; and if he will make a statement. [2676]

  Mr. Leslie
  The responsibilities of the new Delivery Unit were set out in my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's answer of 3 July 2001,Official Report, column 95W.

  Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when the first report of the Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission will be published. [4468]

  Mr. Leslie
  Responsibility for the Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission has now passed to the Department of Trade and Industry. However, I understand that the Commission plans to publish a report
  457W
  later this year on its case study of decision making on the Farm Scale Evaluations of genetically modified herbicide tolerant crops.

  Ministerial Travel
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he last travelled on the London Underground in the course of his official duties. [3672]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  I use the most efficient and cost-effective mode of transport wherever possible. In London this is frequently the underground. The last time I used the underground for official business was 3 April 2001.

  Civil Service (Parliamentary Candidates)
  Brian Cotter
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will review the restrictions on those employed in the civil service to permit them to stand as parliamentary candidates. [5873]

  Mr. Leslie
  The provisions regulating the rights of servants of the Crown to become candidates at elections are set out in the Servants of the Crown (Parliamentary, European Parliamentary and Northern Ireland Assembly Candidature) Order 1987. This Order, as amended by the Servants of the Crown (Parliamentary, European Parliamentary and Northern Ireland Assembly Candidature) Order 1999, specifies that the servants of the Crown to whom it applies must not issue an address to electors or in any other manner publicly announce themselves or allow themselves to be publicly announced as candidates or prospective candidates for election to Parliament. There are no plans to review these provisions.

  Non-departmental Public Bodies
  Mr. Francois
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans his Department has to reduce the number of Government NDPBs. [5519]

  Mr. Leslie
  This Government have reduced the number of quangos (or non-departmental public bodies to use the official classification) by around 10 per cent. since 1997. This means that numbers now stand at their lowest level for over 20 years. Individual NDPBs are subject to regular review and we continue to work hard to ensure that the overall number of quangos is kept to a minimum.

  Regulatory Impact Assessments
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which Government Departments have failed to produce a regulatory impact assessment for each paper that requires an RIA. [5368]

  Mr. Leslie
  All Government Departments and agencies are required to produce a regulatory impact assessment (RIA) for proposed regulations that could impact on business, charities or the voluntary sector.

  An RIA may not be required in certain, strictly defined, circumstances. For example, where the proposal imposes no or negligible additional costs or savings; or where statutory fees are increased by a predetermined formula, such as the rate of inflation. Departments must be
  458W
  prepared, if challenged, to defend their decision not to produce an RIA. No central records are maintained of such cases.

  Sellafield
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to put the issue of Sellafield safety on the agenda of the Council of the Isles. [1760]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  I assume my hon. Friend is referring to the British-Irish Council, which brings together the British and Irish Governments, the devolved Administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and the authorities in Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man.

  At their meeting in London in October 2000, Environment Ministers of the British-Irish Council agreed that the environment was of vital importance to all of their Administrations. They agreed on a range of issues in the environment field, including Sellafield and climate change, that would be taken forward as part of the programme of work.

  Special Advisers
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if it is standard practice for special advisers to co-ordinate work that costs the policies of opposition parties; and which sub-clauses of section (iv) of schedule 1 (Part 1) of the standard contract for special advisers set out the role of special advisers in costing the policies of opposition parties. [4401]

  Mr. Leslie
  The work of individual special advisers will vary from Department to Department according to the relevant Ministers' requirements. Section (iv) of Schedule 1 to Part 1 of the current model contract for special advisers describes the duties special advisers may be required to undertake. These include for example checking facts and research findings, such as information provided by officials costing policy options.

  Flags
  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will instruct Departments to fly the Red Ensign on their buildings on Merchant Navy Day. [2365]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  My own Department will be flying the Red Ensign on Merchant Navy Day. The Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, as the sponsoring Government Department for the Merchant Navy, will also be flying the Red Ensign.

  Departmental Events
  David Maclean
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what(a) national and (b) international awareness events the Cabinet Office has participated in since June 1997 in the form of (i) sponsorship, (ii) departmental attendance, (iii) similar departmental activities and (iv) a message of support. [5048]

  Mr. Leslie
  The Cabinet Office, through its Management Units, participates in many events, national and international. The information requested is not held centrally and any response provided could be achieved only at a disproportionate cost.

