Written Answers of 20 July 2001

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

  IT Contracts
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the information technology contracts in excess of £500,000 let by the Cabinet Office or its predecessor since April 1991, giving in each case the original estimated cost and original estimated completion date and the actual cost and actual completion date and the names of the contractors involved and consultants retained by his Department. [3495]

  Mr. Leslie
  I will write during summer recess and place copies of my letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Departmental Units
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list for each of the units dealing with cross-cutting issues based in his Department and for each financial year for which figures are available(a) the number of staff employed, (b) the annual cost of their operations, (c) the cost of capital works to provide premises for their work and (d) their capital and revenue budgets for the current financial year and future years for which the figures are available. [5896]

  Mr. Leslie
  I will write during summer recess and place copies of my letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which Minister in his Department oversees the work of each unit run from his Department; which Minister leads on projects arising out of their work; and what their remit and responsibilities are. [6240]

  Mr. Leslie
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by the Deputy Prime Minister on 11 July 2001,Official Report, column 573W.

  Senior Managers (Guidance)
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to recommend revision to his Department's guidance to senior managers on better quality services; what assessment he has made of the operation of this guidance to date; and if he will make a statement. [6236]

  Mr. Leslie
  My officials have conducted a review of the better quality services initiative. Its findings are currently under consideration.

  Social Exclusion Unit
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the implementation of the report of the social exclusion unit on truancy and school exclusions published in May 1998. [5895]
  462W
  The Deputy Prime Minister
  The Department for Education and Skills has lead responsibility for implementing the report, together with other interested departments.

  A major investment has been made in supporting schools to tackle truancy and exclusion. The target for reducing permanent exclusions by a third has been achieved a year early. A second target to ensure all pupils excluded from school for more than 15 school days would receive suitable full-time education is on course to be achieved on time by September 2002.

  Measures on truancy are taking longer to show results. However, schools and police now have a very full range of powers and resources to tackle the problem, including
  a higher level penalty for parents who fail to ensure their children attend school regularly;
  learning mentors through the Excellence in Cities initiative; and
  an extra £11.25 million on electronic registration systems for over 500 schools over the next two years: and
  powers to pick up truants.

  The Government are reinforcing this by
  setting school-level targets for schools with truancy levels more than 3 per cent. above average; and
  encouraging every local education authority and police authority to carry out regular 'truancy sweeps' to pick up young people who are not in school.

  Departmental Contracts
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the top 10 companies to which his Department contracted out their construction and refurbishment work in the last 12 months. [6427]

  Mr. Leslie
  I will write during summer recess and place a copy of my letter in the Libraries of the House.

  People's Panel
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the purpose and responsibilities are of the people's panel; for what reasons its future is under review; when the review will be completed; and if he will make a statement. [6238]

  Mr. Leslie
  The people's panel was set up as a representative sample of the adult population of the UK who agreed to be involved in surveys and other forms of research about their views on, and attitudes to, public services and similar matters of public interest.

  The individuals who comprise the panel are under no obligation to participate in surveys or other studies, and have no responsibilities.

  We have long been committed to evaluation of the panel, as a new initiative, and a small-scale evaluation was conducted last year. The current review will consider its continuing technical viability, its impact on policy formation, usage by Government Departments, and cost-effectiveness. It will be completed in autumn 2001.

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 3 July 2001,Official Report, column 124W, if he will list the title, cost and client for each of the projects included in the expenditure totals already given. [6234]
  463W
  Mr. Leslie
  Details of the title, cost and clients for each of the projects mentioned in my response of 3 July are set out in the tables.

  Year 1998–99

  Client/title

  Cost (£)

  Cabinet Office

  Wave 1 (also includes £80,000 for set-up costs)

  300,000

  Wave 2

  89,000

  Modernising Government

  12,750

  Management fee to MORI

  8,000

  Top-up recruitment

  49,250

  Total

  459,000

  Year 1999–2000

  Client/title

  Cost {£)

  Cabinet Office

  Wave 3

  6,000

  Women's Unit—Listening to Women

  63,800

  Access pages

  13,800

  Older people

  4,500

  Management fee to MORI

  40,000

  Top-up recruitment

  49,250

  Evaluation report

  17,690

  OST

  Attitudes to bio-sciences

  60,000

  DfEE

  Parents' attitudes on value-added school performance tables

  12,400

  The literacy hour

  2,500

  DETR

  Urban White Paper

  19,500

  HSE

  Gas safety regulation

  14,750

  Post Office Counter

  One-stop shops/electronic service delivery

  17,000

  Total

  321,190

  Year 2000–01

  Client/title

  Cost (£)

  Cabinet Office

  Open All Hours?

  14,400

  Change of address portal

  14,200

  Wave 4

  68,600

  Public services and ethnic minorities

  68,100

  Public awareness of Charter Mark

  6,000

  Social Exclusion Unit—Attitudes to public services in deprived areas

  14,100

  Wave 5

  64,400

  The last 12 months

  52,550

  Management fee to MORI

  36,000

  Department of Health

  Attitudes towards Human Genetics issues

  52,500

  Health messages and young people

  30,000

  The Patent Office

  Benchmarking of intellectual property awareness

  14,500

  DfEE

  Service standards in working agency

  10,600

  DETR

  Research into public's expectations of transport in the future

  29,050

  MAFF

  Reactions to new GM food leaflet

  19,200

  Country of origin food labelling

  31,665

  Total

  525,865

  464W
  Summaries of the research results have been placed in the House Library and full reports are published on my Department's website.

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 3 July 2001,Official Report, column 124W, if the results of projects carried out for clients other than his own Department were published in full. [6235]

  Mr. Leslie
  The summaries of all research projects using the people's panel have been placed in the House Library. Full reports are available on the Internet at www.servicefirst.gov.uk.

  Ombudsmen
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many cases investigated and rejected by(a) the local government and (b) the parliamentary ombudsmen that have subsequently gone to judicial review have been successful and found in the complainant's favour; and if he will make a statement. [6210]

  Mr. Leslie
  This information is not held centrally. However, I would refer the hon. Gentlemen to general information on caseload which is published in the ombudsmen's annual reports.

  Judy Mallaber
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what action he intends to take following the consultation exercise on the review of the public sector ombudsmen in England. [6445]

  Mr. Leslie
  This Government are committed to the renaissance of public services, improving access and delivery and driving up standards. The effective handling of complaints is an important element of this programme of renewal, but there will be times where, having pursued a complaint about a particular public service, a complainant remains dissatisfied. Such cases need to be considered independently and that role is fulfilled by, among others, the public sector ombudsmen in England that were the subject of this review. These ombudsmen comprise the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration, the Health Service Commissioner and the Commission for Local Administration (which comprises the three local government ombudsmen and the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration ex officio).

  In 1999, following representations from the ombudsmen, the Government announced a review to determine whether the present arrangements are in the best interest of complainants and others, against the background of moves towards more integrated public services and an increasing focus on the needs of the consumers of such services. The review team consulted widely and their report was published in April 2000. A consultation paper seeking views on the review's main recommendations and its other conclusions was published last June. In all we received 174 responses to the consultation paper and copies will be placed shortly in the Library of the House together with a statement of the Government's conclusions.

  Briefly, these are that, in light of the responses received to the consultation paper, the Government are satisfied that there is broad support for the review's main recommendations.
  465W
  We therefore intend to replace the existing arrangements by a unified and flexible ombudsman body for central and local government and the national health service (excluding NHS Pensions, which will continue to fall under the jurisdiction of the pensions ombudsman, established by Part X of the Pensions Schemes Act 1993 (as amended)). In line with the review's recommendations, there will be direct access to this new body irrespective of whether the complaint is concerned wholly or in part with a central Government body. Furthermore, and again in line with the review's recommendations, the new body will have a collegiate structure within which the individual ombudsmen are identified with a particular group of the bodies under jurisdiction but free to carry out crosscutting investigations. Proposals for the precise powers and accountability of the new body, and on whether its jurisdiction should be extended beyond the bodies subject to the Jurisdiction of the existing ombudsmen, will be published in due course.

  Regulatory Impact Assessments
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the(a) subject, (b) responsible Department and (c) date of each regulatory impact assessment on which his Department has been consulted since the publication of the "Modernising Government" White Paper. [6237]

  Mr. Leslie
  The degree of consultation with my Department varies from telephone conversations (which may not be recorded), to detailed exchanges in writing, depending on the nature of the issue raised. However, no central record is maintained of the number of regulatory impact assessments on which my Department is consulted.

  Transport and Social Exclusion
  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when the Social Exclusion Unit will launch the consultation exercise for its prospect on transport and social exclusion. [6531]

  Ms Keeble
  I have been asked to reply.

  The consultation exercise will be launched next week on Wednesday 25 July.

  The consultation letter, copies of which will be placed in both Libraries, is aimed at anyone with an interest in transport and social exclusion issues and includes a wide-ranging questionnaire to help consultees frame their contributions. The SEU is keen to obtain the views of as wide a range of people as possible and the consultation period will include visits, interviews and focus groups.

  The letter is also available on the SEU's website, which can be found at www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/seu/index.htm.

SCOTLAND

  Departmental Events
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what(a) national and (b) international awareness events her Department has participated in since June 1997
  466W
  in the form of (i) sponsorship, (ii) departmental attendance, (iii) similar departmental activities and (iv) a message of support. [5035]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Scottish Office before July 1999 and the Scotland Office since July 1999 have participated in many such events. Details could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Absence
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many days on average were lost per employee in her Department because of sickness; and how many officials retired early from her Department in each of the past 10 years. [R] [5060]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The numbers of early retirements from the core departments of the former Scottish Office in each year from 1 April 1994 to 30 June 1999 are:

  Full time equivalent (FTE) staff retiring early, by financial year Scottish Office core departments, 1 April 1994–31 March 1999

  Year

  FTE staff retiring

  1994–95

  61.1

  1995–96

  99.7

  1996–97

  124.7

  1997–98

  16.8

  1998–99

  13.0

  On average, the number of working days lost per permanent employee in the Scottish Office core departments was 6.7 days in 1997–98, and 8.1 days in 1998–99.

  Information for earlier years for early retirements and sickness absence is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  The Scotland Office was established in its present form on 1 July 1999. No officials have retired early from the Department since that date. Information on sickness absence rates per employee is not available on a comparable basis.

ADVOCATE-GENERAL

  Mr. Surjit Chhokar
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Advocate-General if she will arrange to be made available to the family of Mr. Surjit Chhokar the documents presented to(a) the inquiry into the conduct of the Crown Office and (b) the inquiry under Dr. Jandoo into the treatment of the Chhokar family during the investigation into the murder of Mr. Chhokar; what representations have been received from the Chhokar family about (i) those two inquiries and (ii) the murder of Mr. Chhokar; what has been the response to them; and if she will make a statement. [5656]

  The Advocate-General
  This is a matter for the Scottish Executive and my hon. Friend may wish to write to the Lord Advocate about the case.

PRIME MINISTER

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Patrick Hall
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list(a) Government expenditure on ministerial overseas visits for the financial years 1995–96 to 2000–01 and (b) all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing in excess of £500 between 1 April 2000 and 31 March 2001, including the cost, destination and purpose of the visit. [6180]

  The Prime Minister
  Expenditure on ministerial overseas visits for the periods requested is estimated as follows:

  Year

  £ million

  1995–961

  7.3

  1996–97

  7.9

  2 May 1997 to 31 March 1998

  6.4

  1998–99

  4.9

  1999–2000

  4.6

  2000–01

  4.7

  1 The figure for 1995–96 does not include some expenditure falling to the Ministry of Defence and the Welsh Office because the information was not recorded centrally or is incomplete. Full costs are available from 1996–96 onwards.

  A list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more during the period 1 April 2000 and 31 March 2001 has been placed in the Libraries of the House. The list provides details of the date, destination and purpose of all such visits and the cost of Ministers' travel and accommodation where appropriate.

  Special Advisers
  Dr. Ladyman
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on special advisers. [6181]

  The Prime Minister
  I have today placed in the Libraries of the House copies of the new Code for Special Advisers, and the revised Model Contract for Special Advisers, together with details of the new pay arrangements for Special Advisers and a list of the Special Advisers currently in post.

  Ministerial Travel Code
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Prime Minister when he plans to publish a revised Ministerial Code on Travel by Ministers. [6189]

  The Prime Minister
  I have today published a revised "Ministerial Code" and "Travel by Ministers". They provide guidance to Ministers on how they should conduct themselves in carrying out their official duties. The foreword to the Code makes it clear that I will expect all Ministers to operate within the letter and spirit of the Code. The revised Code takes account of recommendations made by the Committee on Standards in Public Life.

  Copies of both documents have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Hinduja Brothers
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister if all papers under his control relating to the Hinduja brothers were made available to Sir Anthony Hammond as part of his inquiry. [5477]

  The Prime Minister
  I made it clear when I set up the independent review headed by Sir Anthony that all relevant information that he required would be made available to him. I also said that it was for Sir Anthony to decide on how he carried out the review, what papers and files he needed to see and to whom he needed to speak.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will reopen the Hammond Inquiry into the application for passports by the Hinduja brothers. [5482]

  The Prime Minister
  Sir Anthony Hammond has already carried out a thorough review of the issues. I do not think any further inquiry would be fruitful.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) on what date(a) he and (b) another Minister last received a communication from one of the Hinduja brothers; [5475]

  (2) if he will made a statement on his meeting with the Hinduja brothers on 24 February 1998. [5478]

  The Prime Minister
  It is public knowledge that I and members of the Government have met members of the Hinduja family. Subject to that it is not the normal practice of the Government to release details of meetings or discussions with private individuals or companies.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library copies of(a) the letter to him dated 25 February 1998 from the Hinduja brothers and (b) the minutes from Jonathan Powell to the right hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson) relating to the conversation between the Prime Minister and the Hindujas on 24 February 1998. [5479]

  The Prime Minister
  Information relating to internal advice and consultation is not disclosed under Exemption 2, Part H of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Prime Minister if his chief of staff wrote to the right hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson) in order to communicate an offer of sponsorship for the millennium dome from the Hinduja Foundation. [5560]

  The Prime Minister
  It is not the normal practice of the Government to release details of meetings or discussions with private individuals or companies.

  Departmental Central Index
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Prime Minister which Minister and which Government Department holds overall responsibility for the operation of the departmental central index. [5026]

  The Prime Minister
  The Department for Work and Pensions has responsibility.

  Animal Experimentation
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister for what reasons responsibilities relating to animal experimentation have been retained by the Home Office. [5692]

  The Prime Minister
  The Home Office has retained responsibility for matters relating to the regulation of animal products under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, because the Department neither sponsors scientific research involving the use of animals, nor does it set any requirements for data produced by such procedures.

  Sellafield
  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to ensure that the future of the mixed oxide plutonium fuels plant at Sellafield is considered as part of the energy review. [6250]

  The Prime Minister
  There are no plans to consider this as part of the review.

  Peerage
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Prime Minister how many persons elevated to the peerage since 1 May 1997 were resident at the time of their elevation in each region of(a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland. [5905]

  The Prime Minister
  This information is being collated. I shall write shortly to the hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Library.

  Cleave Camp,
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Prime Minister what was contained in Cabinet document H(67)20 dated 7 March 1967, relating to the transfer of Cleave camp, near Bude in North Cornwall, from the Ministry of Defence to the Ministry of Public Building and 'Works; and for what reason it was removed from the file and destroyed on 5 March 1997. [5017]

  The Prime Minister
  H(67)20 sought the agreement of the Home Affairs Committee for the transfer of a site at Cleave camp, Bude, owned at that time by the Ministry of Defence, to the Ministry of Public Building and Works. The document is available at the Public Record Office (PRO) in file CAB 134/2855. Duplicate copies of Cabinet Committee documents are removed from departmental files as part of the usual records management procedures which have been promulgated by the PRO since shortly after the Departmental Committee on Public Records reported.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Select Committees
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the President of the Council if he will bring forward proposals to enable Back-Bench Members to have greater influence in the selection of members of Select Committees. [5830]
  470W
  Mr. Robin Cook
  The Select Committee on the Modernisation of the House of Commons has agreed that, as an immediate priority, it will look at how best to ensure transparency in nominations to Select Committees. In order to make quick progress on this urgent issue the Modernisation Committee will meet again during the recess, in September. Our intention will be to agree a report on procedures for nominations for vacancies when the House resumes in October.

  Mr. Laws
  To ask the President of the Council what plans he has to introduce measures to increase the powers and enhance the status of Select Committees. [5831]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  The Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons has agreed to undertake a comprehensive review of Select Committees. It will look at how Select Committees are set up, the powers available to them and how their reports are handled in Parliament, as well as other relevant issues.

WALES

  Departmental Events
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what(a) national and (b) international awareness events his Department 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. [5037]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  This information is not collected centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Absence
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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] [5056]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The information requested is as follows:

  Average number of working days sickness absence per staff year

  1992

  9.8

  1993

  10.1

  1994

  9.1

  1995

  10.0

  1996

  9.0

  1997

  8.3

  1998

  7.6

  1999

  7.6

  Notes:

  1. Figures relate to Welsh Office, Cadw and Estyn (formerly OHMCI).

  2. 1999 figures relate to Welsh Office, Cadw and Estyn up to 30 June, and to Wales Office, National Assembly for Wales, Cadw and Estyn from 1 July.

  3. Figures for 1992 and 1993 derive from a different source and might not have the same degree of reliability as those for later years.

  4. Data for years prior to 1992 are not available.

  5. No data are yet available for 2000.
  471W

  Number of early retirements

  Welsh Office, Cadw and Estyn (formerly OHMCI)

  1991

  6

  1992

  34

  1993

  29

  1994

  47

  1995

  109

  1996

  147

  1997

  39

  1998

  16

  19991

  11

  Wales Office

  19992

  0

  2000

  0

  1 To 30 June

  2 From 1 July

  Note:

  Includes early retirements of all types

  Ministerial Duties
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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. [4898]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State and I will spend much of our time in Wales during the recess on visits and engagements. In line with paragraph 68 of the Ministerial Code, at least one of us will be on duty at all times.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Economic and Social Research
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development for what reason the Advisory Committee on Economic and Social Research Overseas is being disbanded as a non-departmental public body. [6530]

  Clare Short
  The Advisory Committee on Economic and Social Research Overseas (ESCOR) was constituted in 1968 (administratively, and not by statute). It provides advice on research proposals submitted for funding to the Department for International Development. It came to be classified as a non-departmental public body (NDPB) in the early 1980s. However,the Committee is only advisory and has no executive powers;
  members are not paid for their services;
  it is the only one of four DFID Research Committees so classified;
  half of its members are DFID officials.
  In June 1997 the Prime Minister made a statement in Parliament announcing that a review would be undertaken to reduce overall numbers of NDPBs. ESCOR is being de-classified as a NDPB in response to this and to bring it in line with other DFID Research Committees, which are not classified as NDPBs. It will be re-constituted on the same lines as those Committees.
  472W
  Membership of the reconstituted Committee will continue to be balanced between DFID officials and external academic experts. Membership will continue to be recorded with the Cabinet Office. Appointments will no longer be made directly by the Secretary of State. The Committee will continue to advise on the merits of proposals for economic and social research in development submitted to the Department.

  GM Projects
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list(a) the name and (b) the amount spent in each of the last four years on genetically modified related development projects. [5408]

  Clare Short
  The information is as follows.

  Projects involving the potential release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) 1998 onwards

  Plant Sciences
  Genetically Engineered Resistance to Rice Yellow Mottle Virus1
  Sainsbury Laboratory; WARDA; 07.95–06.98 £147,983 (R6355)
  Assessing Resistance to Rice Tungro Virus Disease1
  John Innes Institute; IRRI; 11.95–10.98 £87,420 (R6394)
  Botrytis Grey Mould Resistance in Chickpea with PGIP Genes1
  SCRI; ICRISAT; 10.96–12.99 £194,208 (R6409H)
  Chromosome Painting (in situ Chromosome Hybridisation) for Forestry, Crop Protection and Plant Sciences1
  University of Nottingham; NRI; 01.96–12.98 £154,879 (R6429 FF)
  Development of Reliable Transformation and Transgene Expression in Cassava1
  John Innes Institute; IITA; 12.95–12.99 £133,565 (R6442)
  Transgenic Crop Resistance in Upland and Lowland Rice to Nematodes1
  University of Leeds; IRRI; 01.96–12.98 £243,567 (R6453)
  Enhancement of Grain Filling in Rice by Genetic Manipulation of Phytohormone Levels1
  Norman Borlaug Institute, DeMontford University; IRRI 04.97–03.00 £300,000 (R6724H)
  Development of Testing of Transgenic Cultivars of Bananas Resistant to Nematodes1
  CAZS; WIBDECO, Roseau Research Station, St. Lucia; 11.96–10.99 £78,985 (R6743)
  Crop Resistance to the Nematodes Globodera and Naccobus in Bolivian Hillside Potato Production1
  University of Leeds; PROINPA, Bolivia; 10.97–09.00 £88,518 (R6830)
  Development and Application of Transformation Systems in Rice1
  John Innes Institute; IRRI; University of Dhaka; University of Delhi; IIAR, India; 09.97–08.00 £288,649 (R6948)
  Durable Crop Resistance in Rice and Potato Plants to Nematodes2
  University of Leeds; IRRI; WARDA; PROINPA, Bolivia; 01.99–12.01 £289,205 (R7294)
  Transgenic Rice with Rice Yellow Mosaic Virus Resistance2
  John Innes Institute; WARDA; 07.99–06.02 £335.683 (R7415)
  Transformation and Mapping of Natural Resistance to Rice Yellow Mottle Virus and Nematodes2
  John Innes Institute; WARDA; 01.00–12.02 £97,728 (R7548)
  Resistance to Andean Weevil in Potato2
  University of Leeds; PROINPA, 10.00–09.01 £7,537 (R7886)
  Nematode Resistant Rice, Banana and Potato2
  John Innes Centre; University of Leeds; 07.00–05.05 £768,913 (R8031)
  473W
  Crop Protection
  Biological Control of Bacterial Wilt of Potato1
  CABI Bioscience; KARI, Kenya; CDRI Pakistan; INRA, Niger; 04.96–03.99 £176.560 (R6629)

  Fish Genetics
  Development and Exploitation a Transgenic Tilapia1
  University of Wales—Swansea; University of Southampton; 04.98–03.00 £219,468 (R7113)
  Production of Improved Reversibly Sterile Strains of Tilapia2
  University of Southampton 04 00–03.04 £304,000 (R7591)

  Animal Health
  Identification of Immundominant Antigens of Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. Capripneumoniae for Use in Vaccines1
  Moredun Research Institute; Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania; 04.96–03.99 £283,092 (R6555)
  Contained Trial of Modified Recombinant Capripox-rinderpest Vaccine1
  Institute for Animal Health (Pirbright); KARI, Kenya; 04.96–03.99 £88,000 (R6557)
  Control Methods and Diagnostic Tools for Trypanosomosis1
  University of Bristol; ILRI; KETRI, Kenya 04.96–03.99 £194,858 (R6560)
  Thermostable Immunogens for Protection of Ruminants against Heartwater1
  CTVM; NVRC, Kenya; NVL, Botswana; CIRAD-EMVT, Paris; FARM-AFRICA; 04.96–03.99 £363,107 (R6566)
  Development of a Genetically Marked Rinderpest Vaccine1
  Institute of Animal Health (Pirbright); 10.97–03.00 £119,698 (R7048)
  Pen-side Diagnostics for the Detection of Antibodies Against a Marked Rinderpent Virus (RPV) Vaccine2
  Institute for Animal Health (Pirbright); IVRI, India; SVDL, Ethiopia; PARC, Kenya; 05.99–04.02 £223,549 (R7362)
  Evaluation of Genes for Dominant Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes Target Antigens for Use as Vaccine Components2
  Institute for Animal Health (Compton); ILRI; 10.99–09.02 £206,877 (R7365)

  Studies on GMO Issues
  Predicting Costs and Benefits to Livelihoods of the Poor in Developing Countries from "Terminator" Gene Technologies1
  GS Consulting; 07.99–02.00 £35,000

  Plant Sciences
  Modelling Gene Flow in Pigeonpea2
  University of Birmingham; ICRISAT; NBPGR, India; 04.99–03.02 £199,276 (R7261C)

  Crop Protection
  Review of Genetically Modified Pest Management Technologies for Use in Developing Countries1
  NRI; CICR, India; WARDA; ODI; PROINPA, Bolivia; University of Leeds; 02.00–09.00 £54,943 (R7585)

  Further Information
  DFID Natural Resources Project Database www.narsis.org

  Acronyms
  CAZS—Centre for Arid Zone Studies, University College of Wales, Bangor
  CDRI—Crop Disease Research Institute, Pakistan
  CIRAD—Centre de Cooperation Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Developpement (France)
  CTVM—Centre for Tropical Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh
  ICRISAT—International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, India
  IIAR—Indian Institute for Agricultural Research
  IITA—International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Nigeria
  474W
  ILRI—International Livestock Research Institute, Kenya
  INRA—Institute National de la Recherche Agronomique, Niger
  IRRI—International Rice Research Institute, Philippines
  IVRI—Indian Veterinary Research Institute
  KARI—Kenya Agricultural Research Institute
  KETRI—Kenya Trypanosomiasis Research Institute
  NVL—National Veterinary Laboratory, Botswana
  NVRC—National Veterinary Research Centre. Kenya
  NRI—Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich
  PARC—Pan-African Rinderpest Campaign, Kenya
  PROINPA—Programma de Investigation de la Papa, Bolivia
  SCRI—Scottish Crops Research Institute
  SVDL—Sabeta Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Ethiopia
  WARDA—West African Rice Development Association, Cote d'Ivoire

  1 Completed projects. 1998–99 Expenditure £1,050,319. 1999–2000 Expenditure £465,068.

  2 Ongoing projects. 2000–01 Expenditure £445,903. 2001–02 Expenditure £663,613.

  Note:

  Date: 18 July 2001. Total Commitment £5,776,764

  Absence
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many days on average were lost per employee in her Department because of sickness; and how many officials retired early from her Department in each of the past 10 years. [RI [5052]

  Clare Short
  Figures for average sickness absence for my Department over the last nine years are:

  Days

  Year

  Sickness average

  2000

  6.18

  1999

  7.31

  1998

  7.34

  1997

  8.13

  1996

  6.81

  1995

  8.59

  1994

  8.64

  1993

  9.14

  1992

  8.21

  These figures are provided on the basis of working days per staff year where 'working day' equals Monday to Friday, including holidays, and staff year is equivalent to one employee working full-time all year.

  The numbers of early retirement and ill-health retirement are as follows:

  Early retirement figures for the past five years

  Year

  Figures

  1996–97

  30

  1997–98

  7

  1998–99

  6

  1999–2000

  12

  2000–01

  6

  475W

  Ill-health retirement figures for the past three years

  Year

  Figures

  1998–99

  2

  1999–2000

  5

  2000–01

  0

  Figures for earlier years are not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost in time and resources.

  Commission on TRIPS
  Mr. Borrow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the meetings of the Commission on TRIPS. [5528]

  Clare Short
  The Commission on Intellectual Property Rights held full meetings in London on 8 to 9 May and on 4 July. On 8 May, the Commission received oral and written submissions from UK Government Departments, from industry representatives and from development charities. Otherwise, the meetings were used to prepare and finalise the Commission's work programme up until March 2002, when it is expected to present its report.

  In addition to these full meetings of the Commission, Dr. Mashelkar visited South Africa at the end of May to discuss IPR issues in general and South African views on access to medicines in particular; while Professor Correa and Professor Barton visited Brussels and Geneva at the beginning of July to meet with representatives from, among others, the European Commission, UNCTAD, WTO, WIPO, WHO and delegations from developing and developed countries.

  The work programme which the Commission is now pursuing essentially comprises a programme of technical studies by leading international experts as well as consultations with interested parties from Government, the private sector and civil society around the world. The work programme focuses on nine main areas:
  IPRs, Technology and Development
  Pharmaceutical and Vaccines
  Genetic Resources, Gene-based Inventions and Agriculture
  Traditional Knowledge and Folklore
  IPRs, the Internet and Copyright

  £000

  1998–991

  1999–20001

  2000–011

  2001–022

  2002–032

  2003–042

  Urban poverty

  425

  92

  933

  11,000

  15,000

  15,000

  Rural livelihoods

  86

  40

  48

  3,000

  6,500

  7,500

  Power sector reform

  1,211

  4,510

  5,867

  5,300

  5,300

  5,000

  Energy efficiency

  1,018

  2,535

  5,950

  8,000

  2,000

  —

  Economic reform

  —

  666

  961

  1,000

  1,000

  800

  Primary education

  4,092

  4,601

  3,895

  3,500

  4,000

  4,000

  Child labour

  21

  564

  586

  900

  1,100

  —

  Tackling TB

  190

  6,004

  841

  1,800

  2,000

  2.000

  1 Actual

  2 Estimated

  Note:

  In addition to the expenditure given above, DFID is supporting a number of national and multi-state projects which cover Andhra Pradesh, but it is not possible to isolate the money that is spent in AP. These projects are for microenterprise, sexual health, water and sanitation, and training of police.
  476W
  National IPR legislation in Developing Countries
  TRIPS and the International Framework
  Process and Constitutional Issues in International Rule-Making
  Institutional Issues for IPRs regimes in Developing Countries.
  Looking ahead, I understand that the Commission is planning fact-finding missions to India and to other developing countries later in the year, as well as consultations in Brussels and Washington. I further understand that full meetings of the Commission are planned in early September and mid-December, as well as an expert's workshop to review the findings of the Commission's study programme in January.

  Further information about the Commission's mission, composition and work programme can be found on its website www.iprcornmission.org.

  Mr. Borrow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the membership of the Commission on TRIPS. [5525]

  Clare Short
  The Commission on Intellectual Property Rights comprises the following six experts:Professor John Barton, Professor of Law. Stanford University, USA (Chairman)
  Daniel Alexander, Intellectual Property Barrister, UK
  Dr. R. A. Mashelkar, Director. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, India
  Dr. Gill Samuels, Senior Director of Science Policy and Scientific Affairs, Pfizer, UK
  Dr. Sandy Thomas, Director, Nuffield Council for Bioethics, UK
  Professor Carlos Correa, Professor of Economics, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

  Andhra Pradesh
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will provide a sectoral breakdown of the funding provided by the United Kingdom Government to the Government of Andhra Pradesh in(a) the past three years and (b) the next three years. [4933]

  Clare Short
  The table shows the amounts that DFID has spent in Andhra Pradesh in the last three years, and an estimate of the amounts which will be spent this year and the next two years on existing projects. A number of new project proposals are under discussion.
  477W
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what contributions the Government have made to the implementation of Vision 2020 by the Government of Andhra Pradesh; and if she will make a statement; [4936]

  (2) what steps have been taken to ensure that the needs of the poorest and most marginalized in Andhra Pradesh have been included in the design and implementation of Vision 2020; and what financial costs have been incurred by the United Kingdom Government as a result of these steps; [4934]

  (3) what assessment she has made of the economic, social and environmental impact of implementing Vision 2020 in Andhra Pradesh. [4935]

  Clare Short
  Vision 2020 sets out a series of goals, including the eradication of poverty in the state in 20 years. The document is a draft on which the Andhra Pradesh Government have sought comments and views from civil society. To attain the goals outlined in Vision 2020, the AP Government are developing strategies, on which they are also consulting. Officials from my Department have been involved in some of the discussions because Andhra Pradesh is one of our partner states in India.

  A DFID strategy paper, which sets out our approach to assisting in the elimination of poverty in the state, has been published. A copy is being placed in the Library.

  Tariffs
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions she has had with her EU counterparts on reducing tariffs on(a) agriculture and (b) textiles in the context of WTO organisations. [5517]

  Clare Short
  We are working with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to influence the European Commission's position at the on-going agriculture negotiations in Geneva, including discussions on tariffs. We are working with the Department of Trade and Industry to ensure that a new trade round will include substantial tariff reductions, including for textiles and clothing from developing countries.

  Mongolia
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her Department's assistance to Mongolia. [5751]

  Clare Short
  The UK provides bilateral aid to Mongolia through a Small Grants Scheme (currently £225,000 per annum). Activities during 1999 included support to street children, HIV/AIDS educations for young people and income generation for households in the poorer provinces. DFID also provides support to the World bank's Sustainable Livelihoods Programme (£170,000 for 2000–01)—contributing to the Participatory Living Standards Assessment and project preparation.

  In addition, as part of our regular contribution to these agencies, in 1998 the UK contributed approximately £3 million through multilateral agencies in Mongolia.
  478W
  Over the past year, DFID has also contributed £1.2 million for the provision of emergency relief (for the winter diasters or 'dzuds') under the framework of the UN appeal.

  Palestinian Authority
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action she is taking to promote economic development in the Palestinian National Authority. [4141]

  Clare Short
  I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 17 July 2001,Official Report, column 120W.

  Free Trade
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what targets have been set by her Department to reach global free trade by 2020. [5516]

  Clare Short
  I refer the hon. Member to today's response from my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State responsible for small business,Official Report, column 594W.

  Kosovo
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) if she will list the agricultural projects funded by her Department in Kosovo; [5288]

  (2) if she will make a statement on her policies on funding agricultural development and livestock reprovision in Kosovo. [5287]

  Clare Short
  Our support to agricultural projects in Kosovo is mainly through the programmes of the EC. In 2000 and 2001 the EC has committed 30 million euros for supply of fertiliser, seed production, rehabilitation and management of irrigation schemes and an agricultural information campaign. The UK's share of this commitment is £3.5 million.

  Through a small projects scheme managed by the DFID office in Pristina we have provided £160,000 in grants to NGOs and the UN Interim Mission in Kosovo for projects to help farmers restock cattle, sheep and goats, construct greenhouses and revive beekeeping.

  Ministerial Duties
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 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. [4896]

  Clare Short
  A Minister will be on duty throughout the summer period.

  Departmental Events
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what(a) national and (b) international awareness events her Department 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. [5043]
  479W
  Clare Short
  Both I and my officials attend a huge number of national and international events, and work with a wide range of UK and international organisations, to raise awareness and understanding of international development issues.

  A description of our work in this area is provided in the 1997 and 2000 White Papers, and in our annual report.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  RUC
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many officers left the Royal Ulster Constabulary between 1 January and 30 June, broken down by rank. [3236]

  Jane Kennedy
  The number of officers who left the Royal Ulster Constabulary between 1 January and 30 June is as follows:

  Number

  Assistant Chief Constable

  3

  Chief Superintendent

  25

  Superintendent

  45

  Chief Inspector

  37

  Inspector

  106

  Sergeant

  216

  Constable

  469

  Reserve Constable FIT

  76

  Total

  977

  Good Friday Agreement
  Stephen Hesford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the effect of the Good Friday Agreement on the lives of people in Northern Ireland in respect of issues relating to their security. [3734]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Good Friday Agreement both mandated and enabled the Government to pursue a process of normalisation. The general reduction in the level of threat has made it possible to return the security profile across much of Northern Ireland to that consistent with a normal, peaceful society. Troop levels are at their lowest for over 30 years; the Army has closed or demolished 25 bases since the Agreement and withdrawn from another 10 it shared with the RUC; routine military patrolling has reduced by over 50 per cent. Full and final implementation of all outstanding issues should return a secure, peaceful and prosperous society to Northern Ireland. However, the serious threat still posed by dissident terrorist organisations which remain opposed to the Agreement has prevented the community in certain parts of Northern Ireland from benefiting from the kind of progress enjoyed elsewhere.

  Plastic Baton Rounds
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many police officers have reported(a) faults and (b) misfirings of riot guns used in the course
  480W
  of discharging plastic baton rounds in each of the past 10 years; and how many riot guns have been withdrawn from use after faults were discovered. [1225]

  Jane Kennedy
  None.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many L21A1 plastic baton rounds are held by the police; how many old model PBRs have been withdrawn from use consequently; and what arrangements have been made for the unspent rounds. [1227]

  Jane Kennedy
  For operational reasons it would be inappropriate to place in the public domain the exact numbers of the new model baton rounds held by the police or old model baton rounds that have been withdrawn. However the old model baton rounds have been withdrawn and are temporarily held in secure premises until arrangements are made for their return to the military.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by what means a spent plastic bullet round may be identified for the purposes of forensic evidence. [1228]

  Jane Kennedy
  A spent plastic bullet round does have 'rifling' detail on the round after firing. However, because plastic does not hold the exact detail of the marks the round cannot be identified with a specific riot gun.

  Water Cannon
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the costs associated with the deployment of two water cannon vehicles in Northern Ireland. [3081]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Belgian Federal Police have agreed, as has been the case for the last three years, to lend two water cannon to the RUC during the marching season. They have been provided free of charge on a mutual aid basis between EU police forces. Last year RUC Land Rovers were supplied to the Belgian police for Euro 2000, on a similar basis. The only costs involved are shipping, insurance and maintenance costs amounting to approximately £14,000.

  Francisco Notarantonio
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will(a) reopen the investigation of the death of Francisco Notarantonio and (b) make relevant classified information available to a judicial authority; and if he will make a statement. [2312]

  Jane Kennedy
  The death of Mr. Notarantonio was fully investigated by the RUC at the time and I understand that there was insufficient evidence to mount a prosecution. However, a murder investigation is not closed until those responsible for the crime have been brought to justice. As no one has yet been convicted for the murder of Mr. Notarantonio the investigation therefore remains open. Additionally Sir John Stevens is currently conducting an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the murder of Patrick Finucane and the terms of reference of this inquiry also cover the allegations of collusion in the murders of individuals like Mr. Notarantonio.
  481W
  I am not aware of any information relevant to this case which has not already been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions. Should any further evidence come to light I am confident that it will be reported to the prosecuting authority in the usual way.

  Stun Grenades
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many stun grenades have been issued to the RUC; how many have been used in the past 12 months; what level of authorisation is required for use of this weapon; and what(a) rules and (b) guidance apply to its use. [1229]

  Jane Kennedy
  Percussion grenades, often referred to as stun grenades, are ACPO/Home Office approved equipment held by Specialist Firearms Teams throughout the United Kingdom. In the Royal Ulster Constabulary, stun grenades are available for use in hostage type situations. None has been fired operationally in the last 12 months. For operational reasons it would be inappropriate to place figures relating to the exact amount of grenades issued to the Royal Ulster Constabulary. However 201 have been issued for training purposes of which 101 have been fired in the last 12 months. The use of this weapon would be authorised at least at Regional Assistant Chief Constable level. Rules and Guidance are provided under the association of Chief Police Officers' Manual of Guidance on Police Use of Firearms.

  Policing Board for Northern Ireland
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects to publish the names of the non-elected members of the new Policing Board for Northern Ireland. [3079]

  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the independent members of the new Policing Board for Northern Ireland have been selected. [4559]

  Jane Kennedy
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has not to date selected those individuals who should serve as independent members of the Policing Board. The names of those selected will be published as soon as the selections are made.

  Police
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what changes were made to the terms of reference of the Oversight Commissioner following the passage of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000; what instructions he issued subsequently concerning the work of the Commissioner; what meetings he has had with the Commissioner; and what decisions were made at each meeting. [1143]

  Jane Kennedy
  I have placed in the Library of the House a copy of the terms of reference to which Mr. Constantine is working.

  The Commission has met either my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland or Ministers during each of his six visits to Northern Ireland. The meetings were intended primarily to review progress rather than to make decisions.
  482W
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what dates periodic reports containing objectives and timetables have been provided to the Oversight Commissioner by(a) the Government, (b) the Police Service, and (c) the Police Authority for Northern Ireland; and on what dates periodic progress review meetings on implementation of change in policing arrangements have been held with the Oversight Commissioner attended by (i) Government Ministers and officials, (ii) the Chief Constable, (iii) the Police Authority for Northern Ireland, and (iv) others in the 12 months following appointment of the Oversight Commissioner. [1145]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Commissioner has been briefed by Ministers, officials, the police, the Police Authority for Northern Ireland, and others during each of his six visits to Northern Ireland. In view of the number of meetings held with the Commissioner, his Chief of Staff and members of his Evaluation Team, it is not possible to provide the dates requested.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what correspondence he has received from the Oversight Commissioner in the last 12 months; and if he will place in the Library copies of correspondence and reports. [1099]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Commissioner has met my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and ministerial colleagues on a number of occasions since his appointment in May 2000. As a result, correspondence between the Commissioner and the Secretary of State has been minimal and confined to staffing issues. I do not propose to place copies of the correspondence received in the Library of the House.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what dates he received reports from the Oversight Commissioner concerning each periodic review of progress in implementation of police reforms set out in the Patten report. [1098]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Commissioner's first report was received by the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in December 2000. A copy of the report was placed in the Library of the House on 10 January 2001.

  Johnny Adair
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the result of his inquiry into the alleged attempted poisoning of Johnny Adair in HMP Maghaberry was; and what action he has taken as a result. [1114]

  Jane Kennedy
  Following receipt of information from the Forensic Science Agency on 6 March 2001 that the sample of Mr. Adair's protein supplement powder, sent away for analysis, was contaminated, Mr. Adair and the RUC were notified immediately. Due to the potentially serious nature of the incident the RUC was then requested to carry out an investigation, which is still ongoing.

  It would be inappropriate to comment on the circumstances surrounding the incident at this stage.

  Drug Dealers (Cash Seizures)
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much cash has been seized from
  483W
  convicted drug dealers under Section 27 of the Misuse of Drugs Act; and how much of such cash has been directed into local drugs initiatives. [3238]

  Jane Kennedy
  In the last 12 months the Royal Ulster Constabulary Drugs Squad has seized and applied for Forfeiture Orders totalling £42,245 under Section 27 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. This money has been allocated at the discretion of the courts to various charitable and voluntary groups throughout Northern Ireland including some allocation to the RUC Drugs Squad to fund drugs education and prevention initiatives.

  On occasions, local Drugs Liaison Units from District Commands may have been awarded minor sums by the courts, but currently no central record of the amount involved is maintained. To obtain this information would incur disproportionate cost.

  Weston Park Talks
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish as soon as possible the details of the package agreed between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of the Irish Republic, as announced at the conclusion of the Weston Park talks. [5065]

  Dr. John Reid
  It is right that any package intended to secure full implementation of the Agreement should be considered first by those parties committed to that aim and away from the glare of publicity. But we will make public our assessment of the position we have reached, at the right time.

  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he made of the compliance of the criteria for invitations to the Weston Park talks with the provisions of the Human Rights Act 1998. [5066]

  Mr. Browne
  The participants at the Weston Park talks discussed the implementation of the Belfast Agreement. Participants in the talks were invited on the basis that they were parties to that Agreement. I am content that inviting participants on this basis was fully compliant with the Human Rights Act 1998.

  North Belfast (Security Situation)
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give an assessment of the security situation in North Belfast. [5064]

  Jane Kennedy
  The security situation along the interface areas in North Belfast remains tense with nightly attacks on houses being carried out by both sides of the community. The security forces are maintaining a high presence in the area in an attempt to keep rival factions apart and calm the situation. Over 160 police officers have been injured as a result of attack from a barrage of missiles including blast bombs, bricks, bottles, petrol bombs and acid bombs. The Government have called on all those with influence in their communities to bring this mindless violence and thuggish behaviour to an end before someone is seriously injured or loses their life.

  Probation Board
  Mrs. Fitzsimons
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will publish the Probation Board for Northern Ireland's business plan for 2001–02. [6447]
  484W
  Jane Kennedy
  The Probation Board's business plan for 2001–02 was published today. The plan sets out the Board's key performance targets for the year. Copies of the plan have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Belize
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the nature of the assistance given by the British High Commission in Belize to KPMG during their visit to Belize while conducting the study commissioned by the British Government to review the regulation of offshore financial services in Belize and the effect of tax exemptions on pro-poor programmes; when this assistance was given; and if this assistance included discussing and planning to arrange meetings with representatives of the two public investment companies. [3376]

  Mr. MacShane
  The KPMG team visited Belize from 18 July to 1 August 2000. High Commission staff met them, supplied transport for them and arranged their in-country programme, including calls on the two public investment company groups.

  Lord Ashcroft
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department received a letter from the lawyers of Lord Ashcroft and Carlisle Holdings regarding remarks the Secretary of State for International Development is alleged to have made at the World Trade Organisation meeting in Seattle in 1999; when his Department responded to the letter; if he will place copies of the correspondence in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [4055]

  Mr. MacShane
  Letters were received from solicitors for Lord Ashcroft complaining, inter alia, of remarks alleged to have been made by the Secretary of State for International Development (although these did not refer specifically to the World Trade Organisation meeting in Seattle in 1999). The legal adviser in my Department replied on my right hon. Friend's behalf on 26 January 2001. A copy of this letter has been placed in the Library. Release of the letters sent by Lord Ashcroft's solicitors is a matter for him.

  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if officials in his 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. [4057]

  Mr. MacShane
  It has not proved possible to identify the person or persons responsible for passing the official documents referred to by the hon. Member to The Times or The Guardian newspapers themselves. However, during the course of the investigation into The Times leak it was ascertained that an official of this Department had passed classified documents to an unauthorised person. These documents included those which appeared in The Times. The official concerned has been disciplined.

  Tunisia
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Tunisian Government about the arrest and detention of the journalist Sihem Ben Sedrine; and when he last received reports about the human rights situation in Tunisia. [4738]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  I will write to the Tunisian Deputy Foreign Minister to express my concern at the arrest and detention of the journalist Sihem Ben Sedrine. In addition to regular reports from FCO officials, I have also received the latest statement from Amnesty International and other international human right organisations about the human rights situation in Tunisia.

  Chechnya
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action is being taken by the Government to bring an end to the ill-treatment of civilians in Chechnya by Russian forces; and what human rights violations have been reported to have occurred last week during operations by Russian forces in the Chechen villages of Sernovodsk, Assinovskaya and Kurchaloi. [4735]

  Peter Hain
  I will write to my hon. Friend shortly, and copies of the letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Diplomatic Staff
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in which British diplomatic missions locally engaged staff are paid below local poverty datum lines; and if he will make a statement. [4541]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The salary scales and conditions of service for locally engaged staff are set in each country by reference to the good local practice of comparable employers, at a level enabling our posts to recruit, retain and motivate suitable staff. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office greatly values the contribution of its local staff.

  British Consulate (Punjab)
  Ann Keen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made to establish the British Consulate office in Jalandhar, Punjab; and if it will provide full consulate services. [4799]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  We propose to open visa liaison offices in Jalandhar (Punjab) and Ahmedabad (Gujarat). The objective behind this initiative is to make our visa services in India more accessible to our customers. The offices, which will be staffed by locally employed personnel, will assist applicants in completing visa application formalities and offering guidance on visa related matters to those who need it. We also hope that entry clearance officers from Delhi and Bombay will visit the offices on a regular basis to assess the visa applications of those who would find it difficult to undertake the long journey to one of our visa issuing posts, such as old and infirm applicants.

  The Indian authorities have welcomed these proposals, but have not yet given formal approval. Without this, we are unable to identify office accommodation or to recruit
  486W
  and train new staff. But we remain committed to opening these offices as soon as possible, and are ready to move quickly once formal agreement is given.

  Lord Levy
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what office accommodation, staff and other facilities have been made available to Lord Levy at the Foreign Office. [5259]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Lord Levy has the use of an office in the FCO Main Building in London. He receives part-time help from FCO officials as required in support of his role as the Prime Minister's envoy.

  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what classification of papers and official documents will be seen by Lord Levy. [5260]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Lord Levy will see papers and official documents relevant to his role as the Prime Minister's envoy.

  Departmental Events
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what(a) national and (b) international awareness events his Department 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. [5046]

  Mr. Straw
  My Department has been involved in many international and national awareness events since June 1997 in support of departmental objectives. The information requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. I would be happy to provide the right hon. Member with further details if he could be specific about the events he has in mind.

  Israel
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received regarding(a) the seven Israeli soldiers and (b) the Israeli civilian, Elchanan Tenenboim, held captive by Hezbollah; and what plans he has to take steps to assist in bringing about their release. [5188]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: This Government condemn hostage taking under any circumstances. On 3 May my right hon. Friend the then Foreign Secretary and my hon. Friend the then Minister of State met the families of the three soldiers kidnapped by Hezbollah on 7 October and the reservist Colonel kidnapped on 4 October. We have received a number of letters from Members of this House and members of the public raising their concern about the fate of the captives.

  The Government are doing what they can to help and have raised these cases, and continue to do so, with the relevant countries in the region pressing particularly for access to the hostages for the 1CRC. We strongly support all efforts to secure the release of all hostages, particularly efforts led by the United Nations Secretary General.

  Although there is no clear evidence on the fate of the other four servicemen, three of whom have been missing in action since 1982, it is important that they are not forgotten.

  487W
  We have continued to raise the fate of these missing servicemen with those who might have information about their whereabouts whenever a suitable opportunity arises.

  Visit Visas
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list, for each British post abroad which operates a pre-sift system for people applying for visit visas, how many people(a) were advised to withdraw their applications and (b) followed that advice, in (i) 1999, (ii) 2000 and (iii) 2001 for the latest date for which figures are available. [5406]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  We do not record the number of applicants who are advised to withdraw their application at the pre-shift stage. To ask posts to provide this information now would require them to carry out a manual search of their records. This could be done only at disproportionate cost.

  The number of applications actually withdrawn at posts operating a pre-sift during 1999 and 2000 is shown.

  The 2001 figures are based on monthly statistical reports received from the 109 largest posts up to May 2001. The remaining posts submit information on an annual basis. To answer this question for all 164 posts we would have to ask those additional posts to extract the information requested. Given that these posts are smaller it is unlikely that many of them will pre-sift applications.

  Pre-sift withdrawals

  Number

  1999

  Abdu Dhabi

  61

  Abuja

  43

  Accra

  1,516

  Addis Abba

  2,210

  Amman

  353

  Amsterdam

  254

  Baku

  1

  Bangkok

  46

  Banjul

  687

  Beirut

  3

  Belgrade

  98

  Bombay

  5,212

  Bucharest

  216

  Calcutta

  109

  Casablanca

  333

  Colombo

  33

  Copenhagen

  54

  Damascus

  958

  Dar es Salaam

  542

  Dhaka

  1,002

  Dubai

  192

  Dublin

  181

  Dusseldorf

  564

  Geneva

  105

  Islamabad

  24,943

  Kampala

  21

  Khartoum

  11

  Kingston

  858

  Lagos

  1,341

  Los Angeles

  2,435

  Madras

  1,101

  Manila

  119

  Maseru

  2

  Nairobi

  2

  New Delhi

  6,078

  Oslo

  85

  488W

  Pre-sift withdrawals

  Number

  Paris

  1,741

  Peking

  2

  Quito

  149

  Rome

  349

  Sana'a

  8S8

  Sarajevo

  20

  Stockholm

  34

  Suva

  21

  Tashkent

  1

  Tegucigalpa

  4

  Tehran

  1,835

  Tunis

  463

  Ulaan Baatar

  40

  Wellington

  34

  2000

  Abu Dhabi

  69

  Abuja

  883

  Accra

  9,221

  Amman

  422

  Amsterdam

  145

  Ankara

  1

  Athens

  29

  Bangkok

  38

  Banjul

  1,271

  Beirut

  1

  Belgrade

  214

  Bombay

  4,334

  Bucharest

  2,614

  Cairo

  246

  Calcutta

  276

  Casablanca

  440

  Colombo

  230

  Copenhagen

  85

  Damascus

  1,051

  Dar es Salaam

  355

  Dhaka

  610

  Dubai

  560

  Dusseldorf

  1,091

  Geneva

  209

  Honiara

  1

  Islamabad

  25,106

  Kampala

  540

  Karachi

  1,604

  Kiev

  80

  Kingston

  918

  Kinshasa

  37

  Lagos

  580

  Lima

  2

  Los Angeles

  2,908

  Luanda

  150

  Madras

  836

  Madrid

  58

  Manila

  163

  New Delhi

  8.407

  Oslo

  23

  Paris

  2.504

  Peking

  12

  Quito

  108

  Sana'a

  812

  Stockholm

  145

  Tehran

  1,876

  Tripoli

  57

  Tunis

  535

  Wellington

  120

  Zagreb

  98

  20011

  Abu Dhabi

  39

  Abuja

  186

  Accra

  3.975

  Addis Abba

  16

  Amman

  229

  489W

  Per-sift withdrawals

  Number

  Amsterdam

  22

  Ankara

  3

  Bahrain

  8

  Banjul

  530

  Belgrade

  75

  Bogotá

  300

  Bombay

  1,766

  Bucharest

  921

  Cairo

  74

  Calcutta

  197

  Casablanca

  141

  Colombo

  132

  Copenhagen

  14

  Damascus

  229

  Dar es Salaam

  137

  Dhaka

  352

  Dubai

  74

  Dusseldorf

  233

  Geneva

  79

  Islamabad

  6,813

  Kampala

  255

  Karachi

  1,115

  Kiev

  52

  Kingston

  293

  Lagos

  506

  Los Angeles

  859

  Luanda

  137

  Madras

  612

  Madrid

  99

  Manila

  13

  New Delhi

  4,542

  Oslo

  4

  Paris

  967

  Peking

  102

  Quito

  72

  Sana'a

  74

  Sarajevo

  1

  Sofia

  1,084

  Stockholm

  70

  Tehran

  636

  Tunis

  257

  Washington

  2

  Wellington

  48

  Zagreb

  49

  1 To May

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Windsor (Mr. Trend) of 10 July 2001,Official Report, column 473W, what date has been agreed with Spain for the resumption of ministerial-level talks on Gibraltar under the Brussels Process. [6450]

  Peter Hain
  Ministerial-level talks with Spain on Gibraltar under the Brussels Process will take place in London on 26 July.

  Wilton Park Executive Agency
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how the Wilton Park Executive Agency performed against the targets agreed for 2000–01; and what the agreed targets for the current year are. [6451]
  490W
  Mr. MacShane
  Wilton Park met all four of the agreed targets set for the 2000–01 financial year, for income, cost recovery, the number of conference participants, and cost per head to the FCO overall. Wilton Park's performance in 2000–01 and targets for the current year are shown.

  Income(£)

  Cost recovery(%)

  Number of conference participants

  Cost to FCO per participant(£)

  2000–01

  Targets

  2,500,000

  82.3

  2,400

  224

  Performance

  2,870,000

  87.4

  3,093

  134

  2001–02

  Targets

  2,963,000

  86.0

  2,400

  203

  The number of conference participants in 2000–01 was significantly higher than in previous years. This has had a significant impact on the cost-per-participant figure.

  Antarctic
  Shona McIsaac
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what decision there has been on the location of the proposed Antarctic Treaty Secretariat. [6452]

  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will announce the establishment of a Secretariat for the Antarctic Environmental Protocol; and if he will make a statement. [5910]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and commonwealth Affairs confirmed to Dr. Adalberto Rodriquez Giarvarini, Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship, during their talks in London on 17 July that, in response to commitments made by the Argentine Minister of Defence, Dr. Horacio Jaunarena, in Buenos Aires on 6 July, to strengthen the civilian scientific elements of Argentina's Antarctic programme, the UK would join a consensus on the location of the proposed Antarctic Treaty Secretariat. This was relayed to the recent meeting of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM XXIV) in St. Petersburg. The texts of the Argentine and UK Statements of 6 July and 17 July respectively have been deposited in the Library of the House.

  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what evaluation has been undertaken by his Department of the effects of tourism in the Antarctic. [5908]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The UK remains in close contact with other Antarctic Treaty Parties and the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) to ensure adequate regulation of tourism activities, within the jurisdictional constraints peculiar to Antarctica. Under the Antarctic Act 1994 the UK requires tourist voyages undertaken by UK flagged vessels and tourist parties organised in the United Kingdom to obtain permits from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The FCO closely monitors compliance with the permit conditions. The UK is the sole government sponsor of the most comprehensive monitoring programme in the Antarctic Peninsula area aimed at determining what impact tourism might have on environmental and wildlife values.

  Absence
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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] [5049]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  It has not been possible to collate the information requested in the given timescale. We will write to the right hon. Member shortly and place copies of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

  China
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the achievements which have resulted from the policy of constructive engagement with the Chinese Government in respect of advances in human rights. [5696]

  Mr. MacShane
  Since our human rights dialogue with the Chinese authorities started in 1997, there have been some signs of progress. While these can not be attributed entirely to the dialogue itself, we believe that our dialogue with China, along with that of the EU and a number of other partners, has contributed to this process. Progress includes:Signature in 1997 and ratification in March 2001 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
  Signature in October 1998 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
  Meeting of a bilateral Working Group to promote the ratification and implementation of the provisions of the two International Covenants.
  Signature of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, in November 2000 on the provision of human rights technical assistance. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office contributed £60,000 towards first year activities which have included seminars on police and human rights, and reform of the system of administrative detention.
  A commitment to work towards abolition of the death penalty, and co-operation with a visit in September 2000 by members of the Foreign Secretary's Death Penalty Panel.
  Agreement to a visit to Tibet by the All Party Group on Tibet (although this has yet to be take place).
  The provision of greater information on individual cases of concern.
  The dialogue process has also facilitated a comprehensive range of targeted UK and EU funded programmes to promote positive change, particularly in the field of rule of law. In July, the FCO funded a Human Rights Law Month, including a Mock Trial, with senior participants including the Lord Chief Justice. Issues addressed by other programmes this year include promoting environmental rights in western China, the ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, child rights in Tibet, the legal status of internal migrants and trade union rights.

  We continue to press the Chinese authorities to do more to promote greater respect for human rights across the board in China, including in Tibet.

  Tibet
  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations his Department has had with oil companies concerning oil exploration and railway construction in Tibet. [5914]

  Mr. MacShane
  We have regular consultations with major British oil companies engaged in business with China. Neither we, nor Trade Partners UK, have, to the best of our knowledge, discussed with them questions of oil exploration or railway building in Tibet.

  We are not aware of any British oil companies being directly involved in either oil exploration or railway building in Tibet. We would expect British companies involved in development in Tibet to observe best social and environmental standards.

  Indonesia
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions HM Government's Ambassador to Indonesia held with the Indonesian authorities during his visit to the site of British Petroleum's Tangguh project in Bintani Bay, West Papua in June; what are the(a) statutory and (b) other requirements for the Indonesian security forces to provide security for the project; what arrangements will be made to secure the project; what access local people will have to independent information about the likely impact of the project; and what proportion of the project's revenue will be returned to local communities. [6391]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  I will write to my hon. Friend shortly and place copies of the letters in the Libraries of the House.

  West Papua
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has collated about the number of(a) political prisoners and (b) other persons subject to arbitrary detention in prison in West Papua; and what representations he has made to the Indonesian authorities concerning their release. [6390]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  I will write to my hon. Friend shortly and place copies of the letters in the Libraries of the House.

  Security Council
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to inform the House on future occasions in which the UK's veto at the United Nations Security Council is used. [5928]

  Peter Hain
  I will write to my hon. Friend shortly and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Iraq
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received about the causes of the bombing on 19 June of a football pitch at Tal A'far in Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [5018]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave and the answers my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence gave to my hon. Friend the Member
  493W
  for Glasgow, Kelvin (Mr. Galloway) on 25 June 2001, Official Report, columns 17W and 32W, and 19 July 2001, Official Report, columns 539–40.

  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many holds on applications for imports to Iraq in the sanctions committee of the United Nations Security Council were lifted after(a) zero to three months, (b) three to six months, (c) six to nine months, (d) nine to 12 months and (e) more than one year. [5929]

  Peter Hain
  I will write to my hon. Friend shortly and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Government will advocate lifting the economic sanctions imposed upon Iraq. [6403]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  UN sanctions on Iraq can only be lifted when Iraq complies with its obligations under Security Council resolutions, including on disarmament. To date, Iraq has refused to do so. Resolution 1284, a UK initiative, introduced the prospect of sanctions suspension, if Iraq co-operates with UN weapons inspectors to a standard well short of that required for sanctions lift. Again, Iraq refuses to engage. In an effort to alleviate the plight of the Iraqi people, the UK and US recently proposed changes to the sanctions regime. Under our proposals there would be no sanctions on ordinary imports, only controls on military and weapons-related goods. Despite widespread international support for this approach, the Security Council was unable to agree the details of the new arrangements earlier this month. But we remain serious about addressing the welfare needs of the Iraqi people and focusing controls on Iraq's weapons. We will continue to work for the adoption of the new approach as soon as possible.

  Human Rights
  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what UK representation will be at(a) the UN Human Rights conference in Geneva in July/August, (b) the UN conference on repression in South Africa in August/September and (c) the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva in March/April 2002. [5920]

  Peter Hain
  I will write to my hon. Friend shortly and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Chagos Islands
  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have been held with representatives of the Chagos Islands since their visit to the UK. [5919]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Since the visits of representatives of the Diego Garcia Island Council and the Chagos Refugee Group to London in April, officials in the British High Commission in Port Louis have had four meetings with Ilois representatives. There has also been a steady flow of correspondence between officials in London and Bois representatives, and lawyers of Ilois representatives.
  494W
  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what visits to the Chagos Islands have been made by UK officials in the last year; and what visits are planned in the current year. [5918]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The Assistant Administrator of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) visited in September 2000. There were monthly visits by MOD staff or military personnel to Diego Garcia and we expect that pattern to continue over the next year. We also expect that the Commissioner, Administrator and Assistant Administrator will make visits over the next 12 months.

  Colombia
  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations have been made to the Government of Colombia concerning Human Rights abuses and land ownership; and if he will make a statement. [5924]

  Mr. MacShane
  We have a regular and on-going dialogue with the Colombian Government about the human rights situation in Colombia. Most recently, British Embassy officials in Bogota raised our concerns about the vulnerability of the peace communities in the Department of Choco with the Human Rights Unit of the Vice Presidency's office (on 16 July 2001), and HM Ambassador wrote to the Vice Presidency on 4 July about the disappearance and murder of indigenous leaders in Cauca, expressing his concern and asking the Colombian authorities to investigate and prevent a repetition. In June 2001, the UK and its EU partners strongly supported the proposal of an expanded International Labour Organisation mandate and presence in Colombia to report on trade union rights and the security of trade union members to verify measures taken by the Colombian Government to protect them. This solution was fully endorsed by the Workers Group, the Colombian Government and all the other parties. We regularly discuss forced displacement and the problems it causes; we have made no recent representations to the Colombian Government specifically about land ownership.

  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the UK financial contribution to Plan Colombia; and what is planned in the current year. [5923]

  Mr. MacShane
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Newport, West (Paul Flynn) on 9 July 2001,Official Report, column 351W.

  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the total UK diplomatic and military presence is in Colombia for the latest available date. [5922]

  Mr. MacShane
  There are 30 UK Diplomatic and military staff accredited in Colombia. This includes the Defence Attaché, his two assistants and the Head of Security at the British Embassy. As at 18 July 2001, 22 of these staff were in Colombia; there are no other UK military personnel in Colombia.

  Malaysia
  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been received from human rights groups concerning the Internal Security Act's operation in Malaysia. [5915]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  We have received no recent representations but regularly discuss human rights issues, including detentions under the Internal Security Act, with interested parties both in the United Kingdom and in Malaysia.

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Zimbabwean High Commission in London regarding acts of violence and intimidation in Zimbabwe. [5998]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not yet met Zimbabwe's High Commissioner to London. Baroness Amos met the High Commissioner on 26 June and had a wide ranging discussion about the situation in Zimbabwe including the state of the economy and our concerns.

  Laos
  Andy King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received from Laos about the persecution of Christians there; and if he will make a statement. [6395]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The British Government are aware of reports of the detention and mis-treatment of Christians in Laos, a country where all group meetings without previous official sanction are illegal. We regularly raise our concerns about the situation of those imprisoned for their beliefs with the Lao Government: most recently with the Deputy Foreign Minister when he visited the UK in June.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the economic penalties imposed on private sector firms in each of the last five years for failures to deliver in relation to key performance indicators in projects involving the Private Finance Initiative; and if he will make a statement. [5731]

  Mr. MacShane
  Penalties have been imposed in relation to two PFI contracts during the last five years. The details are commercially confidential.

  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many PFI transactions have been overseen by his Department in each of the last 10 years; what his estimate is of the cost savings made in each of these transactions by comparison with the public sector alternative; what are the outstanding payments to be made in relation to these transactions for each of the next 15 years; and if he will make a statement. [5730]

  Mr. MacShane
  The FCO has overseen four PFI projects over the last 10 years. Details are as follows:

  (i)1996—electronic archive system (Minerva) at a cost saving of £140,000 over the public sector comparator.

  496W

  (ii)1997—lease of official vehicles through a call-off contract available to posts overseas. Value for money is assessed on a case-by-case basis.

  (iii)1998—construction of the British Embassy in Berlin at a cost saving of £1.2 million over the public sector comparator.

  (iv) 2000—establishment of FCO Telecommunications Network at a cost saving of £20.3 million over the public sector comparator.

  Published guidance on public sector comparators notes that: "Accounting Officers should not rely solely on a straight comparison of a PFI bid to its PSC, which should never be regarded as a pass/fail test but instead as a quantitative way of informing judgment". (Treasury Taskforce Technical Note No. 5: How to construct a public sector comparator).

  Details of individual payments to contractors under PFI contracts are usually regarded as commercially confidential. Aggregate figures of estimated payments under all PFI contracts for the years 2000–01–2025/26 were published in Table C18 of the Budget 2001 "Red Book".

  Indian Subcontinent
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many decisions by entry clearance officers refusing entry to visitors from the Indian subcontinent were overturned following the exercise of ministerial discretion by an FCO minister between November 1999 and April 2001; and how many of those visitors have returned. [5857]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Between November 1999 and April 2001, 36 decisions to refuse entry clearance to visitors from the Indian subcontinent were overturned following the exercise of ministerial discretion. To date, 28 of those visitors are reported to have left the UK.

  Entry Clearance
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 27 June 2001,Official Report, column 87W, on entry clearance, what guidance he has given about the exceptional circumstances required for the use of ministerial discretion to overturn an entry clearance officer's decision and about the factors used in deciding whether the entry clearance officer made a correct decision under the rules; and if he will place a copy of the guidelines in the Library. [5856]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  As my earlier answer set out, FCO Ministers' discretion may only be exercised within the terms of the Immigration Rules. Consequently, all such decisions must be consistent with the rules. Internal guidelines on the use of that discretion are in the process of being revised. I am currently looking at these and will consider whether they should be placed in the Libraries of both Houses in due course.

  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how long a person who applied for entry clearance for settlement in(a) April, (b) May and (c) June at (i) each of the posts in the Indian subcontinent, (ii) Lagos, (iii) Abuja, (iv) Accra, (v) Moscow, (vi) Bangkok and (vii) Manila had to wait for interview; and how long a person applying in July may expect to wait. [5405]
  497W
  Mr. Bradshaw
  The waiting times for those persons who applied for entry clearance for settlement at the end of April, May and June (where available) is shown.

  Statistics for July are not yet available.

  Waiting time in weeks

  Post

  April 2001

  May 2001

  June 2001

  Post using 4 queue system

  Islamabad

  Q1

  3

  3

  Q2

  12

  9

  Q3

  16

  12

  Q4

  20

  18

  Dhaka

  Q1

  18

  20

  20

  Q2

  25

  16

  16

  Q3

  18

  20

  20

  Q4

  39

  44

  44

  New Delhi

  Q1

  0

  0

  0

  Q2

  12

  11

  10

  Q3

  13

  14

  11

  Q4

  13

  14

  11

  Bombay

  Q1

  0

  0

  0

  Q2

  6

  6

  6

  Q3

  6

  6

  6

  Q4

  6

  6

  6

  Other posts

  Abuja

  44

  9.6

  Accra

  32.50

  15

  Bangkok

  4.8

  5.6

  5.4

  Calcutta

  0

  0

  3

  Colombo

  8

  9

  9

  Karachi

  4

  3

  Lagos

  12

  10

  Madras

  2.5

  4

  3

  Manila

  20

  25

  Moscow

  4.2

  2.7

  Q1 = Dependent relatives over 65: special compassionate cases

  Q2 = Spouses, children under 18

  Q3 = Finance(e)s: other settlement categories

  Q4 = Reapplicants

  Note:

  For those posts where figures do not appear we have not received their statistics.

  Scotland
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what notification he has received of meetings during the Belgian presidency of the EU where the Belgian delegation will be led by Ministers from the Flemish or Walloon Governments; if he will provide details of the subject matters of these meetings; and if he will make a statement; [5800]

  (2) if it is his intention for a UK delegation to EU meetings during the Belgian presidency to be led by Scottish Executive Ministers; [5799]

  (3) what discussions have been held between Scottish Executive and Her Majesty's Government regarding UK support for the proposals in the agreement of the constitutional regions, with particular reference to the proposal for direct access for the Scottish Executive to the European Court of Justice; what his policy is in respect of the agreement; and if he will make a statement; [5802]
  498W
  (4) if he will set out the mechanism by which it is agreed with the Scottish Executive who will lead the UK delegation to EU Council of Ministers meetings; if it is the presumption in all cases that UK delegations are led by the UK Government: and if he will make a statement; [5801]

  (5) in respect of each year since 1999, how many delegations to European Union meetings have (a) included Scottish Executive Ministers and (b) been led by a Scottish Executive Minister; if he will list the subject matter and location of each meeting; and if he will make a statement. [5798]

  Peter Hain
  I will write to the hon. Member shortly and place copies of the letters in the Libraries of the House.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has for promoting Scottish trade, tourism and inward investment; if he will list the events or activities he has specifically arranged for the next six months in(a) the UK, (b) Europe and (c) the rest of the world for such promotion; and if he will list the documents his Department has produced, and the events his Department has organised over the last three years, which specifically and exclusively promote Scottish trade, tourism and inward investment. [5817]

  Mr. MacShane
  My Department—through British Trade International—promotes the whole of the UK as a location for inward investment and delivers export advice and support to companies throughout the UK. It works closely with Scottish Trade International and Locate in Scotland both within the UK and overseas. I urge all ambassadors to serve Scottish whisky at receptions and official meals. The promotion of the UK as a destination for tourism is primarily a matter for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

  Azerbaijan
  Mr. Trend
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations he has made to the Government of Azerbaijan concerning freedom of assembly and political expression in Azerbaijan; [6011]

  (2) if he will make a statement on relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia; [6012]

  (3) if he will make representations to (a) the President and (b) Foreign Office of Azerbaijan about the attempts to seize the headquarters of the National Independence Party of Azerbaijan. [6013]

  Peter Hain
  I will write to the hon. Member shortly and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Sri Lanka
  Mr. Trend
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations he had made to the Government of Sri Lanka concerning the suspension of the Sri Lankan Parliament; and if he will make a statement; [6008]

  (2) if he will ask the Commonwealth to send observers to the forthcoming referendum in Sri Lanka; [6009]
  499W
  (3) what plans he has to send election observers to oversee the forthcoming referendum in Sri Lanka. [6010]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  I will write to the hon. Member shortly and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Departmental Contracts
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the top 10 companies to which his Department contracted out their construction and refurbishment work in the last 12 months. [6421]

  Mr. MacShane
  I will write to my hon. Friend shortly and place copies of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

TRANSPORT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE REGIONS

  Highways Agency
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what action has been taken following the discovery of the overspend by the Highways Agency; and how many civil servants have been disciplined; [1037]

  (2) what discussions have been held with the Highways Agency about the recovery of the overspend on financial consultants; [1036]

  (3) when he will answer the question on the Highways Agency tabled for answer on 26 June 2001 by the Member for Crewe and Nantwich. [5675]

  Mr. Spellar
  In its reply to the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee's Seventh Report, the Government concluded that progress on the introduction of resource accounting in the Highways Agency was slower than expected and that there were shortcomings in both the procurement of consultancy support and the management of the project. The costs of implementing resource accounting in the agency reflect the agency's large and complex asset base valued at some £60 billion, and its annual capital and revenue budget of approximately £1.5 billion. The agency has dealt with the concerns raised and put in place robust systems and procedures for the future management of its contracts. Financial recovery was not an appropriate response. Appropriate managerial action was taken with the civil servant concerned.

  Road Network
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what was the increase in road transport journeys in the last four years; and what change was made to the capacity of the road network during the same period. [1602]

  Mr. Byers
  The information is contained in the DTLR National Travel Survey, 1998–2000 update, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Road Schemes
  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list(a) road widening schemes for the strategic road network, (b) major trunk road schemes, (c) new bypasses on trunk and local
  500W
  roads and (d) local road improvement schemes outlined in "Transport 2010: The 10 Year Plan", indicating in each case when work will commence. [3539]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The 10 Year Plan sets out the funding to be made available for 360 miles of motorway and trunk road widening and associated junction improvements, 80 major schemes tackling bottlenecks at other junctions, 100 new bypasses and over 100 other local road improvement schemes. Decisions on individual schemes and on their timing will depend upon the outcome of the multi-modal studies and decisions taken in the context of Regional Planning Strategies in the case of trunk roads and the local transport plan in the case of local roads. Schemes will also have to be appraised using the New Approach to Appraisal.

  Road Traffic
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local government and the Regions what his forecast is of the likely rate of increase in road traffic in the next four years. [1606]

  Mr. Byers
  The relevant figures are contained in the National Road Traffic Forecasts (Great Britain) 1997, a copy of which is in the Libraries of the House.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) if he will list the special advisers in his Department together with their date of appointment and their responsibilities; which of them are authorised to speak to the media; and if he will make a statement. [1288]

  (2) if he will list the special advisers in his Department together with their date of appointment and their responsibilities; which of them are authorised to speak to the media; and if he will make a statement. [3417]

  Dr. Whitehead
  DTLR has approval for the appointment of three full time equivalent special advisers, covering the range of departmental responsibilities:

  Jo Moore took up post on 11 June

  Dan Corry took up post on 18 June

  Michael Dugher will take up post on 1 August

  Special advisers are authorised to speak to the media as necessary in fulfilling their duties.

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will arrange for hon. Members to visit the dome building. [3102]

  Ms Keeble
  [holding answer 9 July 2001]: My noble Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning would be happy to arrange a visit at an appropriate time.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the potential liability to public funds resulting from litigation by Legacy plc over the withdrawal of preferred bidder status in relation to the dome sale. [5130]
  501W
  Ms Keeble
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: No such liability exists.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussions he has had with(a) the Wellcome Trust, (b) Grosvenor Estates, (c) Quintain and (d) the BBC regarding the future of the dome. [5125]

  Ms Keeble
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: As part of the on-going process, the Dome sale team has had, and continues to have, numerous meetings and discussions with interested parties concerning the future use of the Dome.

  To reveal details of any of these discussions could compromise the on-going process and would be against the public interest. It is of course open to interested organisations to make their interest public.

  The market testing has revealed a wide range of interest in the dome and the regeneration of land on the peninsula. Market testing continues.

  The future of the dome is a key factor in the continued regeneration of the Greenwich Peninsula. We are keeping other major stakeholders—particularly Greenwich Council—informed of progress, and the Greenwich Peninsula Partnership continues to evolve.

  The Government will continue to keep Parliament informed of the progress being made.

  South-east Second Runway Study
  Laura Moffatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what progress is being made on the south-east second runway study; and when it will complete its work. [3169]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The South East and East of England Study (SERAS) is examining a wide range of options at existing airports and new sites. We have completed the development and initial appraisal of a long list of options at individual sites and are now considering which options to take forward to Stage 2.

  Stage 2 will involve the more detailed appraisal of a number of packages of options providing differing levels of capacity. Towards the end of the study, options will be narrowed down to a short list on which there will be full public consultation before Ministers make decisions.

  We expect the study to be completed towards the end of this year. Public consultation will take place following completion of the study and the Secretary of State's decisions on the fifth terminal at Heathrow.

  Following the public consultation we will carefully analyse the responses and consider these as part of our comprehensive review of aviation and airports policy and looking ahead for 30 years we shall set out our conclusions in next year's White Paper.

  Rail Services (London)
  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to proceed with(a) an east-west rail link in London, (b) the Thameslink 2000 project and (c) an extension to the East London Line; and what the timetable is for construction. [3430]
  502W
  Mr. Spellar
  As my predecessor announced on 3 May, the Strategic Rail Authority and Transport for London are jointly taking forward work on project definition, including alternative service patterns, and design development of an east-west cross-London rail link. Once a project has been worked up, statutory powers would be required before it could be implemented. Construction of such a link could not in any event begin before 2005–06.

  We are awaiting the Inspector's report on Railtrack's applications under the Transport and Works Act 1992 in respect of the Thameslink 2000 project. I cannot prejudge the eventual decision, but if the project receives approval, construction could begin in 2003.

  The Inspector's report on London Underground Ltd.'s application under the Transport and Works Act 1992 in respect of the southern extensions to the East London Line is currently under consideration. Again, I cannot prejudge the outcome, but if this project were to receive approval, construction could begin in 2003. London Underground Ltd., under SRA sponsorship, intends to start work on the northern extension later this year, powers for which have already been approved.

  Rail Line Modernisation
  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the timetable for the modernisation of the(a) East Coast Main Line and (b) West Coast Main Line. [3556]

  Mr. Jamieson
  A project development group led by the Strategic Rail Authority is currently reviewing Railtrack's proposals for the upgrade of the East Coast Main Line, including the time scales. Railtrack's proposals include four phases—to be completed in 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010.

  Railtrack have stated that they are committed to completing the West Coast Main Line route modernisation to schedule. Phase I of the work is due to be completed in 2002; the principal outputs of Phase II are due to be delivered in 2005.

  Council Tax
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what levels of payment have been made to local authorities to recompense them through the premium support grant for the 50 per cent. council tax discount given to(a) second homes and (b) other dwellings entitled to the 50 per cent. discount in each of the last two years (i) by district and (ii) by county and unitary authority. [4331]

  Dr. Whitehead
  Our best estimates of the recompense in 2001–02 are £80 million in relation to second homes and £140 million in relation to discounts for other dwellings.

  Corresponding estimates for 2000–01 and comparable figures for either year for each district and county/unitary area in England are not available.

  In the Rural White Paper the Government indicated that there would be consultation on a proposal that the additional council tax raised from ending the discount should be retained by the local authorities concerned.

  Muslim Burial Places
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what advice he has issued to local authorities on the provision of burial places for the Muslim community. [4032]

  Ms Keeble
  No specific advice has been issued. However, under Article 5(1) of the Local Authorities Cemeteries Order 1977, burial authorities are empowered to set aside for the use of a particular denomination or religious body any part of a cemetery, which has not been consecrated. In addition, Planning Policy Guidance note 12—Development Plans, requires local authorities to consider the social needs of their area when preparing local plans and to make provision for community facilities, which could include cemeteries and crematoria.

  Heavy Rail Network
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many(a) new miles of track and (b) new stations have been opened within the heavy rail network in each year from 1980. [4168]

  Mr. Jamieson
  [holding answer 16 July 2001]: This information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Waterloo Station
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what proposals there are to improve the roads and environment around Waterloo station; and if he will make a statement. [4730]

  Mr. Jamieson
  This is a matter for Transport for London and Lambeth borough council. For further information contact Derek Turner, the Director of Street Management at Transport for London, Windsor House, 42–50 Victoria street, London, SW1H OTL, or Michael Bridgland, Head of Transportation and Highways, London borough of Lambeth, Blue Star House, 234–244, Stockwell road, Brixton Hill, London SW9 9SP.

  Electoral Systems
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he will complete his review of the electoral systems used in the last European parliamentary elections. [4310]

  Dr. Whitehead
  [holding answer 16 July 2001]: A Home Office review of the 1999 European parliamentary election was published in May 2000 and a copy placed in the House of Commons Library. It is also available on the Home Office website.

  Local Government Act
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what action he has taken to change the use of his powers under the Local Government Act 1974 to achieve compliance with the Human Rights Act 1998; and if he will make a statement. [4552]
  504W
  Dr. Whitehead
  The Local Government Act 1974 makes provision for the Commission for Local Administration in England. We have taken no action to change the use of the Secretary of State's powers in relation to these provisions, since we see no case to do so.

  Regional Differentials
  Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what information his Department has collated on the differential difficulties in(a) recruitment, (b) market rates of pay and (c) retention of essential public services staff in (i) the south-east and (ii) the north-east; and if he will make a statement on continued area cost adjustments in local government finance. [4794]

  Dr. Whitehead
  We receive information from other Government Departments, in particular the Department for Education and Skills, the Department of Health and the Home Office, about the recruitment and retention of teachers, social services staff and police officers.

  The present Area Cost Adjustment mechanism used in the local government revenue grant distribution system is based on differences in labour costs and rates costs in different parts of England. Information on labour costs is taken from the New Earnings Survey. This enables us to calculate the market rates of pay in different areas of the country and to reflect the higher costs of certain areas in the funding provided to local authorities. The current system does not include specific factors for differential recruitment and retention rates, as these issues should already he reflected in the prevailing pay levels in an area and therefore captured within the earnings data.

  It is generally accepted that the grant distribution system needs to reflect higher labour costs in parts of the country. Our current review of the system includes a review of how exactly that should be done.

  Housing Survey
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what proportion of children live in a home that is not defined by the English House Conditions Survey as decent at the latest date for which figures are available. [4809]

  Mr. Byers
  I will write to my right hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Rail Franchises
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary' of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to alter targets for train operating companies in future franchise negotiations with the Strategic Rail Authority relating to(a) punctuality, (b) levels of overcrowding, (c) numbers of standing passengers, and (d) age of rolling stock. [4797]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Where the Strategic Rail Authority have negotiated replacement franchises an ultimate target of 15 out of 16 trains arriving punctually has been set. The existing method of monitoring overcrowding through the passengers in excess of capacity mechanism has been maintained. There are no target dates for the age of rolling
  505W
  stock, but the Government have made regulations requiring that slam-door Mark 1 stock must be removed from the network by the end of 2004.

  Our draft franchising policy statement issued on 16 July asks the Strategic Rail Authority to take a fresh look at what can be achieved within existing franchises to drive up safety, punctuality and comfort across all franchised services.

  Track Conditions
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the condition of track on Britain's railways in(a) each year since 1995–96 and (b) each month since April 1995. [4790]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Assessment of track condition is not susceptible to presentation in the form requested. However, the Rail Regulator in April this year amended Railtrack's network licence to require from April 2002 an annual report on the performance and condition of their network over the previous year.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many broken rails there were on Britain's railways in(a) each year since 1995–96, and (b) each month since April 1995. [4832]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Details on broken rails can be found in HM Chief Inspector of Railways' annual reports on railway safety, copies of which are placed in both House Libraries. The number of broken rails on Britain's railways since 1995–96 are also shown in the table. Providing the monthly number of broken rails since 1995–96 can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Broken rails 1995–96 to 2000–01

  Railtrack infrastructure

  London Underground Limited

  Other railways

  Total

  1995–96

  752

  30

  10

  792

  1996–97

  709

  27

  3

  739

  1997–98

  755

  43

  2

  800

  1998–99

  952

  33

  3

  988

  1999–2000

  919

  29

  1

  949

  2000–01

  618

  18

  5

  641

  Note:

  2000–01 data are provisional and subject to possible change.

  Train Operating Companies
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the punctuality statistics for each train operating company for each month since April 1995. [4831]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Strategic Rail Authority and its predecessor Opraf have produced regular statistics on train operator performance in its Performance Bulletin and since June 2000 in its "On Track" publication. Copies of these are available in the Library of the House. These publications are also available on the SRA' s website: www.sra.gov.uk.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list for each train operating company(a) the percentage
  506W
  of journeys on which maximum levels of overcrowding were exceeded and (b) the average number of standing passengers per journey in (i) each year since 1995–96 and (ii) each month since April 1995. [4795]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Strategic Rail Authority does not monitor passenger numbers in the form in which the information is requested.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the average age of fleet for each train operating company(a) was for each month since their franchise was awarded, (b) was for each year since their franchise was awarded and (c) is projected for each year under the remainder of their franchise agreement; and if he will make a statement. [4796]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The information is not available in the form requested. However, the table shows the current life expiry of existing rolling stock on the network. The Government have made regulations requiring the removal of Mark 1 slam-door stock by the end of 2004. Since privatisation, over 3,300 new passenger vehicles have been ordered of which nearly half are in service or expected to enter service by the end of 2001.

  TOC

  Class

  Life expiry

  Anglia

  150

  2017

  153

  2017

  170

  2034

  Mk2

  2004

  Mk3

  2006

  86

  2004

  Arriva Trains Northern

  142

  2016

  144

  2014

  150

  2016

  153

  2016

  155

  2018

  156

  2018

  158

  2020

  321

  2024

  333

  2035

  ATML

  507

  2014

  508

  2014

  C2C

  357

  2035

  Cardiff Railway

  142

  2016

  143

  2016

  150

  2016

  Central

  150

  2016

  153

  2016

  156

  2018

  158

  2020

  170

  2034

  323

  2029

  Chiltern

  165

  2021

  168

  2034

  Cross Country

  158

  2020

  220

  2035

  221

  2035

  Mk2

  2002

  Mk3

  2009

  47

  2002

  86

  2002

  FGE

  315

  2015

  321

  2024

  360

  2035

  FGW

  180

  2035

  Mk2

  2006

  Mk3

  2009

  43

  2009

  47

  2002

  507W

  TOC

  Class

  Life expiry

  FNW

  142

  2016

  150

  2016

  153

  2016

  156

  2018

  158

  2020

  175

  2035

  323

  2030

  Gatwick

  460

  2034

  GNER

  Mk4

  2002

  Mk3

  2009

  43

  2009

  91

  2020

  Island Line

  483

  2002

  MML

  170

  2034

  Mk3

  2009

  43

  2009

  ScotRail

  150

  2016

  156

  2018

  158

  2020

  170

  2034

  314

  2014

  318

  2021

  320

  2025

  334

  2035

  Mk1

  2002

  Mk2

  2004

  Silverlink

  150

  2016

  321

  2024

  313

  2012

  South Central

  205/7

  2002

  319

  2022

  455

  2018

  456

  2025

  South Eastern

  365

  2032

  375

  2035

  465

  2029

  466

  2029

  508

  2014

  SWT

  159

  2022

  170

  2035

  442

  2019

  455

  2019

  458

  2035

  Thames

  165

  2022

  166

  2022

  Thameslink

  319

  2022

  W&W

  143

  2015

  153

  2016

  150

  2017

  158

  2020

  WAGN

  313

  2012

  315

  2015

  317

  2018

  365

  2032

  Train Overcrowding
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what his Department's definition is of overcrowding for each train operating company(a) at present and (b) at the time the franchise was awarded; and if he will make a statement. [4833]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Specific definitions or thresholds for capacity apply to peak commuter services in London and Edinburgh only. Each train in use has a nominal capacity and operators must plan their services so that the aggregate number of passengers in excess of capacity does not exceed 3 per cent. over both the morning and evening peak, or 4.5 per cent. for either peak in isolation.508W
  For journeys of over 20 minutes the nominal capacity of the train is equal to the number of seats. For journeys of under 20 minutes the nominal capacity is equal to the number of seats plus the number of passengers who can stand at a density of 0.55m2 per passenger. These calculations apply today as they did at the time of franchising. Reducing overcrowding is a key target of our 10-Year Plan, particularly for commuter services.

  SPADs
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the number of signals passed at danger on Britain's railways in(a) each year since 1995–96 and (b) each month since April 1995. [4791]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Information on the number of signals passed at danger (SPAD) incidents are published in the Health and Safety Executive's monthly SPAD reports, copies of which are placed in both Libraries of the House.

  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many train drivers have been prosecuted for passing through a red light since 1990. [5240]

  Mr. Byers
  The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has not prosecuted any drivers in the period since 1990. The British Transport Police occasionally carry out legal proceedings against drivers, as they did for example following the accident at Watford Junction on 8 August 1996, although the driver was acquitted. Train operating companies operate their own internal disciplinary procedures.

  Foreign Seafarers (Certification)
  Mr. Prosser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many certificates of equivalent competency have been issued to foreign seafarers by the United Kingdom maritime administration in each year since the scheme began. [4837]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The MCA has issued the following number of certificates of equivalent competency in each year since the scheme began in 1997:

  Year

  Number of CECs

  1997

  37

  1998

  257

  1999

  363

  2000

  1,107

  2001

  826

  Mr. Prosser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what steps the Maritime and Coastguard Agency takes to ensure that the certificates held by foreign seafarers serving on British ships are genuine. [4839]

  Mr. Jamieson
  When foreign seafarers serving on UK ships present their certificates for recognition, the MCA scrutinises the documents and any suspicious certificates are checked with the issuing administration. Spot checks are also carried out on foreign certificates by checking authenticity with the issuing administration.
  509W
  Mr. Prosser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when the Government intend to extend United Kingdom work permit requirements to foreign seafarers serving on ships in United Kingdom coastal cargo and ferry trades. [4840]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Since 1996 work permit arrangements have applied to seafarers engaged in domestic shipping services in the UK where these services are provided by ships requiring a passenger certificate. This includes passenger ferries. It also covers roll-on/roll-off freight services where 12 or more lorry drivers are on board.

  On 1 April 2001 the seafarer work permit system was extended to domestic scheduled freight services generally.

  The arrangements apply to seafarers who are not European Economic Area (EEA) nationals. Such seafarers need work permits if they are serving on ships registered in the UK or in a foreign state other than an EEA state.

  Mr. Prosser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the countries whose officer certificates are automatically recognised by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. [4835]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The officer certificates of other countries are only recognised when the training and certification system of that country has been assessed and is considered to afford an equivalent level of technical competence to the UK system. All officers whose mother tongue is not English or whose examinations were not conducted in English, must satisfy the MCA of their competence in the English Language. All senior officers, except the holders of Irish certificates of competency, must satisfy the MCA that they have knowledge of UK maritime legislation appropriate to their functions aboard ship. Recognition under STCW 95 is subject to final European Commission approval. At present, under STCW 78 we recognise officer certificates of competency from the following administrations:

  Belgium

  Denmark

  Eire

  Faroe Islands

  Finland

  France

  Germany

  Greece

  Italy

  Netherlands

  Portugal

  Spain

  Sweden

  Australia

  Canada

  Croatia

  Estonia

  Hong Kong

  Iceland

  India

  Jamaica

  Latvia

  Lithuania

  Malta

  510W

  Myanmar

  Norway

  Pakistan

  Poland

  Romania

  Russia

  Singapore

  South Africa

  Ukraine

  USA.

  Mr. Prosser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many foreign seafarers were granted United Kingdom certificates of competency in each year since the scheme began, broken down by nationality. [4838]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The United Kingdom has granted certificates of competency for around 150 years and until recently there has been no record kept of the nationality of the seafarers concerned. Since the introduction of the MCA's electronic database in 1998, records of nationality have been kept and are as follows.

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  Total

  Algeria

  0

  1

  3

  0

  4

  Argentina

  0

  3

  0

  0

  3

  Australia

  3

  3

  12

  11

  29

  Bahrain

  0

  3

  3

  1

  7

  Bangladesh

  41

  123

  149

  117

  430

  Barbados

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  Belgium

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  Brazil

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Brunei Dar

  0

  1

  4

  1

  6

  Cameroon

  0

  1

  0

  1

  2

  Canada

  0

  1

  3

  1

  5

  Cape Verde

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  China

  2

  2

  0

  0

  4

  Columbia

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  Croatia

  0

  0

  0

  2

  2

  Cyprus

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  Denmark

  0

  3

  1

  0

  4

  Ecuador

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  Egypt

  0

  1

  1

  1

  3

  Eire

  14

  18

  17

  6

  55

  Ethiopia

  1

  5

  9

  7

  22

  Fiji

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  France

  0

  1

  0

  5

  6

  Gambia

  0

  2

  0

  2

  4

  Georgia

  0

  1

  0

  1

  2

  Germany

  0

  1

  3

  3

  7

  Ghana

  2

  14

  44

  37

  97

  Greece

  1

  1

  1

  0

  3

  Guyana

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  Hong Kong

  0

  0

  1

  2

  3

  Iceland

  0

  0

  1

  1

  2

  India

  190

  655

  852

  563

  2,260

  Indonesia

  0

  0

  1

  1

  2

  Iran

  0

  17

  48

  16

  81

  Iraq

  0

  5

  8

  4

  17

  Italy

  0

  0

  0

  5

  5

  Jamaica

  0

  0

  1

  1

  2

  Kenya

  0

  4

  12

  2

  18

  Kiribati

  0

  1

  4

  4

  9

  Kuwait

  0

  14

  7

  9

  30

  Lebanon

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  Liberia

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  Malawi

  0

  0

  1

  1

  2

  Malaysia

  2

  2

  20

  7

  31

  Maldives

  0

  1

  0

  1

  2

  Malta

  2

  1

  5

  0

  8

  511W

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  Total

  Mauritania

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  Mauritius

  0

  1

  1

  1

  3

  Myanmar

  1

  0

  0

  1

  Netherlands

  0

  1

  1

  3

  5

  New Zealand

  3

  7

  9

  15

  34

  Nigeria

  1

  12

  19

  31

  63

  Oman

  0

  5

  1

  1

  7

  Pakistan

  70

  153

  196

  126

  545

  Panama

  1

  1

  0

  0

  2

  Portugal

  0

  1

  1

  0

  2

  Qatar

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Seychelles

  0

  3

  0

  0

  3

  Singapore

  1

  3

  2

  4

  10

  Slovenia

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  South Africa

  2

  2

  2

  4

  10

  Spain

  0

  0

  2

  0

  2

  Sri Lanka

  15

  51

  48

  46

  160

  Saudi Arabia

  1

  15

  15

  11

  42

  Sweden

  1

  0

  2

  1

  4

  Switzerland

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Trinidad and Tobago

  2

  0

  0

  6

  8

  Uganda

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  UAE

  8

  0

  0

  12

  20

  Total

  364

  1,145

  1,517

  1,078

  4,104

  Maritime Training
  Mr. Prosser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of compliance of the International Maritime Organisation's whitelist of countries with the provisions of the 1995 International Standards of Training. [4836]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The MCA has made assessment visits to Australia, Jamaica, Hong Kong, Myanmar New Zealand, South Africa, Singapore and USA. All are deemed to be in compliance with STCW 95. All are deemed to be in compliance with STCW 95. The assessments reviewed education, training, certification and administration.

  In relation to the continued recognition of certificates competency issued by other administrations, assessments will be undertaken either by the MCA or in co-operation with our EU partners. MCA visits are planned for India, Pakistan and Canada.

  Recognition of third country STCW 95 certificates by EU Member States is subject to European Commission approval procedures.

  Fire Service (Training)
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to ensure that the training of senior officers in the fire service forms an integral part of safety management arrangements within the Major Accident Hazard Regulations 1999. [4853]

  Dr. Whitehead
  The Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1999 require the operators of certain potential hazardous establishments to prepare on-site emergency plans. The local authority for areas where there are such establishments is required to prepare off-site emergency plans including the involvement of the fire service. These plans are required to be tested at least at three-yearly intervals.
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  The emergency procedures and training are largely site-specific to the potential risks presented by each establishment. Specific training to enable senior fire service officers to deal with major hazardous materials incidents is provided centrally at the Fire Service College in the form of the Hazardous Materials and Environmental Protection course.

  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list those bodies responsible for training requirements within the fire service which are responsible for safety; and if he will make a statement. [4854]

  Dr. Whitehead
  Fire authorities, as employers, are responsible for the enforcement of safe systems at work in their local fire service. The Health and Safety executive is responsible for the enforcement of health and safety and the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council provides advice and guidance to the Minister about the appropriate training for the Fire Service.

  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what guidance he has issued to HMI about assessing virtual reality training in the fire service. [4855]

  Dr. Whitehead
  Updated guidance on the inspection process is regularly issued within Her Majesty's Fire Service Inspectorate (HMFSI). Based on this guidance HMFSI assess virtual reality training arrangements within the overall inspections of brigades.

  Asbestos Deaths
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many deaths were caused by exposure to asbestos in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [4789]

  Dr. Whitehead
  In 1998 the year in which the most recent data are available, a total of around 1,600 deaths were attributable to asbestos exposure. Between 1,500 and 3,000 lung cancer deaths each year may also be attributable to asbestos, but these cannot be determined exactly since they are individually indistinguishable from cancers due to other causes such as smoking.

  Liquid Biofuels
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the potential of liquid biofuels to(a) improve local air quality, (b) save energy and (c) cut greenhouse gases. [5386]

  Mr. Jamieson
  As assessment of the environmental benefits of several potential liquid biofuels in the road transport sector was made by DETR for the Government's Green Fuel Challenge. A summary of this assessment is in the House of Commons Library and on the internet at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/index.htm.

  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to allocate financial assistance to the development of liquid biofuels. [5325]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Government are supporting the development of liquid biofuels through fiscal measures: in response to the Green Fuel Challenge, the Chancellor
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  announced in the 2001 Budget the introduction of 20p/1 duty cut for biodiesel, relative to ultra low sulphur diesel, from Budget 2002. Limited duty reductions or exemptions for viable pilot projects supporting research and development into other potential liquid biofuels, such as bioethanol and biogas, will be also granted.

  Bus Travel
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what research his Department is undertaking to establish the cost and feasibility of establishing a national school bus strategy; and what the cost is of the proposed pilot scheme approved by his Department. [4908]

  Ms Keeble
  My Department has recently commissioned a study to test the likely take-up, by children who are not entitled to free home-to-school transport, if additional school transport services were provided and the extent to which this might be influenced by cost and other factors. Separately, FirstGroup has told us that many authorities are interested in running pilot schemes using American-style yellow school buses. We reached agreement with FirstGroup earlier in the year on modifications to the vehicles it intends to use for the pilots so that they will satisfy UK regulatory requirements. We intend to commission a study to monitor these pilot schemes once they have been agreed. The cost of the pilot schemes is a matter for FirstGroup and the local authorities concerned who will wish to be assured that the pilot schemes give value for money.

  Secure Stations Scheme
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when it is expected that(a) 25 per cent., (b) 50 per cent., (c) 75 per cent. and (d) 100 per cent. of stations will be accredited under the secure stations scheme; and if he will make a statement. [4875]

  Ms Keeble
  The Department has not set any targets for the number of stations to be accredited under the secure stations scheme. The scheme is a voluntary one and it is up to the Train Operating Companies to decide which of their stations to put through the Scheme's accreditation process.

  There are currently 110 stations accredited under the secure stations scheme. This includes three reaccreditations. We are aware that a number of stations are currently working towards accreditation and that some train operating companies have a commitment to the scheme within their franchises. We will continue to work with the rail industry to encourage further accreditations. The Strategic Rail Authority is seeking to encourage train operators to obtain more accreditations at appropriate locations in the franchise replacement and extension process.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions which stations are accredited under the secure stations scheme(a) for each month since the scheme began and (b) expected for the end of each year between 2001 and 2010; and what proportion they represent of the total number of stations. [4876]
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  Ms Keeble
  The list sets out records the name of each station accredited under the Secure Stations Scheme and the month it was accredited.

  August 1998
  Derby

  September 1998

  Market Harborough

  Hither Green

  Waterloo International

  December 1998
  Marylebone

  January 1999
  Glasgow Central High Level

  February 1999
  Victoria

  March 1999

  Kings Cross

  Marylebone LUL

  Ashford International

  Weston-super-Mare

  April 1999

  Kingston

  Richmond

  May 1999
  Leicester

  August 1999
  Charing Cross

  October 1999

  Basildon

  Belvedere

  City Thameslink

  Fenchurch Street

  Manchester Piccadilly

  Kew Gardens

  December 1999

  Gloucester

  Sutton Common

  Wimbledon Chase

  South Merton

  Morden South

  St. Helier

  Haydons Road

  January 2000

  Limehouse

  St. Pancras

  Wimbledon Surbiton

  Guildford

  Woking

  February 2000

  Chalkwell

  Thorpe Bay

  Chelmsford

  Newark Northgate

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  May 2000

  Southampton Airport Parkway

  Eastleigh

  Winchester

  Feltham June 2000

  Westcliff

  Rainham

  Dagenham Dock

  Benfleet

  East Tilbury

  Grays

  Laindon

  Barking

  Southend Central

  Leigh-on-Sea

  Kilburn Park

  Tilbury Town

  Purfleet

  Stanford-Le-Hope

  Tooting

  Liverpool Street

  West Horndon

  Southend East

  Shoeburyness

  Paddington

  Charlton

  Greenwich

  July 2000
  Chafford Hundred

  August 2000

  Worthing

  Maidstone West

  Orpington

  West Sutton

  Upminster

  October 2000

  Edinburgh Waverley

  Chipstead

  Dorking

  Horsham

  Tattenham Corner

  Oxted

  Eastbourne

  November 2000

  Charing Cross LUL

  London Bridge

  December 2000
  Ockendon

  January 2001

  Stoke Mandeville

  Pitsea

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  February 2001

  Bracknell

  Haslemere

  Fareham

  Salisbury

  Twickenham

  Putney

  Waterloo International (reaccreditation)

  Waterloo

  Birmingham New Street

  March 2001

  Euston

  Ashford International (reaccreditation)

  April 2001

  Exeter Central

  Barnstaple

  Truro

  Penzance

  Chippenham

  May 2001

  Alton

  Andover

  Ascot

  Basingstoke

  Famborough

  Havant

  Hounslow

  Petersfield

  Southampton Central

  Windsor and Eton Riverside

  June 2001

  Farnham

  Fratton

  Godalming

  July 2001

  Gatwick Airport

  Glasgow Central High Level (reaccreditation).

  The percentage of stations accredited under the scheme is very small in relation to the number of stations eligible to be accredited under the scheme. However, the accredited stations account for approximately one third of the total annual passenger throughput of overground rail journeys.

  The Department has not set any targets for the number of stations to be accredited under the secure stations scheme. The scheme is a voluntary one and it is up to the train operating companies to decide which of their stations to put through the scheme's accreditation process.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what progress has been made with the secure stations scheme; and if he will make a statement. [4877]

  Ms Keeble
  There are currently 110 stations accredited under the secure stations scheme. This includes three reaccreditations. The secure stations scheme, which was launched in April 1998, is designed to improve and standardise good security practices at all overground and underground stations. To become an accredited secure
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  station, each station operator needs to work with their local British Transport Police crime reduction officer to ensure that their station meets the national standards on design and management to cut down crime. The standards relate to such measures as staff training, Help Points, CCTV, lighting and information. Operators also have to conduct an independent passenger survey to see whether passengers feel safe at the station, and provide evidence that crime rates are low.

  We are aware that a number of stations are currently working towards accreditation and we will continue to work with the rail industry to encourage further accreditations. The Strategic Rail Authority is seeking to encourage train operators to obtain more accreditations at appropriate locations in the franchise replacement and extension process.

  Ms Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what progress has been made with the secure stations scheme in south east London. [6227]

  Ms Keeble
  There are currently 110 stations accredited under the secure stations scheme. Of these, six are in south-east London. They are as follows:

  Charlton

  Greenwich

  Hither Green

  London Bridge

  Waterloo

  Waterloo International.

  We are aware that a number of stations are currently working towards accreditation and that some train operating companies have a commitment to the scheme within their franchises. We will continue to work with the rail industry to encourage further accreditations. The Strategic Rail Authority is seeking to encourage train operators to obtain more accreditations at appropriate locations in the franchise replacement and extension process.

  Train Passenger Information
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what measures he is taking to improve real time information for passengers on Britain's railways; and if he will make a statement. [4878]

  Mr. Jamieson
  We are working with transport operators, public authorities and technology providers to improve travel information on all modes. Transport Direct, a programme described in the 10 Year Transport Plan, includes real-time train operating information by 2003.

  Rai1track are currently developing a "Real Time Train Movements" system, at the behest of the Association of Train Operating Companies which could feed information
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  to all who need it. The Strategic Rail Authority are currently considering what resources they have to contribute to the funding of the system.

  Transport Infrastructure Projects
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions which new transport infrastructure projects initiated since May 1997 will be open before June 2006. [4871]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Details of relevant schemes are given under the headings of "Trunk Road Schemes"; "Railways"; and "Local Transport Major Schemes". For the purpose of this answer I have defined "initiated" as meaning that formal approval to these schemes has been given since May 1997.

  Trunk road schemes

  Following the Roads Review the Government set out a targeted programme of trunk road improvements in 1998. The following TPI schemes will be open by June 2006:

  Roads

  A1

  Willowburn-Denwick Improvement

  A6

  Clapham Bypass

  A6

  Great Glen Bypass

  A11

  Roudham Heath-Attleborough Dualling

  A27

  Polegate Bypass

  A41

  Aston Clinton Bypass

  A43

  Whitfield Turn-Brackley Hatch Improvement

  A43

  Silverstone Bypass

  A43

  M40-B4031 Dualling

  A63

  Selby Bypass

  A66

  Stainburn and Great Clifton Bypass

  A500

  Basford, Hough, Shavington Bypasss

  A650

  Bingley Relief Road

  A1033

  Hedon Road Improvement, Hull

  The following contracts are still to be let. The precise timing of the start of work will be a matter for the contractor. These schemes should also be open by 2006:

  Roads

  A5

  Nesscliffe Bypass

  A6

  Rothwell—Desborough Bypass

  A6

  Rushden and Higham Feffers Bypass

  A10

  Wadesmill-Colliers End Bypass

  A21

  Lamberhurst Bypass

  A46

  Newark-Lincoln Improvement

  Al20

  Stanstead Braintree

  A6

  Alvaston

  M25

  Junctions 12–15 Widening

  A1(M)

  Ferrybridge to Hook Moor

  A1(M)

  Wetherby to Walshford

  A249

  Iwade—Queenborough Improvement

  M60

  Junctions 5–8 (formerly M63 J6–9 Widening)

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  Railways

  Major new rail infrastructure projects initiated since May 1997 and due to open before June 2006 are:

  Chiltern re-doubling (Bicester to Princes Risborough)

  East Coast Main Line Phase I

  Train Protection and Warning System

  Cross Country Upgrade

  Tyne and Wear Metro extension to Sunderland

  Parts of the South Central and South West Trains replacement proposals

  Gauge enhancements and other facilities for freight services.

  Additionally, Channel Tunnel Rail Link Phases I and II have been given the go-ahead following the collapse of the original 1996 project; Phase I will be completed before June 2006.

  Authority

  Scheme

  Barnsley

  Coalfields Link Road Phases 2 and 3 (provisionally accepted)

  Bedfordshire

  A507 Ridgmont Bypass and Woburn Link

  Birmingham

  Masshouse Circus

  Bradford

  A641 Manchester Road Quality Bus Scheme

  South Bradford Integrated Transport Improvements

  Bradford City Centre Integrated Transport Scheme (provisionally accepted)

  Brent

  Street Lighting

  Buckinghamshire

  A4146 Stoke Hammond and Linslade Bypass

  Cambridgeshire

  A142 Fordham Bypass

  Cheshire

  Chester Deeside Transport System (provisionally accepted)

  Cumbria

  Carlisle N. Development Route (provisionally accepted)

  Darlington

  Eastern Transport Corridor (provisionally accepted)

  Derby City

  Derby City Centre Integrated Transport Project

  Devon

  Barnstable Western Bypass (provisionally accepted)

  Shaldon Bridge

  Doncaster

  A19 North Bridge Project

  A6023 Denaby Main Diversion

  A638 Great Northern Road Quality Bus Corridor

  Durham

  Dawdon to Seaham Town Centre Link Road

  A689 Sedgefield to Wynard Improvements (provisionally accepted)

  A688 Wheatley Hill to Bowburn Link (provisionally accepted)

  Essex

  A131 Great Leighs Bypass

  A130 Essex

  Gloucestershire

  Gloucester South West Bypass

  Greater Manchester PTA

  Metrolink Vehicles (additional capacity)

  Leigh Guided Busway (provisionally accepted)

  Hampshire

  South Hampshire Rapid Transit Light Rail Fareham to Gosport

  Hertfordshire

  Baldock Bypass

  Islington

  Street Lighting

  Kent

  A206 South Thames-side Development Route—Stage 4

  Fastrack—Phase 1

  East Kent Access Phase 1 (provisionally accepted)

  Leeds

  Leeds Inner Road Stage 7

  East Leeds Link Road

  Leeds Supertram

  East Leeds Quality Bus Project

  Leicestershire

  Ashby Bypass Stage 2

  Earl Shilton Bypass (provisionally accepted)

  A607 Rearsby Bypass (provisionally accepted)

  Lincolnshire

  A1073 Spalding to Eye Improvement (provisionally accepted)

  Manchester City

  Urban Traffic Control Major Scheme

  Manchester Metrolink Extensions

  Manchester Street Lighting

  Transport Interchange

  Medway

  A289 Gillingham Northern Bypass—Noise Insulation

  Merseyside PTA

  Allerton Interchange (provisionally accepted)

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  West Central Route

  Quayside Public Transport

  Norfolk

  Broome Ellingham Bypass

  Nar Ouse Regeneration Project (provisionally accepted)

  North Yorkshire

  Scarborough Integrated Transport Scheme

  Nottingham City

  Nottingham Express Transit—Light Rail

  Nottinghamshire

  A617 Mansfield Ashfield Regeneration Route (provisionally accepted)

  A6002/A6007 Coventry Lane Improvement

  A617 Rainworth Bypass

  Plymouth

  Northern Corridor Major Public Transport Scheme

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  Because of the delegation of responsibility for scheme management in the privatised rail industry, this list does not cover the full range of infrastructure projects. Railtrack' s Network Management Statement last year provides a fuller list of schemes.

  Local Transport Major Schemes

  Local transport major schemes are defined as local public and integrated transport schemes, local road schemes and local highway/bridge/street lighting maintenance schemes with a capital cost of over £5 million. The following schemes have been fully or provisionally approved for funding by the Government since May 1997. In all cases where Government funding is sought, a thorough appraisal of each scheme is undertaken before approval is given. According to the latest information provided by the local authorities concerned, work on all the schemes listed is expected to be completed by June 2006.
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  Authority

  Scheme

  Portsmouth

  Portsmouth Maintenance Project

  Maintenance of the A2030 Eastern Road

  Rotherham

  A631 W. Bawtry Road Improvement (provisionally accepted)

  Salford

  A6042 Manchester/Salford Inner Ring Road

  Sandwell

  West Bromwich Town Centre Strategy

  Cradley Heath Town Centre (provisionally accepted)

  Sefton

  Park Lane Improvement Scheme

  Sheffield

  Inner Relief Road—Stages 2 and 3 (provisionally accepted)

  Shropshire

  A53 Hodnet Bypass

  Somerset

  Bridgwater Northern Distributor Road

  NW Taunton Package (provisionally accepted)

  Southend

  A13 Passenger Transport Corridor

  Staffordshire

  Burntwood Bypass

  Biddulph Inner Bypass (provisionally accepted)

  Rugeley Bypass (provisionally accepted)

  Street Lighting

  Stockton on Tees

  South Stockton Link

  Stoke on Trent

  Hanley Bentilee Link (provisionally accepted)

  Street Lighting

  Suffolk

  Stowmarket Relief Road (provisionally accepted)

  Sunderland

  Southern Radial Route (provisionally accepted)

  Street Lighting (PFI)

  Surrey

  School Bus Initiative (provisionally accepted)

  Tameside

  The Glossup Spur (provisionally accepted)

  Tyne and Wear PTA

  Stephenson Corridor Jobs Link

  Sunderland Direct

  Centrelink

  Track Dualling

  Scotswood Road Improvement (provisionally accepted)

  West Sussex

  Crawley Fastway

  Wakefield

  Hemsworth—A1 Link Road (provisionally accepted)

  Glasshoughton Coalfields Link Road (provisionally accepted)

  Street Lighting

  Walsall

  Street Lighting

  Warrington

  Urban Traffic Management and Control

  Bridgefoot Environment Enhancement (provisionally accepted)

  Warwickshire

  Nuneaton Development Project

  Barford Bypass (provisionally accepted)

  Rugby Western Bypass (provisionally accepted)

  West Midlands PTA

  Outer Circle/Radial Routes

  Hagley Road Bus Showcase

  Metro Line Birmingham City Centre (provisionally view)1

  Metro Line Wednesbury-Brierley Hill (provisionally view)1

  Wolverhampton

  Centre Access (provisionally accepted)

  Worcestershire

  Wyre Piddle Bypass

  1 A provisional view on the economic appraisal prior to the promoters seeking the necessary powers under the TWA Act. Final approval will depend on whether an updated appraisal confirms the scheme represents good value for money and satisfactory funding arrangements being made.

  Note:

  Where provisional approval has been given, the Government have indicated that it will be prepared to release funding subject to particular conditions being met—usually completion of statutory approval processes, further work on the appraisal case or funding being secured from a third party. Where, for example, a scheme requires statutory powers from the Secretary of State under the Transport and Works Act 1992, we must carefully consider all objections and other representations received before determining the application, and this may involve the holding of a public inquiry. Completion dates for provisionally approved schemes will depend on the satisfactory compliance with the conditions laid down and the outcome of applications for statutory approval, but subject to these the best current estimate is that the listed schemes will be completed by June 2006.

  In addition to the major schemes listed, my Department expects to approve further bids for major local transport schemes as part of future local transport capital settlements.

  All local transport authorities in England, outside London, have also received a block of funding for local transport schemes costing less than £5 million. As local authorities have discretion over which schemes to progress during the lifetime of their local transport plans, it is not possible to list the schemes to be supported by the Government in this way.

  Lawrie Quinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to speed up the processing of major infrastructure projects in the planning system. [6446]
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  Mr. Prisk
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to reform the system of public inquiries into significant transport projects; and what research his Department has commissioned into such reform. [5497]

  Mr. Byers
  We need a modern and fair process for making decisions about major infrastructure projects, such as new airports, runways, rail links and roads. These projects are essential for our economic future and bring benefits through better services but they are also controversial because they can affect the lives of people living near them.

  I am therefore announcing today a package of measures to streamline the procedures and reduce unnecessary delays while safeguarding public consultation and

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  involvement. Delay is costly and perpetuates uncertainty. Lengthy inquiries make it difficult and costly for people to be properly involved.

  The package comprises national policy statements and an improved regional framework for considering individual projects, new parliamentary procedures for approving projects, improved public inquiry procedures and reform of the arrangements for compulsory purchase and compensation.

  We propose that up-to-date statements of Government policy should be in place before major projects are considered in the planning system. This will help to reduce unnecessary debate at inquiry and has the potential to save a significant amount of inquiry time. The nature and approach of policy statements may vary from case to case. There would normally be prior public consultation on them so that people have the chance to comment and make an input to the policy proposed.

  Last year, we put in place revised arrangements for preparing Regional Planning Guidance (RPG), incorporating regional transport strategies. The process of reviewing RPG has been completed in two regions and is well advanced in another five. PRG will help to provide greater certainty as regards the broad location of new development and the need for infrastructure improvements at the regional level.

  These arrangements will be complemented and enhanced by the findings of the multi-modal studies of transport corridors currently under way. These will feed in to reviews of the transport elements of RPG during 2002–03. Under our new arrangements for RPG preparation we have enhanced the openness and inclusiveness of the process, including improved consultation and the chance for people to have their say, with a public examination before an independent panel.

  Approval in principle for major infrastructure projects should be a matter for Parliament. Procedures will be developed which allow that. These will give people the right to object before Parliament debates the issues. Detailed aspects will be examined at a subsequent public inquiry if Parliament approves the project. We want the overall process for deciding projects to be shorter and more focused while ensuring that people affected have a full right to make their views known.

  We shall introduce legislation to achieve this when a suitable opportunity arises. We shall consult beforehand on proposals for the details of the new procedures. In the meantime, we are initiating a fundamental review of the Transport and Works Act 1992, the effectiveness of whose procedures is essential to delivering rail, tram and other forms of infrastructure falling within its scope.

  Public inquiries are and will remain an important feature of the planning process. They are a tried and tested way of exploring the issues in public and giving people the chance to make an input to decisions. We shall improve the procedures for dealing with major projects at inquiry by way of further changes over and above the streamlining measures we introduced for planning inquiries generally last August. These will include stricter time-tabling and more clearly focused terms of reference, supplemented by a range of measures to tackle issues more flexibly and manage the inquiry process better.
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  In the light or responses to our 1999 consultation paper on streamlining the processing of major projects through the planning system, we also propose to add to inspectors' powers to deal with matters pre-inquiry. We do not intend to proceed with proposals to abolish the right of parties to cross-examine others. We shall bring forward new rules to implement the changes as soon as practicable. Similar changes will also be made where necessary for projects proceeding under other statutory regimes, such as the Highways Act 1980.

  The implementation of major infrastructure projects sometimes depends on the compulsory acquisition of land. We propose to improve the operation of the compulsory purchase and compensation system so that it is more efficient, effective and fair. We are examining the compensation arrangements for people affected by proposed developments. The report of a fundamental review of the laws and procedures was published last year. The Law Commission have begun to look at how the legislation can be consolidated, codified and updated. We intend to make a policy statement on the way forward in the autumn. We shall also be publishing a new advice manual and good practice guide for everyone involved in the operation of the procedures.

  A modern infrastructure system is essential to promote enterprise and competitiveness and underpin our economy, the measures I have announced today will help to get projects in place more quickly by streamlining the procedures and cutting unnecessary delay while ensuring that the process remains open and fair and democratically accountable.

  Temple Sowerby Bypass
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the progress of the Temple Sowerby bypass in Cumbria. [5339]

  Mr. Spellar
  I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Tim Matthews, to write to the right hon. Member.

  Letter from Tim Matthews to Mr. David Maclean, dated 20 July 2001:
  The Transport Minister, John Spellar, has asked me to reply to your recent question about progress on the Temple Sowerby Bypass in Cumbria.
  You will be aware from my colleague, John Kerman's letter of 29 January, that the Temple Sowerby Bypass is listed in the Government's 1998 strategic review of the roads programme, 'A New Deal for Trunk Roads in England', as a scheme to be progressed through its preparatory stages so that if, after full appraisal and statutory procedure, it is eventually endorsed it can be taken forward without delay.
  Good progress is being made on the appraisal and we expect to report our findings to the Regional Planning Conference later this summer. The next stage will depend on the decisions taken by the Conference.
  If you would like any further information about this scheme, you may wish to contact the Highways Agency's Project Manager for the scheme, John Yellowley, at Sunley Tower, Piccadilly Plaza, Manchester, MI 4BE (telephone W61 930 5685).

  A11
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he expects the safety study of the A11 to be completed. [5340]
  525W
  Mr. Spellar
  There is currently no safety study on the A11 as a whole. However, there is a programme of individual studies along the A11 which will all report separately.

  Absence
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 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] [5053]

  Mr. Byers
  As the Department has only existed since 8 June it is not possible to reply in the form requested.

  A69
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the Government's plans to upgrade the A69 in Cumbria. [5262]

  Mr. Spellar
  I will write to the right hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Libraries of the House.

  M6
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to widen that part of the M6 motorway which is in two lanes north of Carlisle. [5263]

  Mr. Spellar
  I will write to the right hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Departmental Events
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what(a) national and (b) international awareness events the Department and its predecessors have participated in since June 1997 in the form of (i) sponsorship, (ii) departmental attendance, (iii) similar departmental activities and (iv) a message of support. [5041]

  Mr. Byers
  The Department engages in a wide range of awareness activities designed to help deliver its policies and programmes. Information on them is not held centrally.

  Allocations (Wiltshire)
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list in(a) cash terms and (b) 2001–02 prices the SSA and AEF figures for (i) Wiltshire county council, (ii) West Wiltshire district council and (iii) Salisbury district council for each year since 1996–97. [5193]

  Dr. Whitehead
  The data requested are given in the table.

  SSA

  Total external support1

  Cash terms

  2001–02 prices

  Cash terms

  2001–02 prices

  Wiltshire CC

  1996–972

  327.959

  370.499

  233.338

  263.605

  1997–98

  237.116

  260.486

  164.162

  180.341

  1998–99

  246.919

  263.725

  166.981

  178.347

  1999–2000

  261.572

  273.154

  176.765

  184.592

  526W

  SSA

  Total external support1

  Cash terms

  2001–02 prices

  Cash terms

  2001–02 prices

  2000–01

  276.154

  283.058

  186.137

  190.790

  2001–02

  289.458

  289.458

  193.974

  193.974

  West Wiltshire

  1996–97

  8.764

  9.900

  5.692

  6.431

  1997–98

  8.648

  9.500

  5.559

  6.107

  1998–99

  8.522

  9.102

  5.278

  5.637

  1999–2000

  8.762

  9.150

  5.373

  5.611

  2000–01

  9.024

  9.249

  5.496

  5.634

  2001–02

  9.508

  9.508

  5.690

  5.690

  Salisbury CC

  1996–97

  10.212

  11.537

  7.251

  8.192

  1997–98

  9.987

  10.971

  6.803

  7.474

  1998–99

  9.486

  10.132

  6.331

  6.762

  1999–2000

  9.771

  10.204

  6.331

  6.611

  2000–01

  10.081

  10.333

  6.402

  6.562

  2001–02

  10.494

  10.494

  6.572

  6.572

  1 Total external support comprises the sum of Revenue Support Grant, redistributed National Non-Domestic Rates, SSA Reduction Grant (SSA Review) and, from 1998–99 onwards, Central Support Protection Grant.

  2 The data for 1996–97 include an amount to cover the Thamesdown area. On 1 April 1997 Wiltshire was reorganised with Thamesdown borough council becoming a unitary council, Swindon borough council. Services previously undertaken by Wiltshire county council for this area became the responsibility of Swindon borough council. Data for 1997–98 onwards for Wiltshire county council do not cover the Swindon area.

  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the methodology changes made since 1997 to the formulae for calculating the standard spending assessment and aggregate external finance figures for(a) Wiltshire county council, (b) West Wiltshire district council and (c) Salisbury district council; and if he will estimate the net financial effect of these changes. [5192]

  Dr. Whitehead
  There were 15 changes in the method of determining Standard Spending assessments (SSAs) for the 1998–99 Local Government Finance Settlement; and 20 changes for the 1999–2000 Local Government Finance Settlement.

  In 1999–2000 the Government introduced a new damping grant, Central Support Protection Grant (CSPG), to ensure that no authority received less grant than the year before, and that authorities which had education and personal social services responsibilities received at least 1.5 per cent. more than the year before.

  The July 1998 Local Government White Paper announced a three year review of Revenue grant Distribution. It said that the Government did not expect to make fresh changes to the method of calculation of SSAs except where there are changes in the functions of councils, or the funding of particular services.

  In 2000–01 there were therefore only limited adjustments to SSAs to accommodate the establishment of the Greater London Authority and related changes, most notably those arising from the alterations to the boundary of the Metropolitan police district and the Essex, Hertfordshire and Surrey police areas. CSPG was retained in 2000–01.
  527W
  In 2001–02 there was only one change in the method of determining SSAs to reflect the transfer of funding for nursery education for four year olds. CSPG was replaced for those authorities with education and personal social services responsibilities by floors and ceilings, which guaranteed that no authority would receive less than a 3.2 per cent. increase and that no authority could get more than a 6.5 per cent. increase.

  Changes in the method of determining SSAs are contained in circular letters to local authorities, dated 2 December 1997, 2 December 1998, 25 November 1999

  Percentage

  Wiltshire

  West Wiltshire

  Salisbury

  Year

  Change against adjusted SSAs

  Of which change due to methodology

  Change against adjusted SSAs

  Of which change due to methodology

  Change against adjusted SSAs

  Of which change due to methodology

  1998–99

  2.0

  1.8

  -1.5

  -0.9

  -5.0

  -5.7

  1999–2000

  5.9

  -0.6

  2.8

  -0.9

  3.0

  -0.4

  2000–01

  5.6

  0.0

  3.0

  0.0

  3.2

  0.0

  2001–02

  4.8

  0.0

  4.5

  0.0

  3.1

  0.0

  Note:

  It is not possible to perform a similar analysis for aggregate external finance.

  Traffic Accidents (Wandsworth)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many people were(a) killed and (b) injured in road traffic accidents in the London borough of Wandsworth in the last three years. [4885]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The table shows the number of casualties in road accidents both killed, and injured, in the Wandsworth local authority for the last three available years.

  Accident Year

  Number killed

  Number injured

  1998

  6

  1,426

  1999

  9

  1,411

  2000

  9

  1,448

  London Underground
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the capital expenditure for the London Underground was for each year since 1994. [1604]

  Mr. Byers
  The capital expenditure in the Underground is set out in London Transport's annual report documents, which incorporate their audited annual accounts. London Transport's annual report for 2000–01 will be published shortly.

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) for each of the last three years what key performance indicators, subdivided by infracos, were used for safety critical maintenance and renewal work on LUL infrastructure; and to what extent London Underground and each infraco have complied with these key performance indicators; [5848]
  528W
  and 27 November 2000, copies of which are in the Library. For convenience, copies of the relevant extracts have been placed in the Library.

  The table shows the net percentage change in SSAs against adjusted SSAs for the previous year for Wiltshire, west Wiltshire and Salisbury over the period, together with the percentage change due to changes in methodology. It is inappropriate to compare actual SSA between years because of changes to the services financed by grants allocated using SSAs. Adjusted SSAs enable a like-for-like comparison between years.

  (2) what was the expenditure allocated to London Underground for achieving each individual key performance indicator; and what the actual expenditure was for each key performance indicator broken down by infraco. [5849]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave yesterday, 19 July 2001,Official Report, columns 366–68W.

  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what his estimate is of the annual rate of repayment to private financiers of the PPP he has proposed for each of the London Underground projects. [5913]

  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. London Underground is currently negotiating the contracts to deliver this investment. To estimate what the annual rate of repayment might be at this stage of negotiations would undermine London Underground's commercial position and jeopardise its ability to deliver best value.

  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what has been the cost to date of consultants' evaluation of the PPP plans for the London Underground undertaken by his Department. [5912]

  Mr. Jamieson
  London Underground employs external consultants to support the development of the PPP and associated restructuring. Some advisers provide joint advice to London Underground and to my Department. My Department has not employed any consultants to evaluate the PPP plans.

  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what is the proposed timetable for the refurbishment and replacement of trains running on the District line of London Underground. [6294]
  529W
  Mr. Jamieson
  The Government's plans for the London underground will deliver £13 billion of investment over the first 15 years, giving London the publicly-run, privately-built underground that it deserves. The contracts to deliver this investment remain under negotiation and so precise investment plans are still subject to change. I understand from London Underground that its current plans would see an interim refurbishment of District line trains by 2005. There would then be a full refurbishment or replacement of trains by 2016 at the latest, as part of an upgrade of the line.

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many(a) escalators and (b) escalator faults in London Underground stations there were in each year since 1994–95 broken down by line. [5008]

  Mr. Jamieson
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: This is an operational matter for London Underground, which inform me that, in the time available, they are not able to provide an accurate breakdown of the number of escalators by line over the last seven years. However, they are preparing this information and I will write to the hon. Gentleman with it as soon as it is ready, placing a copy of my letter in the Libraries of both Houses.

  London Underground also inform me that they track faults on escalators, but do not hold ready collated statistics showing long term trends in fault rates. This is because they regard this as a poor guide to the level of customer service provided, as many faults are minor and are corrected without affecting services. However, they do track escalator performance through keeping records of the percentage of machines available for service. These figures give a good indication of service levels because they include the effects of planned works (overhauls and renewals) as well as faults. The following table shows the average percentage of escalator availability by line for the last five years. The figures for 1994–95 and 1995–96 are not immediately available, but I hope to be able to include them in my letter to the hon. Gentleman.

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Bakerloo

  92.6

  97.7

  97.4

  94.4

  94.1

  Central

  89.9

  87.1

  92.2

  89.0

  85.0

  District

  91.1

  93.7

  95.3

  94.9

  97.7

  Jubilee

  95.8

  82.7

  79.1

  96.6

  98.1

  East London

  —

  99.6

  99.7

  97.9

  77.0

  Met & Circle

  96.2

  98.7

  93.6

  94.3

  86.1

  Northern

  94.1

  94.6

  90.1

  87.7

  88.5

  Piccadilly

  94.9

  93.8

  93.2

  91.6

  90.8

  Victoria

  92.1

  96.5

  92.8

  89.4

  84.7

  Total

  92.8

  93.3

  92.7

  92.0

  91.4

  Mean distance between train, failures (MDBF)—rolling stock

  Kilometres

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Bakerloo

  4,633

  4,906

  7,367

  7,087

  8,649

  8,066

  7,113

  Central

  5,800

  7,855

  5,807

  5,620

  6,049

  5,077

  4,019

  District

  6,513

  8,546

  9,934

  13,542

  15,112

  19,277

  25,042

  Circle & Hammersmith

  3,615

  3,247

  2,804

  2,462

  4,062

  3,877

  3,311

  Jubilee

  4,129

  2,908

  4,081

  3,907

  1,952

  4,269

  7,950

  Metropolitan

  4,874

  4,221

  4,518

  5,924

  6,993

  7,289

  7,051

  Northern 59TS1

  3,306

  3,008

  3,113

  2,968

  3,120

  2,412

  —

  Northern 72MK1TS1

  2,663

  2,412

  2,288

  1,817

  —

  —

  —

  Northern 95 1TS1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  862

  4,475

  10,166

  Piccadilly

  5,585

  6.069

  6,372

  5,966

  5,310

  5,734

  5,037

  Victoria

  4,106

  5,018

  7,091

  5,607

  6,947

  6,362

  6,175

  1 951TS has replaced 59TS and 72MKITS in the Northern line

  530W
  Escalator availability across the network fell in the last two years because of the cracks that appeared in the top-shafts and steps of three types of escalator at various stages in 1999 and 2000. Of the 52 escalators affected by these faults, 51 have now been repaired and are back in service. The last one—at Old Street station—has now been incorporated into the planned refurbishment programme. The completion of these works has had a notable impact on recent escalator performance—with performance comfortably above 93 per cent. since the beginning of 2001.

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what was the average number of train drivers working on London Underground each week day broken down by line in each of the last five years. [5004]

  Mr. Jamieson
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: This is an operational matter for London Underground, which have provided the following information on the total number of train operators required to work on any weekday for the current working timetable on each line.

  Current timetable

  Line

  Total number of train operators required each week day

  Bakerloo

  114

  Central and Waterloo and City

  230

  Circle and Hammersmith and City

  134

  District

  267

  East London

  26

  Jubilee

  167

  Metropolitan

  154

  Northern

  273

  Piccadilly

  285

  Victoria

  127

  London Underground inform me that to provide information for previous years would incur disproportionate costs as the data are not kept in this format.

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the mean distance between train failures on the London Underground in each year since 1994–95 broken down by line. [5014]

  Mr. Jamieson
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: This is an operational matter for London Underground, which has provided the following information, broken down by line:
  531W
  Train performance is a key aspect of operational effectiveness and it is encouraging to see the substantial improvements which are being made in the performance of some rolling stock.

  Multi-modal Studies
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if the recommendations in Multi-modal Studies are designed to be consistent with the sustainability framework for that region. [5772]

  Mr. Jamieson
  While each Multi-modal Study addresses transport problems, it must also anticipate those of the future. Studies must take full account of sustainability, economic, regeneration and social exclusion objectives locally, regionally and nationally. Study reports and recommendations are submitted to Regional Planning Bodies who consider them in the regional planning context consistent with the sustainability framework for that region. Ultimately Ministers, when they consider Regional Planning recommendations, will take care to ensure they are also consistent with wider national policy objectives.

  London Transport
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 13 July 2001,Official Report, column 655W, on London Transport, if he will indicate the actual amount invested by the private sector in each of the contracts named, and the anticipated rate of return for each one. [5763]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The information requested is commercially confidential. London Transport is buying specified outcomes under each of the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contracts. As is usual for such contracts, it is for the private sector contractor to decide how best to deliver those outcomes.

  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Leyton and Wanstead (Harry Cohen), of 13 July 2001,Official Report, column 655W, on London Transport, if he will list the net present value of payments due under the contract of each project; and if he will make a statement. [5443]

  Mr. Jamieson
  London Transport is buying specified outcomes under each of the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contracts. The information requested about the net present value of payments due is commercially confidential.

  Mobile Phone Masts
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to extend planning controls to mobile phone masts less than 45 ft in height. [5450]

  Ms Keeble
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Westbury (Dr. Murrison) on 25 June 2001,Official Report, column 20W.
  532W
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to restrict the granting of planning permission for mobile phone masts close to hospitals. [5449]

  Ms Keeble
  Mobile phone mast development close to hospitals is subject to the normal telecommunications planning arrangements in place throughout England. We have no plans to introduce specific planning arrangements in respect of mobile phone masts close to hospitals.

  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what(a) meetings he has had with and (b) requests for meetings he has received from, representatives of mobile phone companies to discuss planning matters since 7 June. [5448]

  Ms Keeble
  Ministers in this Department have had no meetings with representatives of mobile phone companies since 7 June. Vodafone and the Federation of the Electronics Industry (which represent the interests of the five mobile phone companies in the UK) have separately written to this Department since 7 June to request meetings with Ministers.

  First North Western Trains
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the improvements made to services by First North Western Trains on the Blackpool to Manchester line. [5792]

  Mr. Jamieson
  New class 175 trains are operating on some Blackpool North to Manchester airport services. All of these services will be operated by the new trains when the full fleet is delivered by the late autumn. The class 142 and 150 units used on Blackpool South to Manchester services were refurbished last year. At Chorley station the car park has been extended and CCTV installed.

  Conveyancing (Public Records)
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what powers he has in respect of complaints from the public about access to public records held by local authorities relevant to conveyancing transactions being obstructed. [5541]

  Ms Keeble
  The Secretary of State has no power to intervene where a local authority fails to comply with a statutory obligation to provide reasonable access to public records.

  Local authorities are required by Section 8 of the Local Land Charges Act 1975 to allow any person to search in the local land charges register on payment of the prescribed fee. Local authorities are also under a statutory duty to provide access to other public records containing information relevant to conveyancing. In the case of the planning register, for example, sections 69. 188 and 214 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 require local authorities to make the register available for inspection by the public-at all reasonable hours".

  In cases where reasonable access to public registers is being denied, the matter may be referred to the Local Government Ombudsman or the courts. The Freedom of Information Act 2000 will improve the rights of

  533W
  individuals to access information and provide a right to complain to the Information Commissioner if he or she is prevented from accessing it. The provisions of this Act are likely to come into force sometime next year with regard to information held by local authorities.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what representations he has received regarding local authorities obstructing personal searches of property and other public records relating to conveyancing transactions. [5539]

  Ms Keeble
  A number of representations have been received from companies within the Property Search Group who carry out personal searches as part of the conveyancing process.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what guidance he gives to local authorities regarding access to registers by the public under the Town and Country Planning Act 1999. [5540]

  Ms Keeble
  The public are entitled to see any document held on a local authority's planning registers. Articles 25 and 26 of the Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) Order 1995 (the GDPO) set out the infonnation which must be held on the register. Articles 25(10 and 26(7) of the GDPO provide that:"the register shall either be kept at the principal office of the local planning register authority or that part of the register which relates to land in part of that authority's area shall be kept at a place within or convenient to that part".
  The "Planning Charter Standards" booklet, issued by the then Department of the Environment and the National Planning Forum, advises that local authorities must make their register available to the public at all reasonable hours. Authorities should put copies of valid planning applications in the register within three working days of receiving them. They also should put copies of their decisions in the register within three working days of dispatch.

  M5/A46 Resurfacing
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he expects(a) the M5 at Whittington and (b) the A46 at Harvington to be resurfaced with low noise surfaces; and if he will make a statement. [5775]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Tim Matthews, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Tim Matthews to Mr. Peter Luff, dated 20 July 2001:
  The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, David Jamieson, has asked me to reply to your recent question about resurfacing the M5 at Whittington and the A46 at Harvington with low noise surfaces.
  The Government's 10 Year Plan for Transport set out proposals for dealing with road noise, including the provision of quieter surfacing on the road network.
  The resurfacing programme for roads, like those at Whittington and Harvington, with bituminous surfaces will depend largely on when the existing surfaces wear out and need to be replaced as part of our normal maintenance programme. Given that the condition of the carriageways here is fairly good it is likely to be at least three years before the work will take place.
  534W
  If you would like any additional information please contact Tom Barry at our Birmingham office. He can be contacted at Broadway, Broad Street, Birmingham, B15 1BL or by telephone on 0121 678 8072.

  Slot Auctioning
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what representations he has received on her Department's commissioning of a report on slot auctioning from Dot Econ; and if she will make a statement. [5433]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The findings of the Dot Econ study were presented to representatives of UK airlines and airports on 15 March. Immediate feedback was given then, and written comments were requested by 12 April. A number of representations were received. The Government will take these into account in developing their response to the proposals for revision of the current European slot allocation regulations that were published by the European Commission on 20 June.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what representations he has received from United Kingdom airlines on the proposed introduction of a monetised slot auctioning or transfer system. [5434]

  Mr. Jamieson
  My Department has met representatives of UK airlines on several occasions to discuss its declared intention to seek a new European slot allocation regulation that provides for the auctioning of new and pool slots and the legitimisation of trading between air carriers. Written representations have also been received.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will commission a report projecting the likely bidding behaviour of airlines based on consultation with United Kingdom and overseas carriers and assessing the benefits for consumers of an auctioning system. [5394]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I have no plans for such a study. But in taking forward the Government's proposals for a market-based approach to slot allocation, we shall consult fully with airlines and airports. The interests of the travelling public are and will continue to be at the heart of our objective of revising the current slot allocation regime.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many UK airlines have indicated to his Department their support of the introduction for a monetised slot auctioning or transfer system; how many have indicated opposition; and how many proposed new entrants to Heathrow or Gatwick have indicated their support. [5393]

  Mr. Jamieson
  There is general support among UK airlines for legitimising the trading of slots between airlines. To date, only Virgin Atlantic has openly supported the idea of slot auctioning. Others have been less enthusiastic, but we continue to discuss the matter with the industry.