  Government Task Forces
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the purposes and membership of the Government task forces and reviews(a) which report to his Department and (b) to which his Department (i) appoints members and
  460W
  (ii) provides administrative support, indicating in each case the date on which their first meeting took place; and if he will make a statement. [6239]

  Mr. Leslie
  I shall write to the hon. Member with a full answer and place a copy in the Libraries of the House during the summer recess.

  BSE: Horn Report
  BSE: Horn Report
  Intervention Board Executive Agency: Annual Report
  Intervention Board Executive Agency: Annual Report
  Veterinary Medicines Directorate: Annual Report
  Veterinary Medicines Directorate: Annual Report
  Veterinary Laboratory Agency
  Veterinary Laboratory Agency
  Foot and Mouth Disease: Revocation of Rights of Way Closures
  Foot and Mouth Disease: Revocation of Rights of Way Closures
  Central Science Laboratory: Annual Report
  Central Science Laboratory: Annual Report
  Foot and Mouth Disease: Autumn Livestock Movements
  Foot and Mouth Disease: Autumn Livestock Movements
  Intermediate Care Services
  Intermediate Care Services
  National Health Service: Cost of Clinical Negligence Claims
  National Health Service: Cost of Clinical Negligence Claims
  Health Professions Council
  Health Professions Council
  Haemophilia Comprehensive Care Centre
  Haemophilia Comprehensive Care Centre
  Healthcare Provision
  Healthcare Provision
  Acute Patient Beds
  Acute Patient Beds
  Civil Enforcement Review, Phase 2
  Civil Enforcement Review, Phase 2
  Research Councils: Quinquennial Review
  Research Councils: Quinquennial Review
  National Postal Museum
  National Postal Museum
  Serious Fraud Office: Annual Report
  Serious Fraud Office: Annual Report
  Director of Public Prosecutions: Annual Report
  Director of Public Prosecutions: Annual Report
  Free Postage for Members of the House of Lords
  Free Postage for Members of the House of Lords
  House of Lords Working Practices
  House of Lords Working Practices
  Criminal Records Bureau: Annual Report and Accounts
  Criminal Records Bureau: Annual Report and Accounts
  Animal Procedures Committee: Annual Report
  Animal Procedures Committee: Annual Report
  Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act: Statistics
  Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act: Statistics
  Asylum Support Adjudicators: Annual Report and Accounts
  Asylum Support Adjudicators: Annual Report and Accounts
  Prison Service: Annual Report and Accounts
  Prison Service: Annual Report and Accounts
  Prisons: Target Costs
  Prisons: Target Costs
  European Refugee Fund
  European Refugee Fund
  Immigration Appeals: Human Rights Claim
  Immigration Appeals: Human Rights Claim
  Asylum and Race Relations: Policy Co-ordination
  Asylum and Race Relations: Policy Co-ordination
  Asylum Seekers: Voucher System
  Asylum Seekers: Voucher System
  Disturbances in Bradford, Burnley and Oldham
  Disturbances in Bradford, Burnley and Oldham
  Voluntary and Community Organisations: Central Government Funding
  Voluntary and Community Organisations: Central Government Funding
  Benefits Policy: Research
  Benefits Policy: Research
  School Ancillary Workers: Poverty Trap
  School Ancillary Workers: Poverty Trap
  Child Poverty Reduction Target: Assumptions
  Child Poverty Reduction Target: Assumptions
  New Deal: Numbers Moving into Work
  New Deal: Numbers Moving into Work
  Westminster Foundation for Democracy: Annual Report
  Westminster Foundation for Democracy: Annual Report
  Diplomatic Personnel: Serious Offences
  Diplomatic Personnel: Serious Offences
  Hong Kong and the Sino-British Joint Declaration: Report
  Hong Kong and the Sino-British Joint Declaration: Report
  Cultural Property: Ratification of Hague Convention
  Cultural Property: Ratification of Hague Convention
  Teachers' Workload: NAHT Recommendations
  Teachers' Workload: NAHT Recommendations
  RAF Menwith Hill: Construction Works
  RAF Menwith Hill: Construction Works
  US Defence Equipment Supplies to UK
  US Defence Equipment Supplies to UK
  Bowman Radio Communications System
  Bowman Radio Communications System
  Gulf War Veterans: Mortality
  Gulf War Veterans: Mortality