  The subject has not been discussed with representatives of overseas airlines. Airlines are reluctant to discuss their development plans, so it is not possible to answer the question about potential new entrants at Heathrow and Gatwick.

  Bypass Construction
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what representations he has received on the decision-making procedures for constructing bypasses under the 10-year transport plan. [5512]

  Mr. Jamieson
  My Department receives a large number of representations about the construction of bypasses, from a wide variety of organisations and individuals. Many of these refer to the decision-making processes involved.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement about the procedures for reaching decisions on the construction of bypasses made under the 10-year transport plan. [5513]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The final decision on the construction of major road schemes, including bypasses, rests with the Secretary of State. Major schemes will generally emerge in future from the Multi-Modal and Road Based Studies commissioned following the Roads Review and from decisions taken by regional planning bodies in drawing up their regional transport strategies as part of regional planning guidance on which they will submit recommendations to the Secretary of State. Plans for bypasses may also be submitted by local authorities as part of their local transport plans, decisions on which will also be announced by the Secretary of State as part of the local transport settlement.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions to whom the regional planning authority is accountable for reaching its decisions on the construction of bypasses under the 10-year transport plan. [5514]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Regional planning machinery varies by region. In Yorkshire and the Humber the Regional Assembly for Yorkshire and the Humberside is the regional planning body and is accountable to its member local authorities and, therefore, indirectly to local electors. The final decision on the construction of bypasses rests with the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the procedures for the construction of bypasses under the 10-year transport plan. [5272]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Stansted Airport
  Mr. Prisk
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what research his Department has commissioned into the spatial and economic impact of Stansted airport's growth since 1997. [5496]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I am unaware of any such research commissioned by my Department. The airport's owners, BAA, in preparation for the proposed development at Stansted, have commissioned reviews of both the spatial and economic effects of the airport.

  Urban White Paper
  Mr. Prisk
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on his plans for implementing the Urban White Paper. [5498]

  Ms Keeble
  The implementation plan issued in March this year sets out how a wide range of initiatives across government are supporting the objectives of the Urban White Paper. This is available on my Department's website. Significant progress has already been made in delivering the measures listed in the plan. We are also working closely with towns and cities across the country to take forward the urban agenda. These efforts will feed into a proposed Urban summit in 2002 to assess progress in bringing about change and celebrate success, and a State of the Cities report in 2005.

  Mr. Prisk
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many recommendations of the Urban Task Force report entitled "Towards an Urban Renaissance" have been implemented since it was published. [5499]

  Ms Keeble
  The Government have endorsed the principles behind all of the recommendations in Lord Rogers' report and in the large majority of cases have accepted them either in full or in part. We have set out our response to each recommendation in the Annexe to the Urban White Paper.

  M11
  Mr. Prisk
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what research his Department has commissioned on the development prospects of the M11 motorway corridor since 1997. [5500]

  Mr. Jamieson
  My Department is contributing to a study into strategic land-use development and transport issues in the London-Stansted-Cambridge sub-region, including the M11 corridor, which started in May 2001. The aim of the study is to formulate sustainable options for the longer-term spatial development of the study area to inform future regional and local strategies.

  A30/A303
  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on his policy on the upgrading of the A30 and A303. [5492]

  Mr. Jamieson
  There are no proposals to upgrade this important route at the moment. However, there are a number of major improvements that are on hold pending the outcome of the London to the South-West and South Wales Multi-Modal Study, which will report next year. The emerging strategy of this study has identified the need to improve this route, the precise nature of these improvements will be set out in their final report.

  A35
  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on his policy on the upgrading of the A35 in east Devon. [5493]
  537W
  Mr. Jamieson
  It is for the Regional Assembly to identify improvements to the trunk road network in line with their Regional Transport Strategy. The Highways Agency, however, is currently carrying out a Route Management Strategy study on the A35, as well as the A30 and A31, between Exeter and Southampton. The study is not about building new roads but about making best use of the trunk roads we already have.

  Road Designation
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what criteria are applied in designating principal roads and principal destinations; [5521]

  (2) when he last reviewed the designation of principal (a) roads and (b) destinations on the Isle of Wight. [5524]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Principal roads are the highest classification of local authority road. Decisions on their designation are based on whether the road is essential for traffic and whether it occupies a sufficiently important place in the national road system to justify central Government interest in its development. There are several principal roads on the Isle of Wight. Ministers have not received recent requests for reclassification of these roads. The Government do not have a designation of "principal destination".

  Primary routes and primary destinations are a separate classification from principal roads. Primary routes are defined as routes which provide the most satisfactory route for through traffic between places of traffic importance. Places of traffic importance are known as primary destinations. There are no primary routes or primary destinations on the Isle of Wight. The Government office of the south-east regularly updates the primary route network and primary destinations, taking account of requests for redesignation by local highway authorities. No recent requests have been received in respect of the Isle of Wight.

  South-East Region
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions for what reason Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are included in the Government's South-East region. [5100]

  Dr. Whitehead
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: Until 1994, and the creation of the Government Offices (GOs), Hampshire and the Isle of Wight had been part of the South-East standard region. That had been the position since at least 1974, when the English standard regions were established following local government reorganisation.

  When the GO South-East region was defined in 1994, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight were therefore included. Since 1994, the GO boundaries have 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. This need for coterminosity of regional boundaries based on existing GO configurations was also reinforced in the report by the Cabinet Office's Performance and Innovation Unit in 2000.

  Wessex
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what requests he has received that Wessex should not be partitioned between the South-East and South-West regions. [5079]

  Dr. Whitehead
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: We have no record of any formal representations to the effect that Wessex should not be "partitioned" between the South-East and South-West regions.

  Rail Links
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the principal destinations which have no railway station. [5523]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Strategic Rail Authority does not hold such a list and the content of any such list would depend on the definition of principal destination. I would refer the hon. Member to the national rail timetable which includes a route map showing destinations served by rail.

  Harbour Authorities
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the harbour authorities in England; and how many members each authority has. [5520]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Harbour authorities vary in ownership and size, with some overlaps of jurisdiction. With those provisos the following list contains the names of the Harbour authorities in England based on the latest information available to the Department. Each authority will have its own constitution setting out its membership details and these will vary widely. We do not hold this information centrally.

  Trust Ports (Non-Fishery)

  Berwick Harbour Commissioners

  Blyth Harbour Commissioners

  Brightlingsea Harbour Commissioners

  Cattlewater Harbour Commissioners

  Chichester Harbour Conservancy

  Cowes Harbour Commissioners

  Crouch Harbour Authority

  Dart Harbour and Navigation Authority

  Dover Harbour Board

  Falmouth Harbour Commissioners

  Fowey Harbour Commissioners

  Gloucester Harbour Trustees

  Great Yarmouth Port and Haven Commissioners

  539W

  Harwich Haven Authority

  Kings Lynn Conservancy Board

  Lancaster Port Commissioners

  Langstone Harbour Board

  Littlehampton Harbour Board

  Port of London Authority

  Lymington Harbour Improvement Commissioners

  Maldon Harbour Improvement Commissioners

  Maryport Harbour Commissioners

  Orford Town Trustees

  Padstow Harbour Commissioners

  Poole Harbour Commissioners

  Sandwich Port and Haven Commissioners

  Shoreham Port Authority

  Teignmouth Harbour Commissioners

  Tyne Port Authority

  Warkworth Harbour Commissioners

  Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners

  Yarmouth (IoW) Harbour Commissioners

  River Yealm Harbour Authority

  Trust Ports (Fishery)

  Bridlington Pier and Harbour Commissioners

  Flamborough North Sea Landing Harbour Commissioners

  Hope Cove Harbour Commissioners

  Looe Harbour Commissioners

  Mevagissey Harbour Trustees

  Mousehole Harbour Commissioners

  Newlyn Pier and Harbour Commissioners

  North Sunderland Harbour Commissioners

  Port Isaac Harbour Commissioners

  Portloe Harbour Commissioners

  Rye Harbour Commissioners

  Saundersfoot Harbour Commissioners

  Sennen Cove Harbour Commissioners

  Staithes Harbour Commissioners

  Wells Harbour Commissioners

  Private Ports (Non-Fishery)

  Barrow (ABP)

  Bembridge

  Beaulieu River

  Boston

  Boscastle—non-statutory

  Brighton Marina Company

  Bristol, Port of (Avonmouth and Royal Portbury)

  Bromborough Dock

  540W

  Cattledown Wharves, Plymouth

  Charlestown—non-statutory

  Combe Martin—non-statutory

  Dagenham Dock—non-statutory

  Duddon River (Hodbarrow Mining)—non-statutory

  Eastbourne (Sovereign Harbour)

  Exmouth

  Falmouth Docks (A and P Falmouth)

  Fareham

  Felixstowe (Hutchison Ports UK)

  Fishbourne (Wightlink)

  Fleetwood (ABP)

  Folkestone (Sea Containers)

  Fosdyke

  Garston (ABP)

  Goole (ABP)

  Grimsby (ABP)

  Hartlepool

  Harwich Docks

  Harwich International (Hutchison Ports UK)

  Hayle

  Heysham (Sea Containers)

  Hull (ABP)

  Immingham (ABP)

  Ipswich (ABP)

  Kings Lynn (ABP)

  Lowestoft (ABP)

  Lymington Pier (Wightlink)

  Manchester Ship Canal

  Margate Pier and Harbour

  Medway Ports Authority (Mersey D and H)

  Mersey Docks and Harbour

  Mutton Cove

  Newhaven (Seine Maritime Regional Authority)

  Par (English China Clay)

  Pembrey

  Penarth

  Pentewan

  Plymouth (ABP)

  Portland

  Port Penrhyn—non-statutory

  Portreath—non-statutory

  Port Wrinkle—non-statutory

  Royal Docks Management Authority

  Ryde (Wightlink)

  St. Mawes Pier and Harbour

  St. Michael's Mouth—non-statutory

  Seaham

  Silloth (ABP)

  Southampton (ABP)

  Tees

  Thamesport (Hutchison Ports UK)

  Tilbury, Port of (Forth Ports)

  Tilbury and Gravesend Ferry

  Sutton Harbour

  Sutton Bridge

  Teignmouth Quay (ABP)

  Trevethoe—non-statutory

  Weston Point

  Widnes—non-statutory

  541W
  Private Ports (Fishery)

  Alnmouth—non-statutory

  Axmouth

  Blakeney

  Burnham Overy (NT)

  Clovelly—non-statutory

  Craster

  Cullercoats—non-statutory

  Eastbourne Pier

  Holy Island—non-statutory

  Hythe Hard

  Hythe Pier

  Lympstone

  Lytham Pier and Pavilion

  Mullion (NT)

  Penberth (NT)

  Porthgain

  Porthleven

  Seahouses

  Solva

  Swanage Pier

  Local Authority (Non-Fishery)

  Bamstaple (North Devon DC)

  Bideford (Torridge DC)

  Bridgwater (Sedgemoor DC)

  Bridport (West Dorset DC)

  Bristol City Docks (City Council)

  Broadstairs (Thanet DC)

  Bude (North Cornwall DC)

  Exeter (City Council)

  Gillingham (Medway UC)

  Hamble River (Hampshire CC)

  Ilfracombe (North Devon DC)

  Leigh-on-Sea (Southend UC)

  Lyme Regis (West Dorset DC)

  Minehead (West Somerset DC)

  Newport IoW (Isle of Wight UC)

  Norwich (City Council)

  Paignton (Torbay UC)

  Penryn (Carrick DC)

  Penzance (Penwith DC)

  Portsmouth (City Council)

  Preston (BC)

  Ramsgate (Thanet DC)

  Ryde IoW (Isle of Wight UC)

  Salcombe (South Hams DC)

  Seaton Sluice (Blyth Valley DC)

  Southend-on-Sea (UC)

  Sunderland (BC)

  Torquay (Torbay UC)

  Truro (Carrick DC)

  Uphill (North Somerset UC)

  Watchet (Weymouth and Portland BC)

  Whitstable (Canterbury CC)

  Wisbech (Fenland DC)

  Workington (Cumbria CC)

  Local Authority (Fishery)

  Brixham (Torbay UC)

  Morecambe (Lancashire CC)

  Newbiggin (Wansbeck DC)

  St. Ives (Penwith DC)

  Sandown Pier (Isle of Wight UC)

  Scarborough (BC)

  Southwold (Waveney DC)

  Topsham (Exeter City Council)

  Whitby (Scarborough BC)

  542W
  Others

  River Dee (Environment Agency)

  Leeds (BWB)

  River Ouse (Yorkshire)(BWB)

  Rye (Environment Agency)

  Sharpness, Gloucester (BWB)

  Road Tolls
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the principal roads on which tolls are levied. [5522]

  Mr. Jamieson
  There are, currently, no tolled principal roads in England. However, there are seven statutory tolled undertakings linking principal and trunk roads. There are:

  The Dartford-Thurrock Crossings—linking the A282(T)

  The Dunham Bridge—linking the A57(T)

  The Humber Bridge—linking the A15(T)

  The Mersey Tunnels—connecting the A5036 to the A554

  The Severn Bridge—linking the M48

  The Tamar Bridge—linking the A38(T)

  The Tyne Tunnel—connecting the A187 to South Tyneside.

  Transport Links
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) how much is expended by the Government on the maintenance of transport links between Great Britain and Northern Ireland; [5543]

  (2) how much was expended by the Government in each of the three years prior to the introduction of devolution for Scotland and Wales on the maintenance of transport links between Great Britain and offshore islands; [5544]

  (3) if he will list the responsibilities of Government for the maintenance of transport links between Great Britain and (a) Northern Ireland and (b) offshore islands. [5542]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Her Majesty's Government do not subsidise transport links between Great Britain and Northern Ireland or offshore islands. The Scottish Executive subsidises services to offshore islands for which it is accountable to the Scottish Parliament. Responsibility for expenditure on transport links in the three years prior to the introduction of devolution lies with the Secretary of State for Scotland.

  South-coast Multi-modal Study
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what mechanisms exist to ensure the recommendations of the south-coast multi-modal study are implemented, where implementation falls to(a) private rail companies and (b) county councils. [5483]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The multi-modal studies provide an opportunity to identify integrated and sustainable solutions to some of the most pressing problems on our strategic transport network. The study process itself is designed to ensure that strategies are developed with key stakeholders so that they reflect the priorities of each and are genuinely deliverable.

  Shared-use Facilities
  Andrew Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he expects to publish the revised local transport notes on shared use facilities for pedestrians and cyclists. [4967]

  Mr. Spellar
  Revised drafts of Local Transport Notes 1/86 and 2/86 have been prepared and circulated to a limited number of consultees—a "reference group". The comments received have highlighted the importance of setting the advice on shared use in the wider context of Government policies to encourage both cycling and walking and the implications of those policies for the design and provision of facilities. We are therefore considering preparing comprehensive guidance which would include guidance on shared use. I will make a further announcement when a decision has been reached.

  Ordnance Survey
  Andrew Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what targets were set for Ordnance Survey in the financial year 2000–01; and for each, how far they were achieved. [4965]

  Ms Keeble
  Ordnance Survey achieved all of its targets for the financial year 2000–01 as follows:

  Target

  Performance

  To achieve a revenue target of £82.3 million (excluding the National Interest Mapping Service Agreement)

  £86.1 million

  To achieve a return on sales of not less than five per cent. (excluding the National Interest Mapping Service Agreement)

  9.4 per cent.

  To ensure that, by March 2001, at least 99.5 per cent. of existing major detail is surveyed and available to customers

  99.9 per cent.

  To despatch 92 per cent. of small scale product ordered within three working days

  96.3 per cent.

  To achieve efficiency savings across activities associated with collecting and maintaining the data held within the National Topographic Database, producing and distributing products/services to customers and all other associated support activities. The long-term target is to achieve an efficiency gain of 6 per cent, over the period April 2000 to March 2004. The target for 2000–01 is 1.5 per cent.

  5.0 per cent.

  To increase the number of visits to the Ordnance Survey website, compared with the last half of 1999–2000 by at least 100 per cent. by 31 March 2001

  120.6 percent.

  Fuller details of Ordnance Survey performance in 2000–01 can be found in the Annual Report laid in the House of Commons Library on 5 July 2001 and on the Ordnance Survey website at http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk

  Capital Assets (Islington)
  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what 544W
  recent examination he has made of the sale of capital assets by the London borough of Islington; and if he will make a statement. [5363]

  Dr. Whitehead
  I have made no such examination.

  Asset disposals are a matter for the authority. I would normally only become involved if any authority sought consent to dispose of property at less than the best consideration reasonably attainable. No such consent has been sought recently by the London borough of Islington.

  Section 106 Agreements
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will review the effectiveness of section 106 agreements. [5472]

  Ms Keeble
  We are committed to reviewing the system for agreeing planning obligations and we propose to issue a consultation document later this year.

  Noise Levels
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the proposed EU directives on noise levels, with particular reference to traffic noise. [5458]

  Mr. Jamieson
  An amending directive to Directive 92/23/EEC aimed at limiting the noise from new vehicle tyres has recently been adopted by the European Council and the European Parliament and will appear in the Official Journal of the European Communities imminently. Studies have shown that noise generated at the tyre-road interface is a significant environmental nuisance that, as a contributor to total vehicle noise and, hence, traffic noise, becomes more significant as vehicle speed increases. The directive will apply limits to the permitted noise of tyres that are fitted to new vehicle types entering into service from 2004. In addition it will require most new tyres sold in the replacement market to comply from 2009.

  The European Commission also proposed a directive in July 2000 on the Assessment and Management of Environmental Noise. The main sources of noise to which this directive relates are transport and industry. The copy of the draft directive primarily covers noise in built up areas, in public parks or other quiet areas within built up areas and in quiet areas in open country. The proposed directive would require mapping of the principle sources of noise to provide information to the public and the European Commission, and the drawing up of action plans aimed at preventing and reducing undesirable levels of environmental noise.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on proposals to alleviate noise from the M5 at Upton St Leonards. [5459]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Tim Matthews, to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Tim Matthews to Mr. David Drew, dated 20 July 2001:
  The Transport Minister, David Jamieson, has asked me to reply to your recent question about proposals to alleviate noise from the M5 at Upton St Leonards.

  545W
  Following the installation of a quieter surface on the M5 motorway at Upton St Leonards in February 2000, we have been carrying out detailed noise studies to ascertain the noise levels and the extent of the problem. This work is near completion and a report is expected shortly. The findings will allow us to consider the problem in more detail and look at possible remedial measures.

  New Build (East Sussex)
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what representations he has received from parish councils in East Sussex regarding the number of new houses planned to be built in the county. [5995]

  Ms Keeble
  During the preparation of Regional Planning Guidance for the South East, which was published in March 2001, the former Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions received representations from the Sussex Associations of Local Councils; a number of parish councils including Alfriston, Barcombe, Catsfield, Glynde and Beddingham, Hadlow Down, Maresfield, Mountfield and Sedlescombe; and Uckfield Town Council. The representations commented on a range of issues including housing in East Sussex.

  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will review the number of houses to be built in East Sussex following the latest planning guidance on building and council policy. [5997]

  Ms Keeble
  The former Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions published Regional Planning Guidance for the South East in March 2001. This contains guidance on future housing provision and distribution. It is now for regional planning bodies to take forward work to the monitoring, implementation and review of this guidance.

  Bed-and-breakfast Accommodation
  Mr. Boris Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many homeless people were accepted into bed-and-breakfast accommodation in(a) south Oxfordshire and (b) England in each of the last five years. [6096]

  Ms Keeble
  Information reported by South Oxfordshire district council on the number of households resident in bed-and-breakfast hotels under statutory homelessness provisions on 31 March in each of the last five years is given in the table:

  Homeless households resident in bed and breakfast accommodation1 as at 31 March

  South Oxfordshire

  England

  1997

  33

  4,100

  1998

  55

  4,990

  1999

  28

  7,460

  2000

  25

  8,700

  2001

  47

  10,830

  1 Includes households accommodated pending completion of inquiries by the local authorities.

  Source:

  DETR P1(E) housing return (quarterly)

  Oxfordshire County Council
  Mr. Boris Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the methodology changes made since 1997 to the formulae for calculating the standard spending assessment and aggregate external finance figures for Oxfordshire County Council; and if he will make an assessment of the net financial effect of these changes. [6089]

  Dr. Whitehead
  There were 15 changes in the method of determining Standard Spending Assessments (SSAs) for the 1998–99 Local Government Finance Settlement; and 20 changes for the 1999–2000 Local Government Finance Settlement.

  In 1999–2000 the Government introduced a new damping grant, Central Support Protection Grant (CSPG), to ensure that no authority received less grant than the year before, and that authorities which had education and personal social services responsibilities received at least 1.5 per cent more than the year before.

  The July 1998 Local Government White Paper announced a 3-year review of Revenue Grant Distribution. It said that the Government did not expect to make fresh changes to the method of calculation of SSAs except where there are changes in the functions of councils, or the funding of particular services.

  In 2000–01 there were therefore only limited adjustments to SSAs to accommodate the establishment of the Greater London Authority and related changes, most notably those arising from the alterations to the boundary of the Metropolitan Police District and the Essex, Hertfordshire and Surrey police areas. CSPG was retained in 2000–01.

  In 2001–02 there was only one change in the method of determining SSAs to reflect the transfer of funding for Nursery Education for four-year-olds. CSPG was replaced for those authorities with education and personal social services responsibilities by floors and ceilings, which guaranteed that no authority would receive less than a 3.2 per cent. increase and that no authority could get more than a 6.5 per cent. increase.

  Changes in the method of determining SSAs are contained in circular letters to Local Authorities, dated 2 December 1997, 2 December 1998, 25 November 1999 and 27 November 2000, copies of which are in the Library. For convenience, copies of the relevant extracts have been placed in the Library.

  The table shows the net percentage change in SSAs against adjusted SSAs for the previous year for Oxfordshire over the period, together with the percentage change due to changes in methodology. It is inappropriate to compare actual SSA between years because of changes to the services financed by grants allocated using SSAs. Adjusted SSAs enable a like-for-like comparison between years.

  % change against adjusted SSAs

  Oxfordshire of which: % change due to methodology

  1998–99

  2.5

  -2.3

  1999–2000

  3.9

  -0.9

  2000–01

  5.4

  0.0

  2001–02

  6.7

  0.0

  547W
  It is not possible to perform a similar analysis for aggregate external finance.

  Regional Assemblies
  Mr. Boris Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many written representations he has received from electors in the Henley constituency expressing support for an elected regional assembly in the south-east of England. [6088]

  Dr. Whitehead
  None.

  SSA (Elderly Population)
  Mr. Greg Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will change the method of calculation of the size of elderly population used in arriving at the standard spending assessment for local authorities. [6050]

  Dr. Whitehead
  Together with local government we are reviewing the grant distribution system. We published "Modernising Local Government Finance: A Green Paper" in September 2000, and will announce our conclusions on the most promising ways forward in a White Paper later this year. Alongside this, we are currently working on a range of options for changes to the standard spending assessment formulae, but have not yet reached any conclusions on what changes should be made.

  Mr. Greg Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the method of calculating the size of elderly population in connection with the standard spending assessment, with special reference to resort authorities. [6051]

  Dr. Whitehead
  Estimates of the size of the elderly population for each local authority are made by the Registrar General. They are based on the 1991 Census, and rolled forward to more recent years to reflect births, deaths and migration.

  The standard spending assessment formula for elderly residential care is based on the elderly population in households rather than the total elderly population (which includes those in institutions). The population estimates are therefore adjusted to reflect this. This is done by assuming that the proportion of the total elderly population that is in households for each authority is the same as that recorded in the 1991 Census.

  The size of the elderly population is thus calculated in the same way for all authorities, including resort authorities.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many PFI transactions have been overseen by his Department in each of the last 10 years; what is his estimate of the cost savings made in each of these transactions in comparison with the public sector alternative; what are the outstanding payments to be made in relation to these transactions for each of the next 15 years; and if he will make a statement. [5714]
  548W
  Dr. Whitehead
  Information about the PFI transactions that have been overseen by this Department since 1992 (10 years) is included in the table. However, any estimates of cost savings made in each of these transactions in comparison with the public sector alternative could be provided only at disproportionate cost to my department and, as agreed with the National Audit Office, payments to be made to contractors under PFI contracts are commercially confidential. Aggregate figures of estimated payments under all PFI contracts for the years 2001–01 to 2025–26 have been published in Table C18 of the Budget 2001 "Red Book"

  DTLR PPP/PFI Projects: Remaining service payment

  Name of project

  Year contract signed

  HA—Birmingham North Relief Road

  1992

  LU—Northern Line Trains

  1995

  Midland Metrolink

  1995

  HA—A69

  1996

  HA—A50

  1996

  HA—A19

  1996

  HA—M40

  1996

  HA—A417/419

  1996

  HA—A30/35

  1996

  HA—A1 (M)

  1996

  HA—M1/A1 Link Road

  1996

  Croydon Tramlink

  1996

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link

  1996

  Waltham Forest HAT

  1996

  DLR Lewisham Extension

  1996

  QEII Conference Centre

  1997

  Manchester Metrolink

  1997

  LU—Power

  1998

  LU—Prestige

  1998

  LU—Connect

  1999

  LU—British Transport Police

  1999

  Tower Hamlets HAT

  1999

  VI—MOT Computerisation

  2000

  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the economic penalties imposed on private sector firms in each of the last five years for failures to deliver in relation to key performance indicators in projects involving the private finance initiative; and if he will make a statement. [5715]

  Dr. Whitehead
  The following table provides details of DTLR's PFI and PPP contracts signed in the past five years and states whether the service is operational, and whether service charge payments have been withheld. Should PFI and PPP contractors fail to provide the contracted service they will not receive the full unitary service charge payment for the relevant month.

  PFI and PPP contracts signed since 1997

  Year contract signed

  Name of contract

  Status of service

  Has part of service charge payment been withheld?

  PFI contracts

  1997

  Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre—Catering

  Operational

  No

  2000

  Highways Agency—A13 "Thames Gateway"

  Under construction

  n/a

  2000

  Vehicle Inspectorate—MOT computerisation

  Under construction

  n/a

  549W

  PFI and PPP contracts signed since 1997

  Year contract signed

  Name of contract

  Status of service

  Has part of service charge payment been withheld?

  2001

  Highways Agency—Traffic Control Centre

  Under construction

  n/a

  PPP contracts

  1997

  Manchester Metrolink— extension to Salford Quays and Eccles2

  Operational

  No

  1999

  Tower Hamlets Housing Action Trust

  Operational

  No

  2001

  National Air Traffic Control Services (NATS) PPP

  3—

  n/a

  1 The A13 Thames Gateway contract has transferred to Transport for London

  2 The Manchester Metrolink contract was let by Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive and received substantial funding from DTLR.

  3 NATS have announced their preferred partner—Airlines Group (British Airways, British Midland, Virgin, Britannia, Monarch, Easy-Jet and Airtours) and is due to let the contract shortly.

  Compulsory Purchase Orders
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement regarding proposed changes to compulsory purchase orders. [5946]

  Ms Keeble
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply on 18 July 2001,Official Report, column 202W.

  Road Fuel Gases
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many HGV vehicles have converted to road fuel gases since May 1997. [5943]

  Mr. Jamieson
  DVLA figures show that from December 1997 to the end of December 2000 the number of goods vehicles (over 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight) running on gas was 269. These figures do not distinguish between the road fuel gases LPG and CNG.

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many public transport buses have converted to road fuel gases since May 1997. [5944]

  Mr. Jamieson
  DVLA figures show that from December 1997 to the end of December 2000 the number of buses running on gas was 81. These figures do not differentiate between the road fuel gases LPG and CNG.

  Ministerial Visits
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the purpose was of his recent visit to India; what his itinerary was; what the cost to public funds was; and which officials accompanied him. [5945]

  Dr. Whitehead
  My right hon. Friend has not visited India in his capacity as Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions.

  Partnership Investment Programme
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what progress has been made with replacing partnership investment programme funding ended under European state aid laws. [5942]

  Ms Keeble
  Substantial progress has been made on the replacement of the Partnership Investment Programme (PIP). The European Commission have approved five new land and property regeneration schemes which partially replace PIP. The schemes cover speculative and non-speculative gap funding, community regeneration, direct development, and environmental regeneration. Regional Development Agencies and English Partnerships are now able to support a wide range of land and property regeneration projects, including projects which can be taken forward in partnership with the private sector.

  Negotiations are continuing with the European Commission over the possibility of a new regeneration framework under which state aid would be permitted for the regeneration of derelict, disused and contaminated land suffering from market failure throughout the European Community. In addition, we are liaising with other member states who are also interested in this subject.

  Public Transport (Disabled Access)
  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what steps he(a) has taken and (b) plans to take to ensure that people with disabilities have full access to public transport. [6315]

  Ms Keeble
  We are committed to providing an accessible public transport system in which disabled people will have the same opportunities to travel as everyone else.

  We have made regulations under Part V of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) to require new trains and trams (since January 1999) and new buses and coaches with capacity for more than 22 passengers, used on local or scheduled services (since January 2001) to be accessible to disabled people, including wheelchair users.

  Access to transport infrastructure, such as rail stations and bus stops, is subject to Part III of the DDA, which covers access to goods, facilities and services. Since 1 October 1999, service providers have been required to take steps to change practices, policies or procedures that make it impossible or unreasonably difficult for disabled people to use a service. From 2004, service providers will have to take steps to remove, alter, or provide means of avoiding physical features that make it impossible or unreasonably difficult for disabled people to use a service.

  In addition, the 10-year transport plan includes a commitment to making access for disabled people a condition of public investment in transport.

  Planning Applications (Tewkesbury)
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if she will call in the application for change of use of the
  551W
  Elizabethan Pine Shop in Church Street, Tewkesbury to a fast food establishment; and if she will make a statement. [5993]

  Ms Keeble
  A decision not to intervene in an associated listed building application was issued on behalf of the Secretary of State on 4 July, this allowed the council to determine the application at its discretion. Permission was I understand granted for the application for change of use by Tewkesbury borough council alongside the listed building consent on 11 July.

  SSA (Havering)
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the(a) methodology changes made since 1997 to the formulae for calculating the standing spending assessment and aggregate external finance figures for the London borough of Havering and (b) net financial effect of these changes. [6293]

  Dr. Whitehead
  There were 15 changes in the method of determining standard spending assessments (SSAs) for the 1998–99 Local Government Finance Settlement; and 20 changes for the 1999–2000 Local Government Finance Settlement.

  In 1999–2000 the Government introduced a new damping grant, central support protection grant (CSPG), to ensure that no authority received less grant than the year before, and that authorities which had education and personal social services responsibilities received at least 1.5 per cent. more than the year before.

  The July 1998 Local Government White Paper announced a three year review of Revenue Grant Distribution. It said that the Government did not expect to make fresh changes to the method of calculation of SSAs except where there are changes in the functions of councils, or the funding of particular services.

  In 2000–01 there were therefore only limited adjustments to SSAs to accommodate the establishment of the Greater London authority and related changes, most notably those arising from the alterations to the boundary of the Metropolitan Police District and the Essex, Hertfordshire and Surrey police areas. CSPG was retained in 2000–01.

  In 2001–02 there was only one change in the method of determining SSAs to reflect the transfer of funding for Nursery Education for four-year-olds. CSPG was replaced for those authorities with education and personal social services responsibilities by floors and ceilings, which guaranteed that no authority would receive less than a 3.2 per cent. increase and that no authority could get more than a 6.5 per cent. increase.

  Changes in the method of determining SSAs are contained in circular letters to local authorities, dated 2 December 1997, 2 December 1998, 25 November 1999 and 27 November 2000, copies of which are in the Library. For convenience, copies of the relevant extracts have been placed in the Library.

  The table shows the net percentage change in SSAs against adjusted SSAs for the previous year for the London Borough of Havering over the period, together with the percentage change due to changes in methodology. It is inappropriate to compare actual SSA
  552W
  between years because of changes to the services financed by grants allocated using SSAs. Adjusted SSAs enable a like-for-like comparison between years.

  Year

  % change against adjusted SSAs

  Havering of which: % change due to methodology

  1998–99

  4.1

  1.0

  1999–2000

  4.5

  0.4

  2000–01

  4.2

  0.0

  2001–02

  6.4

  0.0

  It is not possible to perform a similar analysis for aggregate external finance.

  Train Services (Romford)
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what were the(a) punctuality and (b) reliability figures for trains running between Romford and central London in the last 12 months. [6274]

  Mr. Jamieson
  This service is provided by First Great Eastern railways. Performance statistics are not available at route level. The punctuality and reliability statistics for the last year (to 27 May 2001) for all First Great Eastern services are shown in the table. Services are deemed punctual if they arrived at their destination within five minutes of timetable.

  Percentage

  Period

  Punctual

  Reliable

  28 May 2000 to 24 June 2000

  91.2

  99.7

  25 June 2000 to 22 July 2000

  92.8

  99.3

  23 July 2000 to 19 August 2000

  90.9

  99.5

  20 August 2000 to 16 September 2000

  89.8

  99.2

  17 September 2000 to 14 October 2000

  87.9

  99.3

  15 October 2000 to 11 November 2000

  36.5

  91.9

  12 November 2000 to 9 December 2000

  60.0

  99.2

  10 December 2000 to 6 January 2001

  84.6

  99.4

  7 January 2001 to 3 February 2001

  74.2

  98.7

  4 February 2001 to 3 March 2001

  69.3

  97.5

  4 March 2001 to 31 March 2001

  80.0

  99.3

  1 April 2001 to 29 April 2001

  87.5

  99.4

  30 April 2001 to 27 May 2001

  79.4

  99.4

  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent assessment he has made of the number of, and the demand for, seats on trains travelling between Romford and central London during peak hours; and if he will make a statement. [6275]

  Mr. Jamieson
  A survey is undertaken every year by the Strategic Rail Authority of the number of passengers travelling on peak services into London. The survey is used to monitor overcrowding by identifying the number of 'Passengers in Excess of Capacity' (PIXC) on specific groups of commuter services. The allowable combined morning and evening peak percentage above capacity is 3.0 per cent. The PIXC survey results issued by the Strategic Rail Authority on 13 July show that the First Great Eastern suburban services morning figure was 5.5 per cent and the evening figure was 1.3 per cent. The combined peaks PIXC figure was 3.5 per cent.

  Water Tower (Colchester)
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on what date the public inquiry into the planning appeal in respect of the Victorian Jumbo water tower at Colchester is to be heard. [6325]

  Ms Keeble
  The planning appeals and related listed building consent appeals were received on 19 June and are to be the subject of a public local inquiry. The Planning Inspectorate is processing the appeals and arrangements are currently in hand to identify a suitable date for the inquiry.

  Departmental Contracts
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the top 10 companies to which his Department contracted out their construction and refurbishment work in the last 12 months. [6418]

  Dr. Whitehead
  The table details the 10 top companies by spend to which DTLR Central contracted out their construction and refurbishment work in the last 12 months.

  Top 10 firms

  Service provider

  Spend £

  Dalkia Energy and Technical Services

  3,004,046

  Willmott Dixon Ltd.

  2,102,034

  Thrislington Engineering Co Ltd.

  294,315

  Dalkia Technical Service Ltd.

  265,216

  M J Ferguson Ltd

  150,000

  R G Carter Maintenance

  131,988

  Planned Maintenance Engineering Ltd.

  130,578

  Mansell Construction Services Ltd.

  98,982

  Hon. Lady Smith Construction Ltd.

  75,270

  Conrad Construction

  34,826

  River Wye
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans the Government have to provide more bridges over the River Wye in Herefordshire. [6241]

  Mr. Jamieson
  There are no plans for the Government to provide additional bridges over the River Wye.

  Railways (Scotland and the Borders)
  Pete Wishart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what his policy is on(a) electrification of the east coast main line between Edinburgh and Aberdeen and (b) reopening the Borders railway; and if he will make a statement; [6314]

  (2) what powers he has to compel rail operators and Railtrack (a) to begin the electrification of the east coast main line between Edinburgh and Aberdeen and (b) to reopen the Borders railway. [6313]

  Mr. Jamieson
  These are primarily matters for the Strategic Rail Authority whose Strategic Agenda contains a list of possible future rail schemes, including some electrification schemes and the reopening of the Borders railway.
  554W
  The Secretary of State has no powers to compel rail operators and Railtrack to proceed with particular schemes.

  Local Housing Development
  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions for what reason the Government do not allow local(a) residents and (b) authorities to decide on the level of local housing development in their areas. [6217]

  Ms Keeble
  The Government believe that a strategic approach should be taken in determining the level of housing development to ensure that every member of our society has the prospect of a decent home, that economic growth is not impeded and that our countryside is protected from unnecessary and insensitive development. Local authorities, representing the local electorate, play a key role in this process but Government may need to intervene in the wider public interest.

  Housing (Green Belt)
  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans the Government have to increase the power of local residents to counter-appeal against housing developments on green belt land. [6216]

  Ms Keeble
  Local people already have the opportunity to make their views known on development proposals before local planning authorities determine planning applications. There is also the right to challenge the grant of planning permission by a local planning authority by seeking judicial review. We have no current plans to introduce a third party right of appeal against authorities' decisions to grant planning permission.

  Planning
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the performance of the Government Offices for the Regions in 2000–01 was in meeting targets for issuing decisions on called-in planning applications and on recovered appeals following receipt of the inspector's report; and if he will make a statement. [6449]

  Ms Keeble
  The information is as follows:

  Called-in applications
  Target: issue 80 per cent. of decisions in 13 weeks and 100 per cent. in 20 weeks
  Performance: 60.9 per cent. issued in 13 weeks and 72.9 per cent. in 20 weeks

  Recovered appeals
  Target: issue 80 per cent. of decisions within eight weeks and 100 per cent, in 13 weeks.
  Performance: 56.4 in eight weeks and 66.9 in 13 weeks.

  The number of call-in and recovery cases—typically, between 120 and 150 of each a year—represents a very small proportion of the number of planning applications and appeals dealt with every year. They also tend to be rather more complicated than the generality of planning decisions. Nevertheless, it is clear that, overall, there continues to be a need to expedite the decision-making process. The Department is considering what further measures are needed to improve performance.

  EU Committee of the Regions
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what steps he is taking to select English candidates for appointment to the next term of the European Union Committee of the Regions; and if he will make a statement. [6455]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Members of the Committee of the Regions (CoR) are appointed by the European Council on the basis of proposals made by member states. We have invited comments from the Local Government Association and from regional interests on a proposed procedure for selecting persons to be proposed to the European Council this autumn as English members of the UK delegation to the Committee of the Regions.

  The proposals are designed to give regional bodies— Regional Chambers and the Greater London Authority— a formal link with the Committee of the Regions, while maintaining a coherent group representation for England as a whole. These proposals reflect our intention to make an order under the Greater London Authority Act 1999, to amend the European Communities (Amendment) Act 1993, so as to extend eligibility for CoR membership to members of the Greater London Authority, including the Mayor.

  A copy of a paper setting out the proposed selection procedure has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Access to Information
  Mr. Patrick Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what responses he has received to ""Access to Information in Local Government", a consultation paper on aspects of the access to information regime for local authorities in England. [6532]

  Mr. Raynsford
  To date we have received 150 written responses to "Access to Information in Local Government", a consultation paper on aspects of the access to information regime for local authorities in England. We are now considering these responses carefully.

  A list of all the responses has today been placed in the Library of the House and full copies of the responses are available from my Department's Library.

  Domestic Property (Revaluation)
  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to revalue domestic properties in England for council tax purposes; and if he will make a statement. [6528]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I propose that there should be a 10-yearly fixed statutory cycle of council tax revaluations. Work on the first revaluation should start in 2005, with 556W
  council tax bills based on updated property values issuing in 2007. Revaluations will not, of course, lead to any overall increase or decrease in the council tax yield.

  Regular revaluations will ensure that the council tax burden is distributed fairly on the basis of more up-to-date property values. Respondents to last year's Green Paper on local government finance were overwhelmingly supportive of the proposal to establish a fixed cycle for council tax revaluations. Setting out a timetable for revaluations gives local authorities a clear timetable and framework within which to make their financial plans.

  Revenue Grant
  Mr. Bailey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what his plans are for distributing revenue grant to local authorities in 2002–03; and if he will make a statement. [6529]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Government's objective is to create a local government finance system that distributes grant fairly and effectively and gives councils greater financial autonomy to help them better meet the needs of their local communities.

  In our Green Paper on local government finance, published last September, we consulted on whether to extend the moratorium on changes to the formula used to distribute revenue grant to local authorities by a further year, to include 2002–03. After considering the consultation responses, we have concluded that while reforming the revenue grant distribution system is an important priority, we must ensure that there is adequate time for preparation and consultation.

  We know that there remain disparities in the education funding formula which are not justified by the education needs of children. We have been working with local government and other education interests on the best way to resolve these issues but there is not yet agreement on the way forward.

  We have therefore decided to keep the existing grant formula stable for 2002–03. Over the coming year, we will work up proposals in partnership with local government for a reformed grant formula which we will introduce in 2003–04. The Government will work to the same timetable with local government and the wider education community on revising the education funding formula to focus on children's needs. I then expect to see the moratorium on formula changes re-introduced for 2004–05 and 2005–06.

  Today's announcement will give local authorities some welcome financial stability and will allow them to plan ahead. Meanwhile we will enhance that financial stability and predictability by developing the floors and ceilings protection which we introduced for some authorities in 2001–02 so that all authorities get a reasonable increase in grant and no authority gets an unduly large increase. We intend to extend floors and ceilings to cover police and fire authorities for 2002–03; and to discuss how best to enhance grant stability in 2002–03 for shire district councils, who do not have education and social service responsibilities.
  557W

TREASURY

  Retail Petrol Industry
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when his officials last met representatives of the retail petrol industry; what was discussed at the meeting; and if he will place a copy of the minutes of the meeting in the Library. [5308]

  Mr. Wilson
  I have been asked to reply.

  My officials regularly meet representatives from the retail petrol industry. A number of issues are discussed at these meetings including wholesaler and retailer relations, commercial and economic trends influencing the market and competitive factors affecting the industry. It is not our policy to make minutes of these meetings publicly available as they contain commercially sensitive information.

  Personal Pensions
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to review the £100,000 maximum binding limit for awards against firms by the Personal Investment Authority Ombudsman for the mis-selling of personal pensions. [2468]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Personal Investment Authority Ombudsman Bureau will cease to exist when the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 comes into force at midnight on 30 November. The successor body is the Financial Ombudsman Service.

  Redress for mis-selling personal pensions takes the form of directing a firm to take an action, either to fund the reinstatement of a mis-selling victim to their occupational pension scheme or to top-up their personal pension. Where the Financial Ombudsman Service makes any direction to a firm, the cost to the firm will not be subject to a specific limit in cash terms, although all Financial Ombudsman Service awards will be subject to "fair and reasonable" criteria.

  Under Section 229(4) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA), it is for the Financial Services Authority (FSA) to specify the maximum amount that may be regarded as fair compensation for loss or damaged suffered by the complainant. Following a number of consultations on the Financial Ombudsman Scheme and its rules, the FSA decided that the maximum binding limit on firms for money awards should be £100,000. However, the Ombudsman may recommend that firms pay the balance on a voluntary basis. There was widespread support for that limit but also general agreement that the limit should be capable of regular review. The FSA confirmed that it would review the limit, in consultation with the Financial Ombudsman Service, and in the light of experience, every three years.

  Insurance Premiums
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has for reviewing the competitiveness and fairness to the consumer of the ways 558W
  in which the insurance industry assesses risk in relation to insurance premiums on a postcode basis. [2098]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Government, through their National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal, have brought together many different organisations in response to the specific problems of deprived neighbourhoods. For example, we are working with local authorities and housing associations to promote the take up of Insurance with Rent schemes. These, along with other initiatives, should help to work towards a situation where nobody is unfairly denied access to insurance services.

  Customs and Excise (Suspensions)
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Customs and Excise officers have been suspended since 1 January; and in which areas of the country they were based. [2831]

  Mr. Boateng
  The following table shows a summary of the number of officers who have been suspended since 1 January 2001 and the area of the country they were based.

  Officers suspended within HM C and E since 1 January 2001

  Region

  Discipline

  Work area

  Number

  Scotland

  Detection

  Law Enforcement

  1

  Northern

  Investigation

  Law Enforcement

  1

  Central

  Detection

  Law Enforcement

  2

  London

  Support Services

  Business Services and Taxes

  2

  Investigation

  Law Enforcement

  3

  Detection

  Law Enforcement

  1

  Intelligence

  Law Enforcement

  1

  Total

  11

  London Underground
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last travelled on the London Underground in the course of his official duties. [3673]

  Ruth Kelly
  Treasury Ministers use a variety of modes of transport during the course of their official duties.

  VAT (Housing)
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the percentage change in the number of housing units built annually if VAT on new housing were increased to(a) 5 per cent., (b) 7.5 per cent. and (c) 17.5 per cent.; and if he will make a statement. [4398]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Government have no plans to put VAT on new housing.

  National Statistics
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which statistical series National Statistics ceased(a) collecting, (b) calculating and (c) publishing in financial year 2000. [4399]
  559W
  Ruth Kelly
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from hen Cook to Mr. Matthew Taylor, dated 20 July 2001:
  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question about which statistical series National statistics ceased collecting, calculating and publishing in financial year 2000 (4399).
  The initial scope of National Statistics was defined in June 2000 as being "all of the public access databases and publications produced by the Office for National Statistics and many of the key public interest statistics produced by other Government Departments".
  The initial scope of National Statistics will evolve and expand over time. In the first year, however, some in-scope publications were removed from actual or planned circulation for mainly operational reasons. These included:
  (i) Department of Social Security:
  Earnings Top-up Statistics (monthly): publication ceased because the Pilot scheme ended.
  Disability Working Allowance Statistics Quarterly Enquiry: publication ceased because benefit ceased and replaced by the Disabled Person Tax Credit.
  Family Credit Statistics Quarterly Enquiry: publication ceased because benefit ceased and replaced by the Working Families Tax Credit.
  (ii) Department for Education and Employment:
  Adult Participation in Education, Training and Self-Directed Learning: the original intention was to publish the results of the National Adult Learning Survey in a separate Statistical First Release but it was subsequently to continue their publication as a research paper outside the scope of National Statistics.

  VAT (Nursing Home Fees)
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost would be to HM Customs and Excise of treating fees paid by individuals to nursing homes and registered residential homes for the elderly as VAT zero rated; and if he will make a statement. [4640]

  Mr. Boateng
  Details of such costs are not readily available. The Government are of the clear view that care of vulnerable people provided by residential homes should not be subject to VAT. At present, fees charged by nursing homes and registered residential homes for the elderly are exempt from VAT. European Community agreements prevent us from extending the zero rate of VAT to residential care.

  Weatherall, Green and Smith
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) which organisations and individuals were consulted by Weatherall, Green and Smith in undertaking its work for HM Treasury on the planning system; [4637]

  (2) if he will publish the research on the planning system undertaken by Weatherall, Green and Smith for HM Treasury. [4636]

  Mr. Boateng
  HM Treasury has not commissioned any research on the planning system from Weatherall, Green and Smith. An employee of the company is currently seconded to the Treasury to help with the Department's work in this area.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the guidance issued by the Office of Government Commerce on PFI contracts. [4475]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  General guidance on standardisation of PFI contracts, produced by the Treasury task force was published in 1999. A supplement on information technology was published in 2000. Copies are available in the House of Commons Library.

  The Treasury task force also published a number of policy statements and technical notes on PFI issues. These are available on the OGC website (www.ogc.gov.uk).

  The complete list is as follows:
  Policy Statement No. 1: PFI and Public Expenditure Allocations
  Policy Statement No. 2: Public Sector Comparators and Value for Money
  Policy Statement No. 3: PFI and Public Expenditure Allocations for NDPBs
  Policy Statement No. 4: PFI Projects: Disclosure of Information and Consultation with Staff and Other Interested Parties
  Policy Statement No. 5: Provision of Information to Parliament
  Technical Note No. 1: How to account for PFI Transactions
  Technical Note No. 2: How o follow EC Procurement Procedure and Advertise in the OJEC
  Technical Note No. 3: How to Appoint and Manage Advisers to PFI Projects
  Technical Note No. 4: How to Appoint and Work with a Preferred Bidder
  Technical Note No. 5: How to Construct a Public Sector Comparator
  Technical Note No. 6: How to Manage the Delivery of Long Term PFI Contracts
  Technical Note No. 7: How to Achieve Design Quality in PFI.
  Additional guidance to Departments on refinancing PFI projects which was issued in 2000 is also on the OGC website.

  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the economic penalties imposed on private sector firms in each of the last five years for failures to deliver in relation to key performance indicators in projects involving the private finance initiative; and if he will make a statement. [5729]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The information is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Taxation
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment has been made of the impact on the NHS of the removal of tax relief on medical insurance premiums for those aged over 60 years. [3750]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 16 July 2001]: None. There is no reliable information available to the Government about renewals by the over-60s of their private medical insurance policies for any period since the tax relief was abolished in 1997.

  Mr. Cameron
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the total tax take was accounted for by(a) income tax, (b) VAT and (c) other taxes for (i) 1996, (ii) 1997, (iii) 1998, (iv) 1999 and (v) 2000. [5623]
  561W
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  This information is set out in the relevant Financial Statement and Budget Reports.

  Euro
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is his policy to state the exchange rate at which the pound will be fixed to the euro in advance of any referendum on the euro; and if he will make a statement. [4850]

  Ruth Kelly
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell) on 22 June 2000,Official Report, column 539W.

  Data Protection Act
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place all information on the hon. Member for Truro and St. Austell to which the hon. Member for Truro and St. Austell is entitled under section 7(1) of the Data Protection Act 1998 in the Library. [4848]

  Ruth Kelly
  The hon. Member's question amounts to a subject access request under the Data Protection Act 1998. I will write to him on that basis.

  Parliamentary Written Answers
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of parliamentary written answers in his Department were redrafted by special advisers before they were sent to a Minister in each of the last four years; and if he will make a statement. [4859]

  Ruth Kelly
  Information relating to the number of occasions on which special advisers have contributed to the drafting of the 11,500 written parliamentary answers given by Treasury Ministers since May 1997 is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Single People (Living Standards)
  Rachel Squire
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he intends to take to improve the living standards of single, low paid, employed persons with no dependants. [4450]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 17 July 2001]: The Chancellor has already announced that the Government will, from 2003, introduce a new employment tax credit, extending the principle of in-work support to those without children. This employment tax credit will make work pay and help tackle in-work poverty for a wider range of households. It will complement a new integrated child credit, which will bring all income-related child payments into a single tax credit, providing a more transparent and streamlined system of support for families with children.

  EU Structural Funds
  Andrew George
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what public funds are budgeted to be available 562W
  for each calendar year for which budgets have been set and which would be eligible to provide the public match funding for Objective 1 projects in each of the four Objective 1 regions, indicating (a) which funds have budgets identified to be spent in Objective 1 regions, (b) which are budgeted on a wider than Objective 1 region basis but lower than national basis and (c) which are set at a national level. [5300]

  Mr. Boateng
  The overall EU allocation to the UK's four Objective 1 regions for the 2000–06 period is £3.2 billion. Resources for match funding were provided for within the total departmental spending settlements following SR2000. These resources can be obtained from a number of sources at national, regional and local levels—e.g. central Government Departments, Regional Development Agencies, local government.

  Financial profiles for UK Objective 1 regions for the period 2000–06 can be found at www.dti.gov.uk/europe/structural.

  Inflation Measures
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to introduce changes to the measure of inflation used by the Bank of England to achieve the Government's target of a 2.5 per cent. rate of inflation; and if he will make a statement. [4986]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Government's target measure of inflation is the retail prices index, excluding mortgage interest payments (or RPIX) target rate of 2.5 per cent. was reaffirmed by the Chancellor in the March 2001 Budget.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the use of the harmonised index of consumer prices as a measure of inflation in the United Kingdom. [4984]

  Ruth Kelly
  The harmonised index of consumer prices, or HICP, is designed for the purposes of comparing inflation rates between the UK and other EU countries.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent consultations he has had with the Governor of the Bank of England with regard to the harmonised index of consumer prices. [4985]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Chancellor and the Governor of the Bank of England meet regularly to discuss a wide range of economic issues, including inflation indicators.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent consultations his officials have had with officials of the Bank of England with regard to the use of the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices as a measure of inflation. [4987]

  Ruth Kelly
  Officials of HM Treasury meet with their counterparts at the Bank of England to discuss various economic issues as and when the need arises.

  Absence
  David Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in each of the last 10 years(a) how many days were lost per employee due to sickness and (b) how many officials took early retirement from his Department. [5326]
  563W
  Ruth Kelly
  Figures published by the Cabinet Office on sickness absence are available since 1994. For the Treasury, the figures for working days absence per staff year were:

  Year

  Working days per staff year

  1994

  7.0

  1995

  8.4

  1996

  5.1

  1997

  4.9

  1998

  5.3

  1999

  5.5

  The latest publication is "Analysis of Sickness Absence in the Civil Service 1999" published in February 2001.

  For early retirement, the figures for the Treasury are in the table.

  Year

  Number of officials taking early retirement

  1991

  11

  1992

  14

  1993

  12

  1994

  34

  1995

  34

  1996

  30

  1997

  5

  1998

  10

  1999

  6

  2000

  10

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the annual cost would be of extending the Working Families Tax Credit to couples without children; [4914]

  (2) what the annual cost would be of extending the Working Families Tax Credit to couples without children were the minimum income for a couple set at (a) £200 per week and (b) £225 per week. [4906]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The cost of extending the Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) to couples with no dependent children, assuming the same structure of support, is estimated at about £½billion per year in the steady state. This estimate is based on household survey data, and takes no account of behavioural changes generated by such an extension.

  The net earnings plus WFTC of such a couple with an employee working 35 hours per week at £4.10 per hour would then be £180 per week. The cost of increasing this to £200 or £225 per week would depend on the combination of changes made to the tax credits in WFTC as well as the impact of these changes.

  Departmental Events
  David Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what(a) national and (b) international awareness events his Department has participated in since June 1997 in the form of (i) sponsorship, (ii) departmental
  564W
  attendance, (iii) similar departmental activities and (iv) a message of support. [5047]

  Ruth Kelly
  This information is not held centrally, and could be assembled only at disproportionate cost.

  Public Expenditure Analysis
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what factors contribute to the difference between expenditure on agriculture in the North East and in London in the published analysis of general Government expenditure by region in 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [4580]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 18 July 2001]: The analysis of public expenditure by region published in Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses (Cm 5110) attempts to allocate spending over regions to reflect the relative benefits incurred by the respective populations. The commentary in that document (paragraph 8.2) notes the limitations of this approach, in particular the definitional problems associated with allocating spending on the basis of who benefits. Where there is no clear basis for deciding which region benefits from a particular spending programme, or where accounting information for allocating spending by region is not available, allocation is based on other available indicators. Spending on agriculture has therefore been allocated over regions on a per capita basis.

  Stamp Duty
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress he has made in arranging for exemption from stamp duty in designated disadvantaged areas; when he plans to publish the list of qualifying areas; and if he will make a statement. [5310]

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to publish a list of deprived areas which will qualify for stamp duty reductions announced in the Budget. [5941]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Government have been working closely with the devolved authorities to determine how best to target the relief. The qualifying areas will be announced as soon as possible.

  Economic Data (Scottish Borders)
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if she will list in the Official Report sources of official data produced by (a) the Office for National Statistics and (b) other central and devolved Government agencies for (i) demographic changes, (ii) neighbourhood poverty in postcode areas and (iii) agriculture in the Scottish Borders area between 1991 and 2001. [5093]

  Mr. Boateng
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
  565W
  Letter from John Kidgell to Mr. Archy Kirkwood, dated 20 July 2001:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question on the sources of official data produced by (a) the ONS and (b) other central and devolved Government agencies for (i) demographic changes (ii) neighbourhood poverty in postcode areas and (iii) agriculture in the Scottish Borders area between 1991 and 2001 (5093). I am replying in his absence.
  Statistics that are available on these topics are produced by the Scottish Executive:
  i. Demographic changes
  Components of population change are included in the annual mid-year estimates prepared by the Registrar General for Scotland. The latest estimates are for 2000 and are available from the General Register Office for Scotland Website, in Table 3 at www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/grosweb/grosweb.nsf/pages/mpe00.
  ii. Neighbourhood poverty
  There are two key indices for measuring neighbourhood poverty in postcode areas. Firstly, the long established Carstairs index, which is based on data from the 1991 Census. More recently the Arbuthnott index, which combines Census and updateable information, was developed to assess the deprivation related need for revenue allocations in the NHS in Scotland.
  The current Scottish Deprivation index, which was revised in 1998, ranks postcode sectors by combining 1991 Census indicators with more recent non-Census indicators of deprivation. It is published by the Stationery Office (ISBN 0748078037).
  iii. Agriculture
  Sources are the Agricultural and Horticultural Census, from which results are available annually, and the European Union Farm Structure Survey, undertaken in 1995, 1997 and 2000.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the sources of official data produced by(a) the Office for National Statistics and (b) other central and devolved Government agencies for unemployment in the travel-to-work areas in the Scottish Borders area between 1991 and 2001. [5092]

  Mr. Boateng
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from John Kidgell to Mr. Archy Kirkwood, dated 20 July 2001:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question on the sources of official data for unemployment in travel-to-work areas in the Scottish Borders area between 1991 and 2001 (5092). I have been asked to reply in his absence.
  The Office for National Statistics (ONS) produces statistics of unemployment by travel-to-work areas from two main sources.
  The first is the Labour Force Survey (LFS) which provides the Government's preferred measure of unemployment based on the internationally recognised International Labour Organisation (ILO) definition. A person is classified as ILO unemployed if:
  they are out of work, want a job, have actively sought work in the last four weeks and are available to start work in the next two weeks or
  they are out of work, have found a job and are waiting to start it in the next two weeks.
  Figures for travel-to-work areas are available on an annual basis, from 1996 to 1999. The data are held on the LFS Local Area Database (LADB). 2000 Data are not yet available.
  The other source is the Claimant Count, which is the count of claimants of unemployment-related benefits—currently the Jobseeker's Allowance and National Insurance credits. Figures for travel-to-work areas have been available on a monthly basis for the Claimant Count since it was introduced in 1983.
  566W
  Both the LFS LADB and Claimant Count data are available on the Nomis database in the House of Commons Library.
  The Scottish Executive uses only ONS sources of data on unemployment.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the sources of official data produced by(a) the Office for National Statistics and (b) other central and devolved Government agencies for (i) economic development, (ii) manufacturing industry and (iii) financial assistance to small and medium-sized enterprises in the Scottish Borders area between 1991 and 2001. [5091]

  Mr. Boateng
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from John Kidgell to Mr. Archy Kirkwood, dated 20 July 2001:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question on the sources of official data produced by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and other Government agencies, for economic development, manufacturing industry and financial assistance to small and medium-sized enterprises in the Scottish Borders area, between 1991 and 2001 (5091). I am replying in his absence.
  ONS produces data relating to the manufacturing industry broken down into regions, including the Scottish Borders. Between 1991 and 1997 the financial data relating to the manufacturing industry was a part of the Annual Census of Production (ACOP). Data for 1998 and 1999 will be published in the Annual Business Inquiry (part 2) results in the autumn 2001. Data on annual inquiries into distribution and service (1991–1997) were not broken down into regions. Employment data relating to the manufacturing industry in the Scottish Borders was available in the Annual Employment Survey for 1991 to 1997, and in the Annual Business Inquiry (part 1) for 1998 and 1999. The data for 2000 will be released in December 2001. These ONS publications are available in the House of Commons Library. (Data at sub regional level, such as the Scottish Borders, are available from the ONS on request). ONS is not a source of data for financial assistance to small and medium-sized enterprises statistics for the Scottish Borders area.
  The Scottish Executive holds data on the Scottish Borders on the Scottish Production Database, the Scottish Services Database and the Scottish Corporate Database. Information at the Scottish Borders level is published from all of these sources, and they all contain data collected within the Annual Census of Production, and the Annual Inquiries into Distribution and Services from 1991–1997 and for 1998 from the Annual Business Inquiry. The source of information for official data for the Regional Selective Assistance, Invest for Growth, SMART and SPUR grant schemes is the SAMIS database. This database is DTI owned.

  Jobless Households
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of people of working age were living in households where no one worked in the spring quarter of 2001. [5234]

  Mr. Boateng
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from John Kidgell to Mr. Frank Field, dated 20 July 2001:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question concerning people living in households where no-one worked. I am replying in his absence. (5234)
  In autumn (September-November) 2000, the estimate of the proportion of working age people living in households where no-one worked was 11.8 per cent.

  567W
  This estimate is derived from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). It defines workless households as households with no-one in employment, consisting of those who are unemployed and/or inactive. Working-age households, are defined as households including at least one person of working age, i.e. a man aged 16 to 64 or a woman aged 16 to 59. The data above relates to autumn 2000, which is the latest available (Spring 2001 household data will be released on 25 July 2001).

  Mortality Rate
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the mortality rate per 100,000 adults of working age from suicide and undetermined injury in England was in(a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) 2000. [5223]

  Mr. Boateng
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from John Kidgell to Mr. Frank Field, dated 20 July 2001:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question on what the mortality rate per 100,000 working age adults from suicide and undetermined injury in England was in (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) 2000. I am replying in his absence. (5223).
  Figures from 1997, 1998 and 1999 are given in the table below. Figures for 2000 are not yet available.

  Annual age-standardised suicide1 rates per 100,000 for males and females at working ages2, England, 1997–99

  Year

  Males

  Females

  1997

  18.5

  5.8

  1998

  19.6

  5.4

  1999

  18.9

  5.7

  1 Deaths are coded according to the WHO International Classification of Disease, Ninth Edition (ICD9). They are regarded as resulting from suicide if the underlying cause is classified to either suicide or undetermined intent, ICD9 codes E950–E959, E980–E989 excluding E988.8

  2 Working age is classified as between 16 and 64 for males and 16 and 59 for females

  Teenage Parents
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of teenage parents was not in education, employment or training in England and Wales in January to July 2001. [5232]

  Mr. Boateng
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from John Kidgell to Mr. Frank Field, dated 20 July 2001:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question concerning the proportion of teenage parents not in education, employment or training in England and Wales. I am replying in his absence. (5232)
  Estimates of the economic activity status of the population are available from the Labour force Survey (LFS). You should note that the estimate below has been restricted to those aged 16 and 19 only as the LFS does not collect information regarding economic activity for persons aged under 16 years. The data relate to spring 2001, the latest available.
  In spring (March-May) 2001, the estimate of the proportion of parents aged 16 to 19 who were not in education, employment or training in England and Wales was 72.1 per cent.

  Drug-related Deaths
  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of drug-related deaths that occurred in each year since 1997. [5761]

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

  Letter from John Kidgell to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 20 July 2001:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question to the Chancellor of the Exchequer about what estimate he has made of the number of drug related deaths that occurred in 1998; and what estimates he has made for each subsequent year. I am replying in his absence. (5761)
  The number of deaths in England and Wales certified as being due to drug related poisoning was 2922 in 1998 and 2943 in 1999. Figures for 2000 are not yet available.
  Deaths are coded according to the International Classification of Diseases Ninth Revision (ICD-9). Deaths are regarded as resulting from drug related poisoning if the underlying cause is classified to ICD-9 codes 292, 304, 305.2–305.9, E850–E858, E950.0–E950.5, E980.0–E980.5, E962.0. The figures are obtained from 'Deaths related to drug poisoning: England and Wales, 1995–1999' Health Statistics Quarterly No 9, p70–7.

  Energy Efficiency
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much additional CHP has been installed as a result of the concessions given to CHP under the Climate Change Levy. [5182]

  Mr. Boateng
  The exemption for Good Quality CHP was announced in the PBR in November 1999—some 20 months ago. Large schemes take some three to five years to design, gain planning permission and DTI consents, and build, although smaller schemes can be installed in as little as 16 weeks. Only new small scale schemes will therefore have so far been affected since the announcement.

  Debt Relief
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the percentage of countries eligible for additional relief under the HIPC initiative that reached their decision points by 1 January 2001; and if he will make a statement. [5402]

  Mr. Boateng
  By 1 January 2001, 22 countries had reached their Decision Point under the enhanced HIPC initiative. They have had $53 billion in debt relief agreed, which will reduce their debts to below the developing country average. These 22 countries represent 80 per cent. of the 27 HIPCs eligible for debt relief at that time, thus meeting and exceeding the Treasury/Department for International Development PSA target. Of the 41 countries on the list of potentially eligible HIPCs, four have debts which will be below the level requiring additional debt relief (Angola, Kenya, Vietnam, Yemen), two had not opted for debt relief (Laos and Ghana—though Ghana did then opt for debt relief later in 2001), and at least eight countries were conflict affected and hence not able to receive debt relief as the benefits of debt relief could not be shown to go to poverty reduction rather than war (Burma, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia—note that Ethiopia has since signed a peace agreement to end its conflict—Republic of Congo, Liberia, Somalia and Sudan).

  Pesticide Tax
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to introduce a pesticide tax; and if he will make a statement. [5776]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Government have accepted industry proposals for a voluntary package of measures to minimise the environmental impact of pesticides. This will be kept under review in order to assess whether a voluntary approach is delivering significant environmental benefits, over and above those that would result from a pesticides tax.

  Scottish Parliament Building
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the amount of revenue which will accrue to the Exchequer from VAT, national insurance contributions, income tax, and tax on constructors' fees arising from the construction of the Scottish Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [5395]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  No such estimates exist.

  Foreign Currency Reserves
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of the cost of holding the Government's foreign currency reserves over the past three financial years; [5397]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the profit his Department has made from the Bank of England's investment of the reserves in the last 12 months (a) net of management charges and (b) gross of management charges; and if he will make a statement. [5398]

  Ruth Kelly
  Performance in managing the United Kingdom's foreign currency reserves is measured for the financial years up to 2000–01 against a Public Services Agreement (PSA) target to"minimise the cost of holding the Government's foreign currency reserves, while reducing risk".
  The target for years up to 2000–01 was zero. For the financial years 2000–01 onwards performance will be measured against a similar Service Delivery Agreement (SDA) target, where performance will be assessed against a target of average annual cost over the preceding three years no greater than zero.

  Information on performance against the PSA for the financial years 1998–99 and 1999–2000 is provided in the Treasury's Departmental Report.

  Information on the Bank of England's management charges in relation to the reserves is given in Note 7 of the annual accounts of the Exchange Equalisation Account for the relevant financial years.

  Disabled Person's Tax Credit
  Mr. Bacon
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many disabled people would be entitled to payment of the Disabled Person's Tax Credit if the rules governing receipt of an eligible disability benefit were the same as those of the Disability Working Allowance; [5423]
  570W
  (2) if he will estimate the number of disabled people who would be entitled to the Disabled Person's Tax Credit if it was subject to the same taper as the Disability Working Allowance. [5422]

  Dawn Primarolo
  One condition for entitlement of the Disabled Person's Tax Credit (DPTC) is that the applicant is receiving one of a number of qualifying benefits, or was receiving one of them up to 182 days prior to the date of application. This is more generous than Disability Working Allowance (DWA), where the time limit was 56 days. However, no reliable estimate exists of the extra number of people who are entitled to an award through the time limit being extended.

  About 1,800 recipients of DPTC at January 2001 would not have been entitled to an award had the income taper rate been 70 per cent. (the taper rate for DWA) rather than 55 per cent.

  Mr. Bacon
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of the level of take-up of the disabled person's tax credit; and what measures have been implemented by the Government to ensure that disabled people in work receive the support to which they are entitled; [5421]

  (2) how many disabled people were in receipt of the disabled person's tax credit in June. [5424]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The numbers of recipients of the disabled person's tax credit (DPTC) are published in the DPTC Quarterly Enquiry. The latest Enquiry published includes information on awards at January 2001. Copies of the DPTC Quarterly Enquiries are available in the Library or on the Inland Revenue website www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk. Figures for April 2001 and July 2001 will be published in September and December, respectively.

  On-going advertising and other activities continue to raise awareness of DPTC and have led to a 50 per cent. increase in the number of workers with a disability receiving in-work support compared with DWA.

  Mr. Bacon
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the disabled person's tax credit will interact with the proposed employment tax credit and integrated child credit. [5419]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Chancellor announced in Budget 2000 that an employment tax credit and an integrated child credit would replace existing credits (the working families' tax credit, the disabled person's tax credit, and the children's tax credit) and the child-related payments in income support and income-based jobseeker's allowance.

  On 19 July this year, the Inland Revenue issued a consultation document inviting comments on its proposals for implementing these new tax credits, which will be introduced in 2003.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Cameron
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many and what percentage of income taxpayers paid tax at each of the bands for(a) 1996, (b) 1997, (c) 1998, (d) 1999 and (e) 2000. [5624]
  571W
  Dawn Primarolo
  I refer the hon. Member to "Inland Revenue Statistics", table 2.1. The latest version is on the Inland Revenue website—www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/stats.

  Mr. Cameron
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of income tax was taken from taxpayers paying tax at the 40 per cent. rate in each of the years 1997 to 2001. [5622]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I refer the hon. Member to "Inland Revenue Statistics", table 2.5. The latest version is on the Inland Revenue website—www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/stats.

  Employment Tax Credit
  Mr. Bacon
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what age limits will be applied to the employment tax credit when it is introduced. [5420]

  Dawn Primarolo
  On 19 July, the Inland Revenue issued a consultation document inviting comments on its proposals for implementing the next generation of tax credits, the integrated child credit for families with children and the employment tax credit for low-income working households. Final decisions on the eligibility rules for the employment tax credit will be taken in the light of responses to that document.

  Household Income
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of households facing marginal deduction rates in(a) 2001–02, (b) 2000–01, (c) 1999–2000 and (d) 1998–99 over (i) 70 per cent., (ii) 60 per cent. and (iii) 50 per cent.; and if he will make a statement. [5400]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Historical estimates from 1997–98 to 1999–2000 of the number of households facing marginal deduction rates in excess of 50 per cent. are contained in the Social Security Departmental Report—The Government's Expenditure Plans 2000–01 to 2001–02. Forward-looking estimates, which include the impact of the tax and benefit changes in the last four Budgets, are contained in the table. The effect of the tax and benefit changes is to reduce the number of households facing marginal deduction rates in excess of 70 per cent. by around half a million.

  Marginal deduction rate

  Before Budget 19981

  After Budget 20011

  Percentage

  100 or more

  5,000

  0

  90 or more

  130,000

  40,000

  80 or more

  300,000

  210,000

  70 or more

  740,000

  255,000

  60 or more

  760,000

  900,000

  50 or more

  760,000

  1,100,000

  1 The numbers in the table are cumulative and show the numbers of households in receipt of either income related benefits or the WFTC where at least one person works 16 hours or more.

  International Financial Organisations (Transparency)
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of his Department's progress towards achieving more openness in the operations of the international financial institutions; and if he will make a statement. [5399]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Government believe that greater openness in the operations of the international financial institutions can play a key part in improving effectiveness in all aspects of their business, in increasing accountability to members, and in contributing to a greater public understanding of their role of the world economy. Recent positive steps have included the creation of an independent evaluation office at the IMF.

  Two publications in particular detail the Government's current policy towards openness and transparency. These are the Treasury's annual report to Parliament "The UK and the IMF 1999–2000" (available online at www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/pdf/2001/inf-2201.pdf), and the Government White Paper on International Development "Eliminating World Poverty: Making Globalisation Work for the Poor" (available online at www.globalisation.gov.uk). In addition, the G7 Finance Ministers agreed a report on progress in the reform of the international institutions and the multilateral development banks at their meeting in Rome on 7 July (available online at www.g7-2001.org/en/roma/call_frame_rapporto-1.htm).

  Departmental Electronic Publishing
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what aggregate measure of performance has been developed to monitor electronic publishing of material hitherto published on paper by his Department; and if he will publish the results of this measure for the last three financial years. [5401]

  Ruth Kelly
  The majority of official documents produced for external distribution by HM Treasury are now published simultaneously in hard copy and electronic form. Use of the Treasury's website has increased by about 20 per cent. a year in each of the last three years. The department now has more than 4,000 individual visitors to the website each day, rising to more than 50,000 individual visitors around the Budget period.

  Census
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the discovery of bags containing census forms outside St. Hilda's East Community Centre, London. [5559]

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

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Norman Baker, dated 20 July 2001:
  As National Statistician and Registrar General for England and Wales, I have been asked to reply to your recent question on the discovery of census forms in bags outside St. Hilda's East Community Centre, London (5559).
  The Census forms were allegedly found in waste bags adjacent to St. Hilda's Community Centre, Old Nichol Street, London E2 by a local resident.

  573W
  A room within this Community Centre was used as a secure local field office for three Census District Managers and their teams to help with the enumeration of four Census Districts in the area. Setting up local offices in this way was part of the Census 2001 strategy for city areas particularly.
  The work carried out at the Centre involved the handling of completed census forms returned by the Royal Mail or otherwise collected by field staff. It was an established collection point for the transfer of census forms to the national processing centre at Widnes.
  Waste census material was placed in bags in an alleyway adjoining the Centre ready for collection by an authorised contractor as arranged by the local census field staff. All staff working in the office were aware of the importance of the confidentiality of the materials and of the explicit instructions given by Census HQ for the transfer of spoilt or unused forms to HQ under separate cover.
  During the closedown stages of the Census in late June, a household telephoned the Regional Management Team at Census HQ to say he had been complaining to the local staff about waste material being placed in the alleyway outside the flats because he viewed this is a fire hazard. Census field staff had tried to resolve this issue locally.
  The householder was clearly not satisfied by this and subsequently retrieved and opened a bag containing completed census material and retained it. Despite efforts by the local Census field staff, the householder refused to hand back the material. It was finally retrieved without incident by one of the Census District Managers with the assistance of a senior officer from the Metropolitan Police in attendance.
  A local inspection by the Census District Manager revealed that the material included census forms, some of which were completed. The material was subsequently securely transferred to ONS Titchfield whereupon a detailed examination is being carried out.
  There are 190 forms, some of which contain personal information. Many are torn in half or have various notations on them. A full analysis is being carried out, including inspection of other boxes of completed forms at the processing centre, to determine exactly the status of those that have been retrieved. From what I have learned so far, it is possible that these forms which appear to have been put aside for return to HQ as spoilt forms, had been accidentally put out as waste for special collection.
  The confidentiality of information provided on census forms is of paramount importance to me and to all of my staff who have been working on the Census. The ONS has an extremely high and well-deserved reputation for protecting confidential information and I regret any breach that has occurred here. The circumstances of the case are unusual and the evidence I have suggests that this is an isolated incident.
  Census information is strongly protected by law and I will commission a thorough investigation to establish the facts and make recommendations to me about any further action that might need to be taken. When I have my report I will make it available to the Data Protection Commissioner to the Minister for National Statistics.
  I am deeply concerned about any possible breach of census confidentiality, and I am treating this particular incident very seriously. I will write to any individuals whose information may have been revealed to explain the situation and the actions that have been taken.

  Government Information
  Mr. Russell Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish his guidance to Government Departments and other Crown bodies on where Government information should be free or for payment; and, where charges are made, how those charges should be determined. [6461]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  I am placing on the Treasury's website a document "Charges for Information: When and How" (Guidance for Government Departments and Other Crown Bodies). It is intended to help Government Departments and other Crown bodies decide whether 574W
  particular information should be free of charge, charged at a subsidised rate, charged to recover the full costs involved, or (where the private sector produces similar information products and services) charged to recover a profit in the interests of fair competition. Copies of the document are being placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Comprehensive Spending Review
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to announce the results of the comprehensive spending review for financial years 2003–04 to 2006–07. [5832]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Preseli Pembrokeshire (Mrs. Lawrence) on 25 June 2001,Official Report, columns 38–39W.

  Centenarians
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many(a) men and (b) women over the age of 100 there are in the United Kingdom. [6384]

  Ruth Kelly
  As part of the process of making national population projections, the Government Actuary's Department produces estimates of the population aged 100 and over. The latest set of national projections were based on the estimated population at mid-1998. The estimated numbers aged 100 and over in the United Kingdom at mid-1998 were(a) 1,000 men and (b) 7,000 women.

  Pensions Legislation
  Mrs. Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to amend legislation on pensions to take account of the recent judgment of the High Court in re Venables. [6538]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Inland Revenue is seeking to appeal in the case of Venables following the High Court judgment of 14 June 2001.

  Tax Benefit Reference Manual
  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the next edition of the Tax Benefit Reference Manual will be published. [6460]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Copies of the 2001–02 Edition of the Tax Benefit Reference Manual are today being deposited in the Library of the House.

  Financial Services and Markets Act
  Mr. Russell Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what transitional arrangements will be put in place as part of the entry into force of the main provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. [6537]

  Ruth Kelly
  I announced on 12 July that the date, known as "N2", on which the main provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA) will
  575W
  come into force will be Saturday 1 December. Regulation of financial services by a single statutory regulator, the Financial Services Authority (FSA), operating under a single body of law will bring substantial benefits to financial services firms and consumers.

  A large number of firms are already authorised to carry on financial services under existing legislation; a small number of firms and individuals will require authorisation for the first time at N2. For all financial services firms and individuals the Government seek to minimise the disruption arising from the introduction of the new framework for financial services regulation, while maintaining the appropriate degree of consumer protection.

  A number of transitional issues arise from the replacement by FSMA of existing regulatory frameworks. The Government have made or expect to make transitional orders covering the treatment of misconduct by firms which was committed before N2; applications for authorisation to existing regulators which are partly completed by N2; complaints about financial services firms to the ombudsman which will be replaced by the Financial Ombudsman Service; and a significant number of other issues.

  Today the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Transitional Provisions)(Authorised Persons etc.) Order 2001 has been laid before Parliament. This Order provides, in summary, that if a firm is authorised by one of the existing financial services regulators that firm is from N2 to have equivalent authorisation under FSMA.

  The Order generally requires the FSA to use its best endeavours to provide by N2 firms' scope of permission under FSMA. Where the FSA is unable to provide this, firms will not have contravened, for those activities which they were carrying on prior to N2, the requirement that they carry on only regulated activities for which they have permission from the FSA.

  A small number of firms are expected to require authorisation for the first time at N2. As I also announced on 12 July, these firms will be able to apply for authorisation by the FSA under FSMA from 3 September. We will legislate to ensure that new applications for authorisation received before N2 for activities currently carried on lawfully will have, where appropriate, interim authorisation under FSMA until the application has been determined.

  Property Seizures
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will review his policy on the permanent seizure of a vehicle used for the illegal importation of goods when the vehicle owner is unaware of such a use; and if he will make a statement; [5828]

  (2) in what circumstances property used for the illegal importation of goods will be returned to its owner when the owner was found to be unaware of that use and is innocent of wrongdoing; [5829]

  (3) if he will make it his policy to enable property belonging to a third party, which has been used without their knowledge for illegal importation of goods, to be restored to its rightful owner. [5664]
  576W
  Mr. Boateng
  The decision whether to restore a seized vehicle to the registered owner and the terms of that restoration will depend upon the circumstances of each case. Anyone who has consented to the use of their vehicle by others accepts a variety of risks by doing so and should take all reasonable steps to ensure that it will not be used for smuggling. Customs will look sympathetically at any claim where the vehicle has clearly been taken without the permission of the owner, eg the vehicle was stolen and reported to the police prior to the seizure.

  Neighbourhood Renewal
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his proposals for using tax credits for neighbourhood renewal in deprived areas. [5940]

  Mr. Boateng
  I refer the hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham to the answer given to the hon. Member for Truro and St. Austell (Matthew Taylor) on 17 July 2001,Official Report, column 183W.

  Ophthalmic Dispensing
  Mr. Heath
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the application of VAT to ophthalmic dispensing. [5797]

  Mr. Boateng
  VAT was introduced at the standard rate on hearing aid and spectacles in 1988. There have been no changes to this treatment since May 1997.

  Whisky
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of trends in sales of whisky in the(a) UK and (b) overseas over the last five years; and what assessment he has made of the impact of levels of whisky duties on these trends. [5700]

  Mr. Boateng
  Trends in sales of Scotch whisky are affected by many factors; of which duty is just one. For example, consumer preferences and pre-tax pricing play a major part. The spirits duty rate has now been frozen for four consecutive Budgets to strengthen both the international competitiveness and the domestic base of the UK spirits industry. In absolute terms this means that a standard bottle of spirits is some 60p cheaper than it would otherwise have been.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of whisky duty levels on employment in the Scotch whisky sector; and if he will make it his policy to bring duties on whisky into line with duties on other types of alcohol; and if he will make a statement. [5699]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Government appreciate the importance of the Scotch whisky industry and the significant contribution it makes to employment in local and regional economies. Judgments on the appropriate level of alcohol duties are made on a Budget by Budget basis and, as is sensible, take account of a wide range of factors which include the Government's expenditure priorities.

  Objective 1
  Adam Price
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many sustainable full-time jobs were created by the Objective 1 programme during the 2000–01 financial year in each UK Objective 1 region. [6402]

  Mr. Boateng
  The current Objective 1 programme runs from 2000–06 and many projects have only just begun. They will be evaluated on an on-going basis, and part of this evaluation will be to gauge projects' effectiveness in promoting economic prosperity, social inclusion and employability.

  The Objective 1 programme is aimed at promoting the development and structural adjustment of the EU regions most lagging behind in development. It is not intended to create jobs: successful businesses create jobs.

  Qualifications
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of working age people did not have a qualification in spring 2001 according to the Labour Force Survey. [5955]

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

  Letter from John Kidgell to Mr. Frank Field, dated 20 July 2001:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question concerning working age people with no qualifications. I am replying in his absence. (5955)
  According to the Labour Force Survey, in spring (March to May) 2001, the estimate for the proportion of working age people in the United Kingdom who did not have a qualification was 16.3 per cent.

  Employment Statistics
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of working age people were in work in the spring quarter of(a) 1998, (b) 1999, (c) 2000 and (d) 2001 according to Labour Force Survey data. [5956]

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

  Letter from John Kidgell to Mr. Frank Field, dated 20 July 2001:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question concerning employment rates of working age people. I am replying in his absence (5956).
  People aged 16 or over are classed as in employment by the Labour Force Survey (LFS) if they have done at least one hour of paid work (as an employee of self-employed) in the week prior to their LFS interview or if they have a job that they are temporarily away from. People who do unpaid work in a family business and people on Government-supported training and employment programmes are also included according to the International Labour Organisation convention.
  The table overleaf gives the LFS estimates of the proportion of working age people who were in employment in the spring quarter of 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001.
  578W

  Proportion of working age people in employment in the United Kingdom spring (March to May) 1998 to spring 2001; not seasonally adjusted

  Percentage

  Spring 1998

  73.1

  Spring 1999

  73.6

  Spring 2000

  74.3

  Spring 2001

  74.6

  Source:

  ONS Labour Force Survey

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the employment rates are, on Labour Force Survey data, of(a) people over 50 years of age, (b) ethnic minorities, (c) lone parents and (d) those with an illness or disability, for each of the past four years. [5954]

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

  Letter from John Kidgell to Mr. Frank Field, dated 20 July 2001:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question about employment rates of various groups (5954). I am replying in his absence.
  The table overleaf gives estimates of employment rates for autumn 1997 to autumn 2000. Estimates of employment rates of people with a long-term disability are not available for autumn 1997 as disability status using the Disability Discrimination Act definition is only available on a consistent basis from 1998.

  Employment rates of various groups: United Kingdom; autumn (September-November) 1997 to autumn 2000; not seasonally adjusted

  Percentage

  People aged over 50

  Ethnic minorities

  Lone parents with dependent children

  Long-term disabled1

  Autumn 1997

  30.5

  52.3

  45.9

  2—

  Autumn 1998

  32.0

  53.4

  47.0

  45.2

  Autumn 1999

  32.6

  53.9

  48.5

  46.8

  Autumn 2000

  33.3

  53.1

  50.0

  46.9

  1 Rates are for men aged 16–64 and women aged 16–59

  2 Data not available

  Pensions
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many individuals contribute to(a) defined benefit occupational pension schemes, (b) defined contribution occupational pension schemes, (c) group personal pension schemes, (d) additional voluntary contributions and (e) free-standing additional voluntary contributions. [1141]

  Mr. McCartney
  [pursuant to his reply, 5 July 2001, c. 304]: I have been asked to reply.

  The latest information available is in the table:

  Million

  Type of pension provision

  Number of active members

  Defined benefit schemes

  8.8

  Defined contribution schemes

  1.1

  `Hybrid' schemes (mixed defined benefit/defined contribution)

  0.3

  Group Personal Pensions

  1.4

  Additional Voluntary Contributions

  0.9

  Free Standing Additional Voluntary Contributions

  1.1

  579W
  Notes:

  1. Active members are those currently accruing pension rights.

  2. The information on occupational pension schemes is drawn from the Government Actuary's Department (GAD) Survey of Occupational Pension Schemes (1995). The number of members will include those whose scheme does not currently require member contributions. It is estimated that the number of members contributing are 8.2 million for defined benefit and 0.8 million for defined contribution schemes.

  3. The information on Group Personal Pensions is drawn from the New Earnings Survey (2000).

  4. The information for Additional Voluntary Contributions covers private sector schemes only.

  5. The information on Free Standing Additional Voluntary Contributions is drawn from Inland Revenue Statistics (2000). Individuals can have more than one Free Standing Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme.

  6. All figures are rounded to the nearest 0.1 million

  Electronic Procurement
  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will quantify value for money gains achieved by Government as a result of applying electronic techniques to their procurement activities. [6536]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  There has been £100 million in value for money gains over the last three years as a result of applying modern electronic techniques to central civil Government procurement. Our objective was to purchase 90 per cent. of low-value goods and services electronically by March 2001. Recent measurements by the Office of Government Commerce indicate that at present approximately half of low-value transactions are conducted electronically. Work is continuing to realise additional benefits through means such as increased use of the Government procurement card and the replacement of antiquated IT systems with more modern ones.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Urban Regeneration
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what grants have been made from central Government or their agencies for urban regeneration in Bradford and Oldham since May 1997. [5939]

  Ms Keeble
  I have been asked to reply.

  Since May 1997 the following grants from Government and their agencies have been made for urban regeneration in Bradford and Oldham.

  £

  Nature of funding

  1997–98 to 2001–02

  Bradford

  European Regional Development Fund

  22.5m

  New Deal for Communities

  1.2m

  Neighbourhood Renewal Fund

  4.9m

  Community Empowerment Fund

  179k

  Single Regeneration Budget

  63.7m

  Land and Property Programme

  13.5m

  Housing Allocation

  88.4m

  580W

  £

  Nature of funding

  1997–98 to 2001–02

  Oldham

  European Regional Development Fund

  21.6m

  New Deal for Communities:

  Revenue

  670k

  Capital

  66k

  Neighbourhood Renewal Fund

  2.3m

  Community Empowerment Fund

  137k

  Single Regeneration Budget

  23.7m

  Housing Investment Programme

  48.9m

  Lottery

  2.1m

  Departmental Grants and Loans
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what employment-related limitations her Department attaches to grants and loans administered(a) by her Department and (b) through other agencies on her behalf; what systems are in place to monitor the fulfilment of such conditions; what remedies are available to deal with breaches of such conditions; and if she will make a statement. [2109]

  Ms Hewitt
  There are a variety of possible interpretations of the term "employment-related limitations" and it is not clear from my hon. Friend's question which of these he has in mind. If he would care to clarify his question, I shall write to him with a full answer and have a copy placed in the Library of the House.

  Higher Education
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to review the workings of higher education establishments in relationship to the DTI review of delivery to business. [1686]

  Ms Hewitt
  The reviews which I have announced of DTI priorities, ways of working and structure and DTI support for business will consider, among other things, the resources and mechanisms which the DTI uses to promote scientific and technological research, knowledge transfer and higher education/business links as appropriate.

  Marconi
  Annette Brooke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to assist the Marconi employees in Mid-Dorset and North Poole: and if she will take action to assist those due to be made redundant. [3159]

  Alan Johnson
  [holding answer 10 July 2001]: The Employment Service has held discussions with the company and will be in touch with the affected employees to offer advice and assistance. They will continue to work closely with Marconi and other local partners to do everything possible to help workers get new jobs and provide retraining if necessary. The hon. Member will be invited to attend a local meeting of the partners to discuss this on 2 August.

  Chapelcross
  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the recent accident at the Chapelcross nuclear power plant; and when she was first informed of the incident. [3473]
  581W
  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 12 July 2001]: In the early hours of Thursday 5 July, an incident occurred at Chapelcross nuclear power station. Reactor 3 at Chapelcross was shut down for off-load refuelling. During refuelling operations, a basket containing 24 irradiated fuel elements, which had just been removed from the reactor, became dislodged inside the de-fuelling machine. Initial investigations by BNFL, the operator of the site, indicated that the basket containing the fuel had fallen approximately two feet (later revised to 1.6 metres) on to the doors of the hoist well, which is part of the route to transfer fuel to the fuel storage ponds. I was first informed of the matter at lunchtime on the day of the incident.

  On Thursday 12 July, remote inspection of the de-fuelling machine showed that only 12 of the fuel elements remained in the basket.

  Following further investigation it became clear on 12 and 13 July that the other 12 fuel elements had fallen through the hoist well doors. On 13 July following discussion between BNFL and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), BNFL decided progressively to shut down the three operational reactors at Chapelcross in order that the station's resources could be concentrated on the fuel recovery programme. On 15 July one of the operational reactors at Chapelcross was shut down.

  Over the weekend of 14–15 July, BNFL confirmed, using remote cameras, that 12 elements had fallen around 25 metres down the hoist well and were believed to be in a water filled fuel flask at the bottom of the hoist well.

  On 16 July, HSE confirmed that nine substantially complete fuel elements could be seen under water in the fuel flask together with the three other fuel elements in several pieces. HSE confirm that the damaged fuel elements are safe and stable as long as they remain submerged. The hoist well is part of the fuel discharge route and, as such, has features that would mitigate any release of radioactivity. BNFL used gamma radiation monitors in the fuel discharge route to detect radioactivity levels, which HSE confirmed were consistent with the understanding of the situation.

  In the evening of 17 July, BNFL were able to move the fuel flask from the bottom of the well to the fuel pond area. Remote inspection of the flask has confirmed that it contains nine intact fuel elements and the pieces of the other three. Now that all the fuel elements have been located the site incident has been declared closed and the progressive shut down of the remaining two operating reactors at Chapelcross has been suspended. A project plan is now being developed to recover the 12 fuel elements in the defuelling machine. BNFL estimate that this may take one or two weeks.

  Any incident at a nuclear power station is treated very seriously and HSE and BNFL are carrying out investigations into the incident of 5 July. HSE will not allow BNFL to resume fuelling operations at any of Chapelcross's four reactors or at Calder Hall, which has similar re-fuelling system, until they are satisfied that it is safe to do so. Other Magnox stations use different equipment and are not affected by this incident. I am receiving daily reports on developments at Chapelcross from both HSE and BNFL.
  582W
  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry at what time the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate were informed of the accident at Chapelcross nuclear power station on 5 July. [5952]

  Mr. Wilson
  I understand that the Health and Safety Executive's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate was notified of the incident at 07:00 on 5 July.

  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what enforcement action has been taken under the relevant legislation in respect of Chapelcross nuclear power station; and on what dates. [5953]

  Mr. Wilson
  In relation to the recent incident at Chapelcross, I understand from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) that no enforcement action has been taken to date and that HSE's investigation into the incident continues.

  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what enforcement notices have been issued in respect of Chapelcross nuclear power station; for what reasons; and what timescales have been attached to them. [5951]

  Mr. Wilson
  In relation to the recent incident at Chapelcross, I understand from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) that no enforcement notices have been issued to date and that HSE's investigation into the incident continues.

  Credit
  Tony Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if she will make a statement on her Department's policies for lowering the cost of credit for those without a bank account; [3060]

  (2) how many cases have been brought to court under the Consumer Credit Act 1974 in each of the past 10 years; and what penalties were imposed. [3056]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 11 July 2001]: I will write to my hon. Friend shortly and place a copy of that letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Export Credits Guarantees (Defence)
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will provide a breakdown of the amount of outstanding ECGD guarantees by value of defence equipment by country. [3813]

  Ms Hewitt
  The breakdown of the total exposure on ECGD Guarantees for defence equipment is as follows:

  Position as at 11 July 2001

  Country

  Total exposure (£ million)

  Algeria

  95

  Brazil

  22

  Brunei Darussalam

  282

  Chile

  18

  Egypt

  43

  Greece

  63

  India

  10

  Indonesia

  658

  Italy

  4

  Jordan

  253

  Kenya

  11

  Korea Republic of

  39

  583W

  Position as at 11 July 2001

  Country

  Total exposure (£ million)

  Kuwait

  53

  Lithuania

  1

  Malaysia

  159

  Oman

  367

  Qatar

  65

  Saudi Arabia

  1,000

  Singapore

  4

  South Africa

  864

  Spain

  23

  Sweden

  5

  Thailand

  1

  Turkey

  267

  United States

  58

  Energy
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to implement the proposals set out in February in the Department of Trade and Industry's 'Responses to Consultations and Final Proposals' document concerning 'Exemptions from the Requirement for a Licence to Generate, Distribute or Supply Electricity'. [3739]

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

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what assessment she has made of the performance of(a) electricity and (b) gas suppliers in relation to door step selling; [4263]

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Solar

  Active (including PV)

  0.1

  0.3

  0.1

  0.9

  0.7

  0.6

  0.7

  0.9

  1.7

  1.7

  Passive

  2.8

  2.6

  2.9

  2.2

  1.6

  1.5

  1.3

  0.5

  0.1

  0.0

  Wave

  0.6

  0.4

  0.3

  0.2

  0.1

  0.1

  0.0

  0.2

  0.0

  0.5

  Tidal

  2.4

  2.1

  0.7

  0.3

  0.3

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Geo Thermal

  2.0

  1.5

  1.4

  0.4

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Wind

  Onshore

  8.1

  10.6

  9.0

  4.0

  4.2

  2.9

  1.6

  1.3

  1.1

  0.9

  Offshore

  0.3

  0.1

  0.2

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.1

  0.1

  0.4

  Biomass

  1.5

  2.4

  3.0

  3.4

  3.2

  2.6

  1.9

  1.8

  2.2

  1.8

  Fuel Cells

  0.4

  0.5

  1.1

  1.3

  1.6

  1.2

  1.2

  1.6

  1.6

  1.8

  Nuclear1

  93.6

  85.5

  76.9

  28.4

  21.7

  21.4

  17.6

  14.2

  16.8

  16.8

  Clean Coal

  7.4

  6.8

  12.0

  8.0

  7.8

  6.9

  3.1

  2.9

  2.5

  4.3

  Combined Heat and Power

  0.3

  0.3

  0.4

  0.5

  0.5

  0.7

  1.0

  1.3

  1.9

  2.5

  1 Of DTI's total spend on nuclear R&D given in the table, about £15 million annually is fusion research; there is also some additional expenditure in support of Meteorological Office emergency response arrangements. Expenditure by public sector bodies is set out in their annual reports and accounts, and could not be provided in the manner requested without disproportionate cost

  Notes:

  1. Separate research programmes do not yet exist for hydrogen conversion technologies or combined-cycle gas

  2. The table sets out identified Government spend and excludes, for example, spending by Research Councils, which could not be separated in the manner requested without disproportionate cost

  3. DEFRA has lead responsibility within Government for combined heat and power. Figures include funds from the Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme and from the Energy Savings Trust

  4. DTI's sustainable energy R&D programme also includes support for activities which are not technology specific, for example, export commercialisation, marketing and international activities
  584W
  (2) if she will monitor and publish the names of companies against which complaints have been received in relation to the selling of gas and electricity supplies to domestic consumers. [4264]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (OFGEM) is responsible for monitoring the performance of gas and electricity suppliers in all areas of marketing and sales, including doorstep selling. Where necessary it will take formal action against individual suppliers. OFGEM is publishes details of complaints by domestic consumers about the direct selling practices of individual suppliers.

  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the annual expenditure has been on research, demonstration and development, since 1991, on(a) active solar power, (b) passive solar power, (c) wave power, (d) tidal power, (e) geothermal powers, (f) onshore wind powers, (g) offshore wind powers, (h) biomass energy, (i) hydrogen conversion technologies, (j) fuel cells, (k) nuclear fission, (l) nuclear fusion, (m) clean coal. (n) combined heat and power and (o) combined-cycle gas by (i) his Department and (ii) relevant publicly owned utilities; and what annual payments have been made in each year since 1991 to (A) Euratom, (B) the European Commission's joint research centres and (C) the International Atomic Energy Agency. [3954]

  Mr. Wilson
  Available information is set out in the tables. The Government have allocated some £260 million over the next three years to support renewable energy, including an expanded research and development programme. This is an addition to the new Renewables Obligation and exemption for renewables electricity from the Climate Change Levy.
  585W

  Payment appropriations from EC Budget to Euratom and to the European Commission's joint research centre 1991–2000

  Million euros

  Year

  JRC

  Euratom

  1991

  261

  —

  1992

  257

  —

  1993

  257

  —

  1994

  269

  —

  1995

  240

  156

  1996

  234

  235

  1997

  232

  261

  1998

  236

  176

  1999

  243

  426

  2000

  261

  173

  Notes:

  1. Figures shown are for total EC budget payments to Euratom and to the European Commission's Joint Research Centre.

  2. In 2000, the UK contributed around 15 per cent. after abatement, of the total EC payments.

  3. EC budget payments to Euratom began in 1995.

  UK payments to the International Atomic Energy Agency from 1995–2001

  Year

  £

  1995

  Regular Budget Subscription

  8,048,512

  Technical Co-operation Fund

  1,870,134

  1996

  Regular Budget Subscription

  9,061,670

  Technical Co-operation Fund

  2,205,414

  1997

  Regular Budget Subscription

  7,670,799

  Technical Co-operation Fund

  2,249,969

  1998

  Regular Budget Subscription

  5,950,148

  Technical Co-operation Fund

  2,516,139

  1999

  Regular Budget Subscription

  6,143,449

  Technical Co-operation Fund

  2,267,527

  2000

  Regular Budget Subscription

  6,291,197

  Technical Co-operation Fund

  2,386,354

  2001

  Regular Budget Subscription

  6,561,613

  Technical Co-operation fund

  2,577,181

  Note:

  Comparable figures for years before 1995 are unavailable.

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what assessment she has made of the adequacy of procedures adopted by the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority, and its predecessor bodies, for the purposes of commissioning consultancy contracts related to the joint programme of work on the changes to the electricity market, overseen by the joint DTI/OFFER/OFGEM steering committee; [4261]

  (2) what the formal arrangements have been for the control of costs of implementing the changes to the electricity trading arrangements overseen by the joint committee of the DTI and OFGEM since October 1998; [4259]
  586W
  (3) which consultants were used to (a) develop and (b) implement the work overseen by the joint DTI/OFGEM committee introducing changes to the electricity market; [4262]

  (4) what estimates the DTI has made in its regulatory impact assessment of the costs of developing and implementing the joint programme of work undertaken by his Department and OFGEM and its predecessor bodies for (a) the companies involved, (b) OFFER and (c) OFGEM in relation to electricity trading. [4260]

  Mr. Wilson
  I have, of course, drawn my hon. Friend's questions to the attention of the Chairman of the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority.

  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the value was of Government investment and subsidy for(a) the production of nuclear power, (b) development, planning and construction of nuclear power stations, (c) production of wind, wave, solar and other renewable energy sources and (d) development, planning and construction of wind, wave, solar and other renewable power stations in each year since 1997; and what her estimates are for each year until 2005–06. [3933]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 17 July 2001]: No Government investment or subsidy has been paid in the years since 1997 toward the production of nuclear power or to the development, planning or construction of nuclear power stations. There is no current expectation that there will be any in the period to 2005–06.

  Payments for production and development of power from renewable sources under the Non Fossil Fuel Obligation (England and Wales), the Scottish Renewables Order and the Non Fossil Fuel Obligation (Northern Ireland) for each year from 1997–98 are shown in the table. The cost of these payments is met by the electricity consumer.

  £

  Year

  England and Wales

  Scotland

  Northern Ireland

  1997–98

  115.9

  4.8

  6.8

  1998–99

  113.7

  6.6

  7.9

  1999–2000

  41.9

  7.7

  8.2

  2000–01

  52.1

  9.9

  7.8

  2001–021

  111.0

  10.0

  9.1

  1 Estimate

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

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

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will assess trends in energy provision supplied on a local level. [5432]

  Mr. Wilson
  Information on energy supply and consumption within local areas is not currently available centrally.
  587W
  Information on energy which is produced and used within the same location, such as electricity generated and used on site and heat generated on site from a local source such as renewables, is available in the Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics. The Digest for 2001 will be published on 26 July 2001 and a copy will be placed in the Library of the House.

  The Digest for 2001 will show that electricity generated by companies other than major power producers and not transferred to the public distribution system increased at a rate of 9 per cent. a year between 1996 and 2000.

  Green Ministers
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when her Department's Green Minister attended meetings of the Green Ministers' Committee; on what dates meetings are planned to take place; and if she will make a statement. [4014]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 13 July 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment on 17 July 2001, Official Report, column 165W.

  Premium Credit
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has had with Premium Credit about the compliance of their instructions to policyholders of Independent Insurance Company to continue payments with the terms of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. [4493]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  None. I understand Premium Credit have discussed this issue with the Provisional Liquidator. Premium Credit have now written to individual policy holders saying they will not be required to make further direct debit payments when they assign their right to a premium refund from the Policyholders Protection Board in respect of the remainder of the policy year.

  Departmental Legal Advice
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the costs and outcome of the advice given by departmental lawyers in respect of the allegations made in the Daily Mail on 19 March. [4301]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 16 July 2001]: Legal advice is sought and received in confidence. All such advice is covered by legal professional privilege and is therefore exempt from disclosure. Information on the costs of any advice given by departmental lawyers in respect of these allegations is not available.

  Nuclear Material
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the answer of 10 July 2001,Official Report, columns 477–79W, what her estimate is of the costs of decommissioning radioactive waste from decommissioned Russian nuclear submarines in and around the Kola Peninsula and in the rest of the Russian Federation. [4095]
  588W
  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 17 July 2001]: The problems associated with decommissioning Russian nuclear submarines are huge. The sums of money involved in tackling the problems are expected to be equally large. Russian estimates for NW Russia range in the £100 millions. The scale and nature of the problems are still emerging and UK assistance is being directed at priority projects.

  Absence
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many days on average were lost per employee in her Department because of sickness; and how many officials retired early from her Department in each of the past 10 years. [R] [5059]

  Ms Hewitt
  The information requested is as follows:

  Average number of staff days lost per staff year through sick absence in the DTI Group

  Year

  Average

  1993

  8.9

  1994

  10.0

  1995

  8.9

  1996

  8.8

  1997

  8.2

  1998

  8.0

  1999

  7.8

  The DTI Group, in addition to DTI HQ, consists of: ACAS, Companies House, Patent Office, Insolvency Service, National Weights and Measures Laboratory, Employment Tribunals Service, and The Radiocommunications Agency.

  The figures are taken from the annual reports on public sector sick absence commissioned by the Cabinet Office each year since 1993; there are no comparable figures available for previous years. Various adjustments are made to the figures to take account of factors such as flu epidemics that may occur in any given year.

  The figure for the year 2000 is not yet available.

  We are currently collating the information of early retirements and will write to the right hon. Member shortly.

  Trade in Services
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how she will respond to the International Development Committee's recommendation on the establishment of a commission on trade in services. [5334]

  Nigel Griffiths
  We do not believe that a commission on trade in services is necessary.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on what impact assessment the Government have undertaken on commitments that it has made under the general agreement on trade in services. [5336]

  Nigel Griffiths
  None, as there were no impacts to measure. The UK already has a substantially open market for the provision of services by foreign service suppliers and most GATS commitments made by the UK during
  589W
  the Uruguay Round reflected actual levels of open market access or non-discriminatory national treatment. In subsequent negotiations on telecommunications and financial services, commitments were in line with the liberalisation in the single European market. In the area of movement of natural persons, the elimination of economic needs tests and the establishment of a special GATS application process for work permits in certain professional services has resulted in only a handful of new applications, which would have been granted under previous arrangements.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement about the commitments the Government have scheduled under the general agreement on trade in services in the health and education sectors. [5335]

  Nigel Griffiths
  The supply of health and education services by the public sector is excluded from the scope of the GATS by virtue of Article I:3.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will ensure that an assessment, independent of the WTO, is carried out of the likely impact of the extension of the general agreement on trade in services on the provision of key services. [5337]

  Nigel Griffiths
  We agree that there should be an assessment of the services negotiations now taking place in the WTO. Article XIX of the GATS provides that for each round, negotiating guidelines and procedures shall be established; and that the Council for Trade in Services shall carry out an assessment of trade in services with reference to the objectives of this Agreement.

  Trade Agreements
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has for ensuring that an impact assessment of existing trade agreements has taken place before the Government develops its position on the fourth ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organisation in Qatar; and if she will make a statement. [5333]

  Nigel Griffiths
  The previous 'round' of Trade negotiations, the Uruguay Round, has been the subject of a number of prospective assessments based on economic modelling. For instance,A 1993 study by the OECD estimated that the global gains from the liberalisation in industrial products and agriculture to be around $274 billion p.a. by the year 2002, with the EU benefiting by around $71 billion p.a.1
  A 1995 study by WTO economists estimated that the agreement on industrial products and agriculture could boost global incomes by up to $214 billion (0.94 per cent. of GDP) p.a. and EU incomes by up to $32 billion (0.48 per cent. of GDP)2.
  Since the Uruguay Round a number of additional liberalisation agreements have been concluded which promise to bring further economic gains to the world, the EU and the UK. For example, the WTO Telecommunications Agreement came into force in February 1998. According to an estimate by US economists, the agreement could save consumers world-wide more than $150 billion per year by the year 2010 in lower charges, better service and improved technology3.
  590W
  1 OECD: "Assessing the Effects of the Uruguay Round"—1993

  2 J Francois, B MacDonald and H Nordstrom: "The Uruguay Round: a numerically based assessment"

  3 Ben Petrazzini: (1996) "Global Telecom Talks: A Trillion Dollar Deal" Institute of International Economics

  Petrol Stations
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what studies she has carried out on areas of the UK that are disadvantaged through the recent closure of large numbers of retail petrol stations; and if she will make a statement. [5306]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Department has not carried out any studies. The Government are committed to ensuring that a free and open market between fuel suppliers operates within the UK petrol retail sector to the benefit of consumers. The Director General of Fair Trading continues to monitor the market to ensure that anti-competitive behaviour does not occur.

  Road Fuels
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if her Department monitors the market share of retail transport fuels of(a) major oil suppliers and (b) hypermarkets. [5307]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Department collects and collates data from the individual companies that supply petroleum products into the UK market. This information is provided under strict commercial confidentiality constraints, and as such details for individual companies cannot be published. However, the Department publishes aggregated data giving total retail petrol and diesel sales data for the hypermarket sector. The latest information is in the June 2001 edition of "Energy Trends".

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what studies are being carried out by the National Weights and Measures Laboratory on temperatures of road transport fuels delivered to retail filling stations by supply companies; and if she will make a statement. [5305]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  A study has been carried out by the National Engineering Laboratory for the National Weights and Measures Laboratory. This has been the subject of wide consultations, and discussions with interested parties are continuing.

  Car Pricing Order
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps have been taken to monitor the implementation and impact of the car pricing order; and if a progress report will be published. [5309]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  In the year to the end of May 2001 the average of prices fell by 7.9 per cent., according to figures published by the Alliance and Leicester in association with What Car? magazine. This decrease reflects the effects of the monopoly inquiry into the supply of new cars and the Supply of New Cars Order 2000.

  The Director General of Fair Trade is monitoring the new car market and compliance with the Order.

  Departmental Events
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what(a) national and (b) international awareness events her Department 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. [5034]

  Ms Hewitt
  Information on the Department's participation in awareness events is not held centrally and could not be produced without disproportionate cost.

  Miners' Compensation
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many respiratory specialists work on the medical assessment process for compensating former miners. [5447]

  Mr. Wilson
  Healthcall, the company responsible for carrying out the Medical Assessment Process, currently employs 250 respiratory specialists. A further 49 people are currently undergoing training on the MAP and will commence work shortly.

  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment her Department has made of the total number of former miners in Merseyside potentially eligible for the compensation schemes for(a) vibration white finger and (b) respiratory diseases. [5446]

  Mr. Wilson
  Nationally, over 1,300 new claims are being initiated each week across both schemes, and it is difficult to estimate the eventual total number of claims in Merseyside. The total number of claims registered to date in Merseyside is 778 in relation to vibration white finger (VWF) and 1,383 in relation to respiratory disease. To date 55 per cent. of VWF claimants and almost 45 per cent. of claimants for respiratory disease have attended for a medical assessment.

  Andy Burnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many compensation claims by former miners living in the(a) Leigh constituency and (b) Wigan metropolitan authority have yet to be settled. [4524]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: IRISC, the Department's claims handlers, advise me that, in the Leigh1 constituency, 1,995 claims have been registered in respect of respiratory disease. To date, 426 interim payments and 134 payments in full and final settlement have been made. With regard to vibration white finger, (VWF), 969 claims have been initiated, 270 interim payments have been made and 172 claims have been settled.

  In the Wigan metropolitan authority2, 3,214 claims have been registered in respect of respiratory disease. 683 interim payments and 134 final settlements have been made to date. In relation to VWF, 1,456 claims have been initiated and 415 interim payments and 243 final settlements have been made so far.

  1 Leigh constituency as defined by all postcodes with prefixes WN2–4.6,7

  2 Wigan metropolitan authority as defined as all postcodes with prefixes WN 1–7, WA3, M28–29, 46
  592W
  Paddy Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the compensation payments for(a) chronic bronchitis and emphysema and (b) Vibration white finger made to recipients in Nottinghamshire. [5898]

  Mr. Wilson
  As at the end of June 2001, IRISC, the Department's claim handling agents, have made 1,235 final and 3,328 interim payments, in respect of respiratory disease, amounting to £17.7 million in Nottinghamshire. In addition IRISC have made 3,818 final and 5,474, interim payments amounting to £52.3 million to vibration white finger claimants in Nottinghamshire.

  "Your Britain, Your Europe, Your North West"
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how EU structural funding has helped over 50,000 small and medium sized enterprises, according to her Department's document, "Your Britain, Your Europe, Your North West". [4326]

  Alan Johnson
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: EU Objective 1 and 2 funding in the north-west region for 2000 to 2006 totals £1.33 billion. Of this, £499 million is specifically for business support. This support is delivered principally through the Small Business Service (SBS). The SBS works with a range of other recognised business support agencies throughout the region to deliver business advice, training for employees, provision of accommodation and provision of finance to enable growth.

  Combined Heat and Power
  Mrs. Brinton
  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 combined heat and power and renewable generators. [5773]

  Mr. Wilson
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham, South (Mr. Simpson) on 18 July 2001,Official Report, columns 263–64W.

  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many CHP plants that have been given section 30 consent in the last two years are now under construction; and what installed capacity these represent. [5183]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: This information is not readily available at present. Developers generally have five years in which to commence development. It is a commercial decision for them when to do so.

  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many CHP plants that have been given section 10 consent in the last two years are under construction; and what installed capacity these represent. [5774]

  Mr. Wilson
  This information is not readily available at present. Developers generally have five years in which to commence development. It is a commercial decision for them when to do so.
  593W
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action she proposes to take to ensure that the new market arrangements in the electricity industry do not(a) act to increase carbon emissions and (b) deter new investment in CHP and renewables. [5290]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, West (Mr. Thomas) on 16 July 2001, Official Report, column 40W.

  Linda Gilroy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she will announce her decision on the proposal for combined heat and power schemes at the British Salt works at Middlewich, the Sudbrook Paper Mill Caldicot and the iXguardian site at Hounslow. [6463]

  Mr. Wilson
  Today, I have given clearance under section 14(1) of the Energy Act 1976 to three combined heat and power schemes at the British Salt works at Middlewich, the St. Regis Paper Company, Sudbrook Paper Mill at Caldicot and the iXguardian site at Hounslow.

  Combined heat and power plants are designed to produce both electricity and usable heat in a single process. Therefore they have environmental benefits due to their high levels of energy efficiency and also help business reduce their costs and stay competitive.

  The decision demonstrates the Government's continuing commitment to promote CHP and reduce carbon emissions.

  Copies of the Press Notice and the decision letter are being placed in the Library of the House.

  Lackenby to Shipton Transmission Line
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations she has received in respect of the granting of wayleaves to facilitate the construction of the Lackenby to Shipton overhead transmission line; and what steps are being taken to ensure that landowners will be able to reach a negotiated agreement before construction of the line commences. [5428]

  Mr. Wilson
  The National Grid Company recently sought clarification of access rights under compulsory wayleaves and a copy of the Department's response has been seen by the objector's group, REVOLT. Given that the crucial development decision has been taken, in March 1998, and compulsory wayleaves covering access granted after due consideration, parties should already be co-operating in the implementation of the development decision.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will take steps to ensure that the NGC respects the legal entry onto farmland in connection with the Lackenby to Shipton overhead transmission line. [5427]

  Mr. Wilson
  The National Grid Company has been granted compulsory access to land in certain places along the route of the North Yorks power line and I would expect all parties to behave lawfully in the exercise of that right.
  594W
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations she has received on the proposal for the Lackenby to Shipton overhead transmission line; and if she will make a statement. [5431]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Department receives continued representations on the subject of the North Yorks power line. Development consents for that line were granted in March 1998 and there is no machinery for now reviewing those consents.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will take steps to ensure that no further work will continue on the Lackenby to Shipton overhead transmission line until foot and mouth has been eradicated. [5429]

  Mr. Wilson
  The National Grid Company is in touch with the county council and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and will be consulting them before re-starting any of its site-based works.

  Free Trade
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what targets have been set by her Department to reach global free trade by 2020. [5510]

  Nigel Griffiths
  Global free trade by 2020 is not an explicit target of the Government.

  Pylons (Skin Cancer)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of evidence suggesting a potential link between pylons and skin cancer. [5430]

  Mr. Wilson
  The potential link between skin cancer and overhead power lines is one of several ill health effects that have been attributed to the electromagnetic fields that are produced by electrical equipment.

  The Government obtain advice on the possible health implications of exposure to electromagnetic fields, including those associated with power lines, from the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB). In a report1 published on 6 March the NRPB's Advisory Group on Non-Ionising Radiation reviewed the potential risks of types of cancer from extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields. Their conclusion, based on laboratory experiments and epidemiological studies, is that there is no evidence that extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields are capable of producing cancer.

  Some evidence has been suggested that the electric fields associated with the higher-voltage power lines are responsible via indirect effects for a range of illnesses including skin cancer. These effects have been considered to arise from changes in the concentration and deposition of particles and other environmental pollutants in the presence of corona ions found in the vicinity of power lines. The physical principle for particle deposition in large electric fields is well understood. However, the NRPB has concluded that it has not been sufficiently demonstrated whether any such enhanced deposition will increase human exposure in a way that will result in adverse health effects. The difficulties with this hypothesis in relation to naturally occurring radiation have

  595W
  been examined in detail earlier by the NRPB and others in peer-reviewed journals. The NRPB's Advisory Group had already identified that further consideration needs to be given to the possible effects that might result from the dispersal of corona ions and the way such effects may be assessed. This work will start shortly.

  1 Documents of the NRPB Vol. 12, No. 1, 2001) and copies have been placed in the Library. Information can be found on www.nrpb.org.uk

  Agriculture and Textiles
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions she has had with her European Union counterparts on reducing tariffs on(a) agriculture and (b) textiles in the context of World Trade Organisation negotiations. [5511]

  Nigel Griffiths
  The Department is working closely with the European Commission to ensure that a new WTO trade round includes negotiations on industrial tariffs, including textile tariffs, aimed at liberalising and where possible eliminating duty rates on all industrial products. We are also working with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to influence the European Commission's position at the on-going agriculture negotiations in Geneva, including discussions on tariffs.

  Patent Office
  Brian Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what steps she is taking to ensure that external bids are subject to competition from benchmarking against a detailed in-house bid in relation to the current contract held by W. S. Atkins and Hays in her Department's Patent Office when the contract is reviewed; [5872]

  (2) if she will make a statement on her use of the partnership agreement between the unions and his Department in regard to the review of contacts at her Department's Patent Office. [5871]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place a copy of that letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Clean Coal Technologies
  Jeff Ennis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the development of clean coal technologies in assisting the Government in achieving its Kyoto environmental targets. [5546]

  Mr. Wilson
  In the October 1998 White Paper "Conclusions of the Review of Energy Sources for Power Generation", the Government stated that cleaner coal technology had a major role to play in sustainability world wide. The paper supported the continuation of a research programme into cleaner coal technology and recommended that a review of the case for a demonstration plant be undertaken before 2003. I announced this review on 25 June 2001, which will include consideration of the environmental benefits of such plant and the contribution it can make towards meeting our Kyoto targets.
  596W
  Jeff Ennis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what incentives are provided by her Department to assist in the development of clean coal technologies; and if she is intending to review the existing arrangements. [5545]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Government's policy on cleaner coal technologies was set out in Energy Paper 67: "Cleaner Coal Technologies—Future Plans for research, development, and export promotion", published in April 1999, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House and on the DTI website www.dti.gov.uk/ent/coal. Activities in the six-year programme include a portfolio of research and development activities in collaboration with UK industry and universities. The DTI website is used to help promote UK capability in this area as well as providing up-to-date information on developments in the DTI programme.

  As I announced on 25 June 2001, Official Report, columns 28–29W, the Government are currently undertaking a study to determine the case for supporting a cleaner coal technology demonstration plant. The Review will be examining the case for Government support for the development of demonstration plant(s). We expect to publish the consultation document on this issue imminently.

  GM Crops
  Mr. Allan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the contracts his Department has had with the National Institute of Agriculture and Botany in connection with GM crops or foods. [5655]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  None, so far as I am aware.

  "It's Time for Justice"
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations she has received in relation to the CAFOD "It's Time for Justice" campaign; and if she will make a statement. [5509]

  Nigel Griffiths
  My Department has received a number of representations on trade issues from CAFOD under their campaign banner "It's Time for Justice", arguing for changing trade rules to eradicate poverty. Forty nine letters from MPs were received by my Department on behalf of constituents who supported this campaign.

  The Government agree with CAFOD that trade should work in the interest of all people. We see liberalised trade, governed by rules which are fair and inclusive, as one effective means of promoting sustainable development worldwide and contributing to the eradication of poverty. A new round of trade negotiations should provide a significant opportunity to advance these objectives.

  Social Network Payment
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what the level of the social network payment was in the year to 31 March; what plans she has to vary that level; and if she will make a statement; [5403]

  (2) what plans she has to continue the social network payment; and if she will make a statement. [5404]
  597W
  Mr. Alexander
  In line with the Cabinet Office Performance and Innovation Unit report on the post office network, there are no plans for such payments to be made to support the rural network until the migration of benefit payments to ACT begins in 2003.

  Regulation
  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to reduce the level of regulation for small businesses. [6221]

  Nigel Griffiths
  The Government are committed to minimising the burden of regulation as one way to realise our ambition of making the UK the best place in the world to start and grow a business.

  The Government also have a responsibility to ensure basic protection and rights to all of society.

  However, this Government have taken some key steps to ensure that regulation is used sensibly and sensitively for the benefit of all.

  In relation to reducing red tape, the Government have:

  Established the Better Regulation Task Force—with members drawn from all sectors of community to advise the Government on action which improves the effectiveness and credibility of Government regulation.

  Established the Ministerial Panel for Regulatory Accountability to provide strategic overview of the Government's regulatory plans and to discuss regulatory performance with Departmental Ministers.

  Issued a revised "Guide to Regulatory Impact Assessments" so the costs and benefits of proposed regulations are properly analysed.

  Launched a "Code of Practice on Written Consultation" in November 2000—ensuring that consultation periods will be at least 12 weeks. "Guidance on Implementation Periods" was released at the same time, requiring that guidance on new legislation be issued at least 12 weeks before the legislation comes into force.

  Passed the Regulatory Reform Act that will make possible the reform of outdated, overlapping and over-burdensome legislation.

  Established the Small Business Service with one of its aims to minimise regulatory burdens by working with small business and other Government agencies to ensure that small firms' interests are properly considered.

  Future steps

  The Government will build on the initiatives we took in the last Parliament to ensure we have "intelligent regulation".

  We recently announced in "Enterprise for All" that Patrick Carter is examining payroll services for small firms—to make the system more effective and less costly.

  The small business manifesto outlined a number of commitments designed to further minimise the burden on business.

  The Operational Targets for the Small Business Service in 2001–02 include a target to "put in place a set of actions for reforming the regulatory environment for small business by March 2002".
  598W
  These measures show our continuing commitment to reduce the burden of regulation.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. Boris Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her target is for the current financial year for reducing the tax and regulatory compliance costs of small businesses. [6342]

  Nigel Griffiths
  The Small Business Service was established on 3 April 2000 as an Executive Agency. It has had a successful first year and the first Annual Report is available in the Library of the House.

  The vision of the SBS is for the UK to be the best place in the world to start and grow a business. Its purpose is to build an enterprise society in which small businesses thrive and achieve their potential. The objectives of the SBS are to:
  Be a strong voice for small business at the heart of Government—ensuring that Government are aware of, and responsive to, the needs of all small businesses;
  Strive for a regulatory framework which minimises the burdens on business;
  Develop and maintain a world-class business support service to enhance businesses' competitiveness and profitability; and
  Champion the importance of entrepreneurship across society, particularly in under-represented and disadvantaged groups.
  In relation to the 2001–02 year the SBS has a target to: Put in place a set of actions for reforming the regulatory environment for small businesses by March 2002.

  Icelandic Trawlermen (Compensation)
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will provide a breakdown by constituency of the number of(a) successful and (b) unsuccessful claims by former Icelandic waters trawlermen; and if she will make a statement. [5705]

  Nigel Griffiths
  Following are the number of compensation payments for each port at 13 July 2001. At the same date the total number of claims identified as unsuccessful was 3,344. I regret that there is not a breakdown of unsuccessful claims of figures for constituencies.

  Compensation payments made to claimants

  Number

  Hull

  854

  Grimsby

  216

  Fleetwood

  174

  Blackpool

  27

  Cleethorpes

  55

  Newcastle

  153

  West Yorkshire

  88

  Aberdeen

  19

  Others

  149

  Total

  1,735

  All claims received have now been scrutinised and entered into the special computer system established to administer the scheme. Claims still undecided comprise categories subject to representations and those where further information is awaited, mainly from claimants themselves.
  599W
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many fishermen have received compensation from the Government's compensation scheme for former Icelandic trawlermen; how much money has been paid out; what the average payment was; how many claims are still outstanding; how many successful claimants went inshore mackerel fishing after fishing in Icelandic waters; how many of the claims outstanding are those where the fishermen went inshore mackerel fishing after fishing in Icelandic waters; and what estimate she has made of the time when all the claims will have been concluded. [5190]

  Nigel Griffiths
  At 13 July 2001, 1,735 former Icelandic water trawlermen or their families had received compensation under the scheme. The total compensation paid is £18,846,765, an average of £10,863 per claim. There are no statistics about claimants who went mackerel fishing. All claims received have now been scrutinised and entered into the computer system established for the scheme. Letters to unsuccessful applicants who have not yet been notified will be despatched within the next few days. There are 2,996 claims which cannot be decided at present, mainly because they are awaiting a decision on representations about those who continued fishing on former Icelandic water trawlers after 1979 or because further information is awaited from the applicants themselves.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information she has requested from Icelandic authorities to verify claims for compensation made by UK former Icelandic water trawlermen; and if she will make a statement. [5706]

  Nigel Griffiths
  The Icelandic authorities provided a list of fishing vessels permitted under certain conditions to fish within defined Icelandic waters from June 1976 to December 1976. The Department has checked a range of sources of information to identify Icelandic water trawlers.

  UK Telecoms
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the impact of third generation licensing costs on growth and employment in the UK telecoms sector. [6278]

  Mr. Alexander
  We believe that the medium and long-term prospects for the UK Telecoms sector remain strong. The current down-turn is part of a global phenomenon and not limited to countries in which there have been auctions of third generation mobile licences. UK mobile operators are continuing to work towards launch of third generation services as rapidly as is practicable, but they are constrained at present by the availability of handsets.

  Pete Wishart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what financial assistance she has given to the expansion of the UK telecommunications network in each year since 1997; and what proportion of the UK broken down by nation and region, has access to(a) ISDN, (b) ADSL and (c) broadband connection. [6310]

  Mr. Alexander
  There have been no schemes of financial assistance directed specifically at the expansion of the UK telecommunications network in this period 600W
  although telecommunications companies are able to receive funding from other, general business support schemes as appropriate.

  We are collating the relevant information for the national and regional access to ISDN, ADSL and Broadband as part of the work announced in 'UK online: the broadband future' which was published alongside the White Paper.

  Pete Wishart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will place in the Library a map showing the geographical extent of access to(a) ISDN, (b) ADSL and (c) broadband; what steps she proposes to ensure increased access for small businesses in rural areas to these connections; and what proportion of businesses in each nation and region of the UK (i) have and (ii) do not have access to (A) ISDN, (B) ADSL and (C) broadband connections. [6311]

  Mr. Alexander
  The Government are committed to working to ensure that broadband access is available in all parts of the country. A map showing the predicted geographical extent of access for different broadband technologies for 2003 was published in 'UK online: the broadband future' a copy of which has been placed in the Library. As part of the ongoing work developing this strategy we are collating the relevant information for the geographical access to ISDN. ADSL and Broadband.

  In May, my right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for Trade and Industry announced a major new project to determine how to speed up the roll-out of broadband services to individuals and businesses in rural and other areas that individual suppliers currently see as uncommercial. The project will establish how, by aggregating the public sector's demand for broadband services, we can best encourage telecommunications companies to roll out broadband infrastructure to these `hard to reach' areas.

  Renewable Energy
  John Thurso
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment her Department has made of the Generic Wave Energy Device, ETSU proposal number 254/1; and if she will make a statement. [5855]

  Mr. Wilson
  All proposals for DTI funding to support the development of renewable energy technologies are assessed under the same rigorous assessment process involving independent advisers with relevant professional background. The Generic Wave Energy Device proposal was so assessed and was not recommended for DTI support.

  Comprehensive details of the assessment process are available to any interested party via DTI's website or, for those without easy access to the internet, a paper version can be obtained from DTI's programme manager.

  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much money her Department has allocated to the National Assembly for Wales since 1 July 1999 for the development of the renewable energy industry. [6399]

  Mr. Wilson
  None.
  601W
  My Department's research and development programme for renewable and sustainable energy is a UK-wide programme. Funds are assigned to projects in Wales but not to the National Assembly.

  The Non Fossil Fuel Obligation supports projects across England and Wales, but again with no direct allocation to the National Assembly.

  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has had with her colleagues in the National Assembly concerning the future development of the renewable energy industry in Wales. [6400]

  Mr. Wilson
  Consultations between Minister, including National Assembly Ministers, are currently under way on the terms of the Renewables Obligation, covering England and Wales, which is to be laid before Parliament in the autumn. The Obligation represents the key policy instrument towards the achievement of our renewable energy targets.

  John Thurso
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the proposals(a) received and (b) approved under the new and renewable energy programme number 354 water technologies, indicating how many did not use oscillating water columns. [5854]

  Mr. Wilson
  I have asked the DTI's Renewable and Sustainable Energy Programme Manager to provide the information requested including details of the types of technology requesting support.

  A copy of his reply will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Universal Banking
  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has had with the Halifax, Nationwide, Alliance and Leicester and Euronet Worldwide banks about making the universal banking system free of charge in rural areas. [6398]

  Mr. Alexander
  I will write shortly to the hon. Member and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Post Offices
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post offices have(a) opened and (b) reopened in each of the last 20 years. [5481]

  Mr. Alexander
  I understand from Post Office Network that, while they have records of post office closure figures net of openings and reopenings, they do not have separate historic data showing figures for post office openings and reopenings. In the financial year 2000–01, 169 post offices opened or reopened.

  Huntingdon Life Sciences
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the actions taken to help provide banking facilities for Huntingdon Life Sciences; and if she will make a statement. [5693]

  Ms Hewitt
  DTI has maintained regular contact with Huntingdon Life Sciences plc, as part of its industry sponsorship function. It was agreed at the time of the 602W
  re-funding of the company that the Department would, if necessary, provide basic banking facilities. The Government considered a number of options regarding provision of banking facilities to HLS. Owing to intimidation of bank staff by animal rights extremists, Huntingdon Life Sciences has not yet been able to find a commercial bank to provide banking services.

  My Department has, therefore, undertaken to operate basic banking facilities for Huntingdon Life Sciences while negotiations with banks continue. It is not providing overdraft facilities or other financial support. My Department will be recovering the direct costs of providing this service from the company.

  Share Dealings (Daily Mirror)
  Mr. Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to receive his Department's report on the alleged share dealings by the editor of the Daily Mirror; and if he will make a statement. [5900]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Department's long-established practice is to neither confirm nor deny the existence of such investigations, nor discuss the affairs of individual companies or persons involved.

  Plutonium and Uranium
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will publish figures for the United Kingdom's stocks of civil plutonium and uranium as at 31 December 2000. [6454]

  Nigel Griffiths
  I have today placed in the Library of the House figures for the United Kingdom's national holdings of civil plutonium and uranium as at 31 December 2000. In accordance with our commitment under the "Guidelines for the Management of Plutonium", I have today also sent the figures to the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, who will be circulating them to member states in due course.

  Employment Disputes
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the consultation document on employment dispute resolution will be published; and what it will contain. [6453]

  Alan Johnson
  My Department is publishing "Routes to Resolution: Improving Dispute Resolution in Britain" today. The document sets out proposals for reform which will create a modern system of employment dispute resolution, fit for the future.

  The consultation document sets out a radical programme for reform, underpinned by the fundamental principles of access to justice, fair and efficient tribunals, and a modern, user-friendly, public service. Its starting point is that many disagreements in work can be successfully resolved without recourse to litigation through better procedures in the workplace. Equally, it is designed to achieve a tribunal system which promotes conciliation and is equipped to cope with increasing caseloads.
  603W
  Claims to employment tribunals have tripled over the last decade and the Government believe that the interests of tribunal users and the taxpayer are better served by a system which promotes the amicable settlement of disputes where possible.

  The consultation paper seeks views on a number of proposals including:
  increasing awards at employment tribunal where a new basic dispute resolution procedure has not been used by the employer. This provision is aimed at the minority of firms with no, or inadequate, procedures, without impacting on the majority of businesses with effective dispute resolution procedures. Awards will be reduced where an employee has not used grievance procedures before applying to an employment tribunal;
  the introduction of charges for use of the employment tribunal system to provide investment funding for the system so that it can improve the service it offers its clients. Exemptions would apply to those on benefits and cases of genuine need;
  better enforcement and other improvements to the existing statutory requirement for employers to provide a written statement of employment terms to employees;
  limited extensions to the time limits for lodging employment tribunal claims where dispute resolution procedures are in process;
  measures to promote the amicable settlement of disputes, and timely conciliation through ACAS;
  a new employment tribunal fast-track system for more technical claims;
  a limited amendment to unfair dismissal legislation to allow employment tribunals to disregard minor procedural errors by employers provided that such errors have made no difference in practice and the dismissal is otherwise fair;
  new powers for the Presidents of the Employment Tribunals to issue practice directions;
  The Government have not put forward any proposals to introduce cost recovery as a general principle, nor does it intend to do so.

  Copies of "Routes to Resolution: Improving Dispute Resolution in Britain" have been laid in the Library of the House. The deadline for responses is 8 October.

  Employment Tribunal Claims
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many employment tribunal claims were reported in each year since 1997. [6276]

  Alan Johnson
  The information is as follows:

  Employment tribunal applications for Great Britain

  Number of registered applications

  1996–97

  88,910

  1997–98

  80,435

  1998–99

  91,913

  1999–2000

  103,935

  2000–01

  130,408

  Support Packages
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much public money is set aside to provide support packages for industries in difficulty. [5452]
  604W
  Ms Hewitt
  The Department has many schemes to support British Industry in adjusting to change and improving its competitiveness, it is currently reviewing its support to ensure it is best targeted on raising productivity and encouraging an entrepreneurial culture.

  Although it is not our policy to provide support packages for failing businesses, support is available to help businesses invest, modernise and diversify.

  For example £129 million was set aside in March 2000 for measures to deal with the consequences of the decision by BMW to sell its Rover plant at Longbridge.

  The UK Coal Operating Aid Scheme provides for up to £170 million to be paid to the industry over the period between April 2000 and July 2002.

  In June 2000 the Government announced a package for UK textiles and clothing to promote competitiveness in areas such as innovation and new technology for which over £6 million has so far been committed.

  Export and Non-proliferation Bill
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the draft secondary legislation relating to the draft Export and Non-Proliferation Bill will be published. [6389]

  Nigel Griffiths
  Draft dummy orders (i.e. draft outline secondary legislation) relating to the Export Control Bill will be made available before Parliament resumes in the autumn.

  Royal Mail
  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what reports she has received of job losses proposed by Royal Mail in London. [5384]

  Mr. Alexander
  While Ministers have met both the Consignia management and the unions to discuss a variety of issues, operational matters, such as the restructuring of Royal Mail's sorting offices, are a matter for the company.

  Energy Review
  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which nuclear experts are to be(a) seconded and (b) invited to participate in the energy review being carried out by the Energy Minister for the Performance and Innovation Unit; and on what basis they were selected. [6254]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Performance and Innovation Unit will be carrying out the review with a team consisting of civil servants, private and public sector and experts in the field of energy. Members of the team and their backgrounds are detailed in the Project Management Plan which will be posted shortly on the PIU website www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/innovation.

  The review will be carried out in an open and inclusive way and is happy to receive contributions from all interested parties. The review team will be holding a series of workshops with key stakeholders covering all interests of energy policy. The invitees to the first workshop on 20 July include the British Nuclear Industry Forum. A full list of invitees is on the PIU website.

  BNFL
  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has had with BNFL over proposals to build new reactors at sites on which BNFL currently operates nuclear power plants. [6251]

  Mr. Wilson
  None. No such proposals have been put forward. BNFL have stated clearly that they have no plans for new nuclear plant in the UK, reflecting their view that there is, at present, no economic case for such investment.

  Sellafield
  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what evaluation has been made of the robustness of security arrangements in place to protect the Sellafield nuclear power plant from attack or other illegal intrusion; and what plans she has to increase security arrangements for plutonium stored at Sellafield. [6252]

  Mr. Wilson
  Security arrangements at Sellafield are kept constantly under review and are revised in the light of changing circumstances. The Director for Civil Nuclear Security, the Government's Regulator, is satisfied that existing procedures are adequate and effective.

  Mixed Oxide Plutonium Fuel
  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will provide a breakdown of the moneys to be paid to the Japanese authorities, as a result of the agreement reached in July 2000, in respect of the return of the improperly exported mixed oxide plutonium fuel; what change there has been to the costs since the agreement; and when the return shipment of the mixed oxide plutonium fuel will commence. [6253]

  Mr. Wilson
  No money is to be paid to Japanese authorities. BNFL's published annual report and accounts for 2000 state that BNFL has agreed with its relevant Japanese customer, the Kansai Electric Power Company, a compensation package including £40 million to be paid in compensation and return of the fuel to the UK at BNFL's expense. The accounts show that BNFL has made a financial provision of £113 million to cover the costs associated with dealing with the fuel. It is the intention of the companies involved to be as open about the plans and arrangements for transporting the fuel to the UK as normal security considerations allow and they plan to make available relevant information in advance of the transport. The July 2000 UK-Japan inter-governmental agreement specified that the intention is for BNFL to return the fuel within 2–3 years. This remains the case.

  Fireworks
  Linda Gilroy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will publish the fireworks injuries statistics for the 2000 bonfire night period; and if she will make a statement. [6462]

  Nigel Griffiths
  The total number of persons recorded as attending hospital casualty departments in Great Britain during the 2000 bonfire night period was 972. This represents a decrease of 8 per cent. on the previous year's total of 1,056. However, there were two deaths in the 2000 bonfire period; these are the first firework related deaths since 1996.
  606W
  There are some encouraging trends within the statistics. Sparkler injuries fell from 134 in 1999 to 104 in 2000 a decrease of 22 per cent. Rocket injuries also fell to 135 from 211 a decrease of 36 per cent.

  Injuries in the 16–20 age group fell from 119 in 1999 to 93 in 2000 a 22 per cent. decrease and injuries to under 13s also fell by 10 per cent. from 391 in 1999 to 350 in 2000.

  However injuries to 13 to 15-year-olds rose by 8 per cent. from 142 in 1999 to 154 in 2000. We will further target this age group as part of the 2001 firework safety campaign.

  I am arranging for draft copes of the injury figures together with the analytical and regional tables to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses as well as on the DTI website www.dti.gov.uk.

  Departmental Efficiency
  Mr. Boris Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what(a) plans and (b) targets she has to increase the operational efficiency of her Department. [6341]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Department's plans and targets to improve its operational efficiency are set out in its Service Delivery Agreement which is available on its website.

  Sub-post Offices
  Mr. Boris Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many sub-post offices closed in the first quarter of the current financial year. [6345]

  Mr. Alexander
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to the right hon. Member for Wells (Mr. Heathcoat-Amory) on 17 July 2001,Official Report, column 106W.

  Consumer Rights
  Mr. Boris Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on her plans for reforming consumers' rights. [6344]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend for Plymouth, Sutton (Linda Gilroy) on 12 July 2001,Official Report, column 623W.

  Climate Change Levy
  Mr. Boris Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the impact of the climate change levy on productivity in the manufacturing sector. [6343]

  Mr. Wilson
  The climate change levy has been designed to avoid damaging the competitiveness of UK manufacturing. The levy's impact on individual businesses will depend on the extent to which they take advantage of the various levy exemptions, the new scheme of enhanced capital allowances for energy efficiency, the energy efficiency advice and support from the new Carbon Trust, and whether their sites qualify for a discount from the levy. The Government are giving an
  607W
  80 per cent. discount to energy intensive industries exposed to international competition in return for delivery of challenging energy saving targets.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the economic penalties imposed on private sector firms in each of the last five years for failures to deliver in relation to key performance indicators in projects involving the private finance initiative; and if she will make a statement. [5727]

  Ms Hewitt
  In the past five years, no penalties have been imposed on private sector firms for failure to deliver in relation to key performance indicators in projects involving the private finance initiative.

  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many PFI transactions have been overseen by her Department in each of the last 10 years; what her estimate is of the cost savings made in each of these transactions in comparison with the public sector alternative; what are the outstanding payments to be made in relation to these transactions for each of the next 15 years; and if she will make a statement. [5726]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Department of Trade and Industry has overseen six PFI projects in the last 10 years as follows:

  The ELGAR IT Project;

  The Radiocommunications Agency's Strategic IT Partnership;

  The Rebuilding of the National Physical Laboratory at Teddington;

  The Coal Authority's Data Project;

  OST/EPSRC High Speed Computing Project; and the

  OST/NERC Antarctic Supply Vessel.

  RDA

  Board members

  One NorthEast

  None

  North West Development Agency

  Lord Terry Thomas of Macclesfield has announced his intention to retire from the board in March 2002

  Yorkshire Forward

  Paul Shepherd resigned in 1999 and Sir Gareth Roberts resigned in 2002

  Advantage West Midlands

  Edward Roberts CBE resigned in 2000 and Councillor Mike Bird resigned on 14 May 2001

  East Midlands Development Agency

  None

  East of England Development Agency

  Sal Brinton resigned on 7 June 2001, Peter Dawe announced on 12 July 2001 his intention to resign

  London Development Agency

  None

  SEEDA

  None

  South West of England RDA

  Ewan Cameron resigned in 1999

  The London Development Agency was established in 2000 and is the responsibility of the Mayor of London. Appointments to its board are made by him.

  The devolved Administrations are responsible for development agencies outside England (e.g. Scottish Enterprise, Welsh Development Agency).

  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action each regional development agency is taking to encourage the growth of credit unions in their region. [5991]

  Alan Johnson
  I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible and place a copy of that letter in the Libraries of the House.
  608W
  The estimated cost savings made in each of these transactions over the public sector alternative are as follows:

  The Elgar IT Project: £20.5 million;

  The Radiocommunications Agency's Strategic Partnership: Between £4.9 million and £8.00 million;

  The Rebuilding of the National Physical Laboratory at Teddington: £4.3 million;

  The Coal Authority's Data Project: Information not centrally available;

  OST/EPSRC High Speed Computing Project: £13 million; and

  OST/NERC Antarctic Supply Vessel: £4 million.

  Published guidance on Public Sector Comparators notes that:
  "Accounting Officers should not rely solely on a straight comparison of a PSC bid to its PSC, which should never be regarded as a pass/fail test but instead as a quantitative way of informing judgment."

  (Treasury Taskforce Technical Note No. 5: How to construct a public sector comparator).

  As agreed with the National Audit Office, payments to Contractors under PFI contracts are commercially confidential. Aggregate figures of estimated payments under all PH contracts for the years 2000–01 to 2025–26 were published in Table C18 of the Budget 2001 "Red Book".

  Regional Development Agencies
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the directors of RDAs who have announced their resignations or intention to leave since their inception. [5938]

  Alan Johnson
  Since the Regional Development Agencies in England were set up in 1999 the following board members have resigned or announced their intention to resign:

  Objective 1
  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if she will list the Objective 1 project applications(a) approved and (b) refused European funding; and how much funding has been awarded to each during the past year; [6317]

  (2) what the cost was of administering the Objective 1 programme within the individual Objective 1 regions in the last year. [6397]

  Alan Johnson
  I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place a copy of that letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Trade, Tourism and Inward Investment (Scotland)
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has for promoting Scottish trade, tourism and inward investment; if she will list the events or activities she has specifically arranged for the next six months in(a) the UK, (b) Europe and (c) the rest of the world for such promotion; and if she will list the documents her Department has produced, and the events her Department has organised over the last three years which specifically and exclusively promote Scottish trade, tourism and inward investment. [5707]

  Ms Hewitt
  My Department—through British Trade International—promotes the whole of the UK as a location for inward investment and delivers export advice and support to companies throughout the UK. It works closely with Scottish Trade International and Locate in Scotland both within the UK and overseas. The promotion of the UK as a destination for tourism is primarily a matter for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

  Employment Regulations
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the cost to the private sector of new employment regulations introduced since May 1997. [6277]

  Alan Johnson
  Regulatory Impact Assessments have been prepared in support of all new employment legislations that have involved significant costs to business. The annual costs to employers for those provisions that can be quantified is £4.8 billion. This includes recurring administration costs of £25 million to £29 million and one-off administration costs of £37 million to £45 million. The remainder has involved direct benefits to workers through higher pay, more annual leave and better treatment in the workplace.

  These are the costs to all employers. It is not possible to separate costs between private sector employers and public sector employers. The Government's employment legislation also brings benefits to employers.

  Petroleum Licensing
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she will announce further petroleum licensing opportunities in Great Britain and on the UK continental shelf. [6459]

  Mr. Wilson
  I am today launching the 10th Round of Landward Petroleum Licensing and issuing an invitation for companies to apply for three blocks in the North sea.

  The Landward Round will, as in recent licence offers, invite applications for Petroleum Exploration and Development Licences over all unlicensed acreage in Great Britain above the Mean High Water Mark. While there are still prospects for conventional oil and gas discoveries, I anticipate that a large number of applications will be made from companies keen to exploit the potential of coal bed methane, either through direct drilling or by tapping into the gases released from abandoned coal workings.

  The invitation to apply for landward licences fulfils commitments given by Ministers in the past to hold annual rounds and satisfies a demand from industry for further licensing opportunities.
  610W
  The three blocks in the North sea—30/24, 42/25 and 43/21—are being offered through the 'out of round' process because of the benefit that early activity might bring. One of the blocks contains the abandoned Argyll Field and I hope that it will be possible for the eventual licensees to re-activate the field and bring it back into production, thus ensuring that the valuable petroleum resources still trapped in the ground can be extracted.

  The formal notices for each of these licensing opportunities will appear in the Official Journal of the European Communities in the near future. Applications for both the onshore and offshore must be submitted to the Department on 31 October.

  Electronic Signatures
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on progress on the implementation of the European electronic signatures directive. [6458]

  Mr. Alexander
  My right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State announced on 28 March 2001,Official Report, columns 652–53W, that we were issuing a consultation document on the implementation of those parts of the directive which had not been implemented by the Electronic Communications Act 2000. We received 54 responses to the consultation and a number of issues were raised. Some respondents thought that these were of sufficient weight to require further discussion. Points were raised about the data protection requirements which I believe could only be resolved by a further discussion on how they should be implemented. I will therefore issue in the next few weeks a summary of the consultation, a note of the conclusions we have drawn from the consultation and a draft of the regulations. We will seek comments on the implementation of data protection elements. I believe that this process will enable us to introduce regulations in the near future which will best take into account the views of those most directly impacted by this directive. We will also publish the responses to the consultation on the DTI's website.

  Ferry Services (Isle of Wight)
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what powers she has to investigate competition in ferry fares and services to the Isle of Wight; what plans she has to use such powers; and if she will make a statement. [5555]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Under UK competition law in the first instance it is the responsibility of the Director General of Fair Trading to investigate allegations of anti-competitive behaviour and possible abuses of a dominant position. I understand that the Office of Fair Trading has initiated inquiries under the Competition Act into the activities of Isle of Wight ferry companies.

  Departmental Contracts
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the top 10 companies to which her Department contracted out their construction and refurbishment work in the last 12 months. [6416]
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  Ms Hewitt
  The list of companies is as follows:

  A. Davies & Co.

  Firmco Ltd.

  Crown House Engineering

  Protec Fire Detection Plc

  Link Integrated Security Systems

  Withey Building Services Ltd.

  Dalkia Energy & Technical Services Ltd.

  Raynor Roofing Ltd.

  Belfor-Relectronic (UK) Ltd.

  Interface Europe Ltd.

  Nuclear Power
  Pete Wishart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the Government's targets for the proportion of electricity to be produced by nuclear power in the next(a) 10 years and (b) 20 years; and if she will make a statement. [6312]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Government have no targets for the proportion of electricity to be produced from any source other than the renewables for which a target of 10 per cent. by 2010 has been set.

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

  Groundwater Regulations
  Conn Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what help and advice has been given to farmers to help them to comply with the requirements of the Groundwater Regulations when dipping sheep. [6512]

  Mr. Meacher
  A groundwater protection code for sheep dipping is currently being printed for publication by my Department shortly. The code gives advice on what to do before, during and after dipping to protect groundwater and to comply with the Regulations. The advice covers matters such as training, maintaining and siting dip baths, managing sheep when dipping, washing equipment, and disposing of used dip safely. Copies of the code will be available on request, free of charge, and a copy will also be placed in the Library of the House. Copies of a checklist and a poster will be sent to all sheep farmers and dippers. Farmers dipping sheep also continue to benefit from the waiver of annual charges for groundwater authorisations which was introduced last year under the Prime Minister's Action Plan for Farming.

  Funding
  Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of money available in(a) local government, (b) county councils, and (c) West Sussex county council can be switched between budgets by council decisions. [4792]

  Dr. Whitehead
  I have been asked to reply.

  According to statistical returns submitted to my Department, local authorities in England have budgeted for £61,158 million of general revenue expenditure in 2001–02. That is funded from general and ring fenced grants from central Government, council tax income, and reserves. Of that total amount, £6,470 million is budgeted
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  by authorities responsible for only a single service such as police or fire; by definition, that money cannot be switched to spend on a different service. For other authorities, all these sources of funding except for ring fenced grants can be switched between service budgets. The proportions that can be switched between service budgets are:

  (a) for local government as a whole (other than single service authorities). 91 per-cent.;

  (b) for county councils, 91 per-cent.;

  (c) for West Sussex county council, 93 per-cent.

  Fishmeal
  Sir Robert Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations he has made to the EU regarding the ban on fishmeal being fed to livestock. [439]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 28 June 2001]: As a result of representation from the UK fishmeal has not been banned from feeding to non-ruminant livestock. The UK has raised the possibility of a relaxation of the ban on feeding fishmeal to ruminants in the Standing Veterinary Committee and the Council. In the Agricultural Council of 19 June the Commission promised to review this ban once a test has been validated capable of differentiating between animal and fish protein in feed. The UK uses an ELISA to test compound animal feedingstuffs for the presence of mammalian protein, but this test has not yet been validated. Until this problem can be resolved we have no option but to implement the Community ban.

  Departmental Restructuring
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the estimated administrative cost is of the recent changes to the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. [1428]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government expect no overall increase in public spending to result from any machinery of Government changes, most of which were designed to increase efficiency and improve service delivery.

  Foot and Mouth
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs upon what scientific evidence the Government based their decision to implement a 3km cull strategy around infected premises. [2172]

  Mr. Morley
  On the advice of the Chief Veterinary Officer, the Government decided to implement a 3km cull strategy around infected premises in certain areas (Dumfries and Galloway and Cumbria). In giving this advice, the CVO took into account the following factors among others:

  The existing weight of infection;

  The speed of spread of the virus;

  The species of animals involved;

  The manner of disease spread for those species;

  Generally, where the animals were kept;

  Generally, local movement patterns of people and vehicles.

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  On the basis of these factors the epidemiological assessment was that susceptible animals in the areas in question had been exposed to disease.

  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many animals are awaiting slaughter on British farms under the over-30-months scheme due to foot and mouth restrictions. [2574]

  Mr. Morley
  It is not possible to make an accurate assessment of the number of animals which producers may be waiting to enter into the over-30-months scheme. Taking account of the normal pattern of activity on the scheme and the slaughtering which has taken place due to foot and mouth disease it is thought likely that the number of animals is between 100,000 and 200,000.

  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the availability of vaccine as the basis for an eradication policy of foot and mouth disease. [2579]

  Mr. Morley
  Vaccination remains an option under continuous review, to be used in conjunction with the culling policy. We have placed a reserve on 125,000 doses of antigen held in the European Vaccine Bank. We are also establishing a bank of commercial antigen, which currently holds 1.9 million doses.

  At the start of the outbreak we had access to 500,000 doses of the relevant antigen held for the UK in the International Vaccine Bank at Pirbright. However, this antigen was used to produce vaccine in readiness for possible use in Cumbria and Devon, the shelf life of which has now expired.

  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what information she has collated on the possibility of foot and mouth disease false negatives arising from slaughtered animals because of contamination from disinfectant. [2744]

  Mr. Morley
  It is not possible to identify which negative results may be caused by contamination by disinfectant. However, it is well known that disinfectant, by killing off the virus, can contaminate samples taken from slaughtered animals and therefore all those working within the State Veterinary Service have access to specific instructions relating to the taking and handling of samples. These instructions can be seen at the Department's library at Whitehall Place, London SW1A 2HH.

  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment the Government have made of the total cost of the disinfecting operation in relation to foot and mouth disease as a result of(a) infected premises culls and (b) contiguous premises culls. [2549]

  Mr. Morley
  The estimated total cost (as at 17 July) of cleansing and disinfection is around £877 million. It is not possible to provide a breakdown of the total estimated cost between infected and contiguous premises, as estimates for the cleansing and disinfection of all individual premises are not available. However, of the 8,777 affected premises (all of which will require cleansing and disinfection), 21 per cent. are infected premises and 33 per cent. are contiguous premises.
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  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment the Government have made of the level of infection of foot and mouth disease in the national flock of sheep. [2576]

  Mr. Morley
  The assessment of the level of infection of foot and mouth disease in the national sheep flock is an on-going process, and is influenced by the number of cases that occur, their geographical distribution and the time scale within which they occur. In addition serological surveillance is now under way in the 3 km radius protection zones around infected premises, and other epidemiological inquiries are resulting in serological sampling in many areas of the country. Concerns now are centred mainly on Cumbria and north and west Yorkshire which were predicted to contribute to the tail of the epidemic. Confidence is growing cautiously in other parts of the country through the results of sampling in protection zones prior to the lifting of restrictions.

  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many(a) sheep and (b) cattle have been slaughtered for foot and mouth disease control on welfare reasons, broken down into (i) breeding stock and (ii) prime/fat stock. [2734]

  Mr. Morley
  As of 10 July, the total number of animals slaughtered on welfare grounds is approximately 619,091. These can be broken down as follows:

  Number

  Breeding sheep

  232,593

  Prime/fat stock

  319,455

  Total sheep

  552,048

  Breeding cattle

  59,103

  Prime/fat stock

  7,940

  Total cattle

  67,043

  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people on her Department's controlled or contracted premises since 26 February(a) have been illegally killed, (b) committed suicide and (c) died as a result of an accident. [2736]

  Mr. Morley
  The Department is aware of two deaths on such premises since 26 February: a young man died after falling from a roof on a farm in Warwickshire and another man died following a shooting incident on a farm in Gt. Orton. It is not for DEFRA to determine the nature of these deaths. DEFRA does not hold data on suicides.

  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make available for inspection by the farmers concerned or representatives of them all paperwork relating to the valuation, counting, collection and disposal of sheep taken in the voluntary cull in Cumbria. [3247]

  Mr. Morley
  Under the Data Protection Act, farmers are entitled to request personal information that the Department holds about them. All such requests will be considered in accordance with the legislation.

  Lembit Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the speed of payment of compensation
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  to farms and businesses in Wales suffering lost revenue as a result of the foot and mouth crisis; and if she will make a statement. [2850]

  Mr. Morley
  Statutory compensation is payable only for livestock slaughtered because they were infected or suspected of being infected with foot and mouth disease, or for items such as animal feed which are seized to prevent the spread of disease. Compensation should now be paid within three weeks of receipt of correct documents. However, at the peak of the outbreak payments may have taken some weeks longer due to the large volume of claims handled.

  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the ranks, position and qualifications of her Department's officials were who supervised the loading/unloading and counting of sheep taken in the voluntary cull in Cumbria. [3246]

  Mr. Morley
  The haulage contractors counted the sheep as they were loaded. Unloading was under the supervision of a Temporary Veterinary Inspector (TVI), while the counting of the animals coming off the wagons was performed by drovers employed by the DEFRA Contractors responsible for the collection and delivery of animals.

  A TVI is a fully qualified veterinary surgeon who is appointed on a daily or a half-daily basis by DEFRA.

  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what research she has commissioned on the possible link between United Kingdom animal welfare practices and the spread of foot and mouth disease; [3451]

  (2) what assessment she has made of the impact of the United Kingdom's (a) sustainable and (b) welfare-friendly farming practices on the spread of foot and mouth disease. [3560]

  Mr. Morley
  No specific research has been commissioned so far, beyond the epidemiological investigations that follow every confirmed outbreak of foot and mouth disease. The effect of different farming practices on disease spread is an issue that can be considered in more detail once the current outbreak has been eradicated.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will permit vaccination to save(a) rare breeds and (b) pigs through which foot and mouth infection could spread. [3470]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government would be prepared to authorise vaccination against foot and mouth disease on the advice of the Chief Veterinary Officer and the Chief Scientific Adviser. In the spring their advice was to vaccinate cattle in north Cumbria, provided the campaign had the substantial support of farmers, consumers, veterinarians and the food trade. That level of support was not there, and, as the numbers of new cases fell, the signs were that it would not be achieved. Our advisers have not made any further recommendations for a vaccination campaign in the current situation. Vaccination remains an option, and is continually reassessed in the light of changing circumstances and knowledge of the disease.
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  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to bring the foot and mouth outbreak under control. [3466]

  Mr. Morley
  The key priority remains to eradicate foot and mouth disease as quickly as possible and all the necessary resources are being deployed to do that. Based on scientific and veterinary advice, the chief mechanisms for bringing the outbreak under control are:

  (i) culling all animals in affected flocks/herds within 24 hours:

  (ii) culling all animals on neighbouring farms within 48 hours (with limited exceptions);

  (iii) rigorous tracing and culling of other dangerous contacts;

  (iv) the thorough cleaning and disinfection of all infected premises; and

  (v) controls over the movement of livestock.

  We also continue to place great emphasis on the need for strict high standards of bio-security and my Department has recently announced details of a public information campaign to re-emphasise this message.

  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what representations she has received on the effects of early stock valuations; and what plans she has to change them to standard valuations; [3449]

  (2) if she will estimate the cost of moving all pre-22 March stock valuations to standard valuations. [3448]

  Mr. Morley
  My Department has received representations from 212 farmers (as at 16 July) relating to valuations carried out before 22 March (when standard values were introduced). A number of other letters have been received from farmers which, after investigation, may also relate to pre-22 March valuations. My Department has also received representations from farming organisations.

  Officials have conducted only very preliminary considerations of the potential cost of converting all pre-22 March valuations to standard value rates. However, initial indications are that such a move could cost around £25 million.

  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in how many cases in(a) Cumbria and (b) the rest of the UK animals have been slaughtered during the current foot and mouth outbreak by means of a marksman with a rifle. [3436]

  Mr. Morley
  The use of rifles and trained marksmen is not a routine part of foot and mouth disease slaughter procedures. Suitably qualified and licensed marksmen are used only in exceptional and carefully controlled circumstances under direct veterinary supervision, and only after the approval of the Divisional Veterinary Manager.

  To date, marksmen have been used in 96 cases in Cumbria and in 368 cases in the rest of the UK.
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  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the scope of the environmental monitoring programme established to oversee burial pits and pyres built to dispose of slaughtered animals as part of the foot and mouth mitigation programme. [3964]

  Mr. Morley
  In addition to the monitoring of individual burial and pyre sites being undertaken by DEFRA and the Environment Agency, the Government published an overall monitoring strategy for the protection of public health in the light of issues arising from carcase disposal. This programme focuses upon the key issues of human health, air quality, water supplies and the food chain and involves all the relevant Government Departments and Agencies.

  The Public Health Laboratory Service Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (CDSC) has co-ordinated a nation-wide search for cases of diseases that might affect people as a result of activities associated with the handling and culling of animals and the disposal of carcases.

  DEFRA, the Department of Health, the Environment Agency, the Drinking Water Inspectorate, the Ministry of Defence, the Food Standards Agency, the Health and Safety Executive and local authorities have carried out monitoring of air pollution from pyres and incinerators, foods, soil and herbage, public and private water supplies, rivers and streams and occupational health.

  The monitoring strategy is available on the website at: www.doh.gov.uk/fmdguidance/.

  Monthly reports of results of monitoring are to be published on the Department of Health's website and other Departments will be publishing details of their results on their own websites. The first report of the results of the monitoring is available on the website at: www.doh.gov.uk/fmdguidance/monitoring1.htm.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if pigs caught under the 10km restriction zone from infected premises will be eligible for the animal welfare scheme. [4051]

  Mr. Morley
  Animals suffering welfare problems due to foot and mouth disease restrictions which cannot be resolved in any other way remain eligible for entry to the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme. In most cases healthy livestock within 10km of an infected premise may still be marketed for food.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment. Food and Rural Affairs what compensation will be payable to farmers who are unable to move their(a) pigs, (b) lambs too big for sale and (c) cattle over 30 months which are caught in an infected premises zone. [4052]

  Mr. Morley
  There is no statutory provision for compensation to be paid to farmers who are unable to move their stock. There are no plans to make such payments but the matter will be kept under review.

  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress her Department is making in repealing the limit on the number of people able to participate in shooting and stalking activities on land outside foot and mouth disease-infected sites. [5670]
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  Alun Michael
  Discussions on these issues are being made on the basis of veterinary assessments of risk. Grouse shooting will be able to go ahead in most parts of England from August 12 under a licensing scheme which we announced earlier this week.

  Rights of Way (Closures)
  Paddy Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the local authorities that have made representations to maintain the blanket closure of the rights of way network. [3175]

  Alun Michael
  [holding answer 9 July 2001]: My Department received applications for full or partial exemption from revocation from the following local authorities:

  Bedfordshire county council

  Blackburn with Darwen borough council

  Bradford metropolitan district council

  Cumbria county council1

  Devon county council1

  Durham county council1

  East Riding of Yorkshire council

  Gloucestershire county council1

  Hartlepool borough council

  Herefordshire council1

  Kent county council

  Lancashire county council1

  Leeds city council

  Lincolnshire county council

  Sheffield city council

  Somerset county council1

  1 My Department's officials wrote to local authorities on 13 July approving applications from those authorities.

  We also received a letter from North Yorkshire county council seeking exemption from revocation but closures in that county were imposed under different powers from those which are being revoked.

  We also received letters from Cheshire county council, Newcastle-under-Lyme borough council and Allerdale borough council.

  MAFF v. TT Smith (Mink) Ltd.
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if the costs awarded to MAFF following the case of MAFF v. TT Smith (Mink) Ltd. (1999) have been paid by the defendant. [3141]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 10 July 2001]: On 11 March 1999 at Lyndhurst magistrates court TT Smith (Mink) Ltd. was fined £5,000 and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £15,000. £5,000 has been paid and the magistrates court is enforcing payment of the remainder.

  End of Life Vehicles
  Margaret Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what recent discussions she has had with motor manufacturers regarding recycling of end of life vehicles; [3826]
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  (2) what plans she has to introduce incentives to assist recycling of end of life vehicles. [3827]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Government are planning to issue a consultation paper on options to implement the End of Life Vehicles Directive 2000/53/EC in the near future. Views from all parties will be welcomed.

  Waste Management
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to monitor progress in implementing the Government's waste strategy; and if she will make a statement. [3897]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 13 July 2001]: A Waste Strategy Monitoring Group has been set up to monitor the implementation of the Government's waste strategy in England. As announced in "Waste Strategy 2000", we intend to review progress towards achieving the strategy goals regularly to ensure that we are on course to meet our international obligations and that the targets that have been set are realistic. The National Assembly is currently reviewing the strategy in Wales.

  Fuel Poverty
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what definition her Department uses of fuel poverty; what the level is of household fuel poverty in Great Britain; what timetable has been set for implementing a strategy to eradicate fuel poverty; and if she will make a statement. [3986]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 13 July 2001]: The draft UK Fuel Poverty Strategy set out our proposal to display the number of fuel poor households in England on the basis of both main definitions:

  (a) A household is in fuel poverty if, in order to maintain a satisfactory heating regime, it would be required to spend more than 10 per cent. of its income (including Housing Benefit or Income Support for Mortgage Interest) on all household fuel use.

  (b) A household is in fuel poverty if, in order to maintain a satisfactory heating regime, it would be required to spend more than 10 per cent. of its income (excluding Housing Benefit and ISMI) on all household fuel use.

  On the basis of the definitions at (a) and (b), we estimate the number of fuel poor households in Great Britain in 1999 to be either 4.3 million or 5.3 million respectively.

  The Government's overall goal is to seek an end to the problem of fuel poverty, with the first objective being to take all those most vulnerable to cold-related ill-health (older people, families with young children, the disabled and those with long-term illness) out of fuel poverty by 2010. The individual programmes set out in the draft strategy are already under way, with the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES) in England already substantially improved and offering grants of up to £2,000 compared to the £315 available under the previous scheme that had run since 1991. Since its launch in June 2000, HEES has already assisted over 100,000 vulnerable households and has a target of reaching 800,000 homes by 2004.

  We are currently considering the responses to the consultation on the proposed strategy. Our intention is to publish the final strategy in the autumn.

  Incinerators
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to introduce a moratorium on the building of new incinerators; and if she will make a statement. [3898]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 13 July 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Ashford (Mr. Green) on 2 July 2001, Official Report, column 47W.

  Pollution
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what rules are used to ensure that companies take responsibility for pollution under the integrated pollution control system and the integrated pollution prevention and control system; and if she will make a statement. [3995]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 13 July 2001]: In Great Britain, both the integrated pollution control and integrated pollution prevention and control regimes require operators to be issued with permits before they can undertake polluting activities. They give the regulator discretion to issue enforcement notices requiring compliance and provide for criminal prosecution in a range of circumstances.

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to increase protection of sites of special scientific interest; and if she will make a statement. [4015]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 13 July 2001]: We have provided significantly increased protection for sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs) in England and Wales, through measures in part HI of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. The first wildlife legislation for 20 years, the Act gives the conservation agencies new powers to refuse consent for damaging activities and to tackle neglect on SSSIs. It also imposes new duties on public bodies to further the conservation and enhancement of SSSIs and new procedures where such bodies are undertaking or considering consents for activities which may damage the features of SSSIs.

  Air Quality
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to change the targets of the Government's air quality strategy; and if she will make a statement. [3996]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 13 July 2001]: The air quality strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, published in January 2000, sets policy objectives for reducing levels of the eight air pollutants which are thought to pose the greatest risk to human health and the environment. The objectives are all subject to regular review, in the light of new scientific and policy documents.

  The Department plans to consult shortly on possible new objectives for three of the eight pollutants (particles, carbon monoxide and benzene). At the same time, we will also consult on a policy objective for a ninth pollutant

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  (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons). Thereafter, we intend to consult on a possible new objective for nitrogen dioxide, and on new objectives for the protection of ecosystems and vegetation from nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide, during the course of 2002. We have no immediate plans to revise the objectives for the other pollutants covered by the strategy (sulphur dioxide, lead, ozone and 1,3 butadiene).

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the air monitoring stations operating in Gloucestershire. [4285]

  Mr. Meacher
  There are currently no automatic air quality monitoring sites in Gloucestershire that form part of the UK national air pollution monitoring network. However, I understand that the Forest of Dean district council and Cheltenham borough council have set up their own monitoring stations at Cinderford and Montpellier respectively. I also understand that all the Gloucestershire authorities have used diffusion tubes at a number of locations across their areas for monitoring levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and levels of sulphur dioxide (SO2) for the purposes of their air quality reviews and assessments.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on how many occasions since 1997 air monitoring stations in Gloucestershire have reported pollution above recommended health levels. [4286]

  Mr. Meacher
  Within the UK as a whole, there has been a steady decline since 1997 in the number of days of poor air quality recorded at urban sites. In rural areas, the number of days when air pollution is recorded as moderate or higher has fluctuated over the same period because of the variability in levels of ozone. There are, however, no air quality monitoring stations in Gloucestershire that supply data to the UK automatic monitoring networks, so we are unable to provide any validated data to indicate on precisely how many occasions since 1997 air pollution was reported above recommended health levels in Gloucestershire.

  The local authorities in Gloucestershire have been reviewing and assessing the current, and likely future, air quality in their region as a requirement under Part IV of the Environment Act 1995. I understand from Gloucestershire Pollution Group that while there have been a number of days where the air pollution has been recorded as moderate or higher, they are not aware that the annual objectives have been exceeded for any pollutant.

  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made towards meeting the targets of the Government's air quality strategy; what measures she intends to monitor future progress; and if she will make a statement. [3997]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 13 July 2001]: Air pollution in the UK's towns and cities is on a steady downward trend, as a result chiefly of the progressively tighter controls over industrial and vehicle emissions that
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  have been introduced in recent years. Current modelling suggests that the UK is broadly on track to meet the objectives for most of the pollutants covered by the air quality strategy. It is likely, however, that three of the objectives (those for particles, nitrogen dioxide and ozone) will not be met in some parts of the UK without some additional national and/or local policy measures.

  In the case of particles and nitrogen dioxide, the air quality action plans that many local authorities will be developing over the months ahead will have a key role to play in helping us to achieve the objectives. In the case of ozone, concerted action at a European level is likely to be the best way of delivering the necessary reductions in levels across southern England. The forthcoming Ozone and National Emissions Ceilings Directives will help us to achieve this.

  We will monitor future progress towards these objectives by means of the national air quality monitoring network, and by a programme of reviews of the objectives for individual pollutants. We will also look to the results of the reviews and assessments of local air quality carried out be local authorities under Part IV of the Environmental Act 1995.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to increase air monitoring stations in Gloucestershire. [4287]

  Mr. Meacher
  The number and location of the air monitoring stations that form part of the UK air pollution monitoring network are predominantly determined by the need to meet the ambient air pollution reporting requirements laid down in the EU Air Quality Framework Directive and the Air Quality Daughter Directives. Other monitoring sites have been chosen to provide input into the development of proposed legislation and to improve the understanding of sources and effects of air pollution.

  The national monitoring network is constantly evolving. New sites have recently been installed to measure sulphur dioxide, particles and nitrogen dioxide in order to meet the requirements of the First Daughter Directive. Additional monitoring sites are also being installed to meet the requirements for benzene and carbon monoxide required for the Second Daughter Directive. There is also an extended monitoring programme for polyaromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals to inform understanding of the sources and levels of these pollutants. Other developments to the network are also under consideration, although, at present, there are no definite plans for new sites in Gloucestershire.

  Local authorities will also continue to have to monitor their local air quality from time to time as a requirement under Part IV of the Environment Act 1995. It will be up to them to continue monitoring the air quality in their region to assess whether or not the air quality objectives will be met by the relevant deadlines.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions
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  she (a) has had and (b) plans with local authorities in Gloucestershire on the subject of air quality; and if she will make a statement. [4288]

  Mr. Meacher
  My officials have been in regular contact with all the local authorities in Gloucestershire over the past few years, while they have been undertaking their local air quality reviews and assessments. Gloucestershire Pollution Group is represented at the Regional Air Quality Co-ordinators' meetings which are organised by my officials and take place every six months or so. The local authorities in Gloucestershire, along with all other English authorities, also have a duty to consult the Secretary of State on their review and assessment reports.

  Out of the six district/borough authorities in Gloucestershire, only Stroud district council and Tewkesbury borough council have identified potentially significant air pollution problems. These two authorities have therefore had to designate a joint air quality management area (AQMA) in respect of levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO,) adjacent to the M5 motorway, and they will now have to undertake a further review and assessment of air quality in the affected areas. They will also have to draw up an air quality action plan setting out the measures they intend to take in working towards the air quality objective for NO2.

  Renewables
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what role her Department intends to play in increasing the percentage of energy supplied from renewables in the United Kingdom by(a) 2010 and (b) 2040; and if she will make a statement. [3998]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 13 July 2001]: The Department works closely with the Department of Trade and Industry on delivering renewable energy generation objectives. The Government have set a target of 10 per cent. renewables electricity by 2010, subject to the cost being acceptable to the consumer. DEFRA promotes renewables through a variety of initiatives, including the Energy Crops Scheme to provide establishment grants for growers of energy crops and the Community Renewables initiative that will build community-based partnerships to develop renewable energy in their localities.

  Longer-term policy will be considered in the light of the current Performance and Innovation Unit review. This will set out the objectives of energy policy and develop a strategy to ensure current policy commitments are consistent with longer-term goals. Targets for future decades will need to be developed in the light of this analysis.

  Recycling
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the extent of availability of doorstep recycling and participation in such recycling; what timetable she has for introducing doorstep recycling to all households; and if she will make a statement. [3990]
  624W
  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 13 July 2001]: Results from the 1999–2000 Municipal Waste Management survey indicate that the proportion of households served by kerbside or doorstep collection schemes remained unchanged since 1998–99 at 43 per cent. However, the amount of waste collected for recycling through such schemes has increased by 18 per cent. since 1998–99 to 756,000 tonnes in 1999–2000.

  The choice of waste facilities is a matter for local authorities to take in consultation with their local communities. The Government do not require authorities to introduce kerbside recycling, although it is expected that the setting of statutory targets for recycling is likely to lead to an increase in the availability of kerbside recycling.

  Targets in the national waste strategy "Waste Strategy 2000" are based on the assumption that by 2020 up to 80 per cent. of households nationally can realistically be served by kerbside collections, and that 80 per cent. of households provided with the service will actually use it.

  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much household recycling was done in Great Britain in the last 12 months; what targets her Department has set for recycling of household waste by(a) 2005, (b) 2010 and (c) 2015; and if she will make a statement. [3999]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 13 July 2001]: In 1999–2000, the latest year for which data are available, 10.3 per cent. of household waste in England and Wales was recycled or composted. One of the key objectives in the Government's Waste Strategy, set out in "Waste Strategy 2000", is that where the creation of waste cannot be avoided, recycling and reuse should be maximised. The Government have set targets for England and Wales, for at least 25 per cent. of household waste to be recycled or composted by 2005, 30 per cent. by 2010 and 33 per cent. by 2015. These targets are not "ceilings" but realistic minima that will be revised upwards if experience indicates that higher levels are achievable. The National Assembly for Wales is currently consulting on revised targets for composting and recycling as part of a review of the waste strategy for Wales. Recycling in Scotland is a matter for the Scottish Executive.

  Pitsea Tip
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what investigations have been carried out regarding the deposit of poisonous or toxic waste at Pitsea tip; if he will list the agencies concerned; and when reports of these investigations will be available; [3890]

  (2) if she will publish the inquiry findings into waste at Pitsea tip, with particular reference to findings by the Environment Agency. [3885]
  625W
  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 13 July 2001]: I am advised that the waste management licence for the Pitsea landfill site authorises the disposal of both non-hazardous and hazardous waste—defined in our national legislation as "special waste". The Environment Agency has a legal duty to supervise and inspect all licensed sites. No investigation or inquiry separate from the fulfilment of this duty has been carried by the Agency in relation to the Pitsea landfill site.

  The Environment Agency is required by section 64 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to maintain a public register of licences. The information which the Agency is required to keep on the public register is set out in section 64 of the 1990 Act and regulation 10 of the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994. It includes (a) the licence for each site; (b) reports produced by the Agency in the discharge of its functions under section 42 of the 1990 Act; and (c) any monitoring information relating to the carrying on of any activity under the licence. The consignment and disposal of special waste is also subject to the requirements of the Special Waste Regulations 1996.

  The Environment Agency is carrying out a thorough investigation into the destinations of ash from municipal waste incinerators and a report will be published by the Agency on completion of its investigation. The Agency has no evidence that ash accepted at the Pitsea landfill site was subsequently consigned from the site for use elsewhere. However, the Agency will address this possibility in the context of its current investigation.

  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what action will be taken to clean up Pitsea tip and make the environment safer for residents of Castle Point; and if she will make a statement; [3886]

  (2) what assessment she has made of the public safety and environmental implications of the poisonous waste deposited at Pitsea tip on the communities and land at Benfleet and on Canvey Island; [3888]

  (3) what the radius is of the area at risk from poisonous waste deposited at Pitsea tip. [3887]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 13 July 2001]: Landfill sites operate under the terms of waste management licences and are subject to the controls set out in Part II of the Environment Protection Act 1990 and the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994. The purpose of licences is to ensure that waste is disposed of in ways which protect the environment and human health. Failure to comply with a licence condition, or the disposal of waste in a manner likely to cause environmental pollution or harm to human health, is a criminal offence.

  The Environment Agency has a legal duty to inspect all licensed sites and section 42 of the 1990 Act requires the Agency to take the steps needed to ensure that (a) the activities authorised by a licence do not cause environmental pollution, harm to human health or serious detriment to local amenities; and (b) the conditions of a licence are complied with.
  626W
  It is the responsibility of the Environment Agency to assess whether any steps are needed to ensure compliance with these provisions; I am advised by the Environment Agency that the Pitsea landfill site is currently being operated within the terms of its licence; and that the Agency has no plans to take enforcement action under Part II of the 1990 Act either in relation to the disposal of waste, including poisonous waste, at the site or the implications of its disposal outside the site's boundaries (i.e. within any radius of the site).

  The Environment Agency will continue to inspect and supervise the site under section 42 of the 1990 Act and will take any steps necessary to ensure that the licence conditions are fulfilled and that waste, including poisonous waste, is not disposed of in ways which cause environmental pollution or harm to the health of any communities living within any radius of the site.

  Fishing
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate her Department has made of the level of(a) black fish landed and (b) discards of over quota or otherwise unlandable fish for each (i) fishing area, (ii) sector and (iii) species in each of the last five years. [4359]

  Mr. Morley
  None. However, account is taken of undeclared landings and all forms of discards by scientists in the assessment of some fish stocks.

  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many fishing vessels were registered on 1 January. [4361]

  Mr. Morley
  There were 7,242 British fishing vessels registered in the UK by the Registry of Shipping and Seaman at 1 January 2001. In addition the authorities in the States of Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man registered a further 578 British fishing vessels on that date.

  Sea Defences
  Mr. Gummer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much spending on sea defences was authorised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for each of the last four years; and how much was provided by(a) the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and (b) local authorities. [4117]

  Mr. Morley
  The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food approved in each year coastal defence capital works meeting specified criteria for grant aid. The speed at which such works are constructed and hence expenditure incurred and grant claimed, is a matter for the operating authorities. The table shows(a) the actual outturn on the grant eligible capital programme for coastal defences by category of operating authority, and (b) the amount of grant paid by the Ministry. For local authorities grant can be paid in advance one year for work to be undertaken early in the next, whereas actual outturn will record the work completed in the year, so comparisons may be misleading.
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  £million

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  (a)

  (b)

  (a)

  (b)

  (a)

  (b)

  (a)

  (b)

  Sea defence

  Environment Agency

  29.9

  21.9

  18.1

  12.4

  20.3

  14.0

  117.9

  12.5

  Local authorities

  2.5

  0.7

  0.5

  —

  1.2

  0.7

  2.6

  1.3

  Local authorities coast protection

  42.2

  24.2

  43.6

  24.1

  35.4

  24.7

  33.1

  11.9

  Total

  74.6

  46.8

  62.2

  36.5

  56.9

  39.4

  53.6

  25.7

  1Estimated

  The net of grant costs of the programme are largely met (i) in the case of the Environment Agency by levies on local authorities, and (ii) in the case of local authorities' own works by the provision of Supplementary Credit Approvals for borrowing cover. Both are reflected in the calculation of Standard Spending Assessments and Revenue Support Grant.

  Inland Waterways
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total Government investment was in inland waterways in(a) Lancashire and (b) Chorley in the last five years; and what the forecast is for the next three years. [4394]

  Mr. Meacher
  Local information is not collated centrally. However, total expenditure by British Waterways over the past five years has been £163 million. They anticipate spending another £191 million over the next three years.

  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total Government investment in inland waterways was in(a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) 2000. [3748]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 16 July 2001]: This information is not available. However, the grant in aid paid to British Waterways, and the element of grant paid to the Environment Agency towards the funding of its navigation responsibilities, were as follows:

  £ million

  British Waterways1

  Environment Agency

  Total

  1997–98

  51.9

  2.3

  54.2

  1998–99

  53.6

  3.1

  56.7

  1999–2000

  59.0

  3.1

  62.1

  2000–01

  64.9

  4.5

  69.4

  1Figures include grant in aid paid towards Scottish waterways

  Droitwich Barge and Junction Canals
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the viability of the re-opening of the Droitwich Barge and Junction Canals; and if she will make a statement. [4134]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Secretary of State looks to the Inland Waterways Amenity Advisory Council (IWAAC) to provide advice on waterway restoration projects. IWAAC's "Waterway Restoration Priorities" report published in 1998 identified the Droitwich Barge and Junction Canals as being of national importance and ready 628W
  for main funding in the short team. A recent study carried out by British Waterways confirmed the feasibility of the project and the benefits it would be likely to deliver. The next step will be for the interested parties to raise the necessary funding.

  Horticulture
  Hugh Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what plans she has to increase the number of nationals from countries seeking to join the EU eligible to work in the horticultural industry under the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme; [4545]

  (2) what plans she has to relax the restrictions on employing seasonal workers in the horticultural industry. [4539]

  Mr. Morley
  The United Kingdom has a long-standing Seasonal Agricultural Workers' Scheme (SAWS) which enables non-European Economic Area students between the ages of 18 and 25 who are in full-time education to enter the United Kingdom to do seasonal agricultural work. The annual quota was raised with effect from the 2001 season from 10,000 to 15,200. This increase was not specifically aimed at nationals from those countries seeking to join the EU.

  Despite the increase in the quota the Government are aware that certain sectors of the agricultural and horticultural industries have called for further increases in the quota. In the light of those representations the Government are actively considering whether further changes are needed. A decision on any change to the scheme is for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department to make.

  GM Crops
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what criteria are to be used in the risk assessments for the autumn-sown farm scale evaluations for GM crops. [4471]

  Mr. Meacher
  The criteria used in assessing risks from genetically modified (GM) plants released to the environment are set out in schedule 1 of the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations (1995), which implement European Commission Directive 94/15/EC.

  For the assessment of sites notified to the authorities for research releases the criteria (set out in Part V of the schedule) include: locations and sizes of the sites, the description of the site ecosystem including evaluation of

  629W
  flora and fauna, details of any sexually compatible wild relatives or cultivated plant species present at the site and its proximity to sites of special scientific interest.

  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farm scale evaluation sites for GM crops were planted for each crop type. [4469]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Farm Scale Evaluations is a three-year research programme now in its second full year. The Scientific Steering Committee overseeing the programme has recommended that data be gathered at between 60 and 75 sites for each crop type (winter oilseed rape, spring oilseed rape, beet and maize) over the three years of the study. To date 24 winter oilseed rape, 43 spring oilseed rape, 50 beet sites and 37 maize sites have been sown.

  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the meetings she has had with(a) Aventis and (b) the Crop Protection Association to discuss access to information on experimental approvals for glufosinate ammonium. [3755]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 16 July 2001]: No such meetings have been held.

  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the antibiotic marker genes and the antibiotics to which they convey resistance, that have been used in the genetic modification of plant crops. [4606]

  Mr. Meacher
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 22 February 2000,Official Report, column 916W.

  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the tests or trials on the(a) distinctness, uniformity and stability and (b) value for cultivation and use of the GM fodder maize variety, Chardon LL, which have been commenced in (i) the United Kingdom and (ii) elsewhere since October 2000. [4465]

  Mr. Meacher
  No tests for distinctness, uniformity and stability or trials for value for cultivation and use on the GM fodder maize variety Chardon LL have been commenced in the United Kingdom since October 2000. The French testing authorities have advised us that they entered the variety for a second year of official distinctness, uniformity and stability tests in France in spring 2001.

  Biosafety
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the United Kingdom will ratify the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. [4472]

  Mr. Meacher
  Ratification of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety by the United Kingdom is partly dependent on legislative action at the European Community level. The European Commission has indicated that it intends to publish proposals for such legislation in autumn this year. Depending on progress with this legislation, the United Kingdom may therefore expect to ratify the Protocol before the end of 2002.

  Flooding (Vale of York)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what funding she will make available for a flood elevation scheme in Rawcliffe, York. [4435]

  Mr. Morley
  Emergency works by the Environment Agency have reduced the risk of defences being outflanked at Rawcliffe. An application from the Environment Agency for grant on a flood alleviation scheme at Rawcliffe will be considered against the normal technical, economic and environmental criteria and priority score arrangements. The current rate of grant for such schemes is 65 per cent., but the Environment Agency grant rates are reviewed on an annual basis.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received requesting a comprehensive review of the flood management system in the Vale of York, with particular reference to a flood elevation scheme at Rawcliffe, as part of flood defences. [4436]

  Mr. Morley
  Following the severe flooding in late 2000, the Department has been made aware of the concerns of a number of communities in the Vale of York through both correspondence and the Adjournment debate which the hon. Member secured on 7 November 2000. I also met her and representatives of Rawcliffe on 30 April 2001. Operational responsibility for flood management systems rests with the local operating authorities (the Environment Agency, local authorities and Internal Drainage Boards). Inter alia, the agency has reassessed its flood warning arrangements and is undertaking a strategic study for the River Ouse catchment.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made to repair damage to the flood defences in the Yorkshire and Humber region during the November 2000 floods. [4437]

  Mr. Morley
  The Department is making contributions towards the exceptional costs incurred by the Environment Agency and Internal Drainage Boards on emergency response and repairs following the flooding in late 2000. I understand that the agency inspected all of its flood defence assets as soon as possible after the flooding and has undertaken major emergency works inter alia at Gowdall, Selby, Barlby, Wressle, Rawcliffe and the Foss Barrier. The agency has also undertaken local repairs elsewhere as part of its maintenance programme.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what contingency plans she has to prevent flooding in the Vale of York on a scale similar to that experienced in November 2000. [4432]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government announced increased funding for flood and coastal defence capital works last November as part of their response to the severe flooding. It is now for the operating authorities to consider the need for schemes and develop proposals within an overall strategy for catchment areas. The Government also announced exceptional funding for emergency repairs and response and the authorities are undertaking emergency
  631W
  works; for example the Environment Agency has undertaken works to reduce the risk of defences being outflanked at Rawcliffe.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what progress has been made in the co-ordination of functions and tasks by the relevant agencies to prevent flooding in the Vale of York; [4433]

  (2) what discussions her Department has had with (a) the Environment Agency, (b) Kyle and Upper Ouse Internal Drainage Board, (c) City of York Council, (d) Yorkshire Water and (e) other agencies and on floods management since November 2000. [4434]

  Mr. Morley
  The Environment Agency's "Lessons Learned" report on the floods has helped to further clarify the roles of the different agencies. In addition to the regular meetings with the organisations responsible for emergency response, I understand the Agency has held several meetings with the City of York council, Rawcliffe parish council, Kyle and Upper Ouse Internal Drainage Board and Yorkshire Water to discuss and plan flood management issues. The Department's Regional Engineer is liaising with the operating authorities with regard to plans for capital flood defence works and associated studies.

  Kyoto Protocol
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with the Environment Committee of the Council of Europe on the Kyoto Protocol. [4780]

  Mr. Meacher
  None.

  Home Energy Efficiency Scheme
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action her Department has taken since 14 March to tackle delays experienced by householders under the home energy efficiency scheme. [4768]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 18 July 2001]: The delays in the installation and repair of central heating systems under the home energy efficiency scheme are due to the national shortage of qualified gas heating engineers. The Department continues to encourage the two scheme managers—the Eaga Partnership Ltd. and Eastern HEES Ltd.—in their efforts to recruit additional installers as an interim measure. These efforts have led to substantial improvements in the rate of work with over 2,800 boiler installations in June 2001, compared to 590 in January.

  But the longer-term solution to the problem is to increase the pool of trained engineers. Over the next 12 months my Department is funding training courses that will provide 800 additional qualified engineers to work under the scheme. The first batch will join the scheme in November. This is currently the largest gas engineer training programme in the UK.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many boiler repairs and replacements have so far been completed 632W
  under the home energy efficiency scheme in Dorset; and what the current average time clients have to wait for the installation and repair of heating systems is. [4769]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 18 July 2001]: The table identifies the number of boiler repairs and replacements completed since June 2000 in Dorset. Following the completion of works installers typically take between 6–8 weeks to submit an invoice for payment. It is likely that work has already been completed in some of these households. The time taken should significantly decrease following the recent appointment of nine further heating companies taking the total number for Dorset to 12:

  Number fitted and invoiced

  Number with installers

  Average lime taken in months1

  Boiler repairs

  230

  80

  3.3

  Boiler replacements

  19

  109

  9

  New boilers

  60

  223

  9

  1Boilers are only replaced once an attempt to repair has failed. The average time shown therefore includes the period taken to attempt a repair.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects the applications by(a) Mr. and Mrs. Griffiths of Burton, Dorset, (b) Mrs. Donovan of Ferndown, Dorset and (c) Mrs. Deary of St. Leonard's, Dorset, under the home energy efficiency scheme in June 2000 to be actioned; and if she will make a statement. [4763]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 18 July 2001]: The home energy efficiency scheme is managed in the south-west of England by the Eaga Partnership Ltd. I have asked it to report on these three applications and will write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures she is taking to examine the progress of EAGA in delivering the Government's home heating policy. [4577]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 18 July 2001]: The Department maintains a close watch for the performance of both the home energy efficiency scheme managers—Eaga Partnership Ltd. and Eastern HEES Ltd. This includes both regular management reports and the use of an external contractor—White Young and Green—to audit the systems operated by the two scheme managers to ensure their effectiveness. This audit includes physical inspections of work as well as sample surveys of HEES clients and is designed to identify measures to improve the quality of service to householders applying to the scheme.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people in each of the four areas of England established for the purpose of administering the home energy efficiency scheme have had(a) new boilers fitted and (b) boilers repaired since June 2000; and how many are waiting for (i) boiler repairs and (ii) new boilers. [4765]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 18 July 2001]: The table sets out the number of households that have had work completed and those where orders have been placed.
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  Number of households that require new heating systems including boiler:

  Number of households that required repairs to existing heating systems:

  Scheme Manager

  Fitted and invoiced

  Order with installer

  Repairs completed and invoiced (of which require replacement boiler)

  Those awaiting repair1

  Those awaiting replacement boiler1

  Lot 1—London and south east

  1,461

  1,877

  3,230(111)

  1,726

  1,207

  Lot 2—Eastern, east midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber

  5,594

  3,940

  3,419 (120)

  3,211

  113

  Lot 3—South west and west midlands

  4,162

  4,747

  3,102(182)

  2,061

  1,620

  Lot 4—North west and north east

  6,974

  5,633

  4,284 (437)

  2,645

  2,063

  1Following the completion of works installers typically take between 6–8 weeks to submit an invoice for payment. it is likely that work has already been completed in some of these households.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what has been the total value of work carried out since June 2000 by contractors in each of the four areas of England established for the purposes of administering the home energy efficiency scheme. [4764]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 18 July 2001]: The table identifies the total value of work completed and invoiced in each of the four lot areas (described in the table) in England. Following the completion of works installers typically take between 6–8 weeks to submit an invoice for payment. It is likely that the value of works is higher than the figures identified. The figure excludes the material value of new gas central heating systems, which are paid for by a separate lease agreement:

  £ million

  Scheme manager

  Total value of work from 1 June 2000 to 30 June 2001

  Lot 1—London and South East

  6.81

  Lot 2—Eastern, East Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber

  17.70

  Lot 3—South West and West Midlands

  14.96

  Lot 4—North West and North East

  22.84

  Total

  62.31

  Pollution (Edmonton)
  Andrew Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will list the types of dioxins which have been present, in each of the past 10 years, in fly ash from waste incinerators(a) nationally and (b) from the Edmonton incinerator. [4865]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 18 July 2001]: There are 210 types (congeners) of dioxins—only 17 of which are considered to be significant cause for concern because of their toxicity—and these are listed. All combustion processes including waste incinerators produce a mixture of dioxin congeners which will be detected in the fly ash but monitoring usually focuses on the 17 congeners of concern which are reported as Toxic Equivalents (TEQ). Fly ash from the Edmonton incinerator would similarly contain a mixture of the 210 dioxin congeners.

  Annex A
  The 17 dioxin (and furan) congeners which are considered to be significant cause for concern because of their toxicity.
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  Dioxins

  2,3,7,8-TCDD—tetra chloro dibenzo-para-dioxin

  1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD—penta chloro dibenzo-para-dioxin

  1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDD—hexa chloro dibenzo-para-dioxin

  1,2,3,6,7,8-HxCDD—hexa chloro dibenzo-para-dioxin

  1,2,3,7,8,9-HxCDD—hexa chloro dibenzo-para-dioxin

  1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD—hepta chloro dibenzo-para-dioxin

  OCDD—octa chloro dibenzo-para-dioxin

  Furans

  2,3,7,8-TCDF—tetra chloro dibenzo furan

  1,2,3,7,8-PeCDF—penta chloro dibenzo furan

  2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF—penta chloro dibenzo furan

  1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDF—hexa chloro dibenzo furan

  1,2,3,7,8,9-HxCDF—hexa chloro dibenzo furan

  1,2,3,6,7,8-HxCDF—hexa chloro dibenzo furan

  2,3,4,6,7,8-HxCDF—hexa chloro dibenzo furan

  1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDF—hepta chloro dibenzo furan

  1,2,3,4,7,8,9-HpCDF—hepta chloro dibenzo furan

  OCDF—octa chloro dibenzo furan.

  New Forest
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what the timetable is for reviewing and reappointing the Forestry Commission as the agency for managing the Crown Lands of the New Forest; and if she will make a statement. [3758]

  (2) if she will make a statement about the ownership of the New Forest. [3759]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: The Crown Lands of the New Forest were transferred from the Commissioners of Woods to the Forestry Commissioners in 1924. Ownership was then passed to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by the Forestry Act 1945, which also placed the Crown Lands at the disposal of the Forestry Commissioners. The Commissioners have therefore managed the Crown Lands continuously since 1924 and there is no need to reappoint them. We have no plans to review this.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will make a statement on the powers available to the Forestry Commission to restrict and impose conditions upon access to the New Forest and the statutory provisions which govern their use. [4099]
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  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: The Forestry Commissioners manage the New Forest using the powers granted by the Forestry Act 1967, Countryside Act 1968 and the New Forest Acts of 1870, 1879, 1949, 1964 and 1970. These Acts also give the Commissioners powers to restrict and impose conditions upon access to the New Forest.

  Evesham
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of the Market Towns Initiative as it affects Evesham. [5750]

  Alun Michael
  I will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.

  Market Towns Initiative
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will extend the Market Towns Initiative to Chorley. [6209]

  Alun Michael
  Following publication of the Rural White paper Regional Development Agencies are taking forward a programme of revitalisation of rural towns in or near Rural Priority Areas. It is for RDAs and their partners to decide on priorities.

  Hunting
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has in respect of the Government's policy for legislation on hunting. [5697]

  Alun Michael
  Consideration is being given to the best way of dealing with this issue.

  Tyres
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what consultation the Government have had with the tyre industry in order to implement the EU Landfill Directive; and if the requirements of the Directive will be complied with by the dates specified. [4497]

  Mr. Wilson
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Government expect shortly to issue a consultation document and draft regulations which will set out the Government's views on the implementation of the tyre bans required by the Landfill Directive. The Government maintain regular dialogue with the tyre industry on this issue through the Used Tyre Working Group and we remain confident that sufficient tyre recovery capacity will be developed to enable the disposal of tyres to landfill to cease by the specified dates.

  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the Government(a) has taken and (b) plans to take to ensure that additional tyre recovery and recycling facilities become available in the next three years. [4556]

  Mr. Wilson
  I have been asked to reply.

  The key date in the Landfill Directive for tyres is expected to be 2006, when shredded tyres should be banned from landfill (whole tyres are due to be banned
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  in 2003). The Government will continue to develop the framework necessary and provide support to help enable the tyre industry to achieve the required diversions of tyres away from disposal to landfill.

  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if the Government will introduce legislation requiring tyre manufacturers to take back tyres at the end of their life. [4498]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 16 July 2001]: I have been asked to reply.

  The Government's preferred approach to meeting the requirements of the Landfill Directive for tyres is through a voluntary framework. However, statutory Producer Responsibility is an option, and we will consider later this year whether to issue a consultation document setting out proposals for such arrangements.

  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what conclusions the Used Tyre Working Group has reached with regard to necessary steps to improve the United Kingdom's scrap tyre recovery performance to a target of 100 per cent.; and if she will make a statement. [4555]

  Mr. Wilson
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Government have asked the industry side of the Used Tyre Working Group to set out in its forthcoming Annual Report how the transition away from landfill is to be managed. That report is due to be submitted at the end of July and we will consider the way forward in light of this information.

  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if the Used Tyre Working Group has completed the collection of statistics regarding used tyre disposal for 1999; how many waste tyres were produced in the United Kingdom in that year; by what means they were disposed of; and what other information was collected by the working group in respect of that year. [4531]

  Mr. Wilson
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Used Tyre Working Group (UTWG) estimated that around 430,000 tonnes (45 million tyres) were disposed of in 1999. The table shows recovery routes, rounded to the nearest percent.

  Used tyres

  Tonnes

  Percentage

  Total

  427,000

  —

  Recovered

  311,000

  —

  Recovery rate

  —

  73

  Reuse

  61.000

  14

  Retreading

  66,000

  15

  Recycling

  83,000

  19

  Landfill engineering

  31,000

  7

  Energy recovery

  70,000

  16

  The majority of the balance was landfilled, and some will have been stored or illegally dumped. The UTWG holds regular meetings and gathers information during the course of the year. Much of this information is contained in the UTWG's Annual Reports, the latest of which is held on its website at www.tyredisposal.co.uk.

  German Atomic Law
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent communications she has had with her German counterpart, and what exchanges have taken place at official level, in respect of those amendments to the German atomic law which have implications for the United Kingdom. [3947]

  Mr. Wilson
  I have been asked to reply.

  Amendments to German legislation are a matter for the Government of Germany. My Department has continued to press the German Government to ensure that any changes to legislation implemented in order to facilitate the phase-out of nuclear power in Germany do not prevent the effective fulfilment of BNFL's reprocessing contracts with German utilities.

  Nuclear Safety
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will request from her German counterpart papers produced on(a) the BMU Radiation Safety Commission and (b) Reactor Safety Commission relating to environmental safety matters concerning British Radioactive waste and nuclear facilities handling imported German nuclear materials. [3948]

  Mr. Wilson
  I have been asked to reply.

  I do not intend requesting such documents. The Department is not aware of these papers and would not expect to receive documents produced by or for German regulatory authorities. The UK's independent nuclear regulators meet with their German counterpart organisations in a number of international fora and bring to each others' attention issues of mutual interest.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Child Abductions
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children have been abducted from the UK in the last three years; and what action is taken to ensure the welfare of such children.

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  I have been asked to reply.

  Between 1998 and 2000,431 cases involving children allegedly abducted from England and Wales were processed by the Child Abduction Unit for determination under the 1980 Hague Convention on Child Abduction. Of these cases, 252 were concluded either by the foreign court ordering the return of the child or by the abducting parent returning voluntarily to this jurisdiction. In 27 cases the foreign court refused to return the child; 15 cases were resolved by the court graning the left behind parent contact; 79 cases were withdrawn and the remaining cases are pending. Some cases involve more than one child.

  As far as Scotland is concerned, between 1998 and 2000 the Central Authority in Edinburgh dealt with 22 cases of children who had been abducted. It has not been possible, in the time available, to obtain figures from Northern Ireland. These are being collected and I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as they are available.
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  The Child Abduction Unit ensures that the child's welfare is protected by requesting its counterpart abroad to contact child protection authorities to investigate any concerns.

  In addition, the Consular Department of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office provides consular services in cases in which children have allegedly been abducted from the United Kingdom to countries which are not party to the 1980 Hague Convention.

  Police Retirement
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of each police force in England and Wales retired in each of the last five years for which figures are available, broken down by the reason for retirement; and if he will make a statement about his plans to reduce the number of medical retirements from the police. [162]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 25 June 2001]: Tables setting out the requested data on retirements from police forces in England and Wales for the years 1995–96 to 1999–2000 will be placed in the Library.

  The level of medical retirements from the forces in England and Wales has fallen from 46 per cent. of all retirements in 1995–96 to 31 per cent. in 1999–2000. I am, however, currently considering what steps need to be taken in order to ensure that all forces deal with medical retirements effectively.

  Police Divisions, (Cheshire)
  Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Chief Constable of Cheshire on(a) the resources allocated to, and (b) the level of crime, broken down by standard category in, each police division in Cheshire since 1997. [1135]

  Mr. Denham
  The allocation of resources to the territorial divisions and for other centrally provided operational units in any force is a matter for the professional judgment of the Chief Constable and his senior command team.

  The Chief Constable has provided the information in the tables about the allocation of officers to each division, and the level of crime in each of the divisions between 1997–98 and 2000–01.

  Since 1997 Cheshire Constabulary has civilianised a significant number of operational support roles. This has contributed to the reduction in police numbers and the increase in civilian numbers. The structure of the force is periodically reviewed and changes are made to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the force. Changes in recent years have resulted in the centralisation of officers deployed on armed response vehicles and the creation of a Central Traffic Enforcement Unit. These changes have reduced the number of officers in the territorial divisions. I understand that the Constabulary plan to recruit 156 officers including 77 under the Crime Fighting Fund by March 2002.
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  Cheshire constabulary: resources

  Police officers

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Chester and Ellesmere Port

  380

  360

  353

  346

  Congleton and Vale Royal

  272

  257

  258

  271

  Halton

  275

  261

  250

  240

  Warrington

  317

  311

  318

  316

  Macclesfield

  267

  249

  245

  242

  Crewe

  186

  174

  166

  182

  Central Operational and Support functions

  345

  459

  421

  405

  Total Police Officers

  2,042

  2,071

  2,011

  2,002

  Civilian Support Staff

  781

  785

  823

  833

  Total Personnel

  2,823

  2,856

  2,834

  2,835

  Force Budget (£ million)

  102.4

  106.7

  111.1

  115.1

  Cheshire constabulary: crime figures

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Total crime

  Chester and Ellesmere Port

  13,527

  15,806

  15,065

  14,792

  Congleton and Vale Royal

  9,256

  11,349

  10,906

  10,160

  Halton

  8,475

  9,233

  8,759

  9,242

  Warrington

  13,471

  13,335

  14,286

  13,412

  Macclesfield

  8,481

  8,929

  8,370

  8,587

  Crewe

  6,245

  6,467

  7,142

  7,095

  Cheshire Constabulary

  59,455

  65,119

  64,528

  63,288

  Violent Crime

  Chester and Ellesmere Port

  909

  2,111

  1,651

  1,676

  Congleton and Vale Royal

  624

  1,140

  906

  914

  Halton

  804

  1,154

  1,019

  1,013

  Warrington

  1,192

  1,481

  1,475

  1,370

  Macclesfield

  586

  911

  850

  799

  Crewe

  628

  826

  744

  718

  Cheshire Constabulary

  4,743

  7,623

  6,645

  6,490

  Burglary Dwelling

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Chester and Ellesmere Port

  1,280

  1,185

  1,095

  1,138

  Congleton and Vale Royal

  972

  1,066

  850

  969

  Halton

  595

  624

  612

  576

  Warrington

  1,493

  1,027

  1,018

  984

  Macclesfield

  1,122

  1,110

  1,028

  960

  Crewe

  791

  913

  776

  822

  Cheshire Constabulary

  6,253

  5,925

  5,379

  5,449

  Vehicle Crime

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Chester and Ellesmere Port

  2,782

  3,127

  2,378

  2,606

  Congleton and Vale Royal

  2,174

  2,298

  2,212

  2,018

  Halton

  1,928

  1,889

  1,731

  2,015

  Warrington

  3,069

  2,737

  3,242

  2,810

  Macclesfield

  1,743

  1,542

  1,453

  1,640

  Crewe

  1,070

  854

  1,160

  1,164

  Cheshire Constabulary

  12,766

  12,447

  12,176

  12,253

  Special Constables
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to amend the conditions of service of special constables. [2951]

  Mr. Denham
  Revisions to the conditions of service for the Special Constabulary have been circulated to forces.

  The changes to the conditions of service focus on improving provisions for "unemployed" Special Constables and introduce mandatory payment of certain allowances and expenses.
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  We have also introduced a dedicated legal representation scheme and are working with the Association of Police Authorities and Association of Chief Police Officers to improve the local management of Special Constables.

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to extend to special constables the same entitlements to free travel on London Transport as applies to regular officers; and if he will make a statement. [5108]
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  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that since 20 June 2001, members of the Metropolitan police special constabulary have been allowed to travel free of charge on all London Bus Services while on duty. Other travel operators have not made available similar concessions. There are currently no plans to extend free travel facilities to members of the Metropolitan special constabulary while travelling off duty.

  Police Recruitment (Medical Standards)
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce national medical criteria for the police initial recruitment standards. [2128]

  Mr. Denham
  In accordance with the Dismantling Barriers Action Plan (issued July 1999), the Home Office plans, in consultation with Association of Chief Police Officers and other police interests, to deliver the new national medical and eyesight standards for police recruitment next year. These will be researched to ensure they are job related, defensible and non-discriminatory, and take account of the proposed extension of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to police officers.

  Police Misconduct
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers who were serving within the Metropolitan police and were dismissed from the service because of misconduct in each of the last three years, are now in receipt of a police pension. [2529]

  Mr. Denham
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that of 31 May 2001 the Metropolitan police employed a total of 25,615 officers. The breakdown of police officers who were dismissed or required to resign from the Metropolitan police because of misconduct in each of the last three years and are now in receipt of a police pension, is as follows:

  Year

  Dismissed

  Required to resign

  1998–99

  9

  39

  1999–2000

  15

  25

  2000–01

  10

  21

  Total

  34

  85

  Under Regulation K5 of the Police Pensions Regulations 1987, a police authority can seek a certificate for forfeiture of pension, although the courts have ruled that the pension may be forfeited by no more than 75 per cent., the remainder reflecting a pensioner's own contributions. In respect of those officers dismissed or required to resign from the Metropolitan police since 1998, the Metropolitan Police Authority has submitted one request for forfeiture of pension, for which a certificate was issued in November 2000. However, the Metropolitan Police Authority are currently considering a further 12 cases for forfeiture of pension.

  The Home Secretary's statement of 23 March 1998, in response to the Home Affairs Committee Report on police disciplinary and complaints procedures, made it clear that police authorities should look at all cases of police officers who have been convicted of criminal offences
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  connected with their police service with a view to forfeiture of their pensions. Further to that statement, Home Office circular 56–1998, which was sent to the chair/clerk of all police authorities in December 1998, indicated that they should ensure, in co-operation with their police force, that systems should be in place to identify cases to which the forfeiture provisions apply so that appropriate action may be taken. The total number of applications submitted is restricted by the strict criteria that need to be met.

  Secretary of State (Appointment)
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if(a) police officers and (b) patrol cars were taken off active duty for the photo opportunity to announce his appointment as Secretary of State for the Home Department; and if he will make a statement. [2480]

  Mr. Denham
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that two police officers and one police vehicle were in attendance at the photo-opportunity outside the Home Office on 9 June. These resources remained available for redeployment to security patrol elsewhere in the area.

  Police (Homosexual Officers)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his Department's policy is on encouraging homosexual people to join the police force in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement. [2844]

  Mr. Denham
  The Home Office is currently developing national recruitment standards that are fair and non-discriminatory, and which will give access to a wider pool of applicants through the removal of unnecessary barriers to recruitment. Chief Constables are currently considering guidance about sexual orientation which has been drafted by the Association of Chief Police Officers with the help of the Lesbian and Gay Police Association. The draft guidance states among other matters that police forces' recruitment advertising should aim to attract lesbian and gay people as it would any other minority group, and that current arrangements concerning recruitment and promotion should be reviewed to ensure that they do not discriminate on grounds of sexual orientation.

  Immigration and Nationality Directorate
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the performance of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate in meeting its objectives in its Business Plan for 2000–01 in respect of the processing of asylum support claims. [3298]

  Angela Eagle
  For 2000–01, the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) had two main targets:

  (i) to support single adults within a unit cost of £150 per week and families within a unit cost of £220 per week; and

  (ii) to process 70 per cent. of support applications within two days of receipt and 100 per cent. within seven days of receipt.

  NASS met the first of these targets in respect of the unit cost for single adults but not in respect of that for families. NASS did not meet its second target. This was due to a combination of factors but in particular due to the failure to predict the number of changes of circumstances

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  leading to changes in the type of support requested and a higher than planned for failure to comply with the arrangements to travel to dispersal accommodation. This led to the completion of processing of applications taking longer than expected.

  Racial Strife
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to tackle racial strife in Bradford, Oldham and Burnley; and if he will make a statement. [2588]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 9 July 2001]: Shortly after the recent disturbances in Oldham, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary met representatives from a number of local communities and agencies to discuss the situation in the town. As a result, an action plan for recovery, to be prepared in Oldham by local fora including leaders of the Asian and White communities, police authorities and business leaders, is to be prepared within the next four months. We have made it clear that the Government, across all Departments, stand ready to offer support and independent advice as needed to help towns such as Bradford, Oldham and Burnley begin to heal their divisions and build a better future.

  I visited Oldham to meet local people and learn about the town's problems at first hand. We welcome the fact that community leaders and the police are discussing what happened in Burnley and why. We are of course ready to work with local communities to ensure the safety and peaceful co-existence of people that live there. I remain convinced that the primary job of tackling the root causes of the complex social and specific problems that give rise to divisions and disturbances of this kind must be done at local level. We do of course welcome any local initiatives that help to address these issues in a constructive manner. In a statement to the House of Commons the Home Secretary announced the establishment of a ministerial group with a dedicated review team to undertake further work within communities over the summer. It will provide a direct link between Ministers and these communities. The review team will seek views from people on the ground, working closely with local people to identify further what needs to be done. This team will work in areas that have suffered violence as well as similar areas that have not.

  The review team will provide a clear link between local communities and Ministers, reporting regularly over the summer and producing a final report and recommendations in September. It will be an important way of helping local people provide local solutions, while drawing out issues for policy consideration at national as well as local and community levels.

  We have made available funding for additional sporting and leisure and cultural activities for young people over the summer months.

  Witness Protection
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are under a formal witness protection programme; how many people in each of the last five years on average have entered formal witness protection programmes; and if he will make a statement. [1516]
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  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  [holding answer 10 July 2001]: Witness protection is the responsibility of individual chief constables and I understand that figures relating to the numbers of people under protection are not available.

  Speed Cameras
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money was raised from speed cameras in(a) 1998, (b) 1999, (c) 2000 and (d) 2001. [3836]

  Mr. Denham
  Available information is given in the table. Automatic camera devices provided evidence from 1995–98 and all camera types for 1999. Data for 2000 will be available in the autumn, with data for 2001 due at the end of 2002.

  All revenue received went directly into the Treasury's Consolidated Fund. However from April 2000, eight areas have been taking part in the piloting of arrangements for netting off fine revenue from cameras. This income can be used only for recovering the costs directly involved with camera operation, and there are strict financial controls, with an audit, to ensure that they are not diverted for other purposes. Section 38 of the Vehicles (Crime) Act 2001 now provides for court areas, subject to detailed conditions, to net off fine revenue from fixed penalty notices to fund speed limit and red light enforcement only.

  Fixed Penalty and Court Proceeding data for offences of speeding detected by cameras1, 2—England and Wales 1998–99a

  1998

  1999

  Fixed Penalties

  Number of tickets3

  338,800

  423,000

  Estimated revenue (£ million)4

  13.6

  16.9

  Court Proceedings

  Number of fines

  25,500

  32.300

  Total amount of fine (£ million)

  2.9

  3.4

  Average fine

  £115

  £106

  1Automatic cameras until 1998. all camera types for 1999.

  2Offences under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and Motor Vehicles (Speed Limits on Motorways) Regulations 1973.

  3Paid i.e. no further action.

  4Estimate' based on £40 fixed penalty charge from 1995–99.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was raised from speed camera fines in the last five years in Lancashire. [4292]

  Mr. Denham
  Available information is given in the table. Data for 2000 will be available in the autumn.

  Fixed penalty and court proceedings data for speed offences detected by cameras1, 2 in Lancashire police force area 1995–99

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Fixed penalties

  Number of tickets3

  1,196

  4.028

  5,620

  14,723

  22.315

  Estimated revenue (£000)4

  47 8

  161.1

  224.8

  588.9

  892.6

  Court proceedings

  Number of fines

  131

  302

  477

  879

  1,195

  Total amount of fine (£000)

  8.6

  19.9

  37.1

  96.0

  120.2

  Average fine (£)

  66

  66

  78

  109

  101

  1Automatic cameras until 1998. all camera types for 1999

  2Offences under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and Motor Vehicles (Speed Limits on Motorways) Regulations 1973

  3Paid i.e. no further action

  4Estimate' based on £40 fixed penalty charge from 1995 to 1999

  Passports
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many passports mailed from the UK Passport Authority to addresses in the UK went missing in the post in each year since 1995. [3845]

  Angela Eagle
  The United Kingdom Passport Service (UKPS) only has records for passports reported missing in the post for the calendar years 1999 and 2000 as shown:2000: 3,851
  1999: 2,359.

  It is clear to UKPS and the Royal Mail that the majority of passports reported as lost have in fact been stolen and that these thefts are systematic and targeted. The figure for losses in 2000 is significantly higher than that for 1999 (2,359) and this is of some concern to us.

  The new digital passport has enhanced security features. These features would make it extremely difficult for someone who is in possession of a stolen passport to alter the document for use under a false identity.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints were received from customers in 2000–01 about inaccuracies in the passport received. [4949]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: The United Kingdom Passport Service (UKPS) received 281 written complaints about inaccuracies in passports received by customers during the financial year 2000–01.

  The UKPS issued 5.5 million passports over the same period.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what international agreement would be needed to allow the introduction of a passport card. [4952]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: A passport card is recognised as a form of travel document in the international standards developed by International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The use of a card form of passport would be by bilateral agreements between issuing states. A United Kingdom passport card will need acceptance within the European Union if it is to be a viable business proposition.

  Ministerial consideration will be given to any issues arising from our agreements with the European Union.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fraudulent applications for passports were detected in(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000 and (d) 2000–01. [4943]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: Incidents of fraud have decreased because the new Passport Application Support System (PASS) acts as a deterrent because it includes electronic security checks and the new digital machine readable passport incorporates new and improved security features.

  For the calendar year 1997, 1,880 fraudulent applications were detected, this represents 0.042 per cent. of passports issued.

  Calendar year 1998, 1,368, which represents 0.030 per cent. of passports issued.

  In 1999 the records changed to financial years.
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  1999–2000, 1,568 fraudulent applications were detected, which represents 0.027 per cent.

  2000–01, 1,484 fraudulent applications were detected, which represents 0.028 per cent.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the uses and purpose will be of the passport card referred to in paragraph 2.13 of the Passport Service's Corporate and Business Plan 2001–2006. [4948]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: A passport card, if approved by Ministers, would provide users with a convenient travel document which can be kept in a wallet or purse. If a passport book is lost or stolen abroad, the card would provide an alternative document that can either be used to facilitate return to the United Kingdom or to present to the nearest British Consulate to support an application for a replacement passport book.

  In addition a card form of a passport would provide a suitable platform for electronic innovations. The International Civil Aviation Organisation is developing standards for card-based travel documents incorporating electronic data storage. These documents could offer greater security, could be used as automated border controls and offer a route to speedy passport renewal.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce a passport card; and in which year he intends to introduce it. [4947]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: The United Kingdom Passport Service plans to introduce a passport card subject to gaining acceptance for the document in the European Union and subject to adequate funding and business case and subject to ministerial approval. The earliest that a passport card could be introduced is the financial year 2003–04.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what provision he has made to cope with the expected demand in the summer of 2001 from people whose passports were exceptionally extended for two years in 1999. [4941]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: The Demand Forecast for the period October 2000 to September 2001 included an allowance for the expected demand in the summer of 2001 from people whose passports were exceptionally extended for two years in 1999. This has been supported by our market research, and our production capacity has allowed for this.

  Asian Police
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women police officers are of Asian heritage in each police force in England. [3843]

  Mr. Denham
  On 31 March 2000, the most recent date for which figures are available, the number of full-time equivalent Asian female officers in England and Wales was 140. This breaks down between forces as follows:
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  Force

  Asian women officers

  Avon and Somerset

  0

  Bedfordshire

  5

  Cambridgeshire

  1

  Cheshire

  0

  City of London

  2

  Cleveland

  0

  Cumbria

  1

  Derbyshire

  5

  Devon and Cornwall

  0

  Dorset

  0

  Durham

  1

  Dyfed-Powys

  1

  Essex

  3

  Gloucestershire

  0

  Greater Manchester

  6

  Gwent

  0

  Hampshire

  2

  Hertfordshire

  2

  Humberside

  0

  Kent

  5

  Lancashire

  2

  Leicestershire

  8

  Lincolnshire

  1

  Merseyside

  0

  Metropolitan police

  26

  Norfolk

  0

  Northamptonshire

  0

  Northumbria

  0

  North Wales

  0

  North Yorkshire

  0

  Nottinghamshire

  2

  South Wales

  0

  South Yorkshire

  5

  Staffordshire

  2

  Suffolk

  2

  Surrey

  3

  Sussex

  1

  Thames Valley

  8

  Warwickshire

  2

  West Mercia

  0

  West Midlands

  34

  West Yorkshire

  10

  Wiltshire

  0

  Total

  140

  Hertfordshire Police
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the recruitment targets were for, and how many officers were recruited to, the Hertfordshire police force in each year since 1997. [3628]

  Mr. Denham
  I am advised by Hertfordshire constabulary that the force set no target for recruitment in 1997–98 or 1998–99. The force has advised me that the number of new recruits and the number of transfers in to the force in each year from 1997–98 to 2000–01, and the recruitment targets for 1999–2000 and 2000–01 were as follows:

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Recruitment target

  1—

  1—

  160

  250

  Number of police officers recruited2

  63

  67

  147

  111

  Number of transfers in

  15

  12

  28

  31

  1None set

  22 Excluding transfers in from England and Wales

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  Under the Crime Fighting Fund (CFF) recruitment initiative, Hertfordshire constabulary has been allocated a total of 107 additional recruits, over and above their existing recruitment plans for the three years to March 2003.

  The force encountered some recruitment difficulties in the first year of the scheme (2000–01) and their bid to defer all 40 of their 2000–01 CFF allocation into 2001–02 was approved.

  According to the latest recruitment profile received from the force, they intend to recruit all of their revised 2001–02 CFF allocation of 70 this year. The force has been allocated 37 CFF recruits in 2002–03.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many officers left the Hertfordshire police force other than through retirement in each year since 1997; and what these figures are expressed as a percentage of the total numbers of police officers in(a) Hertfordshire and (b) England and Wales. [3621]

  Mr. Denham
  The available information is given in the table:

  Number of officers who left Hertfordshire Constabulary through resignation and other wastage

  Percentage of officers

  Financial year

  Number of officers

  Hertfordshire

  England and Wales

  1997–98

  44

  2.5

  0.035

  1998–99

  46

  2.7

  0.036

  1999–2000

  48

  2.7

  0.039

  2000–01

  69

  3.6

  0.055

  Hertfordshire Constabulary expanded on 1 April 2000 when it took over an area previously administered by the Metropolitan police, and consequently the 2000–01 figures are based on a larger number of officers.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many special police officers have been recruited to serve in(a) Hertfordshire and (b) Hertsmere in each year since 1997; and what the target for recruitment was in each case. [3631]

  Mr. Denham
  Recruitment statistics for the Special Constabulary are collected by force area. The figures available for Hertfordshire in each year since 1997 are set out in the table. I understand from the Chief Constable that the force can only provide data on Hertsmere following the boundary changes with the Metropolitan police on 1 April 2000. The Hertsmere figure is in brackets.

  Number

  1996–97

  61

  1997–98

  53

  1998–99

  33

  1999–2000

  31

  2000–01

  27(6)

  Source:

  Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate

  I am also told by the Chief Constable that Hertfordshire Constabulary has no set target for the recruitment of

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  Special Constables but is working towards increasing the number. The force had 198 Special constables on 31 March 2000.

  District Police Forces
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received regarding the introduction of police forces at district level. [4389]

  Mr. Denham
  We have no plans to change the procedures in the Police Act 1996 for the alteration of police areas.

  Police Vehicles
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to create central purchasing of(a) UK police vehicles and (b) UK European vehicles; [4390]

  (2) how many police vehicles in current use were bought in (a) the United Kingdom, (b) Europe and (c) outside Europe. [4391]

  Mr. Denham
  There are no plans to arrange central procurement of police vehicles in England and Wales. Since 1992 the Police Information and Technology Organisation, with the support of the National Association of Police Fleet Managers, has put in place a national framework for the purchase of vehicles by the police service. It delivers significant discounts on manufacturers prices. The current national framework was implemented on 1 April 2000 and runs for five years.

  Antisocial behaviour orders made between 1 April 1999 and 31 March 2001 by age group and police force area within England

  Number made from 1 June 2000 to 31 March 20011

  Police force area

  Number made from 1 April 1999 to 31 May 20002

  Age 10–17

  Age 18+

  Age unknown

  Total

  Total made from 1 April 1999 to31 March 2001

  Avon and Somerset

  9

  2

  2

  —

  4

  13

  Bedfordshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cambridgeshire

  5

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5

  Cheshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cleveland

  1

  3

  —

  —

  3

  4

  Cumbria

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Derbyshire

  3

  1

  7

  —

  8

  11

  Devon and Cornwall

  1

  1

  1

  —

  2

  3

  Dorset

  —

  2

  —

  —

  2

  2

  Durham

  —

  3

  2

  —

  6

  6

  Essex

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Gloucestershire

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Greater Manchester

  10

  1

  2

  —

  3

  13

  Hampshire

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Hertfordshire

  1

  —

  4

  —

  4

  5

  Humberside

  —

  2

  7

  —

  10

  10

  Kent

  —

  9

  1

  —

  10

  10

  Lancashire

  5

  2

  5

  —

  7

  12

  Leicestershire

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Lincolnshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Merseyside

  8

  —

  —

  —

  —

  8

  Metropolitan Police Service3

  9

  4

  7

  1

  12

  21

  Norfolk

  6

  3

  1

  —

  4

  10

  Northamptonshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Northumbria

  8

  2

  2

  —

  4

  12

  North Yorkshire

  4

  —

  —

  —

  4

  Nottinghamshire

  1

  3

  1

  —

  4

  5

  South Yorkshire

  3

  —

  1

  —

  1

  4

  Staffordshire

  —

  —

  2

  —

  2

  2

  Suffolk

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

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  Although the arrangement is not mandatory, the framework has delivered value for money and is well used within the police service. As the arrangement was set up under European Commission (EC) Procurement Directives, forces who purchase from it are not required to undertake any additional tendering, thereby affording further savings to the police service.

  Information on the number of vehicles owned by police forces in England and Wales and where they were purchased is not collected. The Scottish Executive are responsible for the police service in Scotland and the arrangements for motor vehicle procurement.

  Antisocial Behaviour
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average cost is of an antisocial behaviour contract. [4295]

  Mr. Denham
  The acceptable behaviour contract was devised by Islington Council and, following its successful use there, has now been adopted in many other regions. Each area runs the scheme autonomously, and no information on the cost of concluding contracts is held.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many antisocial behaviour orders have been obtained in each police division in England; and if he will make a statement. [4443]

  Mr. Denham
  Available information given in the table shows the number of antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) made by age group of subject and police force area. As the table shows, ASBOs have been applied for successfully in many parts of the country.
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  Antisocial behaviour orders made between 1 April 1999 and 31 March 2001 by age group and police force area within England

  Number made from 1 June 2000 to 31 March 20011

  Police force area

  Number made from 1 April 1999 to 31 May 20002

  Age 10–17

  Age 18+

  Age unknown

  Total

  Total made from 1 April 1999 to31 March 2001

  Surrey

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  1

  Sussex

  3

  1

  —

  —

  1

  4

  Thames Valley

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Warwickshire

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  1

  West Mercia

  5

  2

  5

  —

  7

  12

  West Midlands

  11

  6

  1

  —

  5

  18

  West Yorkshire

  4

  4

  1

  —

  5

  9

  Wiltshire

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  England

  104

  52

  54

  3

  109

  213

  1Data collected centrally from Magistrates Courts Committees as from 1 June 2000 onwards

  2Based on data collected from ACPO and GLA trawls covering period 1 April 1999 to 31 May 2000. Information on the age of recipients not available.

  3Includes City of London

  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received on the implementation of antisocial behaviour orders; and what the key obstacles are to proceeding with the necessary court action. [4981]

  Mr. Denham
  On 15 October 1999 the previous Home Secretary, my right hon. Friend the Member for Blackburn (Mr. Straw), wrote to the chief executive of each local authority asking what could be learned from their experiences in using antisocial behaviour orders and the other measures in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 for combating unruly behaviour, and whether any good practice could be shared. As a result of the representations received a key issue for further guidance appeared to be better local inter-agency co-ordination.

  The Home Office and the Local Government Association jointly held 10 regional seminars in March and April last year to help spread good practice in using antisocial behaviour orders. The seminars also served as a consultation exercise for the issue of a model agreement, or protocol, for effective local co-operation in tackling antisocial behaviour. This guidance was launched in June last year. Both the guidance and the seminars were well received, and indicated a widespread willingness to use antisocial behaviour orders.

  We are currently conducting a comprehensive review of these orders, now that they have been two years in operation, to evaluate their effectiveness in dealing with antisocial behaviour and to identify best practice in how the legislation is being used. We expect the review to be completed later this year and we will consider the report carefully.

  Black Police Association
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he and his predecessor last met representatives of the Black Police Association. [4349]

  Mr. Blunkett
  I plan to meet representatives of the National Black Police Association in the autumn. My predecessor, my right hon. Friend the Member for Blackburn (Mr. Straw), last met representatives of the National Black Police Association briefly on 24 January 2001. His ministerial colleague, Lord Bassam, also met them substantively on his behalf, the same day.
  652W
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has(a) received a copy and (b) received advice from Sir David O'Dowd on the letter dated 7 June from the Chair of the Black Police Association. [4348]

  Mr. Denham
  The letter dated 7 June from the Chair of the National Black Police Association was to the Permanent Secretary for the Home Department, copied to Sir David O'Dowd. I have now seen a copy of the letter. I have not received any advice on it from Sir David O' Dowd.

  Police Service (Employment Claims)
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the numbers of police and civil staff of police services who have employment claims of unfair racial treatment outstanding. [4350]

  Mr. Denham
  This information is not held centrally although the Association of Chief Police Officers is currently gathering figures on employment claims, which will include the type of claim and ethnicity of claimant. It is for employment tribunals to decide the claims which are brought before them, and for Chief Constables to take whatever management action they consider appropriate in the light of the outcomes.

  Metropolitan Police (Racism)
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will invite the Commission for Racial Equality to examine whether the Metropolitan police is free of racism. [4357]

  Mr. Denham
  There are no plans to invite the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) to undertake a formal investigation of the Metropolitan police at this time.

  The CRE already works jointly in a number of areas with the police service both at a national level and with individual forces, including the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), to pursue the ministerial aim of
  "increasing trust and confidence in policing among minority ethnic communities".

  The MPS is currently implementing a number of initiatives both to improve the service which it provides to the minority ethnic communities which it serves, and

  653W
  to improve the way in which it treats its own officers from minority ethnic backgrounds. Although there is some way still to go, the signs are that the position is improving.

  The MPS, in common with other police forces, will be covered by the provisions of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.

  Operation Antler
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Operation Antler inquiry by Wiltshire police into experiments on service volunteers at Porton Down. [4588]

  Mr. Denham
  The Operation Antler inquiry is a continuing criminal investigation. Wiltshire police are in the process of interviewing a number of former Porton Down scientists and medical staff who were involved in conducting trials and experiments upon service personnel who attended Porton Down as part of the Service Volunteer Programme between 1939 and 1989. Wiltshire police will send comprehensive reports to the Crown Prosecution Service when these are completed.

  As part of the inquiry, Wiltshire police have forwarded a report on the death of the serviceman Ronald Maddison to Her Majesty's Coroner for Wiltshire. The Coroner is in the process of seeking authority from the Attorney-General under section 13 of the Coroners Act 1988 to make an application to the High Court of Justice for an Order to have the original verdict of misadventure quashed and for a fresh inquest to be held.

  Belgravia Police Station
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers, of sergeant rank and below were stationed at Belgravia police station, London in each year from 1996 to 2000; and what the numbers will he over the next three years. [4589]

  Mr. Denham
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis has provided the information which is set out in the table. Belgravia is part of the City of Westminster Division. It is not possible to indicate what these will be for the next three years.

  Police numbers—Belgravia police station

  19961

  19971

  19981

  19991

  20001

  20012

  Sergeants

  43

  43

  45.5

  43.5

  41

  42

  Constables

  248.6

  247.7

  244.8

  228.3

  208.8

  194

  Total

  291.6

  290.7

  290.3

  271.8

  249.8

  236

  1At the end of December

  2June

  Leave to Remain
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many people(a) with exceptional leave to remain status and (b) whose exceptional leave to remain status has expired are awaiting a decision on an indefinite leave to remain application; [4744]

  (2) what the average time is between applying for indefinite leave to remain following an earlier ELR decision and receiving a decision. [4745]
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  Angela Eagle
  The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Generally, the Immigration and Nationality Directorate has set targets in its Business Plan for 2001–02 of deciding 70 per cent. of non-asylum applications within three weeks. These targets are currently being met.

  Asylum Seekers (Heathrow)
  John McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what the estimated cost is of the construction of the proposed second detention centre for asylum seekers at Heathrow Airport; [4741]

  (2) when he took the decision to construct a further detention centre for asylum seekers at Heathrow Airport; [4743]

  (3) how many places for asylum seekers the planned detention centre at Heathrow Airport will contain; [4740]

  (4) if he will make a statement on the plans for the construction of a further detention centre for asylum seekers at Heathrow Airport. [4742]

  Angela Eagle
  In addition to the new 550 bed immigration detention centre at Harmondsworth due to open next month the opportunities to provide up to a further 300 detention places on the remainder of the site is one of the options which we are currently considering as part of our plans to expand the detention estate.

  The total cost of construction and the management and operation of the 550 bed centre under an eight year contract is about £180 million. The estimated costs for the option to provide up to a further 300 places will not be available until the completion of a feasibility study and appraisal is complete in the Autumn.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers are being held in each prison in England and Wales. [4751]

  Angela Eagle
  The most recent information, relating to the number of persons detained under Immigration Act powers for each prison in England and Wales is given in the table. It is only possible to say how many of these had claimed asylum by examining individual case files at disproportionate cost. We have made it clear that the use of local prisons providing temporary spaces will end as soon as practicable.

  Persons recorded as being held solely under Immigration Act powers as at 31 May 2001, in prison establishments in England and Wales1

  Location

  Detainees

  Bedford

  5

  Belmarsh

  48

  Birmingham

  4

  Blakenhurst

  6

  Bristol

  3

  Brixton

  20

  Bullingdon

  6

  Canterbury

  3

  Cardiff

  52

  Chelmsford

  7

  Doncaster

  13

  Dorchester

  2

  Durham

  2

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  Persons recorded as being held solely under Immigration Act powers as at 31 May 2001, in prison establishments in England and Wales1

  Location

  Detainees

  Elmley

  6

  Feltham

  10

  Forest Bank

  7

  Glen Parva

  3

  Haslar

  151

  High Down

  66

  Holloway

  35

  Holme House

  49

  Leeds

  10

  Lewes

  3

  Lindholme

  94

  Liverpool

  104

  Manchester

  6

  Norwich

  5

  Pentonville

  7

  Rochester

  183

  Styal

  3

  Wandsworth

  50

  Winchester

  39

  Woodhill

  2

  Wormwood Scrubs

  70

  Other prison establishments

  7

  Total

  1,081

  1The figures for prison establishments may include some persons detained under dual immigration and other powers.

  Source:

  England and Wales data from the Offenders and Corrections Unit (RDS)

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reform the asylum dispersal system. [5785]

  Angela Eagle
  The dispersal arrangements are kept under review.

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what date he will have established a full timetable for ending the use of prisons for detaining asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement. [5121]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: The Government remain committed to its long-term strategy of reducing the use of prison accommodation to hold immigration detainees. However, even in the long-term, for reasons of geography, security and control, there may continue to be a need to hold small numbers of detainees in exceptional circumstances in prisons.

  The temporary use of 500 additional places made available by the Prison Service in a number of local prisons will be reviewed during the next few months. The timing of the withdrawal of immigration detainees from these prison places will be the subject of discussions with the Prison Service. We have made it clear that Her Majesty's Prison Cardiff will cease to be used to hold immigration detainees by Christmas and that the use of the other local prisons providing temporary spaces will end as soon as practicable.

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which prisons hold asylum seekers; and in each case, how many and since which month. [5191]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: The most recent information, relating to the number of persons detained under Immigration Act powers in each prison, is
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  given in the table. Further information on what proportion of these persons have claimed asylum and how long they have been detained is not held centrally, and could be obtained only by examining individual case files at disproportionate cost. We have made clear that the use of local prisons providing temporary spaces will end as soon as practicable.

  Persons recorded as being in detention in the United Kingdom solely under Immigration Act powers as at 31 May 2001, in prison service establishments1

  Location

  Total detainees

  Bedford

  5

  Belmarsh

  48

  Birmingham

  4

  Blakenhurst

  6

  Bristol

  3

  Brixton

  20

  Bullingdon

  6

  Canterbury

  3

  Cardiff

  52

  Chelmsford

  7

  Cornton Vale

  3

  Craiginches

  4

  Doncaster

  13

  Dorchester

  2

  Durham

  2

  Elmley

  6

  Feltham

  10

  Forest Bank

  7

  Gateside

  40

  Glen Parva

  3

  Haslar

  151

  High Down

  66

  Holloway

  35

  Holme House

  49

  Leeds

  10

  Lewes

  3

  Lindholme

  94

  Liverpool

  104

  Maghabberry

  4

  Magilligan

  12

  Manchester

  6

  Norwich

  5

  Pentonville

  7

  Rochester

  183

  Styal

  3

  Wandsworth

  50

  Winchester

  39

  Woodhill

  2

  Wormwood Scrubs

  70

  Other prison establishments

  7

  Total

  1,144

  1The figures for prison establishments may include some persons detained under dual immigration and other powers.

  Source:

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

  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average weekly accommodation cost is being paid through NASS and other agencies, to accommodate(a) refugees and (b) asylum seekers who have settled in Peterborough in the past 12 months. [5933]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is:

  (a) Those granted refugee status become eligible for mainstream benefits, including Housing Benefit, and separate records of the accommodation costs and addresses of former asylum seekers are not held.

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  (b) The accommodation costs of destitute asylum seekers may be met in one of three ways:

  (i) Directly by the National Asylum Support Service.

  (ii) By local authorities under the interim arrangements.

  (iii) By Housing Benefit for those entitled to mainstream benefits.

  In the financial year ended 31 March 2001 the National Asylum Support Service provided support to single adults at an average cost of £134 per week and to families at an average cost of £294 per week. These figures include the cost of accommodation, vouchers and travel.

  For the 2000–2001 financial year Peterborough was able to claim grant from the Home Office of up to £240 per week for each family supported under the interim arrangements and £140 for each single adult. These figures include accommodation costs.

  The Home Office reimburses the Department for Social Security for Housing Benefit payments made to asylum seekers and in 2000–2001 the amount paid by the Home Office was £20 million.

  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) refugees and (b) asylum seekers have settled in Peterborough in the last 12 months; and at what cost to public funds. [5934]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is:

  (a) Individuals granted refugee status are free to choose where they settle and the Home Office does not keep details of the addresses of refugees.

  (b) Numbers of asylum seekers allocated support by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) are only available at the regional level.

  NASS commenced operations on 3 April 2000 and as at the end of May 2001, 2201 asylum seekers (including dependants) were allocated accommodation by NASS in the East of England region (of which Peterborough is a part). A further 1,0601 asylum seekers (including dependants) allocated voucher only support were staying in this region.

  The average weekly cost of NASS support in 2000–2001 was £134 per single adult and £294 per family.

  Peterborough city council are responsible for the support of asylum seekers who claimed asylum prior to 14 August 2000 and for asylum seekers who lost their entitlement to social security benefits as a result of a first negative decision before 25 September 2000. During 2000–2001 Peterborough city council provided 3,436 weeks of support to single adults and 1,458 weeks of support to families. It is not known how many of these support weeks were provided to asylum seekers who arrived during the last 12 months. The grant claimed by Peterborough city council for providing this support was £789,740.

  1Figures rounded to the nearest 10.

  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much central Government grant has been given to (i) the Peterborough city council and (ii) other public bodies, indicating the bodies concerned, to cover the cost of(a) refugees and (b) asylum seekers who have settled in Peterborough in the past 12 months. [5932]
  658W
  Angela Eagle
  Peterborough city council has claimed grant of £789,740 from the Home Office to cover the costs of supporting asylum-seeking adults and families under the interim arrangements in 2000–2001. Of this, £579,224 has been paid and a balance of £210, 516 is due to be paid shortly.

  In addition the East of England Consortium, a consortium of local authorities in the region including Peterborough city council, was paid a grant of £100,000 in 2000–2001. The purpose of the grant is to aid the regional consortia to carry out their enabling role. This role involves the development of structures and mechanisms to ensure robust partnership through effective joint working across the public, statutory, independent, voluntary and private sectors.

  The Home Office also provides funding to the Refugee Council Regional Development Team, including a grant of around £40,000 to establish a specific post of regional development adviser for the East of England region, which includes Peterborough.

  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the cost of the asylum voucher system; and if he will make a statement. [5906]

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

  The total face value of vouchers issued in the financial year ending 31 March 2001 was £26.1 million.

  Total staffing and related administrative costs of the NASS for the same period, including the costs of processing application forms, allocating accommodation and administering the voucher scheme, were £15.6 million. Vouchers are printed and distributed by third party providers under contract to the Home Office and payments made under the voucher contract are included in the administrative costs of the NASS. Details of payments made under the voucher contract are commercially confidential.

  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to complete the review of the voucher system for asylum seekers. [5911]

  Angela Eagle
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Southwark, North and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) on 19 July 2001,Official Report, column 339W.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if it is his policy to introduce a quota for the number of asylum seekers accepted into the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [5673]

  Angela Eagle
  There are no plans to introduce a quota for the number of asylum seekers accepted into the United Kingdom.

  Family Visitor Visa
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment his Department has made of the reasons for the fall in the number of family visitor visa appeals. [4749]
  659W
  Angela Eagle
  Statistics from the Immigration Appellate Authority show that the number of family visitor appeals is rising. So far this year, the Authority's intake breaks down as follows:

  January

  February

  March

  April

  May

  June

  117

  134

  281

  210

  372

  513

  We attribute the rising figures to the fact that it was likely to take some months for appellants to develop confidence in the scheme, and to seasonal factors.

  Police Pensions
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total cost of paying police pensions was in each of the last five years; and what proportion of that cost was met by(a) contributions and (b) Treasury subvention. [4811]

  Mr. Denham
  The total cost of paying police pensions for each of the last five years is set out in the table. Police officers pay pension contributions of 11 per cent. of salary at present. The pension scheme is operated on pay-as-you-go' terms. Officers' contributions comprise about 26 per cent. of the gross cost of pensions paid each year.

  The balance of cost is met from each police authority's police account. This is funded mainly from central grants and council tax precepts.

  £000

  Year

  Net pensions expenditure

  1996–97

  749,003

  1997–98

  874,897

  1998–99

  900,643

  1999–2000

  948,000

  2000–01

  1,029,454

  Source:

  The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy Actuals 1996–97 to 1999–2000 and Estimates for 2000/01

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reform police pension arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [5779]

  Mr. Denham
  I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for North-East Hertfordshire (Mr. Heald) on 25 June 2001,Official Report, column 48W.

  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Prison Service will introduce a key performance indicator on reducing reoffending rates; and if he will make a statement. [4842]

  Beverley Hughes
  The Prison Service is committed to reducing the rates of reoffending by prisoners on release. Because data on reoffending rates rely on self-reporting by offenders, reconviction rates are the best proxy measure. The Home Office published a new Public Service Agreement on 3 November 2000 which sets a joint target for the Prison and Probation Services to reduce by 2004 the rate of reconvictions of all offenders punished by imprisonment or by community supervision by 5 per cent. compared to the predicted rate. Because the 660W
  reconviction data do not become available for over two years after the offender's release, the Key Performance Indicators for the Prison Service (the management tool for delivering this target) are based on delivering the annual outputs (educational qualifications, accredited offending behaviour programmes, and reducing drug use) which evidence shows will reduce the level of reconvictions.

  Prisons
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were studying for degree courses in 2000–01. [4841]

  Beverley Hughes
  All degree courses for prisoners are run by the Open University through a joint scheme which is managed by the Prisoners Learning and Skills Unit in the Department for Education and Skills. The total figure in June 2001 was 407.

  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which prisons have a telephone system which is operated by a remote call centre. [4834]

  Beverley Hughes
  There are no establishments which operate in this way.

  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners are held in prison establishments(a) over 25 miles, (b) over 50 miles, (c) over 100 miles and (d) over 150 miles from their committal court town. [4844]

  Beverley Hughes
  The following information is based on the distance that prisoners are held from their committal court town. The data were collected on 10 April 2001 and are set out in the table in the nearest format to that requested. There are in the region of 25,000 prisoners held under 25 miles from their committal court town.

  Distance from committal court

  Number of prisoners1

  Between 25 and 50 miles

  15,000

  Between 50 and 100 miles

  15,000

  Between 100 and 150 miles

  6,000

  Over 150 miles

  5,000

  Total over 25 miles

  41,000

  1Rounded to nearest thousand

  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide a breakdown for each prison of positive mandatory drug tests in 2000–01 by type of drug. [4845]

  Beverley Hughes
  Information on the results of the random mandatory drug testing programme is shown in the table. The information includes the four most frequently encountered drug groups: cannabis, opiates, cocaine and benzodiazepines. Also included is information on numbers of prisoners tested and positive results for all drugs.
  661W

  Random mandatory drug testing figures 2000–01

  Establishment name

  Number positive

  Percentage positive

  Percentage positive cannabis

  Percentage positive opiates

  Percentage positive cocaine

  Percentage positive benzodiazepines

  Altcourse

  81

  8.1

  3.7

  3.9

  0.6

  1.1

  Askham Grange

  9

  6.2

  1.4

  4.1

  0.7

  0.0

  Acklington

  92

  14.3

  2.8

  6.5

  0.2

  0.6

  Albany

  2

  0.7

  0.0

  0.4

  0.0

  0.0

  Ashfield

  71

  16.4

  15.0

  1.2

  0.2

  1.8

  Ashwell

  51

  19.7

  13.9

  8.1

  0.4

  0.0

  Aylesbury

  30

  13.0

  11.7

  0.4

  0.0

  0.0

  Belmarsh

  72

  9.9

  5.3

  4.0

  0.1

  1.1

  Buckley Hall

  96

  22.2

  15.7

  7.4

  0.2

  0.5

  Blundeston

  14

  5.6

  1.2

  4.0

  0.0

  0.4

  Bedford

  77

  16.3

  8.1

  6.8

  0.2

  4.4

  Blantyre House

  2

  1.5

  0.0

  0.8

  0.8

  0.0

  Brockhill

  25

  15.2

  4.2

  6.1

  0.6

  6.1

  Bristol

  43

  15.9

  7.4

  3.3

  0.4

  8.1

  Birmingham

  105

  17.3

  8.9

  9.5

  0.3

  0.5

  Bullingdon

  68

  12.8

  9.2

  3.2

  0.0

  2.3

  Brinsford

  77

  20.8

  19.7

  1.3

  0.3

  0.0

  Blakenhurst

  174

  30.0

  17.9

  18.4

  0.3

  0.2

  Bullwood Hall

  16

  13.0

  2.4

  4.1

  0.8

  6.5

  Brixton

  104

  16.0

  7.2

  5.7

  1.2

  5.4

  Chelmsford

  43

  16.9

  11.4

  3.5

  0.4

  6.7

  Cardiff

  81

  25.1

  22.0

  3.1

  0.0

  5.3

  Camp Hill

  40

  13.6

  9.2

  6.8

  0.0

  0.3

  Cookham Wood

  3

  1.8

  0.0

  1.8

  0.0

  0.0

  Coldingley

  31

  8.1

  6.5

  1.6

  0.0

  0.0

  Castington

  48

  15.7

  13.7

  1.0

  0.0

  0.3

  Channings Wood

  30

  8.1

  5.9

  3.0

  0.3

  0.0

  Canterbury

  46

  14.7

  11.5

  4.5

  0.0

  1.6

  Dartmoor

  15

  4.0

  2.7

  1.6

  0.0

  0.0

  Drake Hall

  15

  7.1

  4.3

  2.4

  0.0

  1.0

  Durham

  81

  15.5

  6.5

  4.4

  0.4

  2.9

  Doncaster

  94

  7.2

  2.5

  4.6

  0.1

  0.4

  Dorchester

  32

  15.2

  10.4

  8.1

  0.0

  0.5

  Deerbolt

  25

  9.1

  6.5

  1.1

  0.0

  0.7

  Dover

  52

  15.2

  14.9

  0.3

  0.0

  0.0

  Down View

  16

  3.7

  1.4

  2.3

  0.2

  0.0

  Erlestoke

  67

  18.6

  13.6

  6.1

  0.8

  0.3

  Standford Hill

  37

  8.0

  7.3

  0.9

  0.2

  0.0

  Eastwood Park

  31

  15.0

  2.9

  6.8

  0.0

  3.9

  East Sutton Park

  4

  3.8

  3.8

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Everthorpe

  71

  25.1

  20.1

  5.7

  0.0

  0.4

  Exeter

  38

  15.1

  9.5

  6.7

  0.0

  3.2

  Elmley

  49

  8.2

  4.7

  3.9

  0.2

  0.2

  Forestbank

  187

  22.7

  15.3

  8.7

  0.0

  1.9

  Ford

  25

  5.8

  4.7

  1.6

  0.2

  0.2

  Foston Hall

  10

  4.6

  0.5

  4.1

  0.0

  0.0

  Frankland

  42

  8.3

  1.8

  5.9

  0.4

  0.2

  Feltham

  84

  18.9

  18.4

  0.4

  0.0

  0.4

  Full Sutton

  29

  4.2

  1.2

  2.3

  0.0

  0.6

  Featherstone

  121

  34.0

  22.2

  17.7

  0.3

  0.6

  Garth

  53

  14.0

  4.5

  9.5

  0.3

  0.0

  Gloucester

  48

  14.1

  10.6

  3.8

  0.0

  0.3

  Guys Marsh

  64

  20.3

  17.4

  4.7

  0.3

  0.9

  Grendon

  4

  4.0

  2.0

  1.0

  0.0

  2.0

  Glen Parva

  56

  12.0

  10.9

  1.1

  0.0

  0.2

  Gartree

  21

  5.3

  2.8

  2.5

  0.0

  0.5

  Hollesley

  54

  15.1

  14.6

  1.7

  0.0

  0.6

  Huntercombe

  48

  15.1

  15.1

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Hatfield

  18

  10.6

  8.2

  1.8

  0.6

  0.0

  Hewell Grange

  32

  15.5

  13.1

  4.9

  1.5

  0.5

  Holme House

  61

  11.5

  4.0

  5.1

  0.4

  0.8

  Hindley

  37

  14.3

  14.3

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Hull

  36

  11.1

  6.8

  4.3

  0.0

  1.2

  High Down

  66

  15.7

  6.2

  7.9

  0.0

  5.7

  High Point

  34

  10.8

  5.4

  4.1

  0.0

  2.2

  Haslar

  4

  2.4

  0.6

  1.8

  0.0

  0.0

  Haverigg

  58

  15.3

  8.7

  6.8

  0.5

  1.1

  Holloway

  50

  16.4

  1.0

  3.6

  2.0

  12.5

  Kirkham

  54

  21.0

  15.2

  10.1

  0.4

  0.0

  Kirklevington

  10

  4.9

  0.5

  2.5

  1.0

  0.0

  Lancaster

  21

  11.1

  5.8

  5.8

  0.0

  1.1

  662W 663W

  Random mandatory drug testing figures 2000–01

  Establishment name

  Number positive

  Percentage positive

  Percentage positive cannabis

  Percentage positive opiates

  Percentage positive cocaine

  Percentage positive benzodiazepines

  Leicester

  109

  26.1

  16.5

  8.9

  0.0

  5.0

  Leeds

  91

  13.1

  5.2

  7.8

  0.0

  1.6

  Lancaster Farms

  31

  5.2

  5.0

  0.2

  0.0

  0.7

  Lowdham Grange

  66

  10.9

  5.5

  5.8

  0.2

  0.0

  Lindholme

  61

  20.3

  13.0

  7.7

  0.3

  0.7

  Lincoln

  77

  14.2

  8.8

  5.9

  0.2

  1.1

  Long Lartin

  39

  7.2

  1.1

  6.3

  0.0

  0.0

  Latchmere House

  18

  7.9

  1.3

  3.9

  3.1

  0.0

  Low Newton

  39

  14.1

  2.5

  11.2

  0.0

  1.8

  Liverpool

  122

  13.3

  6.4

  7.5

  0.3

  0.4

  Littlehey

  43

  12.9

  7.2

  6.6

  0.6

  0.9

  Lewes

  57

  20.4

  16.1

  6.5

  0.0

  0.0

  Leyhill

  31

  13.4

  10.4

  3.9

  0.0

  0.4

  Moorland

  33

  3.6

  2.3

  1.4

  0.0

  0.0

  Morton Hall

  16

  16.3

  13.3

  1.0

  1.0

  0.0

  Manchester

  101

  15.7

  7.9

  6.7

  0.5

  2.2

  Maidstone

  35

  8.9

  7.3

  2.5

  0.5

  0.0

  Mount

  49

  19.4

  10.7

  10.7

  0.8

  0.8

  New Hall

  23

  5.4

  1.4

  2.8

  0.2

  0.9

  Nottingham

  86

  20.5

  13.8

  7.4

  0.5

  1.0

  Northallerton

  27

  10.1

  6.7

  2.2

  0.0

  0.7

  North Sea Camp

  46

  20.6

  17.9

  4.9

  0.9

  0.9

  Norwich

  98

  24.0

  14.7

  6.6

  0.0

  8.6

  Onley

  6

  2.0

  1.7

  0.0

  0.3

  0.0

  Pare

  41

  9.8

  8.9

  0.5

  0.2

  0.5

  Portland

  8

  4.8

  4.2

  0.0

  0.0

  0.6

  Parkhurst

  10

  3.7

  1.1

  2.2

  0.0

  0.4

  Preston

  60

  17.1

  10.0

  8.9

  0.0

  1.7

  Kingston

  23

  11.9

  8.8

  4.1

  0.0

  0.0

  Pentonville

  126

  20.1

  12.7

  6.7

  1

  2.4

  Rochester

  11

  2.3

  1.9

  0.4

  0.0

  0.4

  Reading

  38

  16.6

  15.3

  0.9

  0.0

  1.3

  Rye Hill

  —

  —

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Ranby

  81

  10.3

  5.9

  4.5

  0.1

  0.2

  Risley

  55

  12.7

  5.8

  7.6

  0.0

  0.2

  Send

  16

  8.9

  5.0

  2.8

  0.0

  1.7

  Stafford

  65

  18.7

  6.0

  13.8

  0.0

  1.4

  Stoke Heath

  18

  5.7

  4.7

  0.3

  0.3

  0.3

  Stocken

  57

  17.2

  6.0

  12.4

  0.0

  0.0

  Swaleside

  67

  13.6

  8.3

  6.3

  0.2

  1.0

  Shepton Mallet

  22

  13.2

  7.8

  7.2

  0.0

  0.0

  Swinfen Hall

  9

  2.4

  1.6

  0.5

  0.0

  0.0

  Spring Hill

  10

  6.7

  4.0

  1.3

  1.3

  0.0

  Styal

  37

  19.7

  4.8

  13.8

  0.0

  0.0

  Sudbury

  36

  11.9

  8.6

  5.3

  0.0

  0.7

  Swansea

  78

  22.8

  16.4

  1.8

  0.0

  8.8

  Shrewsbury

  35

  9.2

  5.5

  3.4

  0.5

  1.1

  Thorn Cross

  28

  10.3

  8.9

  1.1

  0.0

  0.0

  Usk/Prescoed

  7

  1.9

  0.8

  1.1

  0.0

  0.3

  Verne

  22

  4.5

  2.6

  1.2

  0.0

  0.2

  Weare

  52

  13.7

  6.6

  8.2

  0.3

  0.0

  Wellingborough

  57

  18.9

  11.6

  8.6

  0.7

  0.3

  Winchester

  89

  24.6

  16.9

  6.9

  0.0

  8.6

  Wakefield

  13

  2.6

  1.4

  0.6

  0.0

  0.4

  Wealstun

  66

  18.3

  13.3

  6.1

  0.6

  0.3

  Woodhill

  55

  14.1

  5.1

  6.2

  0.0

  5.4

  Wayland

  27

  6.9

  2.8

  4.3

  0.3

  0.0

  Wymott

  46

  9.2

  4.8

  5.2

  0.0

  0.0

  Werrington

  3

  3.1

  2.0

  1.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Wolds

  39

  7.9

  5.5

  2.6

  0.0

  1.2

  Whitemoor

  19

  7.7

  2.0

  5.2

  0.4

  0.8

  Wormwood Scrubs

  69

  21.8

  14.2

  7.3

  0.0

  4.7

  Whatton

  6

  2.0

  0.7

  1.3

  0.0

  0.0

  Wandsworth

  59

  6.8

  3.9

  2.7

  0.1

  0.5

  Wetherby

  24

  7.1

  7.1

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Totals and averages

  6,383

  12.4

  7.6

  4.5

  0.2

  1.3

  664W 665W
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish for each prison the results achieved by the Prison Service on each of its key performance indicators during 2000–01. [4847]

  Beverley Hughes
  The final Key Performance Indicators (KPI) result achieved by each prison is given in the tables which have been placed in the Library. The overcrowding and education KPIs are formulated in terms of overall Prison Service results and are not applicable to individual prisons. Private prisons are not required to submit sickness data.

  Figures for cost per place reflect establishment costs only and do not include Headquarters overheads. These figures are not comparable with the Prison Service cost per place KPI. Cost per place figures for private prisons include an element of capital repayment and are therefore not comparable with the public sector.

  Her Majesty's Prison Service Annual Report and Accounts 2000–01 (HC29) contains the service's overall performance and will be published shortly.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if every prison in England and Wales has a probation service operating within the prison; and if he will make a statement. [4786]

  Beverley Hughes
  Central records are not kept of the numbers of probation staff seconded to prisons. The last relevant census took place in October 1999 and confirmed that seconded probation staff operated in all prisons.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the longest period of time was an(a) male and (b) female prison inmate has been held in a segregation unit in a prison in England and Wales. [4785]

  Beverley Hughes
  As this information will take more time to collect than that allowed for an answer to a parliamentary question, I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of uniformed prison officers from ethnic minority communities are working in prisons in England and Wales. [4787]

  Beverley Hughes
  The percentage of uniformed officers working in prisons in the Prison Service from minority ethnic communities is shown in the table.

  30 June 2001

  Total staff

  Minority-ethnic staff

  Percentage minority ethnic

  Prison officers

  18,465

  543

  2.94

  Senior officers

  3,773

  65

  1.72

  Principal officers

  1,239

  15

  1.21

  Total

  23,477

  623

  2.59

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many vacancies for prison officers there are at each grade at Wandsworth prison. [4884]

  Beverley Hughes
  As at 17 July, there were 33 prison officer vacancies and five senior officer vacancies at Wandsworth. There were no vacancies at principal officer level. Despite several local recruitment campaigns, Wandsworth prison has not yet been successful in 666W
  combating shortfalls in prison officer grades. This is due to the cost of living in London and competition from other employers. The Prison Service has recently introduced a local pay scheme to help attract staff. Under this scheme, Wandsworth attracts the current maximum local pay addition of £3,000.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his estimate is of the number of people serving a prison sentence who suffer from mental illness; and if he will make a statement. [4883]

  Beverley Hughes
  A survey of mental ill health in the prison population of England and Wales, undertaken in 1997 by the Office for National Statistics, showed that some 10 per cent. of sentenced women and 7 per cent. of sentenced men had a functional psychosis. Some 63 per cent. of sentenced women and 40 per cent. of sentenced men had a neurotic disorder.

  Applying these rates to the current population would indicate that around 3,800 sentenced prisoners would be suffering from a functional psychosis and around 22,000 from a neurotic disorder. Some prisoners will have both conditions.

  ADT v. UK
  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to comply with the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of ADT v. UK. [4887]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The Government are committed to ending discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. The law relating to homosexual offences is under review as part of the Sex Offences Review.

  The review's report 'Setting the Boundaries' recommends that the present offences of buggery and gross indecency should be repealed, with separate provision made for the protection of children and for regulating sexual behaviour in public. Officials are now assessing the responses received to the consultation on the report and will advise Ministers in due course with a view to legislation when parliamentary time allows.

  999 Call Service
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his assessment of the operational effectiveness of the Lancashire Constabulary's 999 emergency call service. [4511]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 18 July 2001]: Responsibility for answering 999 calls to Lancashire Constabulary is an operational matter and the responsibility of the Chief Constable.

  Lancashire Constabulary's local target is to answer 90 per cent. of 999 calls within 10 seconds. The Constabulary has informed me that, for the financial year 2000–01, they answered 86.3 per cent. of 999 calls within 10 seconds.

  Police Numbers (North Yorkshire)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on police numbers in north Yorkshire. [5273]
  667W
  Mr. Denham
  On 31 March 2001 the North Yorkshire Constabulary had 1,305 police officers. This is 22 more officers than the force had on 31 March 2000.

  North Yorkshire police has been allocated a total of 68 additional recruits under the Crime Fighting Fund (CFF), over and above their existing recruitment plans for the three years to March 2003.

  In the first year of the Crime Fighting Fund (CFF) the force recruited four of their CFF allocation. Based on the latest information provided by the force, North Yorkshire Constabulary expects to recruit all of their second year CFF allocation of 39 in 2001–02. The force has been allocated a further 25 CFF recruits in 2002–03.

  Operation Napkin
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reports he has received from Gloucester Constabulary on the success of Operation Napkin. [5338]

  Mr. Denham
  None. I am informed by the Chief Constable that the operation has been successful in reducing racist incidents in Gloucester.

  Police Practice (Mentally Ill People)
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what review he is undertaking of police practice in relation to mentally ill individuals; and if he will make a statement. [5313]

  Mr. Denham
  There is no general review under way, but there are currently several strands of work focused on improving police practice in relation to mentally ill individuals. The Home Office, the Department of Health and the Association of Chief Police Officers are considering the development of national protocols covering the interaction between the police and health services in dealing with the mentally ill. The current review of the police Codes of Practice under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 is seeking to strengthen further protections for mentally ill detainees, particularly in terms of assessing their vulnerabilities and fitness for interview. In addition, the review of the Mental Health Act which is under way is looking to increase the emphasis on using hospitals rather than police stations as places of safety for assessing mental condition.

  More needs to be done to ensure an appropriate and properly informed response to mentally ill individuals across the whole range of circumstances in which they deal with them. This recognition is increasingly reflected in improvements to police training, operational practice and working relationships with psychiatric and other health services.

  Police (Wandsworth)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officer vacancies there are in each rank in the London borough of Wandsworth. [4886]

  Mr. Denham
  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the Wandsworth Division had three Inspector, 10.5 Sergeant and 38 Constable vacancies at the end of June. There were no vacancies in 668W
  the ranks of Chief Superintendent, Superintendent and Chief Inspector. Most of the vacancies are due to the increase in the Budgeted Workforce Total for the Wandsworth Division on 1 April 2001.

  The Wandsworth Division has a Budgeted Workforce Total for 2001–02 of 586, which is 31 more than it had in 2000–01. The Commissioner's aim is to fill all vacancies by 31 March 2002.

  Offenders (Referral Orders)
  Vera Baird
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the referral orders for first-time offenders introduced by the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 will be rolled out nationally; and when they will be available in Redcar. [5069]

  Beverley Hughes
  On 21 March 2001, the then Home Secretary announced plans for referral orders to be rolled out across England and Wales on 1 April 2002.

  Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme
  Vera Baird
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will extend the Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme pilot schemes to include Redcar. [5067]

  Beverley Hughes
  The first phase of the Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme (ISSP), funded by the Home Office and managed by the Youth Justice Board, is being implemented in 22 Youth Offending Team areas from 17 July. The second phase, due to start from October, includes an ISSP scheme for the Tees Valley. This covers Darlington, Hartlepool, Stockton-on-Tees and South Tees including Redcar.

  Firearms Legislation
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to receive the report of the Firearms Consultative Committee on detailed implications of changes to firearms legislation in response to the use of BB and other replica guns in public; and if he will make a statement. [4988]

  Mr. Denham
  The Firearms Consultative Committee (FCC) has concluded its discussions on controls over imitation and replica firearms and the Chairman will be writing to me shortly with the Committee's recommendations. The Government share the public concerns about the display of imitation and replica firearms in public, particularly as a result of the events in South London this week, and will consider the FCC's advice urgently.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Malin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to a letter from the hon. Member for Woking dated 11 May, ref. S1058709, regarding Mohammed Sfenjeh. [4919]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 19 July 2001.]: I wrote to the hon. Member on 6 June 2001.
  669W
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for West Chelmsford of 23 April concerning his constituent Mr. M. Turner of Great Leighs, Chelmsford. [4998]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: I understand that my noble Friend Lord Rooker wrote to the hon. Member about this matter on 19 July 2001.

  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire will receive a reply to his letter of 30 May on behalf of his constituent Mrs. Murray. [5935]

  Angela Eagle
  I wrote to the right hon. Member on 20 July.

  Police Authorities
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) who is responsible for the allocation of places between appointing authorities to police authorities to ensure political proportionality of local authority members; [5096]

  (2) what rules underpin the appointment of local authority members to police authorities covering more than one county to ensure political proportionality; [5095]

  (3) how the rules governing political proportionality of local authority appointees to police authorities apply to the number of (a) appointees of each political party from each appointing authority and (b) councillors of each party in the police authority's area, in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Police Authority; and how they applied before 7 June. [5097]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: The procedures for the appointment of members of police authorities by relevant councils are set out in schedule 2 of the Police Act 1996, as amended by section 105 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001.

  In the case of a police authority, such as Hampshire, where there is more than one relevant council, councillor members are appointed to the police authority by a joint committee appointed by the relevant councils from among their own members.

  The number of members of the joint committee and the numbers appointed by each relevant council is for agreement by the relevant councils or, in the absence of an agreement, as may be determined by the Secretary of State.

  Section 105 of the Police and Criminal Justice Act 2001, which came into effect on 19 June 2001, clarifies the question of political balance on police authorities. It requires councils, or joint committees, to ensure that, so far as practicable, the proportion of members from any political party appointed to the police authority is the same as the proportion of those members on the council, or relevant councils taken as a whole. Any other places on the police authority must then be allocated to councillors who are not members of a political party.

  Electronic Services (Departmental Targets)
  Brian White
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made to meet his Department's targets to provide services electronically. [5418]

  Mr. Blunkett
  In accordance with guidelines of the Office of the e-Envoy, and in line with other Departments, my Department has published its initial e-Business Strategy on the internet. Appendix A (service map) lists Home Office services and progress towards e-enablement.

  The body of the strategy can be found at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/ebusiness/stratmain.pdf. The appendices are at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/ebusiness/stratapp.pdf

  An updated version of the strategy is due to be published in September.

  Race Relations
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) prosecutions and (b) convictions there have been for incitement to racial hatred in each of the last five years (i) in each police service area and (ii) in total; and if he will make a statement. [5120]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Police National Computer
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received concerning the accuracy of records held on the Police National Computer and its use in relation to issuing new criminal record checks; and if he will make a statement. [5118]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: We have received some representations concerning the accuracy of Police National Computer (PNC) records, most notably those raised by the Home Affairs Committee and the Information Commissioner.

  We fully recognise, and share, the concerns that have been expressed about errors and omissions in some of the data, and delays in inputting data onto the PNC. We have been working closely with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC), the Police Information Technology Organisation (PITO), the Information Commissioner and other concerned parties to tackle these problems. Police forces are now working to a compliance strategy that has been drawn up by ACPO. This sets quantified performance indicators for key aspects of both quality and timeliness, including the prompt inputting of data both in the initial stages of a case and following the conclusion of trial proceedings. There are also agreed programmes to tackle backlogs.

  Probation Service
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff, in each grade, were
  671W
  employed in (a) Greater London, (b) Humberside, (c) Northamptonshire, (d) West Yorkshire, (e) Merseyside, (f) South Western, (g) Kent and (h) South Wales Probation Service on 31 March; what the average caseload was in each of those services; how many staff were absent for more than four weeks in each service in the year ended 31 March; and if he will make a statement. [5213]

  Numbers of staff in post at 31 December 2000

  Grade

  Greater London

  Humberside

  Northamptonshire

  West Yorkshire

  Merseyside

  2South-West

  Kent

  South Wales

  CPO

  5

  1

  1

  1

  1

  7

  1

  3

  DCPO

  4

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  1

  —

  ACPO

  29

  5

  3

  10

  6

  23

  4

  9

  Area Mgr

  14

  —

  —

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  SPO

  165

  22

  12

  49

  40

  89

  34

  24

  Sen pract

  22

  —

  4

  10

  —

  4

  7

  10

  PO

  858

  119

  62

  277

  214

  413

  136

  144

  Trainee

  82

  9

  7

  22

  24

  52

  10

  19

  Reg train

  3

  —

  —

  1

  5

  2

  —

  3

  PSO

  255

  37

  25

  212

  133

  243

  101

  66

  RIO

  14

  4

  2

  —

  —

  9

  —

  10

  Cler/Sec

  470

  46

  14

  119

  134

  162

  47

  82

  Admin

  269

  31

  28

  85

  39

  168

  36

  16

  Other

  63

  67

  3

  27

  21

  78

  27

  34

  Hostels

  73

  19

  10

  35

  29

  69

  9

  24

  All staff

  2,325

  359

  172

  853

  646

  1,318

  413

  443

  1 Whole-time equivalent

  2 Wiltshire, Avon, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Devon, Cornwall, Dorset

  Caseload1 at 31 December 1999

  Caseload

  Greater London

  13,124

  Humberside

  1,616

  Northamptonshire

  754

  West Yorkshire

  5,022

  Merseyside

  3,734

  South-West2

  7,112

  Kent

  2,045

  South-Wales

  2,221

  1 Offenders with a criminal court order supervision at 31 December 1999

  2 Wiltshire, Avon, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Devon, Cornwall. Dorset

  Criminal Records Bureau
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what his working estimate is of the demand for(a) basic, (b) standard and (c) enhanced disclosures for the first two years of the operation of the Criminal Records Bureau; [4956]

  (2) if he will place in the Library a copy of the Code of Practice for Registered Bodies drawn up by the Criminal Records Bureau; [4958]

  (3) what plans he has to amend the law to allow the Criminal Records Bureau access to sources of criminal records now denied to it; [4957]

  (4) how many registered bodies have been registered with the Criminal Records Bureau; and how many applications have been received but not yet registered; [4959]

  (5) when the Criminal Records Bureau will commence the issue of (a) enhanced, (b) standard and (c) basic disclosures. [4960]
  672W
  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: I have assumed that the hon. Gentleman is interested in the National Probation Service. The new areas Greater London and South Wales came into being on 1 April 2001 and the figures shown are totals of the constituent services. For South Western I have added all services in the south-west region. Information is not yet collected centrally on staff absence.

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) will phase in the issue of Enhanced and Standard Disclosures later this year, subject to its systems and processes having been proved under test and pilot conditions and shown to be capable of delivering the required level of service to its customers. We intend to commence the issue of Basic Disclosures in the summer of 2002.

  It is expected that demand will begin at a relatively low level and build up. Cost and business projections have been based on the following levels of demand during this and the next financial year:

  Disclosures

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Enhanced

  925,000

  3,200,000

  Standard

  75,000

  300,000

  Basic

  0

  2,800,000

  The CRB will rely on the Phoenix database of the Police National Computer (PNC) as its source of criminal records information. The PNC holds details of recordable offences from England and Wales. Scottish records are also routinely copied to PNC. Work is continuing with a view to ensuring that details of convictions in Northern Ireland are also available to the CRB to the extent that is necessary.

  The 'Code of Practice for registered persons and other recipients of disclosure information' was published on 26 April 2001, under section 122(1) of the Police Act 1997. The Code was also laid before Parliament in accordance with section 122(2) of the Act. The Code was placed in the Library on 26 April 2001.
  673W
  On 17 July 2001 the CRB had received 493 applications for registration. We intend that the processing of these applications will begin by the end of July 2001, when the automated system for processing registration applications will be operational.

  Police Numbers
  Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the authorised police establishment was at the end of 1979; what the number of

  Police numbers for 1979 and 1997—England

  Force

  Authorised establishment December 1979

  Actual strength 31 December 1979

  Actual strength 31 March 1997

  Percentage difference in strength

  Avon and Somerset

  2,953

  2,861

  2,988.8

  +4.5

  Bedfordshire

  947

  923

  1,093.6

  +18.5

  Cambridgeshire

  1,140

  1,087

  1,302

  +19.8

  Cheshire

  1,805

  1,803

  2,045.5

  +13.4

  Cleveland

  1,418

  1,411

  1,459.3

  +3.4

  Cumbria

  1,113

  1,072

  1,143.5

  +6.7

  Derbyshire

  1,712

  1,757

  1,790.6

  +1.9

  Devon and Cornwall

  2,673

  2,639

  2,864.5

  +8.5

  Dorset

  1,164

  1,159

  1,284

  +10.8

  Durham

  1,349

  1,313

  1,460.5

  +11.2

  Essex

  2,533

  2,503

  2,960.7

  +18.3

  Gloucestershire

  1,116

  1,099

  1,132.6

  +3

  Greater Manchester

  6,766

  6,653

  6,921.6

  +4

  Hampshire

  3,034

  2,945

  3,451.7

  +17.2

  Hertfordshire

  1,533

  1,466

  1,759.1

  +20

  Humberside

  1,939

  1,879

  2,045

  +8.8

  Kent

  2,842

  2,808

  3,260.1

  +16.1

  Lancashire

  3,138

  3,089

  3,247.5

  +5.1

  Leicestershire

  1,706

  1,701

  1,948.8

  +14.6

  Lincolnshire

  1,182

  1,167

  1,196.4

  +2.5

  London, City of

  1,022

  834

  858.9

  +3

  Merseyside

  4,451

  4,469

  4,230.4

  -5.3

  Metropolitan Police

  26,589

  22,528

  26,677.3

  +18.4

  Norfolk

  1,265

  1,237

  1,431.6

  +15.7

  Northamptonshire

  978

  926

  1,176.7

  +27.1

  Northumbria

  3,325

  3,339

  3,676.8

  +10.1

  North Yorkshire

  1,368

  1,338

  1,337.6

  1—

  Nottinghamshire

  2,260

  2,125

  2,323.4

  +9.3

  South Yorkshire

  2,752

  2,644

  3,158.7

  +19.5

  Staffordshire

  2,066

  2,015

  2,211.1

  +9.7

  Suffolk

  1,123

  1,105

  1,179.7

  +6.8

  Surrey

  1,602

  1,460

  1,619.5

  +10.9

  Sussex

  2,811

  2,777

  3,084.9

  +11.1

  Thames Valley

  3,005

  2,764

  3,695

  +33.7

  Warwickshire

  876

  883

  925.9

  +4.9

  West Mercia

  1,834

  1,837

  2,040.2

  +11.1

  West Midlands

  6,509

  6,160

  7,112.7

  +15.5

  West Yorkshire

  5,104

  4,799

  5,208.8

  +8.5

  Wiltshire

  1,032

  1,007

  1,154.3

  +14.6

  Total

  112,035

  105,582

  118,458.6

  +12.2

  1 No change

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many serving police officers there are in the London borough of Wandsworth(a) in total and (b) broken down by (i) rank and (ii) gender. [5412]

  Mr. Denham
  The information has been provided by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis and is set out in the table. Police numbers are those as at 30 June 2001.
  674W
  police officers in post was on 1 May 1997 for each police authority in England; and if he will calculate the percentage difference in these figures for each authority. [4921]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: The table sets out the police establishment and strength for each force in England for December 1979 and police strength for 31 March 1997. The percentage change is calculated on the difference between the strength figures for 1979 and 1997, rather than between establishment and strength figures as the figures do not compare like with like.

  Police numbers—London borough of Wandsworth

  Rank

  Male1

  Female1

  Total1

  Chief superintendent

  1

  —

  1

  Superintendent

  1

  1

  2

  Chief inspector

  4

  —

  4

  Inspector

  17

  1

  18

  Sergeant

  70.8

  15.7

  86.5

  Constable

  332

  90.9

  422.9

  Total

  425.8

  108.6

  534.4

  1 Full-time equivalent numbers

  Airwave Radio System
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the further advice of Sir William Stewart on the potential health risks of specific frequency ranges for the emergency radio Airwave system; and if he will make a statement. [5385]

  Mr. Denham
  Sir William Stewart was the chairman of the Independent Expect Group on Mobile Phones. The group was commissioned by the Minister of Public Health to assess the current state of research into possible health risks from mobile phones. The Group's report, on Mobile Phones and Health, was published on 11 May 2000.

  As a result of the precautionary approach recommended in the report, and recognising that concerns had been raised about Airwave, the Home Office commissioned two studies. One study is being conducted by the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) and the other by the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB). The NRPB have engaged their Advisory Group on Non-Ionising Radiation (AGNIR) to review the available evidence. Both of these studies are in progress.

  We are anticipating that the AGNIR report will be available in the next few weeks. The DERA study is longer term and DERA will be reporting to us on a regular basis, up to the conclusion of their main programme in May 2002.

  Chief Inspector of Prisons
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times he has met the Chief Inspector of Prisons since his appointment as Secretary of State. [6382]

  Mr. Blunkett
  I have met Sir David Ramsbotham once since my appointment as Home Secretary.

  Prison Service
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times he has met Ms Ann Owers to discuss the Prison Service; and if he will make a statement. [6381]

  Mr. Blunkett
  Ms Ann Owers takes up her appointment as Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons on 1 August 2001. I look forward to meeting her. The Under-Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for Stretford and Urmston (Beverley Hughes), will meet her shortly after she takes up her appointment.

  Animal Experiments
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) of the primates which, according to Table 2 of the Home Office statistics on the use of animals in scientific procedures for 1999, how many were wild-caught; from which countries were wild-caught primates imported; how many were ill or injured on arrival, indicating the illness or injury in each case; and how many became ill or injured during quarantine for reasons unrelated to the scientific procedures indicating the illness or injury in each case; [5711]

  (2) of the primates destined for UK laboratories but not used in scientific procedures how many primates captive-bred outside the EU were found dead on arrival
  676W
  in the UK in 1999 and 2000; how many primates wild-caught outside the EU were found dead on arrival in the UK in 1999 and 2000; how many primates captive-bred outside the EU (a) died and (b) became ill in quarantine in 1999 and 2000; and how many primates wild-caught outside the EU died or became ill in quarantine in 1999 and 2000, indicating the circumstances in each case; [5712]

  (3) of the primates which, according to Table 2 of the Home Office statistics on the use of animals in scientific procedures for 1999, came from outside the European Union how many were captive-bred; from which countries captive-bred primates were imported; and how many were ill or injured on arrival, indicating the illness or injury in each case and how many became ill or injured during quarantine for reasons unrelated to the scientific procedures, indicating the illness or injury in each case. [5710]

  Angela Eagle
  We announced in 1997 our intention that licences under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 will never be issued for programmes of work involving the use of great apes (chimpanzees, pygmy chimpanzees, gorillas and orang-utans) and that exceptional justification is required for the use of wild-caught primates.

  In addition, the 1986 Act requires that non-human primates cannot be used unless no other species is suitable. Along with regulatory testing to help ensure the safety of medicines, non-human primates (mainly marmosets and macaques) are also used for other important areas of fundamental research. For example, they contribute to programmes of work relating to Parkinson's disease, visual impairment, stroke, diabetes, disorders of reproduction and vaccine development.

  Table 2 of the Statistics of Scientific procedures on Living Animals Great Britain 1999 records 418 nonhuman primates used in scientific procedures as coming from outside the European Union. The detailed information requested in relation to these animals is for the most part not held centrally by the Home Office and it is, therefore, not possible to provide all of the information required about them. However, Home Office records confirm that none of these 418 animals were wild-caught.

  The overseas sources of primates used in 1999 were Mauritius, the Philippines, China, Israel and South Africa.

  I am advised that problems encountered with imported primates are generally few and instances of death following acquisition are very rare.

  It is not possible to provide general information with regard to primates destined for laboratories in the United Kingdom but subsequently not used. Such animals are not included in the annual statistics. I can confirm, however, that no deaths or injuries have been reported in baboons during transportation, including the group of 28 wild-caught baboons imported from Kenya in May 1999 but not used.

  Commonwealth Visitors
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answers of 11 July 2001,Official Report columns 534–37W, on Commonwealth visitors, how many (a) Jamaican, (b) Barbadian,

  677W
  (c) Guyanese, (d) Canadian and (e) Australian visitors in (i) 2000 and (ii) 2001 to the latest available date were (1) refused entry to the UK and (2) admitted with less than the maximum period of six months' leave; and how many people, from each country, admitted for less than six months, applied for extensions to stay as visitors. [5897]

  Angela Eagle
  Information on the total number of visitors refused leave to enter the United Kingdom is not available because refusals are recorded according to the reason for refusal and not according to the entry category (ie visitor, student, work permit holder). In addition, it is only possible to determine the number of visitors admitted. Information on the period of leave granted is not available. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 11 July 2001,Official Report, column 535W.

  However, information is available on the number of refusals where the main reason for refusal was because the immigration officer was not satisfied the applicant was a genuine visitor. It does not include persons intending to enter as visitors, but refused entry on other grounds. This, along with information on the total number of persons refused leave to enter and removed is shown in Table 1.

  Table 2 shows the number of decisions on extensions of leave to remain as a visitor, to persons that entered the United Kingdom as a visitor or admitted in another

  Table 2: Grants and refusals of extensions of leave to remain as a visitor1 in the United Kingdom to persons having entered the country as a visitor2 or admitted in another category for less than six months, by selected nationality, January to September 20003 —United Kingdom

  Number of decisions4

  Jamaica

  Barbados

  Guyana

  Canada

  Australia

  Grants of extension

  Admitted as a visitor

  940

  10

  20

  20

  60

  Admitted in another category for less than six months

  20

  —

  5—

  10

  10

  Total

  960

  10

  20

  30

  70

  Refusals of extension

  Admitted as a visitor2

  160

  5—

  10

  10

  10

  Admitted in another category for less than six months

  10

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Total

  160

  5—

  10

  10

  10

  Total decisions

  Admitted as a visitor2

  1,090

  10

  20

  30

  60

  Admitted in another category for less than six months

  30

  —

  5—

  10

  10

  Total

  1,120

  10

  20

  40

  70

  1 Excludes dependents of principal applicants, the outcome of appeals, and withdrawn applications

  2Includes students admitted for less than six months

  3 Provisional

  4Totals may not add up due to rounding. This is because all calculations are based on unrounded numbers to ensure accuracy

  5Five or fewer

  Note:

  Data rounded to the nearest 10

  Channel Tunnel (Illegal Immigration)
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with(a) Eurotunnel and (b) the French authorities regarding illegal immigration through the Channel Tunnel; and if he will make a statement. [5840]
  678W
  category for less than six months. The data relate to January to September 2000, the latest period available.

  Table 1: Passengers refused leave to enter and removed, by selected nationality, 2000 to February 2001

  Number of journeys

  Total refused leave to enter and removed

  Of which: main reason for refusal—not satisfied a genuine visitor

  2000

  Jamaica

  2,236

  1,962

  Barbados

  37

  34

  Guyana

  13

  1

  Canada

  285

  198

  Australia

  303

  256

  January 2001

  Jamaica

  234

  206

  Barbados

  5

  4

  Guyana

  1

  —

  Canada

  32

  22

  Australia

  29

  27

  February 2001

  Jamaica

  228

  185

  Barbados

  2

  2

  Guyana

  2

  —

  Canada

  31

  25

  Australia

  18

  9

  Angela Eagle
  Home Office Ministers and officials have regular discussions with both Eurotunnel and the French authorities about illegal immigration through the Channel Tunnel. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary discussed the subject with the French Minister of the Interior, M. Daniel Vaillant, on 11 July; and I discussed it with the Interior Ministers of France,
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  Belgium and the Netherlands at a meeting on 17 July. The issue was discussed at the Anglo-French Ministerial Summit in Cahors on 9 February, and at subsequent meetings of the UK-French Cross-Channel Commission of senior officials and its sub-group.

  Home Office Ministers have corresponded with Eurotunnel on a number of occasions about illegal immigration problems and improvements to the tunnel security regime. In addition, Immigration and Nationality Directorate officials are in close contact with Eurotunnel.

  We have emphasised, through these contacts, that Eurotunnel needs to do more to secure its site at Coquelles. The present situation there is unacceptable, with increased numbers exploiting security deficiencies and posing a safety risk both to themselves and to the tunnel. We are therefore consulting Eurotunnel, and other interested parties, on proposals to extend the civil penalty to Eurotunnel freight train services.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many illegal immigrants were detected after passing through the Channel Tunnel in the past two years; and if he will make a statement. [5841]

  Angela Eagle
  The number of clandestine entrants detected at Kent ports in 1999, 2000 and the first half of 2001 is set out in the list. Figures are taken from local records and are provisional.

  It is not possible to establish precisely how many arrived through the Channel Tunnel system. Some are detected inland and cannot be attributed to a particular entry point.

  In the first six months of 2001, 3,012 clandestine entrants were detected at the Cheriton Terminal. This is a recent phenomenon, which has followed a tightening of security in the port of Calais.

  Provisional figures indicate that the overall number of persons who have been detected at Kent ports or inland in Kent has reduced by 25 per cent. during the first six months of 2001 compared with the same period in 2000. This includes persons who had no documents, were clandestine entrants or arrived through the tunnel system.

  Action is in hand to implement civil penalties in respect of the Eurotunnel shuttles following a period of consultation.

  Clandestine Entrants: Dover ports

  1999: 8,878

  2000: 12,679

  2001: 4,071 (to 30 June 2001)

  Undocumented arrivals: Dover

  1999: 8,276

  2000: 7,014

  2001: 701 (to 30 June 2001)

  Cheriton terminal arrivals

  1999: nil

  2000: 100 (estimated)

  2001: 3,012 (30 June 2001)

  South East ports totals

  1999: 17,154

  2000: 19,693 (excluding Cheriton estimated arrivals)

  2001: 7,784 (to 30 June 2001)

  Police Shootings
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for each year since 1980, how many civilians have been shot by police; of those how many were(a) fatally wounded and (b) armed; how many officers were charged in connection with each incident; and how many successful prosecutions ensued in each case. [5480]

  Mr. Denham
  Figures available are for 1991 onwards and are as follows:

  Persons shot by police

  Fatally wounded

  1Armed

  1991

  5

  3

  5

  1992

  11

  3

  11

  1993

  5

  3

  5

  1994

  6

  2

  6

  1995

  5

  2

  3

  1996

  4

  2

  2

  1997

  1

  —

  1

  1998

  5

  2

  3

  1999

  7

  3

  6

  2000

  6

  2

  6

  2001

  2

  2

  2

  1 Includes incidents where the person was subsequently found to be in possession of a replica or imitation firearm or in possession of other dangerous weapons (knives, air weapons etc.).

  The number of officers charged in connection with each case and the number of successful prosecutions, by year of incident, are as follows:

  Number of officers charged1

  Number of successful prosecutions1

  1991

  —

  —

  1992

  —

  —

  1993

  —

  —

  1994

  —

  —

  1995

  21

  2—

  1996

  —

  —

  1997

  —

  —

  1998

  34

  5—

  1999

  —

  —

  2000

  —

  —

  2001

  —

  —

  1 As at 19 July 2001.

  2 Murder-one incident

  3One for murder and three for misfeasance in public office-same incident

  4 Found not guilty

  5 All found not guilty

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason no decision has yet been taken in respect of the instigation of disciplinary proceedings against Sussex Police officers involved in the policing operation that involved the fatal shooting of James Ashley. [5474]

  Mr. Denham
  Now that the criminal proceedings against Sussex Police officers involved in the shooting of James Ashley have concluded, it is for the independent Police Complaints Authority (PCA) to decide whether disciplinary proceedings should be instituted against any of those officers.
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  Sussex police have supplied the PCA with the necessary memorandum to enable the Authority to reach its decision. The PCA has agreed to advise the Force of its decision by 31 August 2001.

  Sussex police now await that decision and can take no action until it is forthcoming.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason the disciplinary hearing involving the Deputy Chief Constable of Sussex Police in respect of his involvement in the policing operation that involved the fatal shooting of James Ashley is not due to commence until 7 January 2002. [5473]

  Mr. Denham
  This is a matter for the Sussex Police Authority.

  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent information he has collated on(a) police shootings and (b) the results of PCA inquiries into police shootings, and if he will make a statement. [5909]

  Mr. Denham
  Statistics are published on an annual basis on the number of police operations involving firearms, the number of authorised firearms officers and the number of operations involving armed response vehicles. The number of occasions on which firearms are discharged, and any resulting fatalities, are also recorded.

  Information on specific incidents in which shots are discharged, and any subsequent findings or recommendations arising from investigations supervised by the Police Complaints Authority, are carefully considered by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) sub-committee on the Police Use of Firearms. The Home Office is represented on this committee and will consider, in consultation with ACPO, any incidents which give rise to serious concern. Any lessons to be learned from such incidents are subsequently fed into the Manual on the Police Use of Firearms and into police training arrangements.

  Strangeways Prison (Phones)
  Andrew Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many telephone lines are available at Manchester Strangeways Prison for individuals to phone about prison visits; what percentage of callers get through first time; and what percentage of callers fail to get through after five attempts. [4966]

  Beverley Hughes
  There are three lines available for booking domestic visits at Manchester Prison.

  There have been difficulties with the booking system at Manchester for some time, but it is only recently that technical problems with the telephony equipment have been identified. Manchester is programmed to have its entire telephone system replaced in or around October this year.

  The other information requested is not available as the telephone logging records only show the number of successful and unsuccessful calls and do not identify the source or whether it is a first or repeat call. Figures for
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  November 2000, the most recent available, show that 83.5 per cent. of incoming calls received the engaged signal.

  It has been very difficult for callers to contact the visit booking service at Manchester prison at certain times, and we regret the inconvenience this has caused. Prior to replacing the system, a weekend telephone booking facility is being introduced from 22 July, and from 19 August prisoners will be able to book visits on behalf of their visitors, who will then be able to collect their visiting orders on arrival at the prison gate.

  Prison Governors
  Andrew Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what targets are set for the length of time taken by Her Majesty's prison governors to reply to letters from(a) hon. Members and (b) the public; and if the Governor of HMP Strangeways has met these targets. [4964]

  Beverley Hughes
  The target is for 95 per cent. of letters to be answered within 20 working days in both cases. In the last three months, the Governor of Manchester prison has met this target with 95.6 per cent. of correspondence answered within 20 working days. This represents a marked improvement on the establishment's performance for the year 2000–01.

  Criminals (Litter and Graffiti)
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to require criminals to clear away litter and graffiti as reparation for their offences. [5451]

  Beverley Hughes
  Many offenders are already required to clear away litter and graffiti as part of the work done on community punishment orders and community punishment and rehabilitation orders.

  Immigration Officials
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with the French authorities regarding the removal of immigration officials from the ports of Dieppe and Cherbourg; and if he will make a statement. [5842]

  Angela Eagle
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 25 June 2001,Official Report, column 52W.

  Visa Refusals
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were refused visitors visas by British High Commission offices in(a) Pakistan, (b) India and (c) Sri Lanka during the last 12 months. [6372]

  Mr. Bradshaw: I have been asked to reply.

  The total number of visitor visa applications refused between June 2000 to May 2001 are as follows:

  Pakistan—20,835

  India—17,755

  Sri Lanka—3,266.

  Statistics for June 2001 are not yet available.

WORK AND PENSIONS

  Widowed Parent's Allowance
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many widowers whose spouses died prior to 9 April are estimated to be eligible for the new widowed parent's allowance; how many claim forms have been sent to this group of widowers; how many claim forms have been returned; and how many of these widowers already have the allowance. [371]

  Malcolm Wicks
  To ensure that as many men as possible were able to claim widowed parent's allowance from the outset, the Department identified over 11,000 potential male beneficiaries from the child benefit computer system and sent them claim forms in March 2001. In addition, the Department has placed articles advertising the benefit in targeted magazines. Local Benefits Agency offices have also issued forms direct to men widowed before 9 April on request. Information on the number of men who have successfully claimed widowed parent's allowance is not yet available.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many women claimed incapacity

  Average durations of claims for incapacity benefit current at 31 March 20O0

  Diagnosis

  Average duration (days)

  All Diagnoses

  2,280

  Recipients without any diagnosis code on the system

  1,308

  Certain Infectious and Parasitic Diseases (A00—B99)

  1,782

  Neoplasms (C00—D48)

  1,194

  Diseases of the Blood and Blood forming organs and certain diseases involving the immune mechanism (D50—D89)

  2,290

  Endocrine, Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases (E00—E90)

  2,627

  Mental and Behavioural Disorders (F00—F99)

  2,415

  Diseases of the Nervous System (G00—G99)

  3,038

  Diseases of the Eye and Adnexa (H00—H59)

  2,851

  Diseases of the Ear and Mastoid Process (H60—H95)

  2,213

  Diseases of the Circulatory System (I00—I99)

  2,308

  Diseases of the Respiratory System (J00—J99)

  2,533

  Diseases of the Digestive System (K00—K93)

  2,245

  Diseases of the Skin and Subcutaneous System (L00—L99)

  1,913

  Diseases of the Musculoskeletal system and Connective Tissue (M00—M99)

  2,183

  Diseases of the Genitourinary System (N00—N99)

  1,985

  Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Puerperium (Q00—Q99)

  467

  Certain Conditions Originating in the Perinatal Period (P00—P96)

  0

  Congenital Malformations, Deformations and Chromasomal Abnormalities (Q00—Q99)

  4,586

  Symptoms, Signs and Abnormal Clinical and Laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00—R99)

  2,322

  Injury, Poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00—U22)

  1,701

  Factors influencing Health Status and Contact with Health Services (Z00—Z99)

  2,088

  Notes:

  1. These figures are based on a 1 per cent. sample of claims to benefit on 31 March 2000.

  2. These figures represent the average duration of a claim to Incapacity Benefit current at 31 March 2000.

  3. All diagnoses are coded using the International Classification of Diseases, 10 Edition (1CD10), published by a World Health Organisation. The codes in brackets following each description refer to the ICD codes within that group.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the 20 parliamentary constituencies with the(a) highest economic inactivity rate, (b) highest unemployment rate, (c) highest proportion of people of working age claiming incapacity benefit and (d) lowest employment rate, indicating the rates in each case. [5215]

  Malcolm Wicks
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: The information is not available in the format requested.
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  benefit in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and what percentage this represents of the total claims. [1475]

  Malcolm Wicks
  Information on the number of claims for incapacity benefit is not available by gender.

  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what is the average time to complete a review of incapacity benefit; and if he will make a statement on the factors underlying delays and the availability of clinicians to conduct reviews [3620]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The medical assessment procedure involves several stages including gathering information from the claimant and their GP or other health care professional and arranging and carrying out examinations.

  The most recent study of a sample of cases found that on average the whole process took 11.4 weeks where entitlement was confirmed and 17.5 weeks where benefit was withdrawn.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the(a)duration of claim and (b)type of incapacitation, of those receiving incapacity benefit; and if he will place the results in the Library. [4810]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The information is in the table.

  NIRS 2
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) if he will estimate the number of pensioners who are currently receiving incorrect payments in respect of(a) the state retirement pension and (b) SERPS that have been caused by problems with the NIRS 2 computer system; [356]
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  (2) if he will estimate the average number of newly entitled pensioners who are receiving incorrect payments in respect of (a) the state retirement pension and (b) SERPS that are caused by problems with the NIRS 2 computer system; [357]

  (3) if he will estimate the average weekly (a) underpayment and (b) overpayment in respect of (i) the state retirement pension and (ii) SERPS that are caused by problems with the NIRS 2 computer system. [358]

  Mr. McCartney
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  SERPS
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost is of writing to pensioners about their entitlement to inherited SERPS; if all the letters have now been sent out; and if he will place a copy of the letter in the Library. [2264]

  Mr. McCartney
  A letter was issued in February and March 2001 to inform pensioners of the changes in inherited SERPS and to reassure them that they will be unaffected by the changes. It was sent to approximately 8.3 million pensioner households. The cost of sending the letter was £1,887,126. A copy of the letter was placed in the Library on 29 January.

  A second letter is scheduled to be issued later this summer to approximately 1.3 million people who will also be unaffected by the changes in inherited SERPS. These are people who have reached state pension age since the first letter was issued and also those who will reach state pension age by 5 October 2002. The estimated cost of sending this letter is £560,000. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library before this letter goes out.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will place in the Library(a) a copy of the letter informing pensioners that they are unaffected by the changes in entitlement to inherited SERPS and (b)a copy of the letter informing people that they might be affected by the changes that are being issued by his Department. [3148]

  Mr. McCartney
  A letter was issued in February and March 2001 to inform pensioners of the changes in inherited SERPS and to reassure them that they will be unaffected by the changes. It was sent to approximately 8.3 million pensioner households. A copy of the letter has been placed in the Library.

  A second letter is scheduled to be issued later this summer to approximately 1.3 million people who will also be unaffected by the changes in inherited SERPS. These are people who have reached state pension age since the first letter was issued and also those who will reach state pension age by 5 October 2002. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.

  A further letter is to be issued to 5.25 million people who will be affected by the reduction in SERPS on the sliding scale. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.

  Benefit Entitlements
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the impact of 686W
  withdrawing social security benefit from adults unwilling to have their basic skills levels tested; and if he will make a statement. [3371]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The Government set out their strategy for helping adults improve their basic skills in the document "Skills for Life", published in March this year. This strategy includes a strong focus on helping unemployed people improve their literacy and numeracy skills and so increase their chances of getting and keeping a job. As part of our overall strategy, it is right that we pilot arrangements to sanction people receiving jobseeker's allowance who refuse to take up offers of help in improving their basic skills. The pilots, which we propose to implement in the autumn, will be fully evaluated.

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the numbers of actual and whole-time equivalent employees of(a) the Benefits Agency as at 1 April, (b) the headquarters functions of the Benefits Agency as at 1 April, (c) the Working Life Agency as at 1 July, (d) the headquarters functions of the Agency as at 1 July, (e) the Pensions Service Agency as at 1 July, (f) the headquarters functions of the Pensions Agency as at 1 July, (g) the Disability and Carers Directorate as at 1 July, (h) the headquarters functions of the Disability Directorate as at 1 July, (i) the Child Support Agency as at 1 July and (j) the headquarters function of the Child Support Agency as at 1 July. [3700]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  Since 1 April 2000, the HQ functions of the Benefits Agency have been carried out by Department of Social Security (DSS) departmental directorates which support all business units in the Department. The reason for this was to ensure more resources were focused on front line delivery and to reduce duplication across the agencies. As a result, as at 1 February 2001 (the last published figures), 2,523 staff had moved from departmental support services and were not replaced. The resource was transferred to the Benefits Agency. The figures show the staffing levels for those directorates.

  At 1 April 2001, the total staffing in Benefits Agency and DSS departmental directorates was as follows (a separate figure is not available for BA HQ for the reasons outlined above):

  Benefits Agency and DSS departmental directorates staffing as at 1 April 2001

  Actual staff

  Whole time equivalent staff

  Benefits Agency

  70,330

  64,683.4

  DSS departmental directorates

  7,112

  6,852.6

  At 1 July 2001, the Department for Work and Pensions continues to be structured as the Benefits Agency and the Employment Service. Formation of the working age organisation (to be known as JobCentre Plus) and the pensions organisation (to be known as the Pensions

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  Service) will not take place until April 2002. The information is therefore not available in the precise format requested.

  The Department for Work and Pensions staffing at the latest available date is shown in the following table. During the period in question responsibility for the calculation and recovery of overpayments has been transferred to one of the departmental directorates, resulting in a reduction of staff numbers in the Benefits Agency and an increase in numbers in the directorates.

  Department for Work and Pensions 1 June 2001 (latest information available)

  Actual staff

  Whole time equivalent staff

  Benefits Agency

  68,908

  63,470.0

  Disability and Carers Directorate1

  7,255

  6,623.6

  Employment Service

  35,067

  30,465.3

  DSS Departmental Directorates

  8,970

  8,471.3

  Child Support Agency

  10,998

  10,145.2

  Child Support Agency HQ

  1,101

  1,056.1

  1Also included in Benefits Agency figures.

  Pension Forecasts
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will set out the target implementation dates for the provision of new pension forecasts. [37351]

  Mr McCartney
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Claims

  Renewals

  Reconsiderations

  Supersessions

  Disability Living Allowance 2000–01

  Target, 95 per cent, cleared in Actual average clearance days (in month)

  73.0

  84.0

  99.0

  99.0

  July

  48.7

  39.3

  49.0

  62.1

  August

  47.5

  39.4

  43.0

  57.9

  September

  46.2

  34.8

  44.8

  55.6

  October

  45.7

  32.3

  44.7

  55.0

  November

  44.5

  32.1

  42.6

  52.5

  December

  44.0

  31.9

  39.4

  51.5

  January

  45.5

  34.7

  41.6

  54.3

  February

  44.4

  29.8

  38.8

  47.3

  March

  41.7

  28.7

  33.7

  44.5

  April

  41.4

  28.6

  35.6

  44.6

  May

  41.5

  30.3

  37.4

  44.6

  June

  43.5

  32.3

  36.8

  48.4

  Attendance Allowance

  Target, 95 per cent cleared in Actual average clearance days (in month)

  63.0

  66.0

  87.0

  87.0

  July

  33.6

  30.7

  50.9

  54.3

  August

  32.0

  26.8

  47.5

  50.8

  September

  29.4

  25.2

  51.8

  48.2

  October

  27.1

  26.1

  46.1

  46.5

  November

  25.9

  24.7

  44.9

  45.8

  December

  26.0

  25.1

  42.2

  43.1

  January

  28.7

  25.4

  44.4

  45.6

  February

  26.9

  20.7

  40.5

  36.6

  March

  24.9

  19.2

  35.6

  32.9

  April

  25.3

  20.6

  36.0

  31.5

  May

  25.9

  21.6

  33.9

  32.6

  June

  26.8

  23.0

  35.3

  35.3

  Note:

  All figures in days

  Disability Benefits
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the(a) target times and (b) average time it took to deal with (i) revisions, (ii) renewal claims and (iii) original applications for (A) disability living allowance and (B) attendance allowance were in the last 12 months. [14354]

  Maria Eagle
  The administration of disability living allowance and attendance allowance is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, chief executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Andrew George, dated 20 July 2001:
  The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what the (a) target times and (b) average time it took to deal with (i) revisions (ii) renewal claims and (iii) original applications for (A) Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and (B) Attendance Allowance (AA) were in the last 12 months.
  The information is in the table attached. The Decision Making and Appeals procedures introduced in October 1999 mean revisions are shown as reconsiderations and supersessions. Reconsiderations occur when a claimant asks for a claim to be looked at again within one month of the previous decision. Supersessions occur when such requests are made outside the one month time limit.
  Target days are always expressed as 95 per cent. of those cases cleared within the number of days shown against each claim event. It is not possible to compare these figures directly with the actual average clearance times in each category as these are based on the number of days taken to clear 100 per cent. of cases per event in a particular month. Target figures are not available expressed in actual average clearance times.
  I hope this is helpful.
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  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many children broken down by(a) age group and (b) proportion of households with children in that age group, live in households where a parent is in receipt of (i) Incapacity Benefit, (ii) Severe Disablement Allowance, (iii) Income Support with a Disability Premium and (iv) Disability Living Allowance. [4356]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The available information is in the tables.

  Number of dependent children living in families where a parent receives Incapacity Benefit (IB), Income Support (IS) Disability Premium or Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

  Age group

  IB

  DLA

  IS Disability Premium

  0–4

  85.000

  130,000

  100,000

  5–10

  150.000

  290,000

  150,000

  11–15

  165.000

  275,000

  155,000

  16+

  70.000

  90,000

  55,000

  Number of dependent children living in families where the parent has IB, DLA or IS Disability Premium as a proportion of all children in Great Britain

  Percentage

  Age group

  IB

  DLA

  IS Disability Premium

  0–4

  2

  4

  3

  5–10

  3

  7

  3

  11–15

  4

  8

  4

  16+

  6

  7

  4

  Notes:

  1.Caseloads are rounded to the nearest 5,000 and percentages to the nearest percentage point.

  2. For IB and DLA the figures have been calculated from the 1999–2000 Family Resources Survey. For the IS Disability Premium they have been taken from the February 2001 Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry and the February 2001 Child Benefit statistics.

  3. Data are not provided for Severe Disablement Allowance because the sample sizes are too small to support a reliable estimate.

  4. People are not counted as receiving a benefit if they receive it on behalf of someone else.

  IT Projects
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the information technology projects being undertaken by his Department and agencies responsible to his Department, including(a) the start date, (b) the planned completion date, (c) the current expected completion date, (d) the planned cost and (e) the current estimated cost: and if he will make a statement. [4403]

  Mr. McCartney
  [holding answer 16 July 2001]: A major programme of change is currently under way in the Department to modernise the way it delivers its services and to support the implementation of important new policy initiatives such as the reform of Child Support and the introduction of new tax credits. This programme requires extensive IT change affecting all areas of the Department.

  A number of the projects to deliver this change programme are already under way and will continue into the next year. Plans for others, including the implementation of Pension Credit from 2003 and the replacement of the
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  Department's outdated computer systems, are currently being developed. Finalised completion dates and costs for these are therefore still under development.

  Modernisation projects are brigaded under the headings given in the table in order to facilitate the management of the Department's modernisation programme. The overall costs of the projects to support Working Age, Pensions, Child Support and other key welfare reforms are shown but it is not yet possible to show the IT cost component because contracts have not yet been let for many of the IT projects. Because of the number of projects involved under each of the headings, the dates given can only be a broad indication of the earliest project start date, and the latest planned and expected end dates. The dates given are overall project targets, and thus embrace the IT elements of the project.

  Programme

  Expected completion date

  Planned cost(£million)

  Current estimated coast(£million)

  Working Age

  March 2003

  289

  726

  Pensions

  December 2004

  57

  432

  Children

  April 2003

  914

  864

  Corporate

  March 2005

  856

  1,539

  Notes:

  1. The increase in planned and estimated cost under Working Age project work from the information provided previously in response to PC 641/2001 is due to the Department's responsibility for projects which were previously the Department for Education and Employment. An additional factor in the increased costs is the number of additional projects which have come on stream since February, as well as revised estimates for Child Support reform.

  2. The costs shown have the following characteristics: they do not include any increase for pay and prices over the period; they include IT and non-IT cost components relating to each IT project; they do not include on-going core costs which will be incurred once the projects 'go live'. Additionally, the figures are high level estimates which are consequently subject to change.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many complaints in relation to Child Support Agency cases were received in(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000 and (d) 2000–01 by (i) the Child Support Agency, (ii) the Child Support Agency independent case examiner and (iii) the Parliamentary Ombudsman. [4162]

  Malcolm Wicks
  [holding answer 16 July 2001]: The number of complaints that the agency has received has decreased in comparison with an increase in the agency's caseload. Also, while the number of complaints referred to the independent case examiner (ICE) and the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration (PCA) has increased, this is also against an increase in the caseload of the agency.

  The Child Support Agency only started to count how many complaints it received from 1999–2000. Prior to this, the agency only counted how many complaints were being cleared.

  Agency caseload (as at March of each year)

  Number

  1999

  1,030,100

  2000

  1,048,920

  691W

  Number of complaints received by the agency

  Number

  1999–2000

  21,015

  2000–01

  19,634

  Number of complaints received by the Independent Case Examiner

  Number

  1997–98

  1,087

  1998–99

  1,536

  1999–2000

  1,226

  2000–01

  1,488

  Number of cases received by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration

  Number

  1997–98

  67

  1998–99

  51

  1999–2000

  102

  2000–01

  76

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the rate was of non-compliance in(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c)1999–2000 and (d) 2000–01 with payment of maintenance assessments by the CSA; what the backlog of cases is at the CSA; how many cases have been outstanding for one year or more; what the level of outstanding debt is in the CSA and what percentage of that debt is considered unrecoverable; and what assessment he has made of the level of accuracy in maintenance assessments. [4163]

  Malcolm Wicks
  [holding answer 16 July 2001]: Compliance has improved; we have increased the number of fully compliant cases by 16.03 per cent. in 2000–01.

  Average rate of non-compliance

  Year

  Percentages

  1997–98

  31.4

  1998–99

  30.8

  1999–2000

  30.1

  2000–01

  28.7

  There are 186,323 cases awaiting initial assessment and of these 47,209 are over 52 weeks old.

  As of March 2001, the level of outstanding debt was £527,802,484. From this figure the percentage of debt that would possibly be uncollectable is 39.5 per cent.

  The accuracy of the most recent action taken on cases was 78.5 per cent.

  Mr. Denis Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many child support claimants have had to wait more than six months from the date their claim was submitted before their first payment is received in the last three years; [6296]

  (2) what average period of time elapses between the Child Support Agency receiving a claim and the claimant receiving their first payment. [6297]
  692W
  Malcolm Wicks
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Mr. Doug Smith to Mr. Denis Murphy, dated 20 July 2001:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions about the Child Support Agency.
  You have asked how many child support claimants have had to wait more than six months from the date their claim was submitted before their first payment is received in the last three years. Also what average period of time elapses between the Child Support Agency receiving a claim and the claimant receiving their first payment.
  Your questions cannot be answered in the precise format you require as this information is not gathered in the way you have requested.
  In 1998–99 our target was to clear 65 per cent. of new maintenance assessments within 22 weeks and we achieved a target of 62 per cent.
  In 1999–2000 our target was changed to clear 65 per cent. of new maintenance assessments within 20 weeks, we achieved 51 per cent. clearance.
  This target was discontinued in 2000–01 and we are now aiming to reduce our outstanding work across all key areas.
  We are striving to improve performance in key areas and have introduced more robust measures to support this process for the corning year.
  We do not measure the average time between receipt of an application for maintenance and the client receiving their first payment.
  The Department produces a CSA Quarterly Summary of Statistics which is available in the House of Commons Library and you may find the information it contains of further interest.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 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. [4598]

  Mr. McCartney
  The information is as follows:

  (a)The Department for Work and Pensions has awarded eight PFI contracts over the last five years. Of these five were awarded by the Department of Social Security (DSS) and three by the Employment Service (ES) as an Executive Agency of Department for Education and Employment. Details are:

  1. PRIME (Private Sector Resource Initiative for the Management of the Estate). A 20-year PFI partnership deal competitively awarded by DSS to Trillium on 1 April 1998. Trillium were recently acquired by Land Securities, the UK's largest property company, and are now called Land Securities Trillium.

  2. A series of contracts awarded by DSS under the ACCORD (Access to Corporate Data) framework. The DSS established the ACCORD framework to secure the full range of IS/IT systems needed to underpin the Department's modernisation strategy, and Government's ambitions for Welfare Reform. Overarching contracts were awarded to three major consortia

  693W
  in 1999, Affinity, lead by EDS, Arcway, lead by BT, and I Accord, lead by ICL. Within this framework three PFI contracts were awarded for IS/IT services:

  (i) Strategic Outsourcing—a 10 year contract awarded to Affinity on 8 August 2000;

  (ii) to underpin Child Support Reforms—a 10 year contract awarded to Affinity 8 August 2000; and

  (iii) to deliver new Wide Area Network (WAN) services—a five year contract awarded to Arcway in November 2000.

  Other contracts will be agreed with service providers over the life of the ACCORD framework.

  3. The Benefit Payment Card Project formed part of the BA/POCL Horizon Automation Project, which was a PFI project to automate post offices and benefit payments. The Benefit Payment Card Project, introduced in October 1996, was cancelled in May 1999.

  4. The Employment Service (ES) has entered into two IT related and one other PFI deal over the last five years:

  (i) The Escom contract with Siemens Business Services (SBS) began in February 1998 and is due for completion February 2003.

  (ii) ES went into Partnership with Electronic Data Systems (EDS) in August 1998 for provision of IT and Telephony services. This contract is ongoing until July 2008.

  (iii) In February 1999 ES awarded Rebus Human Resources Services and Norwich Systems Accounting a 10 year partnership for the delivery of ES' Human Resources Services.

  (b) The Department has two PPP agreements:

  1. A Lead Service Provider agreement made by DSS with Affinity in September 2000 under the ACCORD framework; and

  2. a Network and Office Service Provider agreement made by DSS with Arcway in November 2000, also under ACCORD.

  All the above, apart from the cancelled benefit payment card, are long-term service agreements and as such none has yet been completed.

  The Department has not claimed compensation under any PFI/PPP contract to date.

  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how (1) many PFI transactions have been overseen by his Department and its predecessors in each of the last 10 years; what his estimate is of the cost savings made in each of these transactions in comparison with the public sector alternative; what are the outstanding payments to be made in relation to these transactions for each of the next 15 years; and if he will make a statement; [5718]

  (2) if he will list the economic penalties imposed on private sector firms in each of the last five years for failures to deliver in relation to key performance indicators in projects involving the Private Finance Initiative; and if he will make a statement. [5719]

  Mr. McCartney
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 12 June from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Ms S. B. Mqwayi. [4501]
  694W
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  Never. The right hon. Member's letter is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and has been transferred accordingly.

  Child Poverty
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of children were living in workless households during the spring quarter of 2001, using the Labour Force Survey. [4804]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The information requested is not available. The information taken from the spring quarter of the Labour Force Survey in 2000 was that 15.8 per cent. of children were living in workless households.

  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what progress has been made in reducing the number of children in the United Kingdom living in poverty; and if he will make a statement. [5713]

  Malcolm Wicks
  Poverty and social exclusion are multi-faceted problems. Therefore we do not use a single definition of poverty, but instead use a range of indicators to monitor the progress of our strategy. Information relating to the indicators can be found in the second Government "Opportunity for all" report on tackling poverty and social exclusion, "One year on: making a difference" (Cm 4865). The report also describes and monitors the impact of policies we have already introduced and sets out our plans for the future.

  Student Loans
  Mr. Tynan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what plans his Department has to reform the benefits system in order to ensure families are not penalised through the reduction in benefits as a result of one partner applying successfully for a student loan; [4579]

  (2) if he will estimate the impact on long-term family income of one partner receiving a repayable student loan and the family experiencing a consequential loss in non-repayable benefit payment; [4658]

  (3) what analysis his Department has made of the number of (a) married and (b) unmarried students, in full-time education in receipt of a student loan who have experienced a consequential reduction in benefit payment. [4659]

  Malcolm Wicks
  [holding answer 18 July 2001]: The information is not available.

  Student loans and most allowances are taken into account in the assessment of income-related benefit entitlement because primary financial support for students comes from the education maintenance system.

  If student loans were not taken into account, the benefit system would be supporting students rather than the educational maintenance system. This would operate unfairly against the majority of students who are not entitled to benefits, as well as being contrary to the whole basis on which the income-related benefits are paid. We have no plans to change the current arrangements.

  Absence
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many days on average were lost
  695W
  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] [5054]

  Mr. McCartney
  Information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the tables.

  Average days lost per employee due to sickness

  Year

  DSS Group

  ES Group

  1993

  12.2

  11.8

  1994

  12.1

  11.0

  1995

  12.6

  11.9

  1996

  12.2

  11.8

  1997

  12.2

  12.6

  1998

  10.8

  10.7

  1999

  10.9

  11.0

  Notes:

  1. Machinery of Government changes:

  1996 figures do not include the Resettlement Agency;

  1999 figures do not include the Contributions Agency.

  2. As the Department for Work and Pensions is a new Department. the information is only available under the former categories of the DSS Group and the Education and Employment/Employment Group (DFEE). It is not possible to separate out information for the parts of the employment group which are now the responsibility of the Department for Work and Pensions.

  3. For consistency, the data on sick absence are taken from the reports on the Analyses of Sickness Absence in the Civil Service 1993–99. Data for 2000 are not available at this time.

  4. DSS Group comprises: DSS HQ, Resettlement Agency, Information Technology Agency, Contributions Agency, Child Support Agency and War Pensions Directorate.

  5. ES Group comprises DfEE, Health and Safety Executive, ACAS and Employment Services.

  Numbers of staff retiring early

  Year

  DSS Group

  DSS Group1

  Employment Service

  Employment Service1

  1996

  1,046

  570

  n/a

  n/a

  1997

  811

  447

  n/a

  n/a

  1998

  904

  403

  184

  n/a

  1999

  39

  278

  172

  n/a

  2000

  61

  195

  134

  n/a

  1Ill Health Retirement

  Notes:

  1. Table does not include figure for DfEE.

  2. Data for staff retiring early for the Department of Education and Employment Services (Employment Group) are not held centrally. Information would need to be sourced from 'Paymaster', formerly the Paymaster General's office. The question cannot be answered due to disproportionate cost.

  Departmental Events
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what(a) national and (b) international awareness events his Department and its predecessors have participated in since June 1997 in the form of (i) sponsorship, (ii) departmental attendance, (iii) similar departmental activities and (iv) a message of support. [5040]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  I will write to the right hon. Member.
  696W

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much housing benefit was paid by each London borough in the last year for which figures are available. [5414]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The information is in the table.

  Housing Benefit expenditure 1999–2000

  £000

  London boroughs

  Rent rebate

  Rent allowance

  Total

  City of London

  3,353

  1.240

  4.593

  Camden

  58,640

  55.442

  114.082

  Greenwich

  50,054

  32.496

  82,550

  Hackney

  51,513

  66.789

  118.302

  Hammersmith

  29,238

  44.382

  73.620

  Islington

  68,740

  36.998

  105,738

  Kensington & Chelsea

  22,848

  44.825

  67,673

  Lambeth

  66,983

  62.234

  129,217

  Lewisham

  50,851

  43.388

  94,239

  Southwark

  75,175

  44.539

  119.714

  Tower Hamlets

  66,332

  41.616

  107,948

  Wandsworth

  44,638

  48.995

  93.633

  Westminster

  46,495

  69.363

  115,858

  Barking

  33,662

  14.264

  47,926

  Barnet

  26,904

  50.226

  77.130

  Bexley

  253

  37,754

  38,007

  Brent

  34,995

  89.033

  124,028

  Bromley

  1,862

  53.340

  55,202

  Croydon

  37,070

  55.946

  93,016

  Ealing

  35,247

  59.650

  94.897

  Enfield

  38,209

  38.340

  76,549

  Haringey

  56,348

  78.083

  134,431

  Harrow

  15,747

  30.435

  46,182

  Havering

  16,682

  12.873

  29,555

  Hillingdon

  29,711

  26,845

  56,556

  Hounslow

  27,296

  25,291

  52,587

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  14,000

  11,165

  25,165

  Merton

  13,172

  22.986

  36,158

  Newham

  40,278

  81.877

  122,155

  Redbridge

  16,744

  40.944

  57,688

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  18,249

  16.296

  34,545

  Sutton

  15,403

  14.680

  30,083

  Waltham Forest

  27,863

  47.050

  74,913

  Total London

  1,134,555

  1,399.385

  2,533,940

  Note:

  The data are the latest available and may be subject to change at a later date. All figures are rounded to the nearest thousand.

  Source:

  Rent allowance and non-housing revenue account rent rebate information is from returns submitted to DWP by local authorities. Housing revenue account rent rebate information is from returns submitted to DTLR by local authorities.

  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent estimates he has made of performance of ITNet in the delivery of Housing Benefit to claimants in Islington; and if he will make a statement. [5361]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate's report on the London borough of Islington's administration of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit was published in December last year. The report revealed problems with the quality of Islington's benefit service as provided by its contractor ITNet.

  We have received the council's response to the report, which includes a comprehensive action plan to achieve improvements in the service provided to people in

  697W
  Islington. We are considering the council's response and what future action is appropriate to monitor the authority's performance.

  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when the proposed amendment to the Housing Benefit Regulations will be brought into force. [5816]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The amendment to regulation 7(1)(h) of the Housing Benefit (General) Regulations 1987, which allows benefit to be paid to people who let property they previously owned if five years or more have elapsed since the original sale, came into force on 21 May 2001.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to review the arrangements whereby Housing Benefit is not available to an adult who is paying rent to a blood relative living in the same property. [5561]

  Malcolm Wicks
  We have no plans to review existing arrangements.

  Non-state Pension
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of(a) people, (b) men and (c) women of working age have contributed to a non-state pension in at least three out of the last four years. [5220]

  Mr. McCartney
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.

  Proportion of working age people contributing to a private pension in three of the last four years, 1995–98

  Percentage

  Male

  58

  Female

  40

  All

  49

  Notes:

  1. Working age refers to all those aged between 20 and the State Retirement Age who are in work.

  2. Information on 1998–01 (inclusive) is not available.

  Source:

  British Household Panel Survey

  Income Support
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many working aged people had been living in families in receipt of income support or income-based job seeker's allowance for two years or more in 2001. [5236]

  Malcolm Wicks
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: The information is in the table.

  Income support/income-based jobseeker's allowance (JSA) beneficiaries under 60 years of age, where the current claim duration is two years or more as at February 2001

  Thousand

  Income support

  Income-based jobseeker's allowance

  All beneficiaries

  1,605.5

  139.0

  Claimants aged under 60 years

  1,383.9

  114.6

  Partners aged under 60 years

  222.6

  24.4

  698W
  Notes:

  1. Working age is defined in this instance as people aged 16 to 59 inclusive.

  2. Figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling error.

  3. Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred and are expressed in thousands.

  4. Income-based JSA cases will include some claimants with an underlying entitlement to contribution-based JSA.

  Source:

  Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, February 2001. Jobseeker's Allowance Statistics Quarterly Enquiry, February 2001.

  Severe Disablement Allowance
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people living in the London borough of Wandsworth are in receipt of a severe disablement allowance. [5413]

  Malcolm Wicks
  As at 28 February 2001, there were 1,000 recipients of severe disablement allowance in the London borough of Wandsworth. This figure is rounded to the nearest hundred and based on a 5 per cent. sample of the benefit computer system which excludes a small number of clerically held cases.

  Departmental Press Release
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many press releases were issued by his Department(a) in total, (b) on the Minimum Income Guarantee, (c) on Benefit Fraud, (d) on the Winter Fuel Payment, (e) on Stakeholder Pensions and (f) on the Child Support Agency in (i) 1997, (ii) 1998, (iii) 1999, (iv) 2000 and (v) 2001 to date; and what the estimated total cost was of issuing press releases in each year. [5883]

  Mr. McCartney
  The information is in the table.

  Year

  Total for year1

  Minimum Income Guarantee

  Benefit Fraud

  Winter Fuel Payment

  Stakeholder Pensions

  Child Support Agency

  1997

  290

  —

  17

  1

  4

  10

  1998

  311

  3

  19

  6

  1

  9

  1999

  260

  6

  49

  2

  8

  10

  2000

  411

  6

  70

  7

  11

  11

  20011

  244

  3

  28

  1

  9

  6

  1 To date

  Notes:

  1. These are the totals of "all" press releases issued in each year and the costs reflect these totals.

  2. Numbers of press releases are recorded on a calendar year basis from January to December each year.

  Costs are recorded in financial years from April to March and are as follows:

  £

  1997–98

  16,328

  1998–99

  18,461

  1999–2000

  16,220

  2000–01

  15,054

  2001–02

  16,343

  1estimated to date

  Disability Working Allowance
  Mr. Bacon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many disabled people were in receipt of the Disability Working Allowance in September 1999. [5445]
  699W
  Malcolm Wicks
  At 30 September 1999, there were 16,834 people in receipt of Disability Working Allowance.

  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement clarifying the JSA rules in respect of payments of additional moneys to fathers who are separated but share the care of their children. [4968]

  Malcolm Wicks
  Jobseekers are entitled to additional benefit in respect of dependants only if they are in receipt of Child Benefit. This ensures that Social Security benefits paid in respect of the same dependants are aligned and paid to the adult primarily responsible for their care.

  Pensioners (Romford)
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in Romford benefit from(a) the Winter Fuel Allowance and (b) free television licences. [6272]

  Mr. McCartney
  Last winter, 2000–01, around 15,500 winter fuel payments were made, to people aged 60 or over, in Romford.

  The BBC is responsible for the administration of the free television licence scheme, and we understand that a geographical distribution of the number of free licences issued is not available. However, we estimate that 5,700 people aged over 75 years old (who may benefit from a free television licence) live in Romford.

  Widows' Pension Entitlement
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to review the provision whereby widows lose their pension entitlement on remarriage both in terms of(a) the basic state pension and (b) occupational pensions. [5563]

  Mr. McCartney
  There are no plans to change current provisions in regard to state pension for widows who remarry.

  There is no requirement for occupational pension schemes to provide lifetime pensions for surviving spouses. Entitlement will depend on what is set out in the rules of each individual scheme. A number of public service schemes are currently considering the issue.

  Invalid Care Allowance
  Mr. Boris Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when the Government plan to bring forward legislation to allow carers over the age of 65 years to receive new awards of invalid care allowance. [6094]

  Maria Eagle
  I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Doncaster, North (Mr. Hughes) today.

  Minimum Income Guarantee
  Mr. Boris Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of pensioners in the Henley constituency eligible for the minimum income guarantee have so far claimed it. [6091]

  Mr. McCartney
  Estimates of the numbers of eligible people who have not claimed the minimum income guarantee, are not available below national level.

  As at February 2001, there were 1,100 minimum income guarantee claimants in the Henley constituency.

  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of pensioners in the Romford constituency who are eligible for the minimum income guarantee have claimed it. [6273]

  Mr. McCartney
  Estimates of the numbers of eligible people who have not claimed the minimum income guarantee are not available below national level.

  As at February 2001, there were 1,600 minimum income guarantee claimants in the Romford constituency.

  Care Homes
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what level of support funding is made available by his Department to care home owners; and if he will make a statement; [6392]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the costs levied on care homes as a result of the introduction of (a) the national minimum wage and (b) the passing of the Care Standards Act 2000. [6393]

  Maria Eagle
  This is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Department of Health.

  Annuities
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will calculate the date at which a single man of 65 years retiring today relying solely on pensions savings of £100,000 buying a level single annuity at market rates can be expected to become eligible for Income Support if the minimum income guarantee for pensioners continues to be linked to earnings. [16007]

  Mr. McCartney
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Stakeholder Pensions
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what size of stakeholder pension savings a woman currently of the age of 40 years will need under the current annuities system in order to buy in 2026. at the age of 65 years, an index-linked annuity to match the minimum income guarantee, assuming the MIG continues to be linked to earnings, earnings continue to grow at their current rate and current market annuity rates apply; [6364]

  (2) what size of stakeholder pension savings a woman currently aged 50 years will need under the current annuities system in order to buy in 2016, at the age of 65 years, an index-linked annuity to match the pensioners' minimum income guarantee, assuming MIG continues to be linked to earnings, earnings continue to grow at their current rate and current market annuity rates apply; [6366]
  701W
  (3) what size of stakeholder pension savings a woman currently of the age of 60 years will need under the current annuities system in order to buy in 2006, aged 65 years, an index-linked annuity to match the pensioners' minimum income guarantee, assuming MIG continues to be linked to earnings, earnings continue to grow at their current rate and current market annuity rates apply. [6365]

  Mr. McCartney
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for what reason unisex annuities were not adopted in the regulations introducing stakeholder pensions. [6369]

  Mr. McCartney
  Current legislation already requires annuity providers to provide a unisex annuity in respect of any protected rights in occupational and personal pensions.

  Pensioner Income
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make it his policy to ensure that support to pensioners is increased in line with GDP growth; and if he will make a statement. [6063]

  Mr. McCartney
  We want all pensioners to have a decent and secure income in retirement and to share fairly in the rising prosperity of the country. We are providing significant extra help for pensioners, including a £200 winter fuel payment and a minimum income guarantee of more than £92 a week for single pensioners. We have increased the basic state pension by £5 a week for single people and £8 a week for couples. In 2001–02 alone, we will be spending £4.4 billion more in real terms on help for pensioners than was spent in 1996–97.

  Jobcentre Plus
  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what measures he is taking to ensure that(a) Jobcentre Plus pathfinder offices and (b) all future Jobcentre Plus facilities are fully accessible for (i) wheelchair users, (ii) people with impaired mobility, (iii) people with a hearing impairment, (iv) people with a visual impairment and (v) people with learning disabilities. [6191]

  Maria Eagle
  All the future planning for Jobcentre Plus will be in compliance with Disability Discrimination Act requirements for accessibility.

  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what provision is being made in Jobcentre Plus offices for private interview facilities. [6195]

  Maria Eagle
  Private interview rooms are an integral part of the design of Jobcentre Plus and they will be provided in all the public caller offices within the pathfinder areas opening from October this year.

  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what standards and targets are being set, and with what advice, to ensure disabled people's access to all Jobcentre Plus facilities. [6193]

  Maria Eagle
  The Jobcentre Plus offices have been designed by consultants who are specialists in Disability Discrimination Act requirements. Within the limitations of the current building stock being converted, the standard 702W
  is to achieve maximum accessibility for disabled people. We also plan to enable people to have greater access to our services by telephone.

  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what arrangements are being made to train staff at Jobcentre Plus in(a) disability awareness, (b) disability legislation and (c) support services available to disabled people. [6194]

  Maria Eagle
  The following training will be delivered to staff working in Jobcentre Plus work-focused interview extension sites. We have consulted with disability specialist organisations on the format and content of the training. The training will cover disability awareness, disability legislation and the support services available to sick and disabled customers. This training will build on existing training on equal opportunities, working with Diversity and the Disability Discrimination Act.

  1. Open Learning Handbook—this is in open learning format and is crucial prior learning for people attending their disability awareness training. The handbook covers:

  Awareness of disability etiquette and language;

  Disability Discrimination Act;

  Procedure to follow when submitting disabled customers to vacancies. Action to take if employer suspected of discrimination;

  Person Capability Assessment, permitted work rules, relaxation of benefit linking rules including DPTC;

  Disabled Employment Adviser (DEA) referrals.

  2. Disability awareness training—two-day tutor-led workshop to consolidate the learning from the above Open Learning Handbook. The event covers:

  Disability—Impact on Employment;

  Disability Discrimination Act;

  Disability Symbol;

  Benefit Conditions for Disabled People;

  Programme provision for Disabled People;

  Networking and working in partnerships with specialist organisations.

  3. In addition, Personal Advisers working with sick and disabled customers—two-day tutor-led event. This will include skills based practice in a role-play environment. The event covers:

  Role and responsibilities of the Incapacity Personal Adviser;

  Principles of New Deal for Disabled People (NDDP);

  Role of the Job Broker (NDDP);

  Encouraging customers to consider the Job Broking Service;

  Identifying Adviser concerns when working with sick and disabled customers;

  Considering the Traditional/New Perspective of disability;

  Identifying the customer's attitudes and barriers to employment. Offering support and guidance to help identify short/long term solutions to help prepare customers for training/employment;

  Networking and working in partnerships with specialist organisations;

  Dealing with concerns and reservations that the customer may have;

  Submitting job-ready customers to employers including Access to Work.

  Jobpoint Terminals
  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if an assessment of jobpoint touch-screen computer terminals has been carried out in terms of their
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  accessibility to visually impaired people; and if disability access was a consideration when the decision was made to purchase the system. [6192]

  Maria Eagle
  I can confirm that the jobpoint touch-screen terminals were designed and procured taking into account the requirements of people with disabilities, including those who are visually impaired. Human factors specialists, jobcentre staff and clients with disabilities were actively involved in the specification of requirements for the new system, in the evaluation of proposed designs and in the development and testing of the chosen solution.

  The text on screen is displayed in a font colour, style and size with good contrast which conforms to RNIB guidelines on designing screens for visually impaired users. The flat screen technology used is easier to view and use than conventional glass screens, and provides a stable non-flickering, non-reflective image. This is the recommended solution for people with photo-sensitive epilepsy, as confirmed by the British Epilepsy Association. Accessibility by disabled people was also an important factor when developing the jobpoints. The selected design enabled comfortable access by wheelchair users as well as people standing or sitting down.

  As the installation of jobpoints progresses we are continuing to review usage and public reaction to them, including their accessibility to people with disabilities. Future enhancements will take into account the developing needs of such users, including visually impaired people.

  State Retirement Pension
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many(a) men and (b) women are in receipt of the state retirement pension in the UK. [6304]

  Mr. McCartney
  At 30 September 2000, there were about 3.75 million men and approaching 6.5 million women in Great Britain receiving the state retirement pension. Figures for Northern Ireland are a matter for the Northern Ireland Assembly.

  Source:

  Pensions Strategy Computer System at 30 September 2000

  Departmental Contracts
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the top 10 companies to which his Department contracted out its construction and refurbishment work out in the last 12 months. [6422]

  Mr. McCartney
  The top 10 companies (selected in relation to the value of work) contracted by our private sector partners, Land Securities Trillium, to undertake construction and refurbishment work on the former Department of Social Security estate are, in alphabetical, order as follows:

  Anglian Building Products Ltd.

  Dalkia Energy & Technical Services

  Fairhurst Ward Abbotts Ltd.

  G. S. Hall Ltd.

  Haden Building Management Ltd.

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  Interface (Europe) Ltd.

  Mansell Maintenance Services Ltd.

  Mitie Managed Services Ltd.

  R. Daubney & Co Ltd.

  WKD Builders & Decorators Ltd.

  The companies contracted by the Employment Service, while an Executive Agency of the Department for Education and Employment, in alphabetical order are:

  David McLean

  Drivers Jonas

  Henry Boot Management Ltd.

  Kier Western

  Melville Dundas

  Terrapin

  Try Interiors

  WS Atkins.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Denis Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many applications for the(a) care and (b) mobility component of Disability Living Allowance have (i) been refused and (ii) been successful during each of the last five years. [6295]

  Maria Eagle
  People claim Disability Living Allowance and may qualify for either the care or the mobility component or both. Relevant figures are in the table.

  Disability Living Allowance applications: decisions from 1996–97 to 2000–01

  Benefit awarded Components awarded1

  Year

  All decisions

  Benefit refused

  All awards

  Care

  Mobility

  1996–97

  515,795

  276,126

  239,669

  184,708

  184,005

  1997–98

  466,960

  255,711

  211,249

  168,849

  155,387

  1998–99

  383,794

  208,197

  175,597

  148.988

  126,299

  1999–2000

  371,431

  190,390

  181,041

  155,225

  129,377

  2000–01

  417,485

  206,144

  211,341

  182,582

  151,292

  1 Care and mobility components do not sum to 'all awards' because claimants can be awarded both.

  Source:

  Department for Work and Pensions Information Centre: 100 per cent. data.

  Mr. Denis Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many applications were received for the(a) care and (b) mobility component of Disability Living Allowance in each of the last five years; and what average time was taken to determine an application in each of those years. [6286]

  Maria Eagle
  People claim Disability Living Allowance and may qualify for either the care or the mobility component or both. Relevant figures for the past four years are set out in the table. I will write to my hon. Friend about the figures for 1996–97 which are archived and not immediately available today.
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  Disability Living Allowance applications from 1997–98 to 2000–01

  Year

  Number of claims received

  Average clearance time (days)

  1997–98

  461,359

  37.23

  1998–99

  398,277

  35.03

  1999–2000

  392,599

  42.63

  2000–01

  410,269

  46.80

  Source:

  The Department of Work and Pensions Information Centre: 100 per cent. data

  Significant backlogs of work accrued in the processing of Disability Living Allowance in 2000 because of the growing caseload and the introduction in October 1999 of a new system of decision-making and appeals. The Benefits Agency tackled this backlog as a priority and it has now been substantially cleared. The average clearance time in the first three months of 2001–02 is 42.17 days.

  Landlord Fraud
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many prosecutions by his Department there have been against landlord fraud in the Greater London area during the last 12 months. [6305]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The administration of Housing Benefit is the responsibility of local authorities and they would take forward the prosecution of landlords involved in benefit fraud.

  Benefits (Regulatory Reform)
  Mr. Kevin Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will begin public consultation on the introduction of changes to the Invalid Care Allowance and Vaccine Damage Payment schemes by regulatory reform orders. [6526]

  Maria Eagle
  As announced last autumn, we intend to introduce changes to both the Invalid Care Allowance and Vaccine Damage Payment schemes. The changes will allow carers over the age of 65 to claim Invalid Care Allowance and also extend entitlement by up to eight weeks after the death of the person being cared for. At the same time we intend to make provision to change the name of the benefit to Carer's Allowance.

  The changes to the Vaccine Damage Payment scheme will extend the time limits for claiming payment, reduce the level of disability necessary to qualify and allow certain people previously disallowed under the time limit or disability threshold to have their claims reconsidered.

  We intend to introduce these changes by regulatory reform orders introduced later this year. We will be issuing public consultation documents setting out our proposals on Monday 23 July 2001.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Kevin Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will publish his annual report on the social fund for 2000–01 and the social fund commissioner's annual report. [6527]
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  Malcolm Wicks
  The Secretary of State's annual report on the social fund for 2000–01 (CM 5238) was published today and has been laid before Parliament.

  The social fund commissioner's report has also been published today and copies placed in the Library.

DEFENCE

  Kenya
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the recent preliminary report by David Taylor concerning the Archer's Post training area in Northern Kenya. [2783]

  Mr. Ingram
  Neither I nor my officials have seen Mr. Taylor's report, nor was it commissioned by the Ministry of Defence.

  European Trans-sonic Wind Tunnel
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department will contribute to the funding of the European Trans-sonic Wind Tunnel. [4551]

  Dr. Moonie
  Over the next two years the Ministry of Defence will be making payments equivalent to some £1.3 million towards the European Trans-sonic Wind Tunnel at the prevailing euro rates of exchange. Some 68 per cent. of this sum will be recovered from the Department of Trade and Industry. There are no plans to contribute further funding beyond 2003.

  Defence Aviation Repair Agency
  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the future of DARA at RAF St. Athan; and if he will make a statement. [4638]

  Mr. Ingram
  The business case to possibly re-site DARA has recently concluded that due to high infrastructure costs, along with environmental and ecological considerations, it was not feasible to move DARA to Cardiff international airport.

  The Welsh Development Agency has now re-focused its attention back to the St. Athan option and is working closely with the Defence Estates Agency, which is now taking the lead of this project, together with DARA, to provide a solution. DARA will be the hub of any development on the site.

  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact of the abandonment of the move from RAF St. Athan to Cardiff international airport on the restructuring of the Defence Aviation Repair Agency. [5317]

  Mr. Ingram
  Red Dragon has not been abandoned. In conjunction with the Defence Estates Agency, the Welsh Development Agency and DARA are now focusing on an option to develop the St. Athan site as an aviation business park and for other industrial and defence uses. Much of the work carried out to define DARA's requirements for its fixed-wing aircraft business unit for possible relocation to Cardiff airport will facilitate the St. Athan study. There has therefore been very little impact on the overall project, which has not been abandoned.
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  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who decided that the proposed move of DARA at RAF St. Athan was not feasible. [5324]

  Mr. Ingram
  The recommendation was made jointly by the Chief Executives of the Welsh Development Agency and the Defence Aviation Repair Agency following a review meeting and was endorsed by the DARA ministerial board on 11 July 2001.

  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the environmental costs were of the proposed relocation of DARA at RAF St. Athan to Cardiff international airport. [5322]

  Mr. Ingram
  Two options were studied at Cardiff airport—a West side and an East side. The study revealed there would be extremely high infrastructure and land preparation costs of at least £30 million at both locations. Additionally, the studies concluded that there was an unacceptably high impact on protected species and listed buildings within the area, and that noise pollution may have been a problem.

  The study also revealed that the available space that could be created was not sufficient to provide for potential future expansion.

  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the infrastructure costs were of the proposed relocation of DARA at RAF St. Athan to Cardiff international airport. [5323]

  Mr. Ingram
  Following completion of the studies for the possible move of DARA to Cardiff international airport, projected costs were estimated to be in the order of £65 million including provision for up to 46 fast jets and all supporting facilities. DARA's intention was to negotiate a leased facility option to avoid up-front capital costs.

  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason the Red Dragon project has been abandoned by the Defence Aviation Repair Agency. [5318]

  Mr. Ingram
  Red Dragon has not been abandoned, but its focus is now on developing first-class modern facilities at St. Athan that will help to reduce DARA's overhead so that it can compete favourably for long-term business. Only the Cardiff airport options have been eliminated from the study.

  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the consultants' report on the relocation of the Defence Aviation Repair Agency from RAF St. Athan to Cardiff International airport. [5319]

  Mr. Ingram
  No. The consultants' report is owned by the Welsh Development Agency and any decision to publish it would be a matter for them.

  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he intends to review the contract of the Chief Executive of the Defence Aviation Repair Agency; and if he will make a statement. [5320]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Chief Executive of the Defence Aviation Repair Agency is employed on a fixed term contract which has been extended to August 2003.
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  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost was of the feasibility study into the proposed move from RAF St. Athan to Cardiff International Airport. [5321]

  Mr. Ingram
  The estimated feasibility study costs were £330,000, which were equally shared between the Welsh Development Agency and the Defence Aviation Repair Agency.

  Merlin Helicopters
  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the unit production cost is of Merlin helicopters. [3528]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 17 July 2001]: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Absence
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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] [5061]

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

  Petrol Stations
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what studies she has carried out on areas of the UK that are disadvantaged through the recent closure of large numbers of retail petrol stations; and if she will make a statement. [5306]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Department has not carried out any studies. The Government are committed to ensuring that a free and open market between fuel suppliers operates within the UK petrol retail sector to the benefit of consumers. The Director General of Fair Trading continues to monitor the market to ensure that anti-competitive behaviour does not occur.

  Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft
  Mr. Cameron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the timetable is for receiving bids and awarding contracts for the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft; and if he will make a statement. [5621]

  Dr. Moonie
  Bids for this prospective PFI project were received from two consortia on 3 July. We currently anticipate taking a formal investment decision on the programme in 2002, including selection of a preferred bidder should PFI remain the best value-for-money solution. The earliest contract award is scheduled for the first quarter of 2003.

  Chemicals (Disposal)
  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish past and current methods of treatment for(a) pralidoxime mesylato, (b) arsenic chloride and (c) a mixture of ethylphosphonyl dichloride and ethylphosphonyl difluoride before disposal. [5790]
  709W
  Dr. Moonie
  The materials are no longer prepared in large scale in the Ministry of Defence and bulk treatment methods are not currently required. All laboratory waste is now incinerated or sent to a hazardous waste contractor as appropriate.

  The following information outlines the procedures used for disposal of these chemicals during the decommissioning of Nancekuke in 1980. Pralidoxime mesylate was dissolved in water and treated with sodium hypochlorite (bleach) before being discharged into the sea though the effluent system.

  Arsenic Chloride was hydrolysed in water and the product was treated with sodium hypochlorite. This was then diluted into the effluent system until the sodium arsenate discharged was less than 234 parts per million.

  The mixture of ethylphosphonyl dichloride and ethylphosphonyl difluoride was hydrolysed then neutralised, probably with caustic soda, before being diluted and discharged into the sea through the effluent system.

  Barton Stacey
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when the Out of Bounds for All Purposes areas will be reviewed in Barton Stacey; and if he intends to include all residential properties on his Department's land at Barton Stacey in the review; [5439]

  (2) if he will made a statement on Defence Estates' refusal to respond to requests for repair at Moody's farmhouse, Barton Stacey; [5437]

  (3) if he will make a statement on the future of the first floor flat, Moody's farmhouse, Barton Stacey, operated by Defence Estates; [5441]

  (4) if he will suspend work on Moody's farmhouse at Barton Stacey pending an inquiry; [5440]

  (5) what assessment he has made of the future accommodation needs of non-commissioned officers in Barton Stacey; and if he will made a statement; [5438]

  (6) what assessment he has made of the spare capacity of his Department's housing stock in Barton Stacey; and if he will make a statement. [5442]

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

  Joint Strike Fighter
  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the UK's participation in the down select stage of the Joint Strike Fighter programme. [6202]

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

  Submarines
  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost of each of the Trafalgar Class submarines was. [6203]
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  Dr. Moonie
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Defence Intelligence and Security Centre
  Ann McKechin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans there are for the conduct of the Quinquennial Review of the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre Defence Agency. [6456]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Defence Intelligence and Security Centre (DISC) Defence Agency is responsible for the training of the armed forces and other intelligence agencies in intelligence and security disciplines; to maintain an operational capability; and to contribute to effective and timely advice to the armed forces on appropriate intelligence and security matters. A review of the DISC will be conducted by a team of military and civilian personnel under the leadership of a Ministry of Defence civil servant. The work will be overseen by a Steering Group chaired by the Director General Intelligence Collection, who is the owner of the agency.

  The review will be conducted in two phases. Phase I will conduct a challenging examination of the current arrangements, taking into account the requirements and views of customers, staff and other stakeholders, and identify organisational/structural options for future service provision. Phase 1, for which preliminary work has already been set in hand, is expected to be completed by the end of October 2001.

  Following consultations, Phase 2 will develop detailed proposals for improvements in performance and service delivery, and is expected to be completed by the end of February 2002.

  There will be a consultation with stakeholders throughout the process, but the Ministry of Defence is also keen to hear the views of other interested parties, including suggestions for improvements to the provision of services. Any comments should be sent by 15 September 2001 addressed to:

  The Head of the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre

  Review Team

  Room 302

  Old War Office Building

  Whitehall

  London SW1A 2EU.

  Manning Agencies
  Mr. Hendrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans there are for the conduct of quinquennial reviews of the three services manning agencies. [6457]

  Mr. Ingram
  Reviews of the three agencies—the Naval Manning Agency, the Army Personnel Centre and the RAF Personnel Manning Agency—whose core business centres upon the posting and career development of service personnel, will be conducted in parallel by a single team of military and civilian personnel under the leadership of a senior Ministry of Defence civil servant. The work will be overseen by a Steering Group chaired by the Director General of Service Personnel Policy.
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  Conducting the reviews in parallel will allow the study team to look across the three agencies to identify more broadly ways to improve the means by which services and functions are achieved. Phase I will conduct a challenging examination of the current arrangements, taking into account the requirements and views of customers, staff and other stakeholders, and identify organisational/structural options for future service provision. Phase I, for which preliminary work has already been set in hand, is expected to be completed by the end of September 2001.

  Following consultations, Phase 2 will develop detailed proposals for improvements in performance and service delivery, and is expected to be completed by the end of December 2001.

  There will be consultation with stakeholders throughout the process, but the Ministry of Defence is also keen to hear the views of other interested parties, including suggestions for improvements to the provision of services. Any comments should be sent by 15 September 2001 addressed to:

  The Head of the Services Manning Agencies

  Quinquennial Reviews Team

  Open Plan Area

  2nd Floor St. Giles Court

  1–13 St. Giles High Street

  London WC2H 8LD.

  Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency
  Sandra Osborne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency for 2001–02. [6518]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Key Targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency for the financial year 2001–02. The targets build upon progress made by the agency since it formed on 1 April 1997 and are as follows:

  Allowances and Pensions Payments
  While making 100 per cent. of payments of pay, allowances and pensions by the due date, the number of errors per 1,000 payments not to exceed 2.0 for pay and allowances and 1.5 for pensions.

  Currency of Personnel Records and Liabilities Data
  Update all time-critical records within two days from receipt of valid input.

  Responsiveness
  Resolve 95 per cent. of inquiries, including written and official help desk responses, within 10 working days of receipt, across all Services where information and/or authority is within AFPAA control.

  Efficiency
  To reduce the average unit costs to deliver AFPAA services by 3 per cent. in year.

  RAF Chinook ZD576
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if a member of the AAIB was present when the engines of RAF Chinook ZD576 were strip examined at Textron Lycoming's Stratford Connecticut plant. [6289]

  Mr. Ingram
  Yes. I also refer my right hon. Friend to the answer the then Minister of State for the armed forces gave to the hon. Member for New Forest, West (Mr. Swayne) on 23 April 2001,Official Report, column 99W.
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  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) on what date the engineering member of the RAF Board of Inquiry into RAF Chinook ZD576 completed the Manager's Course for Chinook Mk2; [6287]

  (2) if he will place in the Library a copy of the after flight servicing certificate for ZD576 for 1 June 1994 and the before flight servicing certificate for ZD576 for 2 June 1994. [6288]

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

  European Rapid Reaction Force
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will outline the commitment he proposes making from UK forces, broken down by service and composition of units, to the proposed European Rapid Reaction Force. [5701]

  Mr. Hoon
  There is no standing European Rapid Reaction Force. The UK has identified a pool of forces and capabilities which would enable it to make a significant contribution to operations in support of the European Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy, where NATO as a whole is not engaged. UK participation in any particular operation, and the nature of our contribution, would be matters for decision by the UK Government in the light of circumstances at the time.

  In the maximum scale operation envisaged at Helsinki—a corps level deployment of up to 60,000 troops—the UK component could be around 12,500 strong. Maritime and air deployments of up to 18 warships and 72 combat aircraft could be made in addition.

  The pool of forces identified by the UK provides for an element of choice in order to cater for differing operational, political or geographical circumstances. The full details of the forces identified are confidential, but the major elements are as follows:

  Land
  Either an Armoured or Mechanical brigade, each of which could be sustained for at least a year; or an Air Assault brigade which could be deployed for up to six months. Combat Support enabling capabilities such as Artillery, and Short Range Air Defence, and Attack Helicopters could be deployed in addition, supported by the appropriate complement of logistic enablers and national support troops.

  Maritime
  Maritime forces comprising one aircraft carrier, two nuclear-powered submarines, deployment of up to four destroyers/frigates, support vessels; and an amphibious task group, including one helicopter landing platform and submarines could not necessarily be sustained continuously for a whole year.

  Air
  Up to 72 combat aircraft (including Sea Harriers), with associated support aircraft including strategic transport. This number would be available for six months to cover initial theatre entry. For a longer term commitment the total would reduce.

  The development of the EU Headline Goal and the commitment of EU member states to delivering the capabilities required are important steps in a wider

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  process of improving European defence capabilities. They will reinforce efforts being made nationally and multinationally, in particular, in response to NATO initiatives and in so doing strengthen the European contribution to the Alliance.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if RAF units based in Moray will be part of a UK commitment to the European Rapid Reaction Force; and if he will make a statement. [5702]

  Mr. Hoon
  There is no standing European Rapid Reaction Force. The UK has identified a pool of forces and capabilities from which it could contribute to EU-led operations in support of the European Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy, where NATO as a whole is not engaged.

  The pool includes RAF elements based in Moray.

  Service Personnel
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state for the most recent year the number of(a) civilian, including agency staff and (b) service personnel based in (i) each region or nation of the UK and (ii) on service overseas broken down by location; and if he will make a statement. [5704]

  Mr. Ingram
  The estimated number of civilian and UK Regular forces personnel in each Government office region of the UK, at 1 July 2000, is as follows:

  Service1

  Civilian2

  Total

  United Kingdom

  170,295

  94,692

  264,986

  England

  143,039

  75,344

  218,382

  Wales

  3,223

  4,919

  8,142

  Scotland

  15,080

  9,329

  24,409

  Northern Ireland

  8,387

  3,195

  11,582

  Unknown

  566

  1,905

  2,471

  England3

  North East

  1,421

  484

  1,905

  North West

  1,904

  2,106

  4,010

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  13,055

  2,904

  15,959

  East Midlands

  8,812

  2,588

  11,400

  West Midlands

  6,720

  7,969

  14,689

  East of England

  17,309

  6,347

  23,656

  London

  6,428

  7,165

  13,593

  South East

  49,620

  23,360

  72,980

  South West

  37,770

  22,420

  60,190

  1 Service figures are for UK Regular forces only so they exclude Gurkhas, Full Time Reserve Service personnel, Mobilised Reservists and the Home Service battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment.

  Royal Navy and Royal Marines personnel on board ships in home waters are included in the region of their ship's home port.

  The figures estimating the service personnel in each Government office region are obtained from a different source from that used to obtain the number of personnel in overseas regions. Consequently, the sum of these two groups does not match the total number of UK Regular forces.

  2 Comprises UK based permanent civilian personnel counted on a full time equivalence basis

  Due to rounding, totals may not match the sum of their constituent parts.

  3 By Government office region.

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  The number of civilian and UK Regular forces personnel abroad, at 1 April 2001, is as follows:

  Service

  Civilian

  Total

  Overseas region

  38,898

  4,317

  43,215

  Continental Europe

  26,717

  1,304

  28,021

  Gibraltar

  485

  58

  543

  Cyprus

  3,659

  279

  3,938

  Elsewhere in Mediterranean, Near East and Gulf

  1,864

  33

  1.897

  Far East

  301

  20

  321

  Other locations

  5.872

  2,623

  8.495

  Notes:

  1. Includes service personnel who are on loan to countries in the areas shown and Naval service and civilian personnel at sea.

  2. All defence attaches and advisers and their staff are included under "other locations" and not identified within specific areas.

  Precision-guided Missiles
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many precision-guided missiles the UK is proposing to procure from the USA; and at what cost. [5925]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Ministry of Defence intends to procure the Advanced Medium Range Air to Air Missile (AMRAAM) from the USA to equip Eurofighter. The cost of the AMRAAM procurement is expected to be in the region of £110 million. Disclosure of the information on missile numbers would harm UK defence and, accordingly, I am withholding it under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  A competition is also in progress to select a solution for the Light Forces Anti Tank Guided Weapon Capability. One candidate is a US solution. The cost of the procurement will depend on the option selected. These systems are also under consideration to meet other anti-tank requirements and the final quantities procured will depend on the outcome of Balance of Investment studies.

  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what NATO policy is with regard to precision-guided missile availability; and how many such missiles he anticipates being available to NATO via its member countries(a) including the USA and (b) excluding the USA, in each of the next two years. [5927]

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

  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the UK was approached to join the Netherlands-led consortium for the procurement of precision-guided missiles from the USA; and what the response was and the reasons for it. [5926]

  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 Diversification Agency
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's policy is for recovering costs for services provided by the Defence Diversification Agency. [5930]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Defence Diversification Agency (DDA) makes no charge to the companies, mostly small and medium enterprises, with which it has dealings in support of the following DDA aims: extending technology
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  and expertise within the defence sector to civilian use; fostering partnerships and joint development programmes; and informing and assisting with diversification planning. In its dealings with other organisations, the DDA charges for additionally requested services on a full-cost basis, recovering all costs incurred, including an element for administration and overheads.

  National Missile Defence
  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what expenditure has been incurred by his Department on evaluating the likely cost and impact of any National Missile Defence facilities located in the UK. [5916]

  Mr. Hoon
  This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which UK military officials were present during the recent National Missile Defence tests held by the United States of America. [5917]

  Mr. Hoon
  None, though an official from the British Defence Staff (Washington) watched live footage of the test at a US Department of Defence facility in Washington DC on the night of 14 July.

  Service Personnel (Columbia)
  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel from Colombia have been(a) attached to and (b) trained by UK military establishments in each of the past five years. [5921]

  Mr. Ingram
  None.

  Meteor Missile
  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the in-service date of the Meteor missile is; and if he will make a statement. [6200]

  Dr. Moonie
  The approved in-service date of Meteor is 2012. Meteor will provide the RAF with a world class missile and the programme demonstrates the clear commitment of the UK and its European partners to working together to deliver capability, for the benefit of our armed forces and our defence industry.

  Pensions
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the entitlement of widows and widowers to keep their armed forces pension following remarriage. [5460]

  Dr. Moonie
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence and the Social Security Minister announced, on 20 July 2000, that change would be made to the Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS) to allow widows and widowers in receipt of an attributable forces family pension to retain their pension if they remarry or cohabit. These changes took effect from 31 October. Previously, an attributable widow's pension was withdrawn on remarriage or cohabitation, although it would have been automatically restored on second widowhood or at the end of a period of cohabitation. Those widows or widowers who had already remarried, and have had their attributable pension withdrawn, were 716W
  not included in the change. Those in receipt of a War Widows' Pension payable under the Naval, Military and Air Force Etc. (Disablement and Death) Service Pensions Order 1983, or a non-attributable widows or widowers' AFPS pension are also not affected by the change; their pensions will still cease on remarriage or cohabitation.

  Defence Contracts
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many defence contracts are out to tender; what time scale is placed on each contract; and what is the estimated value of each contract. [6205]

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

  Wind Farms
  Mrs. Humble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department was consulted on the proposals for off-shore wind farms at Cleveleys, Lancashire; and what comments it made. [6052]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Ministry of Defence was consulted on the proposed off-shore wind farm at Cleveleys. Lancashire (also known as Shell Flats) on 27 April 2001. The response, dated 16 July 2001, objected to the proposed siting of a wind farm at this position because it lies within 15 miles of BAE Systems Ltd. Warton. The MOD applies planning safeguards to this airfield because of its use for the developmental test and evaluation flying of new military aircraft.

  Mission Simulator
  Mr. Boris Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the software for the full mission simulator at Middle Wallop will be certified; and when he expects the Army Air Corps helicopter pilots will be training on the FMS. [6104]

  Dr. Moonie
  Software problems have delayed the availability of the Full Mission Simulator (FMS) for the UK WAH-64 Apache Attack helicopter. We currently expect the FMS to be available by May 2002, which will allow Army Air Corps pilots to begin training on it from June 2002.

  MOD Sites
  Mrs. Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his Department's approach to company accreditation, registration and certification in relation to the potential sale to companies of his Department's redundant sites. [5553]

  Dr. Moonie
  When disposing of redundant sites, prior to accepting an offer, the Ministry of Defence checks the financial status of the company purchasing the site to ensure they have sufficient funds to complete the sale.

  Mrs. Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if it is his Department's policy to sell his Department's redundant sites to unregistered companies. [5554]

  Dr. Moonie
  It is the Ministry of Defence's policy to sell redundant sites at the highest price, and this could result in a sale to a registered or unregistered company.

  Armaments Contracts
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide a breakdown by nation and region of the UK of the total value of current MOD armaments contracts. [5703]

  Dr. Moonie
  Data on defence contracts are not collated under the heading "armaments". However, I draw the hon. Member's attention to the publication "UK Defence Statistics 2000", a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. Table 1.9 contains information on defence expenditure on equipment in the UK regions.

  MOD Housing
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans the Government have to regain ownership from Annington Homes of former Ministry of Defence residential accommodation which is rented to provide housing for military personnel; and if he will make a statement. [6326]

  Dr. Moonie
  There are no plans for the Ministry of Defence to regain ownership from Annington Homes of the Service Families Estate.

  Upholder Class Submarines
  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proceeds have been derived from the sale of the Upholder submarines to Canada. [6201]

  Dr. Moonie
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer my noble Friend Lord Robertson, the then Secretary of State for Defence, gave on 6 April 1998,Official Report, column 56W, to the hon. Member for Wentworth (Mr. Healey) and my answers to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) on 23 October 2000, Official Report, column 30W, and 19 December 2000, Official Report, column 89W, the hon. Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis) on 27 October 2000, Official Report, column 341W and the hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr. Duncan Smith) on 20 December 2000, Official Report, column 184W. Canada has acquired the four ex-Royal Navy Upholder class submarines. The acquisition takes the form of an eight year lease with an option of outright purchase.

  The first of the submarines was handed over to Canada on 6 October 2000 and the three remaining submarines will follow over the next 18 months. Canada has exercised its option to purchase outright the first of the submarines HMCS Victoria.

  Mr. Boris Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the refurbishment costs for the four Upholder class submarines prior to their leasing to the Canadian Government. [6105]

  Dr. Moonie
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer my noble Friend Lord Robertson, the then Secretary of State for Defence, gave on 6 April 1998,Official Report, column 56W, to the hon. Member for Wentworth (Mr. Healey) and my answers to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) on 23 October 2000, Official Report, column 30W and 19 December 2000, Official Report, column 89W, the hon. Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis) on 27 October 2000, Official Report, column 341W and the hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr. Duncan Smith)
  718W
  on 20 December 2000, Official Report, column 184W. Canada has acquired the four ex-Royal Navy Upholder class submarines. The acquisition takes the form of an eight year lease with an option of outright purchase.

  The submarines are being refurbished by BAE Systems Marine Ltd., Barrow-in-Furness to a standard acceptable to the Royal Navy. The cost of the refurbishment of the submarines is commercially sensitive and I am withholding the details in accordance with Exemption 13 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many PEI transactions have been overseen by his Department in each of the last 10 years; what his estimate is of the cost savings made in each of these transactions in comparison with the public sector alternative; what are the outstanding payments to be made in relation to these transactions for each of the next 15 years; and if he will make statement; [5795]

  (2) if he will list the economic penalties imposed on private sector firms in each of the last five years for failures to deliver in relation to key performance indicators in projects involving the Private Finance Initiative; and if he will make a statement. [5796]

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

  Departmental Contracts
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the top 10 companies to which his Department contracted out their construction and refurbishment work in the last 12 months. [6425]

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

HEALTH

  Cancer
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into relative survival rates following diagnosis of cancer in the UK and the rest of Europe. [63]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Department, through the European Union, is contributing to the funding of a set of studies known as the Eurocare studies. These are continually comparing cancer survival outcomes, treatment practice and diagnostic practice across Europe in patients diagnosed since the late 1970s. The Eurocare studies have produced evidence to suggest that, for many cancers, survival rates for patients a decade ago are lower in this country than in other comparable European countries.

  The Department held a workshop in March 2000 to look at the Eurocare data on cancer survival rates, and there were two main conclusions. First, the poorer survival rates in the United Kingdom reported for many cancer types were to a large extent real. Secondly, for breast and colorectal cancer it appears that the poor

  719W
  survival rates in the UK can be attributed at least in part to patients having more advanced disease at the time of diagnosis. The NHS Cancer Plan of September 2000 took account of these conclusions, setting out the actions required to achieve earlier diagnosis and to ensure patients receive high quality treatment.

  The Department funded pilot work on the UK component of further Eurocare studies of survival rates for breast, bowel and prostate cancer in early 2000. The Department is currently considering whether to provide further support for this study.

  The Department has recently commissioned, under the Inequalities in Health initiative, a project that investigates inequalities in cancer incidence and survival for the population of England and Wales over 45 years of age. The focus will be on socio-demographic inequalities that cannot be estimated from cancer registry data.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many urgent referrals for suspected cancer were made by general practitioners; how many such referrals were not seen within the two-week target; and how many breaches of the two-week target there were, expressed as a percentage of the relevant number of referrals, in the NHS in England, broken down by health authority and each hospital trust for the year ended 31 March. [3222]

  Yvette Cooper
  The information available has been placed in the Library. Data on urgent cases of suspected breast cancer are available for 2000–01, and for other suspected cancers for the final quarter of that year.

  The White Paper "The new NHS—Modern, Dependable" set the standard that everyone with suspected cancer will be able to see a specialist within two weeks of their general practitioner deciding that they need to be seen urgently and requesting an appointment. These arrangements were guaranteed for everyone with suspected breast cancer from April 1999 and were introduced for all other urgent cases of suspected cancer during 2000. Central monitoring of the all-cancer two week standard began on 1 January 2001. Figures will be available later this year.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish data on the incidence of cancer in the Avon area using the same criteria as those used by Dr. Chris Busby in his investigation of the links between cancer and proximity to Oldbury nuclear power station. [5893]

  Yvette Cooper
  Ward level data contain patient identifiable information and are therefore not in the public domain. Access to these data is granted to researchers following approval of the research project by the ethics committee of the relevant health authority.

  Creatine
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what examination his Department has undertaken of the study by the French Food Safety Agency of the potential for cancer caused by the long-term use of creatine. [3728]
  720W
  Yvette Cooper
  The Food Standards Agency is aware of the French Food Safety Agency (AFSSA) report on creatine supplementation published on 23 January 2001. The European Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) published its opinion on the safety aspects of creatine supplementation on 7 September 2000. This concluded that though no important adverse effects have been reported, large-scale, well controlled studies are lacking.

  The SCF are considering additional information on creatine including the AFSSA report. The FSA will consider the SCF conclusions when they become available.

  Nutriprem 2
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what recent representations he has received regarding the prescription status of Nutriprem 2; [1169]

  (2) when he expects to announce his decision on the change in the classification of Nutriprem 2 for prescription status; and if he will make a statement. [1170]

  Ms Blears
  We have had a number of representations from right hon. and hon. Members and others. We expect to announce our decision in due course.

  MMR Vaccine
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has commissioned into possible links between gender and MMR vaccine damage. [1088]

  Yvette Cooper
  Studies undertaken by the Public Health Laboratory Service on adverse events after measles, mumps and rubella vaccine routinely include analysis of gender in both exposed individuals and non-exposed controls.

  For example, two studies that have identified real adverse reactions to MMR vaccine look also at gender. No significant difference between the number of males and the number of females was identified when looking at the association between MMR vaccine and cases of idiopathic thrombocytopaenic purpura (ITP), whereas more males than females were found to have asceptic meningitis associated with the administration of brands of MMR vaccines containing Urabe strain mumps virus. This mirrored the higher rate of asceptic meningitis in males after wild mumps infection, (MMR vaccines containing the Urabe strain mumps were discontinued in the United Kingdom in 1992).

  Although many studies have identified that more males are autistic than females, no studies have identified a causal association between autism and MMR vaccination.

  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of children aged(a) 1 to 2, (b) 2 to 3 and (c) 3 to 4 years have been given MMR inoculations i) in total and (ii) in each region. [2821]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 9 July 2001]: Coverage of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine in the childhood immunisation programme is measured at age

  721W
  two and at age five. The most recent figures were published by the Public Health Laboratory Service in June and are as follows:

  MMR percentage coverage figures for January to March 2001

  1 dose by age 2

  1 dose by age 5

  2 doses by age 5

  Northern and Yorkshire

  88.5

  94.4

  79.5

  Trent

  90.1

  95

  81.4

  Eastern

  87.6

  92.5

  76.8

  London

  76.4

  84.7

  60.5

  South East

  85.9

  92.0

  74.4

  South West

  86.6

  95.0

  82.7

  West Midlands

  87.8

  94.9

  78.0

  North West

  86.5

  93.3

  75.3

  England

  85.8

  92.4

  75.5

  Source:

  Public Health Laboratory Service Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre

  Mr. Boris Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of children aged(a) one to two, (b) two to three and (c) three to four years have been given MMR inoculations in Oxfordshire. [6100]

  Yvette Cooper
  The information available about children immunised against measles, mumps and rubella is contained in the Statistical Bulletin "NHS Immunisation Statistics, England: 1999–2000". A copy of the bulletin is in the Library and can also be found on the Department's website www.doh.gov.uk/public/sb0026.htm.

  Healthy Eating
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for. Health what action she proposes to take to promote information and education for consumers on healthy eating. [1726]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the Department of Health work closely together in this area.

  The National Health Service Plan sets out a programme of action on diet and nutrition, including a five-a-day programme to increase fruit and vegetable consumption and a National School Fruit Scheme as part of a national campaign to improve the diet of children. These initiatives will include information for consumers.

  The FSA disseminates information and advice to consumers on a wide range of dietary issues through written material and their website www.foodstandards.gov.uk. It also promotes "Catering for Health", a joint FSA/Department of Health document providing guidance on healthy catering practices for those involved in training caterers.

  The FSA and the Department of Health also work closely with the Department for Education and Skills to provide information on diet and nutrition to school children through school-based activities.

  Ministerial Travel
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last travelled on the London underground in the course of his official duties. [3679]
  722W
  Ms Blears
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State travels using the most efficient and cost-effective mode of transport and would travel on the underground as and when appropriate. He has not, as yet, had occasion to travel on the London underground in the course of his official duties.

  Prozac
  Stephen Hesford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the delayed side effects caused by Prozac; [4266]

  (2) what research he has undertaken into the delayed side effects caused by Prozac. [4242]

  Ms Blears
  As with all medicines, the safety of Prozac (fluoxetine) is continually monitored by the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) and the independent expert advisory body, the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM).

  Part of this monitoring is via the Yellow Card scheme, where health professionals report suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to the MCA/CSM. Doctors are reminded in the British National Formulary about the possibility of delayed adverse effects of medicines and that any suspicion of such an effect should be reported. All reports received are routinely assessed by the MCA. The other data sources regularly used in the monitoring of drug safety in the United Kingdom include formal safety studies, published medical literature, information from pharmaceutical companies and other regulatory authorities throughout the world together with information on the level of drug prescribing.

  In 1998, the CSM conducted a detailed review of the safety profile of Prozac and other similar drugs with particular reference to concerns about dependence. The CSM advised that there was insufficient evidence to support such an association. This was published in "Current Problems in Pharmacovigilance" in September 2000.

  UK Population Biomedical Collection
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress in establishing the UK Population Biomedical Collection. [4036]

  Ms Blears
  The Department, in partnership with the Wellcome Trust and the Medical Research Council, plans to establish a large prospective cohort of about 500,000 volunteers. The cohort will be used to study interactions between genetic, environmental and lifestyle risk factors to help determine the relative contribution of these factors in the development of chronic diseases in middle or adult later life. The scientific programme and the business plan for this initiative is under development with a view to obtaining final funding decisions early next year. It is anticipated that full cohort recruitment will start in 2003.

  Free Prescriptions
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the savings
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  made by his Department since 1 April in relation to under-25 year olds residing in England receiving free prescriptions in Wales; [4544]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the number of under-25 year olds residing in England receiving free prescriptions in Wales since 1 April. [4547]

  Yvette Cooper
  No information on English prescriptions dispensed in Wales since April has yet become available.

  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to prevent under-25 year olds residing in England from receiving free prescriptions in Wales; [4548]

  (2) what plans he has to liaise with the National Assembly for Wales to prevent under-25 year olds residing in England from receiving free prescriptions in Wales. [4543]

  Ms Blears
  None. The Department has regular contacts with the National Assembly for Wales at all levels on a wide range of health issues, but prescription charges and exemption arrangements within Wales are a matter for the National Assembly itself.

  NHS hospital and community health services (HCHS): Administration and estates staff as at 30 September 2000

  whole-time equivalents

  All areas of work

  Central functions

  Hotel and property

  Scientific, therapeutic and technical support

  Clinical support

  Ambulance service support

  Shropshire Health Authority all staff

  110

  110

  0

  0

  1—

  0

  Of which:

  Senior managers

  1—

  1—

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Manager

  30

  30

  0

  0

  1—

  0

  Clerical and Administrative

  80

  80

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Royal Shrewsbury Hospitals NHS Trust all staff

  370

  130

  30

  50

  150

  1—

  Of which:

  Senior managers

  1

  1—

  0

  1—

  1—

  0

  Manager

  10

  10

  1—

  0

  1—

  0

  Clerical and Administrative

  320

  120

  10

  50

  140

  1—

  Maintenance and Works

  20

  0

  20

  0

  0

  0

  Shropshire's Community and Mental Health Services NHS Trust all staff

  410

  230

  90

  10

  50

  30

  Of which:

  Senior managers

  1—

  1—

  1—

  0

  0

  0

  Manager

  10

  10

  1—

  1—

  1—

  0

  Clerical and Administrative

  340

  220

  30

  10

  50

  30

  Maintenance and Works

  60

  0

  60

  0

  0

  1—

  1 Five or less and greater than zero.

  Note:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10

  2. Due to rounding totals may not equal the sum of component parts. Figures exclude learners and agency staff

  Source:

  Department of Health Non-medical Workforce Census

  Dental Services
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to allow patients an entitlement to free dental check-ups; and if he will make a statement. [4643]

  Ms Blears
  People under 18-years-old (under 19 if in full-time education); pregnant women; and women who have borne a child in the previous 12 months pay no

  Royal Shrewsbury Hospital
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the progress being made on the replacement of wards on Copthorne South Site at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. [4442]

  Yvette Cooper
  The move from Copthorne South and achieving its closure is a recognised priority both locally and regionally. The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital National Health Service Trust and the Princess Royal Hospital NHS are finalising the outline business case for phase 1 of the scheme, in partnership with Shropshire health authority.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many full-time equivalent staff work in(a) legal services, (b) estates management, (c) IT services, (d) administration and (e) management in (i) Royal Shrewsbury Hospital NHS Trust, (ii) Community and Mental Health NHS Trust and (iii) Shropshire health authority; and if he will make a statement. [4439]

  Yvette Cooper
  The table shows a breakdown of all the administration and estates staff information available centrally. It is therefore not possible to identify separately staff within information technology services and legal services.

  charges for national health service dental care or treatment. Free dental care or treatment under the NHS is also available to those in receipt of certain benefits and tax credits. In addition, anyone on a low income may be entitled to full or partial remission of charges through the NHS low income scheme. We have no plans to introduce free dental check-ups for all and believe that it is a better use of scarce resources to focus help on those who need it most.

  Medicines Control Agency
  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of medicines prescribed to(a) children and (b) adults (i) do not have full marketing authorisation by the Medicines Control Agency and (ii) are not licensed for all ages. [4653]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 17 July 2001]: In the United Kingdom, there is a legal exemption to allow supply of unlicensed medicines under certain conditions. This allows a doctor or dentist to prescribe an unlicensed medicine or a licensed medicine outside its licensed indications ('off-label' prescribing) for the special needs of his individual patient. For instance a doctor may prescribe a medicine for a child that is licensed only for adults. The Department has not undertaken research into such prescribing, or monitored the level of its use. However, reports in the literature of results of hospital-based surveys indicate that such prescribing is extensive in children. For example, in a neonatal intensive care unit around 90 per cent, of neonates received off-label or unlicensed medicines1; in an intensive care unit around 70 per cent. of children received a medicine outside a licensed indication and 31 per cent. of prescriptions were for unlicensed or off-label use2; and in a study of children in medical and surgical wards 25 per cent. of the products prescribed during the admission were for unlicensed indications3. In primary care the incidence of off-label or unlicensed prescribing to the paediatric population is thought to be around 10 per cent.4. Copies of the referenced papers will be placed in the Library. No similar evidence exists for adults.

  We recognise the critical importance of this issue and agree that children should have access to medicines that have been fully evaluated to the same high standards of safety, quality and efficacy as those available for the adult population. The problem is not confined to the UK, but affects the whole of Europe and the United States of America. The UK is leading the call for action at a European level. Medicines regulation in the UK derives largely from European legislation and an international approach to the problem is therefore needed.

  We have consequently raised the profile of this issue at a European level, including taking the lead in developing a European guideline, adopted in 1997, to encourage companies to undertake appropriate clinical trials on the use of medicines in the treatment of children. This formed the basis for an international guideline, which came into operation in January in the European Union, and also applies in the USA and Japan. In addition, the Council of the European Union has asked the European Commission to bring forward measures to make sure that medicines for children are fully adapted to their specific needs. We are presently waiting for their proposals. However, the Commission has stated its intention to comply with this request. The UK will play an active role in the development of this initiative to ensure that effective solutions are found.

  In addition the Committee on Proprietary Medicinal Products (CPMP), the scientific advisory committee of the European Medicines Evaluation Agency (EMEA), recognising the importance of this topic has announced its intention to set up a paediatric expert group to advise the EMEA and its scientific committees on all questions
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  relating to the development and use of medicinal products in children. The UK has nominated representatives to this paediatric expert group.

  In the meantime, the UK Government have taken important steps at a national level within the existing regulatory framework. The Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM), an independent expert committee that advises the licensing authority, asks companies for paediatric development plans where appropriate and has established a paediatric sub-group to provide expert advice on the licensing and safety of medicines for children. Product information for parents and carers is being simplified and the profile of monitoring the safety of medicines used in the treatment of children has been increased. Since 1998, the MCA has jointly funded a pilot scheme in Trent, the Paediatric Regional Monitoring Centre (PRMC), to stimulate reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to medicines used in the treatment of children. The scheme aimed to stimulate the reporting of suspected ADRs in children. The progress of the PRMC was reviewed after two years and it was concluded that it has been only of limited success. The MCA and CSM are now proposing to pursue a wider strategy to enhance existing data collection mechanisms and the lessons learned from the PRMC will be fully utilised in taking forward this strategy. The Government are committed to finding a long-term solution so that parents and carers can be reassured about the safety of medicines given to children.

  I also refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Edmonton (Mr. Love) on 8 May 2001, Official Report, columns 147–48W.

  1 Conroy S. McIntyre J. Choonara I. Unlicensed and off label drug use in neonates. Arch. Dis. Childhood 1999: 80: F142–145

  2 Turner S. Gill A. Nunn AJ. Hewitt B. Choonara I. Use of 'off label' and unlicensed drugs in paediatric intensive care unit. The Lancet 1996: 347: 549–550

  3 Turner S. Longworth A. Nunn AJ. Choonara I. Unlicensed and off label drug use in paediatric wards: prospective study: BMJ 1998: 316: 343–346

  4 McIntyre J. Conroy S. Avery A. Corns H. Choonara I. Unlicensed and off label drug use in general practice. Arch Dis Child 2000: 83: 498–501

  Green Ministers
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health 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. [4817]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 18 July 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment on 17 July 2001, Official Report, column 165W.

  New Variant CJD
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have died from new variant CJD in each of the last five years broken down by(a) health authority and (b) unitary/district council where the person had been living. [5304]
  727W
  Yvette Cooper
  For reasons of patient confidentiality the information cannot be provided in the format requested. I refer the hon. Member to table 3 in the ninth National CJD Surveillance Unit annual report which gives data on deaths by region and county of onset from 1 May 1995 to 31 January 2001. A copy is available in the Library.

  Departmental Events
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what(a) national and (b) international awareness events his Department 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. [5039]

  Yvette Cooper
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Cannabis
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what clinical trials have been conducted into the use of cannabis for treatment of MS; and when the results will be published. [5343]

  Ms Blears
  The Medical Research Council (MRC) is funding a clinical trial into the efficacy of cannabis extract and a single cannabinoid in the treatment of spasticity in multiple sclerosis patients. The trial is being run by Dr. John Zajicek, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, and the MRC Clinical Trials Unit. The trial started recruitment in autumn 2000. It will take three to four years to complete from the point of recruitment and the results will be published subsequently in peer reviewed publications.

  We are aware that a second study on the development of a medicine derived from cannabis has started. This work is expected to last for three years and is being led by Dr. Guy of GW Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

  Detailed evidence about clinical trials with cannabis and its derivatives was presented to the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology inquiry into the therapeutic uses of cannabis. It provides information about clinical trials with cannabis and its derivatives that are completed and published or on-going. The date of publication of the on-going trials is a matter for the investigators and sponsors. This information is recorded in the Committee's reports "Cannabis: the Scientific and Medical Evidence" (9th Report Session 1997–98. HL Paper 151) and "Therapeutic Uses of Cannabis" (2nd Report Session 2000–01, HL Paper 50), copies of which are available in the Library.

  Ministerial Duties
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health 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. [4893]

  Ms Blears
  Throughout the summer break, a Department of Health Minister will be on duty, in line with paragraph 68 of the current Ministerial Code.

  NHS Appointments Commission
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the(a) criteria which the NHS Appointments Commission must apply to making appointments and (b) membership targets which they have been set. [4186]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 18 July 2001]: The criteria to be applied by the new National Health Service Appointments Commission are set out in the information pack sent by the Commission to all potential applicants. Copies of the information pack will be placed in the Library.

  New, more ambitious, equal opportunities goals and objectives for all public appointments to NHS boards, special health authorities and Department of Health non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) were announced today. Full details will be placed in the Library.

  Although Ministers are no longer directly responsible for making NHS appointments, we have set the Commission for Public Appointments equal opportunities goals and objectives which we will expect to see fully achieved by the end of 2004. While all appointments will be made on merit, we will expect the Commission to continue the progress already made in making NHS boards more representative of the communities they serve.

  We have made huge strides over recent years in increasing the proportion of women and black and ethnic minority candidates appointed to NHS boards. 50 per cent. of all NHS board members are now women, and 12 per cent. are black or from ethnic minorities. This compares with figures of only 39 per cent. and 5 per cent. at the time of the 1997 general election. As a result, the boards of these bodies are now far more representative of the communities they serve.

  Huge improvements have also been made in the representative nature of appointments to national bodies, with 37 per cent. of those appointed to Department of Health special health authorities and NDPBs now being women, and 15 per cent. being black or from ethnic minorities.

  NHS Consultants
  Mr. Goodman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS consultants there were in(a) England and (b) Buckingham in each year since 1980. [5642]

  Mr. Hutton
  Data showing the number of consultants working in the NHS in England for each year since 1987, and in Buckinghamshire for each year since 1994, are shown in the table.

  Information regarding the number of consultants employed in the NHS in England prior to 1987 was not collected centrally. Prior to 1994 it is not possible to identify figures for the number of consultants working in Buckinghamshire.

  Hospital, public health medicine and community health service medical and dental services

  Number

  As at 30 September

  England

  Buckinghamshire

  1987

  14,870

  n/a

  1988

  15,200

  n/a

  1989

  15,720

  n/a

  729W

  Hospital, public health medicine and community health service medical and dental services

  Number

  As at 30 September

  England

  Buckinghamshire

  1990

  16,370

  n/a

  1991

  16,670

  n/a

  1992

  17.140

  n/a

  1993

  17,490

  n/a

  1994

  18,050

  210

  1995

  19,420

  230

  1996

  20,300

  230

  1997

  21,370

  230

  1998

  22,220

  240

  1999

  23,220

  260

  2000

  24,310

  270

  Notes:

  1. "n/a" denotes not known. Prior to 1994 some data were returned directly by the Oxfordshire region. It is therefore not possible to identify individual organisation's contribution to these figures.

  2. Figures rounded to the nearest 10. "0" denotes less than 5. Source:

  Department of Health medical and dental workforce census

  Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list by health authority the average number of hours per week consultants spend working in the NHS at the latest date for which figures are available. [5426]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information is not held centrally or across health authorities on the average number of hours per week worked by consultants in the national health service. For information on the types of contract held by consultants, I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 23 April 2001,Official Report, column 175W.

  St. George's Hospital, Tooting
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the estimated shortage of doctors and nurses at St. George's hospital, Tooting is. [5416]

  Mr. Hutton
  The current vacancy rates at St. George's national health service trust are shown in the table.

  Department of Health vacancies survey, March 2001 medical and dental and qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff vacancies in St. George's hospital NHS trust—three month vacancy rates1,2 and numbers3

  St. George's healthcare NHS trust

  Number of three month medical and dental vacancies

  4—

  Three month medical and dental vacancy rate (percentage)

  0.0

  Number of three month qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff vacancies

  160

  Three month qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff vacancy rate (percentage)

  10.3

  1Three 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)

  2Three 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)

  3Numbers are rounded to the nearest 10

  4Zero

  Notes:

  1. Percentages are calculated on unrounded figures

  2. Percentages rounded to one decimal place

  Source:

  Department of Health Vacancies Survey 2001
  730W
  In line with Government policy, St. George's has introduced a number of initiatives to combat nursing vacancies, including return to practice courses, overseas recruitment and open days for immediate appointment of nurses.

  Hospital Waiting Lists
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting list times are for(a) knee and (b) hip operations. [5746]

  Mr. Hutton
  The average (median) waiting times for knee and hip operations during 1999–2000 are shown in the table. Data for 2000–01 are not yet available.

  Median waiting time (days)

  Type of operation

  Hip replacement

  201

  Knee replacement

  253

  Source:

  HES date 1999–2000

  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list health authorities in England in order of the highest number of patients waiting for(a) an out-patient and (b) an in-patient appointment, indicating numbers of patients awaiting treatment, for (i) general surgery, (ii) urology, (iii) trauma and orthopaedics (iv) ear, nose and throat, (v) ophthalmology, (vi) oral surgery, (vii) cardiothoracic surgery, (viii) general medicine, (ix) cardiology, (x) thoracic medicine, (xi) infectious diseases, (xii) medical oncology, (xiii) geriatric medicine, (xiv) gynaecology and (xv) clinical oncology. [5815]

  Mr. Hutton
  We do not collect information on total numbers of patients waiting for out-patient appointments. A table showing numbers of patients waiting more than 13 weeks for their appointments following general practitioner referral has been placed in the Library.

  Under the NHS Plan, the national health service will reduce the maximum wait for an out-patient appointment from over six months today to three months by the end of 2005. By the same date the maximum wait for in-patient treatment will be reduced from 18 months today to six months.

  Smoking
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of those aged over 16 years smoked in(a) 1999, (b) 2000 and (c) 2001. [5225]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: The latest available data are shown in the table:

  Prevalence of cigarette smoking among adults aged 16 years and over, by gender

  England 1999

  Percentage

  Gender

  Prevalence

  Base

  Men

  27

  3,543

  Women

  26

  4,224

  Notes:

  1. Percentages rounded to the nearest whole figure

  2. Comparable data are not yet available for 2000 and 2001

  Source:

  Health Survey for England: Trend data for adults 1993–99

  HIV
  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many new cases of heterosexually acquired HIV have occurred in each quarter since March 1997. [5379]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: The table lists the number of cases of heterosexually acquired HIV diagnosed per quarter in England, reported until the end of June 2001.

  Year (quarter)

  1Number of diagnoses

  Annual total

  1997 (Q1)

  240

  926

  1997 (Q2)

  227

  1997 (Q3)

  211

  1997 (Q4)

  248

  1998 (Q1)

  250

  1,081

  1998 (Q2)

  261

  1998 (Q3)

  273

  1998 (Q4)

  297

  1999 (Q1)

  307

  1,304

  1999 (Q2)

  344

  1999 (Q3)

  352

  1999 (Q4)

  301

  2000 (Q1)

  429

  1,665

  2000 (Q2)

  407

  2000 (Q3)

  423

  2000 (Q4)

  406

  2001 (Q1)

  408

  2001 (Q2)

  217

  1The numbers, particularly for the most recent quarters, will rise as further cases are reported

  Source:

  Confidential clinician and laboratory reporting to the Communicable Diseases Surveillance Centre the Public Health Laboratory Service

  NHS Direct
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will introduce(a) a national textphone number and (b) interactive e-mail to the NHS Direct service. [5617]

  Ms Blears
  We are committed to introducing a national textphone service for NHS Direct and expect this to be fully implemented within the next twelve months. An interactive e-mail inquiry service will be introduced in November this year.

  Nursing and Midwifery Council
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received concerning the draft order on the Nursing and Midwifery Council; and if he will make a statement. [5518]

  Mr. Hutton
  We are receiving a substantial volume of responses to consultation. These are currently being considered, and a report will be published in due course.

  Worcestershire Social Services
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the level of funding available to Worcestershire social services department. [5748]
  732W
  Yvette Cooper
  For 2001–02, we have made available just over £84 million to Worcestershire county council for social services; this is 6.4 per cent. more than in 2000–01. Within this increase, Worcestershire's social services standard spending assessment has increased by 5.2 per cent.

  Bed Blocking
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to reduce the level of bed blocking in Worcestershire. [5749]

  Yvette Cooper
  The number of delayed transfers of care in Worcestershire have been relatively steady, with no significant increases being reported. However, Worcestershire social services and the local health economy are working collaboratively to address existing needs, and several plans are currently in hand. These include:the joint appointment of a lead senior manager for older people
  expanded admission prevention and rapid response teams to prevent avoidable admission to hospital
  ensuring effectiveness of Medical Assessment Units at hospitals to support early diagnosis and appropriate transfer to other services when acute admission is not required
  further expansion of national health service rehabilitation services as part of our initiative on intermediate care
  maximise the capacity of local community hospitals, develop residential re-ablement services in areas which currently do not receive this service, and continue expansion of home-based re-ablement services.

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes discussed the Aventis study entitled "The Effect of Glufosinate-Resistant Corn on the Growth of Male Broiler Chickens"; and if he will place the minutes of this meeting in the Library. [5654]

  Yvette Cooper
  The chicken study was not part of the package considered by the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes.

  The study was part of the dossier submitted to the French competent authority in support of an application to market glufosinate tolerant maize. The study has recently been considered by the Advisory Committee on Animal Feedingstuffs who are currently finalising their comments.

  Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what level of funding was allocated by his Department between 1996 and 2001 for research into benign prostatic hyperplasia. [5879]

  Yvette Cooper
  The main Government agency for research into the causes of and treatments for disease is the Medical Research Council (MRC), which receives its funding via the Department of Trade and Industry. The Department of Health funds research to support policy and the delivery of effective practice in the national health service.
  733W
  Between 1996 and 2001 the Department of Health and the MRC's estimated spend on research projects related to benign prostatic hyperplasia was over £1.5 million. In addition to these specific projects the Department of Health also provides funding for research commissioned by the research councils and charities that take place in the NHS. The total investment will therefore be considerably greater than the spend on individual projects. The National Research Register contains details of these projects and is available at: http://www.doh.gov.uk/research/nrr.htm.

  Worcestershire Health Authority
  Dr. Richard Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on performance related pay increases agreed for executive directors of the Worcestershire health authority in(a) 1998–99, (b) 1999–2000 and (c) 2000–01. [5495]

  Yvette Cooper
  I am informed that executive directors of Worcestershire health authority have received no performance-related pay increases for any of the three years specified.

  Health authorities must publish details of pay awards to directors in their annual reports. These awards must be in line with national policy, and I understand that this has been the case for executive directors of Worcestershire health authority.

  Medicines Commission
  Mr. Lepper
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will publish the annual report of the Medicines Commission for 2000. [6516]

  Yvette Cooper
  We have received the report, and copies have been laid before both Houses of Parliament today in accordance with the requirements of section 5(2) of the Medicines Act 1968.

  Bound volumes have been placed in the Library containing the 2000 reports of the Medicines Commission, the Committee on Safety of Medicines, the Advisory Board on the Registration of Homoeopathic Products, the British Pharmacopoeia Commission, the Veterinary Products Committee and the Independent Review Panel on Advertising.

  NHS Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS): number and percentage of health visitors and district nurses aged 50 and over and 55 and over in England as at 30 September 2000

  Headcount all ages

  Headcount 50 years or over

  Percentage 50 years or over

  Headcount 55 years or over

  Percentage 55 years or over

  Health visitors

  12,830

  4,090

  31.9

  1,720

  13.4

  All district nurses

  14,450

  3,870

  26.8

  1,570

  10.9

  Of which:

  District nurse 1st level

  12,590

  3,480

  27.6

  1,390

  11.0

  Notes:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10

  2. Figures exclude learners and agency staff

  3. Percentages rounded to one decimal place

  4. Percentages calculated from unrounded figures

  Source:

  Department of Health Non-medical Workforce Census
  734W
  We are glad to acknowledge the valuable work done by the distinguished members of the Medicines Act Advisory Bodies and thank them for the time and effort dedicated in the public interest to this important work.

  Public Health
  Mr. Prosser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Government's response to the Health Select Committee's second report on Public Health will be published. [6517]

  Yvette Cooper
  We expect to publish the Government's response to the Select Committee next week and copies will be placed in the Library.

  Health Visitors and District Nurses
  John Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many health visitors and district nurses were employed in NHS hospital and community health services in each of the last three years for which figures are available. [5834]

  Mr. Hutton
  Data showing the number of health visitors and district nurses employed in the national health service in each of the last three years are in the table.

  NHS Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS): health visitors and district nurses in England as at 30 September each year

  1998

  1999

  2000

  Health visitors

  12,570

  12,800

  12,830

  All district nurses

  14,260

  14,260

  14,450

  Of which:

  1st level

  12,610

  12,640

  12,590

  2nd level

  1,650

  1,620

  1,860

  Notes:

  Figures are rounded to the nearest 10

  Due to rounding totals may not equal the sum of component parts

  Source:

  Department of Health Non-medical Workforce Census

  John Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what percentage of health visitors and district nurses employed in NHS hospital and community health services are aged(a) over 50 and (b) over 55 years. [5833]

  Mr. Hutton
  Data showing the number and percentage of health visitors and district nurses employed in the National Health Service who are(a) over 50 and (b) over 55 years of age are shown in the table.

  NHS Complaints Procedure
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total cost to the NHS has been of claims made against it by patients for negligence, broken down by(a) amount of compensation paid to patients and (b) total amount paid to lawyers for both the NHS and claimants in legal costs, in each of the last 10 years. [5025]

  Ms Blears
  Figures on the amounts included in the National Audit Summarised Accounts for clinical negligence expenditure for the latest available years are as follows:

  £ million

  Year

  1996–97

  235

  1997–98

  144

  1998–99

  221

  1999–2000

  373

  Source:

  National health service summarised accounts for health authorities, NHS trusts and NHS Litigation Authority

  Figures prior to 1996–97 are not available because clinical negligence was not separately identified in the accounts prior to that date.

  Changes to accounting policies mean that these amounts are not directly comparable.

  The summarised accounts do not show, and it is therefore not possible to break down separately what proportion of these figures are for compensation payments and legal costs.

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total cost has been to the NHS of operating its complaints procedures in each of the last 10 years. [5023]

  Ms Blears
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Geriatric Emergencies
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list health authorities in England in order of the highest number of patients aged 75 years and over admitted for emergency treatment. [5810]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is shown in the table.

  Emergency admissions of patients 75 and over to hospital, at quarter 4 2000–01

  Health authority

  Number of emergency admissions

  Rate of emergency admissions per emergency 1,000 population 75 and over

  Birmingham

  5,522

  82.6

  Dorset

  4,946

  62.1

  Avon

  4,924

  61.9

  East Sussex Brighton and Hove

  4,921

  60.1

  Leicestershire

  4,915

  76.4

  East Kent

  4,492

  76.2

  Leeds

  4,140

  79.9

  Norfolk

  4,121

  56.1

  Lincolnshire

  4,072

  71.6

  North Essex

  4,008

  56.6

  West Kent

  3.900

  58.1

  Nottingham

  3.858

  82.9

  North Yorkshire

  3,855

  60.3

  South Essex

  3,850

  70.9

  736W

  Emergency admissions of patients 75 and over to hospital, at quarter 4 2000–01

  Health authority

  Number of emergency admissions

  Rate of emergency admissions per emergency 1,000 population 75 and over

  Suffolk

  3,731

  62.1

  Berkshire

  3,700

  78.0

  South Cheshire

  3.689

  72.6

  East Riding

  3,605

  81.9

  Durham

  3,481

  79.3

  North and East Devon

  3,418

  67.8

  Newcastle and North Tyneside

  3.321

  92.0

  Cambridgeshire

  3,250

  64.7

  South and West Devon

  3,222

  55.3

  Somerset

  3,182

  67.1

  Portsmouth and South East Hampshire

  3,148

  72.7

  Sheffield

  3,002

  70.9

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  2,988

  62.9

  South Derbyshire

  2,987

  70.4

  Calderdale and Kirklees

  2,954

  72.2

  Wigan and Bolton

  2,933

  77.4

  Gloucestershire

  2.884

  61.2

  North West Lancashire

  2,881

  67.5

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham

  2,846

  75.0

  Tees

  2,740

  77.1

  Southampton and South West Hampshire

  2,733

  58.6

  Liverpool

  2,700

  90.8

  South Staffordshire

  2,698

  73.9

  West Surrey

  2,642

  54.9

  Bradford

  2,633

  82.0

  Wiltshire

  2,623

  58.8

  East Lancashire

  2,558

  70.8

  East and North Hertfordshire

  2,488

  70.9

  West Hertfordshire

  2,415

  62.0

  Oxfordshire

  2,378

  56.3

  Northamptonshire

  2,336

  61.1

  Buckinghamshire

  2,291

  56.4

  Warwickshire

  2.275

  61.2

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth

  2,251

  58.3

  Worcestershire

  2,231

  54.3

  Wirral

  2,228

  83.3

  Gateshead and South Tyneside

  2,227

  82.1

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow

  2,222

  61.2

  West Pennine

  2,212

  73.0

  Salford and Trafford

  2,200

  66.1

  North Nottinghamshire

  2,185

  76.2

  North Staffordshire

  2,178

  61.7

  North and Mid Hampshire

  2,158

  62.7

  Bedfordshire

  2,130

  63.8

  Shropshire

  2,123

  66.1

  West Sussex

  2,073

  26.4

  East London and City

  2,052

  73.4

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest

  2,039

  71.4

  Barking and Havering

  2,029

  68.3

  Northumberland

  2.021

  84.2

  North Derbyshire

  1,980

  67.0

  Morecambe Bay

  1,960

  71.5

  Bury and Rochdale

  1,904

  75.6

  East Surrey

  1.841

  51.5

  North Cumbria

  1,800

  72.2

  South Humber

  1.789

  74.8

  Wakefield

  1,786

  82.9

  Enfield and Haringey

  1,754

  63.8

  Bexley and Greenwich

  1,753

  61.8

  St Helens and Knowsley

  1.723

  81.9

  Manchester

  1.676

  59.8

  Sandwell

  1.647

  71.6

  Camden and Islington

  1,629

  82.8

  Doncaster

  1,577

  75.7

  Kingston and Richmond

  1,552

  65.7

  Sunderland

  1,552

  84.9

  Sefton

  1.551

  60.5

  Coventry

  1,539

  65.8

  South Lancashire

  1.493

  75.1

  North Cheshire

  1.482

  79.8

  Stockport

  1,349

  60.8

  Rotherham

  1,337

  78.4

  Wolverhampton

  1.323

  74.2

  Barnsley

  1,315

  78.2

  Dudley

  1,229

  54.7

  Bromley

  1,216

  49.8

  737W

  Emergency admissions of patients 75 and over to hospital, at quarter 4 2000–01

  Health authority

  Number of emergency admissions

  Rate of emergency admissions per emergency 1,000 population 75 and over

  Walsall

  1,187

  69.6

  Croydon

  1,161

  61.1

  Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster

  1,138

  52.5

  Barnet

  1,109

  48.0

  Solihull

  1,105

  69.1

  Hillingdon

  1,069

  66.7

  Herefordshire

  832

  54.2

  Isle of Wight

  797

  53.1

  Brent and Harrow

  621

  23.8

  Source:

  Quarterly returns at Quarter 4 2000–01

  GPs
  Mrs. Dean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will review the remuneration paid to hospital practitioners to ensure that it is sufficient to fund the necessary locum cover for the general practitioner. [5931]

  Mr. Hutton
  We are currently considering with the profession the quantum and complexity of the work performed by general medical practitioners in hospitals and will consider the remuneration issues in this context.

  Clinical Staff Numbers
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his target is for the number of(a) nurses and (b) doctors in the NHS for each of the next five years; and if he will make a statement. [5688]

  Mr. Hutton
  We have not set annual workforce targets. The National Health Service Plan targets are for 20,000 more nurses, 7,500 more consultants, 2,000 more general practitioners and 6.500 more therapists and other health professionals between 1999 and 2004. We have now rolled forward these commitments to provide 20,000 additional nurses and 10,000 additional doctors between 2000 and 2005.

  Health Expenditure
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if it is his policy to increase expenditure on health services up to the European Union average as a percentage of gross domestic product; and if he will make a statement. [5708]

  Mr. Hutton
  It is our intention to increase United Kingdom health care expenditure as a percentage of gross domestic product towards the average of the European Union countries, which is around 8 per cent. of gross domestic product. On current spending plans, by 2003–04 total health spending in the UK will be around 7.7 per cent. of gross domestic product. Spending plans beyond that time will be made at the next spending review.

  Biomedical Scientists
  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he has taken to recruit more biomedical scientists to the NHS, and increase staff retention. [6396]
  738W
  Mr. Hutton
  The National Advisory Group for Scientists and Technicians has been charged with developing plans to improve workforce planning, education, training and career development among this group of staff, including biomedical scientists. The Department is also developing a specific strategy for improving recruitment, retention and return, liaising closely with employers, professional bodies and trade unions to raise the profile of the work of scientists.

  The National Health Service careers service, http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk, has been extended to include scientists and technicians. A new generic scientists and technicians careers leaflet has also been prepared.

  To address particular recruitment and retention problems in pathology laboratories pay increases of between 7.3 per cent. and 16.7 per cent. have been agreed from April 2001 for over 6,000 trainee Medical Laboratory Scientific Officers (MLSOs), MLSO 1 s and MLSO2s.

  Neonatal Screening
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will announce a timetable for the national roll-out of the 20 universal neonatal hearing screening pilots. [5814]

  Yvette Cooper
  The universal neonatal hearing screening pilot is the first phase of a national roll-out of the service. The pilot phase will provide important information, about the impact on audiology and other support services, and will provide the data that is required to enable us to plan a national roll-out to a sensible, feasible time scale. An announcement will be made early next year about a timetable for national implementation, taking account of the initial findings of the pilot phase. The pace of change will be determined by the practical challenges that the pilot will uncover.

  Breast Screening
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) screening and (b) non-screening pilot schemes his Department has established since May 1997; and how many have now been completed and (i) rolled out nationally, (ii) given a timetable for national roll out and (iii) placed under review subject to further consideration of their findings. [5813]

  Yvette Cooper
  Since 1997, the Department has run six screening pilots. These are screening for chlamydia (under review), colorectal cancer (in progress), universal neonatal hearing screening (in progress), using liquid based cytology and human papilloma virus testing in cervical screening (in progress), extending the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme to older women (completed and being implemented) and developing new ways of working in the NHS Breast Screening Programme (in progress). Information on all forms of non-screening pilot programmes could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Kidderminster Hospital
  Dr. Richard Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the projected costs of the inquiry into elective surgery at Kidderminster Hospital. [3760]
  739W
  Yvette Cooper
  The independent clinical review of future elective services at Kidderminster Hospital is being undertaken because of the new opportunity presented by the planned increase in elective surgery through the implementation of the National Health Service Plan.

  Professor Ara Darzi, Professor of Surgery at St. Mary's Hospital, London, is undertaking the review and is giving his services free of charge. The staffing support costs associated with the review have come from normal departmental running costs.

  Expenses will be incurred for accommodation and hospitality and are commensurate with a clinical review of this type.

  Trivax Vaccines
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money his Department has paid in compensation to families whose children are believed to have been damaged as a consequence of inoculation with Wellcome's Trivax vaccines from(a) batch 3741 and (b) batch 3732. [5694]

  Maria Eagle
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information requested is not available.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Pickett's Lock
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the impact of a new athletics facility at Pickett's Lock on existing international standard facilities in England. [97]

  Tessa Jowell
  [holding answer 25 June 2001]: I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  BBC Digital
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will publish the correspondence between her Department and the BBC concerning the BBC's proposals for new digital services. [2411]

  Tessa Jowell
  [holding answer 5 July 2001]: I have placed copies of all relevant correspondence between my Department and the BBC in the Libraries of both Houses, except those where rules of commercial confidentiality apply.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will publish recent representations made by the independent television sector concerning proposed new BBC digital services; and if she will make a statement. [2410]

  Tessa Jowell
  [holding answer 5 July 2001]: Where permission has been given to do so, I will publish responses to the consultation once I have reached a decision on whether to approve the proposed new services.

  Lottery Funding (Films)
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to her answer of 2 July 2001,Official Report, column 72W, on lottery funding of films, what the net income is from all sources to date, in each case, of films in receipt of lottery funding; and on how many screens each opened. [2815]

  Tessa Jowell
  [holding answer 9 July 2001]: This information changes constantly as a film is released at cinemas and on video or DVD in different countries at different times. The shelf life of films is long, which means there is no simple answer to the question. That is not to say that revenues are not known for films in which lottery money has been invested (in relation to territories and media where the distributor was entitled under the terms of the deal to a share of the revenues) but those revenues increase constantly and reflect changing market value and are therefore difficult to interpret.

  The Maltings, Farnham
  Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what advice was given by the South East Arts Board on the Maltings lottery application; what response the Arts Council of England made to this advice; on what basis the response was made; and if she will place the relevant papers in the Library; [2830]

  (2) what information she has collated about the Makings, Farnham; and if she will make a statement. [2829]

  Tessa Jowell
  My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for the Arts will write to the right hon. Member, placing copies of her letter in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Bletchley Park Trust
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will provide financial assistance to the Bletchley Park Trust. [3744]

  Tessa Jowell
  [holding answer 13 July 2001]: I recognise the work of the Bletchley Park Trust in commemorating the vital code-breaking work of those who worked at Bletchley Park during the second world war. I am not in a position to provide financial assistance, as the trust is not among the museums and galleries that are sponsored by my Department.

  Television (Consumer Choice)
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when consumers will be able to choose the specific television channels they wish to purchase without having to take other channels as part of a package; and if she will make a statement. [4731]

  Dr. Howells
  As stated in the White Paper "A New Future for Communications", the Government are committed to ensuring that public service television channels are available to everyone, as now, free at the point of consumption, both before and after the switchover to digital television.

  However, for other channels, it is up to the providing company to determine the arrangements for sale, subject to normal competition law.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 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. [4604]

  Tessa Jowell
  My Department has not itself entered into any PFI or PPP contracts over the last five years. The Royal Parks Agency, which is an Executive Agency, has entered into one PH contract in the last five years, which has yet to be completed. To date there has been no compensation claimed or paid in respect of this project.

  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many PFI transactions have been overseen by her Department and its predecessors in each of the last 10 years; what her estimate is of the cost savings made in each of these transactions in comparison with the public sector alternative; what are the outstanding payments to be made in relation to these transactions for each of the next 15 years; and if she will make a statement. [5793]

  Mr. Caborn
  My Department has not itself entered into any PFI contracts. The Royal Parks Agency, which is an Executive Agency, has signed one PFI contract, which took effect in 1997, and the British Library, which is an NDPB, has signed two contracts, one of which took effect in 1997, the other is yet to begin.

  My Department does not hold full details of these arrangements. I have contacted the RPA and the British Library for more information, and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as it is available, placing a copy of my letter in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Published guidance on public sector comparators (PSC) notes that:
  "Accounting Officers should not rely solely on a straight comparison of a PSC bid to its PSC, which should never be regarded as a pass/fail test, but instead as a quantitative way of informing judgment." (Treasury Taskforce Technical Note No. 5: How to construct a public sector comparator).

  As agreed with the National Audit Office, payments to contractors under PH contracts are commercially confidential. Aggregate figures of estimated payments under all PFI contracts for the years 2000–01 to 2025–26 were published in table C18 of the Budget 2001 "Red Book".

  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the economic penalties imposed on private sector firms in each of the last five years for failures to deliver in relation to key performance indicators in projects involving the Private Finance Initiative; and if she will make a statement. [5794]

  Mr. Caborn
  I refer to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

  Ministerial Duties
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 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. [4889]
  742W
  Tessa Jowell
  In line with the Ministerial Code, a DCMS Minister will be on duty throughout the summer recess.

  Departmental Events
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what(a) national and (b) international awareness events her Department 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. [5033]

  Mr. Caborn
  Ministerial colleagues and I attend and support a great number of national and international events in support of DCMS policies. So too do my officials. To provide a full list of such events would incur disproportionate costs; however, I have listed a number of them to give a flavour of the type of awareness events in which the Department participates.

  (a) National events

  (i) Sponsorship
  In October 1999, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and the Ministers for Sports and for the Arts hosted a conference to discuss a report by policy action team 10 on the impact of sports and the arts on social exclusion.
  In July 2000, the Minister for the Arts hosted a seminar to discuss the impact of the Disability Discrimination Act on DCMS sectors.
  In November 2000, the Secretary of State hosted the "Culture Culture" conference to promote the value of culture to a wide audience.

  (ii) Departmental Attendance
  In July 1997, the Minister for Sport attended the world cerebral palsy games in Nottingham.
  In March 1999, the Minister for Sport attended the launch of the south-east rugby academy.
  In October 1999, the Minister for Sport attended the launch of the English Federation for Disability Sport.
  In October 1999, the Minister for Sport launched the England and Wales Cricket Board's Inner City Project at Lords.
  In April 2000, the Minister for Sport opened the London Marathon Exhibition.
  In May 2000, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and the Minister for the Arts accompanied the Queen to the opening of the Tate Modern.
  In May 2000, the Secretary of State was the keynote speaker at the Call to Action breakfast launch for the second nationwide careers festival, organised by Springboard, which aims to raise the profile and promote the image of careers in the tourism and hospitality industry.
  In December 2000, the Secretary of State and the Minister for the Arts accompanied the Queen to the opening of the British Museum Great Court.
  In 2000, the Minister for Sport attended the Olympic youth and education initiatives.
  In May 2001, the Secretary of State launched museums and galleries month at the National Portrait Gallery.
  743W
  (iii) Similar departmental activities
  In 1999 and following the publication of "Tomorrow's Tourism", DCMS has held two tourism summits to demonstrate the Government's commitment to the tourism industry and provide a good example of joined up Government.
  In May 1999, the Department participated in the international anti-doping arrangement (IADA) which was hosted by the Minister for Sport.
  In December 2000, the Secretary of State supported Sport England's "Sport and Health—Working Together" conference.
  In April 2001, the Secretary of State chaired the tourism forum in April 2001 and launched the national recovery strategy following the outbreak of foot and mouth disease.

  (iv) Message of support
  Ministers deliver many messages of support to a wide range of organisations. For example, many go directly to the tourism industry, such as at events organised by the British Incoming Tour Operators Association, the Association of British Travel Agents, the British Hospitality Association and other trade bodies. Messages are also provided to arts and sport organisations engaged in national events. Additionally messages aimed at, for example, the audiovisual industry will be provided for specific events.

  (b) International events

  (i) Sponsorship
  In 1998, DCMS made a particular effort to involve the public in the UK Presidency of the EU and to highlight broader EU cultural links. We produced a widely-distributed publication to promote UK cultural events with a European element; also a booklet of European poetry and a summary of the Department's presidency-related meetings and their conclusions.
  With sponsorship from DCMS, poems by European poets appeared on London Underground and Eurostar trains, and on postcards and other media distributed around the country.
  Ministers and officials have participated in a number of events linked to the national lottery, including the annual lottery monitor conferences and events organised by the Coalfields Communities Campaign. My Department sponsored a national lottery coalfields conference in 1998.
  In November 2000, the Minister for the Arts hosted a seminar for cultural attaches at the House of Commons. The meeting was part of the visiting arts cultural attaches training and briefing programme, designed to familiarise the cultural attaches with policies and trends in the UK. Around 50 cultural attaches attended, representing a wide cross section of countries and experience.
  In February 2001, the Minister for Broadcasting hosted a dinner, in conjunction with DTI at Lancaster house. The event allowed the Minister to emphasise Government support for improving UK television export performance to key figures in the broadcasting industry.
  DCMS Ministers recognise the importance of boosting the UK tourism industry and promoting Britain's contemporary image abroad. For that reason, they have also attended many events aimed at supporting Britain's tourist industry at home and abroad. This has included giving a presentation on tourism policy in Berlin during the UK's Presidency of the EU in 1998 and promoting Britain and the Commonwealth games, which will take place in Manchester during the golden jubilee year 2002.
  744W
  (ii) Departmental Attendance
  In October 1997, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport addressed English Heritage's international conference on world heritage at the Queen Elizabeth conference centre in London. The Conference was held to mark the 25th anniversary of UNESCO's world heritage convention.
  In 1998, the Minister for the Arts attended the European composers seminar, as part of the UK's EU Presidency.
  In September 1998, the Minister for Sport met the President of the International Olympic Committee in Switzerland.
  In October 1998. the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport gave the keynote speech at an international conference in Bath on world heritage cities.
  In February 1999, the Minister for Sport attended the International Olympic Committee conference on doping in sport.
  In July 1999, the Minister for Sport attended an event relating to the 2006 world cup bid which incorporated anti-doping discussions in Washington.
  In November 1999, the Heritage Minister delivered a speech at the inaugural meeting of a new international archaeological body—the Europae Archaeolgiae Consilium—at an event hosted by the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.
  In November 1999, the Minister for Sport attended the Royal Society of Medicine conference on medicine, sport, ethics and the law.
  In June 2000, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport visited the USA and Canada where, among other engagements, he discussed tourism satellite accounts with the Canadian Minister of Trade.
  In June 2000. the Minister for the Arts spoke at the Royal Commonwealth Society about the contribution of the contribution of the Commonwealth communities to British culture.
  In July 2000, the Minister for the Arts hosted a reception at the Royal National theatre. The exhibition was opened by President Eduard Shevardnadze of Georgia and featured works by the Georgian artist, Petre Otskheli.
  In October 2000, the Minister for Tourism visited Sweden and Finland as part of the Prime Minister's step change initiative. In addition to her other engagements she visited the local offices of the British Tourist Authority and met the Swedish Minister for Tourism. She also received the French Minister for Tourism in London.
  In October 2000, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and the Prime Minister hosted a US museum of television and radio international conference event in London. The event was aimed at strengthening co-operation with the US and promoting UK broadcasters' growing imports overseas.
  In November 2000 the Minister for Sport participated in the international consultative group on anti-doping in sport (ICGADS).
  In February 2001, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport spoke in Strasbourg at an international conference on the benefits of involving the arts in the healthcare environment. The conference was arranged and attended by the French Ministers of Culture and Health.
  More recently, and in light of the effect on tourism of the foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak, Ministers visited New York and Toronto to get across the message that Britain is still open for business.
  DCMS sports directors, or a representative, attend regular meetings of EU members states, approximately three per year.
  Ministers attend a wide range of events arranged by successive EU Presidencies. These can include informal meetings to discuss issues related to tourism, sport, culture, audiovisual and other issues.
  DCMS officials attend official level EU working groups and meetings of the Council of Europe.
  745W
  (iii) Similar departmental activities
  In February 2000, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport met the Brazilian Ambassador to discuss the Brazil 500 festival.
  In June 2000, the Minister for Sport met Danish Sports Minister to discuss Euro 2000.
  In June 2000, DCMS and other UK bodies took part in a cross-sectoral study on the management of cultural diversity undertaken by the Council of Europe.
  In March 2001. the Minister for the Arts signed a declaration initiated by Sweden, then EU Presidency, on behalf of all EU Ministers of Culture. The declaration condemned the Taliban for its decision to destroy all statues and non-Islamic shrines in Afghanistan.
  In March 2001, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and the Minister for the Arts met Julian Nida Mimelin, the German Minister of State in the Federal Chancellery with responsibility for Culture and Media. One of the subjects discussed was the issue of German tax on visiting artists.
  In order to promote British art and culture and to support the international role of the DCMS and FCO and their Ministers, the Government Art Collection (GAC) has displayed works of art for UK/international events such as the British-French summit at Canary wharf (1997), the G8 summit in Birmingham (1998) and the European enlargement conference at Lancaster house (1998). Additionally, the GAC has worked closely with the FCO to display works of art by contemporary British artists in the new British embassies in Moscow and Berlin (both opened in 2000), works of art which demonstrate important cultural links between the UK, Russia and Germany.
  In addition to attending events overseas, Ministers and officials have met a number of tourism representatives including from China, Spain, Belgium, the Ukraine, Poland, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Croatia, Malaysia, Yemen and South Korea.

  (iv) Message of support
  Ministers send many messages of support to a wide range of organisations, too numerous to list here.
  The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport sends many messages of support to art and cultural organisations, including a message of support each year to the European Union Baroque

  Employees

  Sponsored body

  Total

  Women

  Members of ethnic minorities

  People who have declared a disability1

  New Opportunities Fund (NOF)

  176

  115

  24

  5

  UK Sport

  81

  38

  6

  0

  National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA)

  38

  25

  5

  0

  Sport England

  444

  222

  68

  8

  Millennium Commission

  89

  57

  11

  0

  Advisory Council on Libraries

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, people have (from 2 December 1996) no longer been registered as disabled under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944

  Digital TV
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport by what date every household in Worcestershire will be able to receive digital television by cable or terrestrial distribution systems; and if she will make a statement. [5753]

  Dr. Howells
  The Government are committed to ensuring that everyone who currently receives free-to-air channels on analogue will continue to do so digitally after the switchover to digital television, whether by terrestrial, cable or satellite means. Maps showing the predicted digital terrestrial television (DTT) coverage from each of
  746W
  orchestra, which is a training initiative of the European Commission, and was founded in 1985. It aims to give pre-professional orchestral experience to young baroque musicians.
  Messages of support issued by the Sports Minister have included to the Robert Clack school, for their South Africa rugby tour; the Lincolnshire Schools Cricket Association under-16 team for their forthcoming tour of South Africa; hockey and netball teams from the King Henry VIII school for their tour of South Africa; the national hockey champions of England 2000 under-14s and under-16s' forthcoming tour of Malaysia and Australia and Brighouse high school's football club's forthcoming tour of South Africa.

  Television Licences
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the annual cost would be of charging a television licence fee to all pensioners below the age of 75 years of(a) £25 and (b) £50. [4916]

  Dr. Howells
  The estimated cost, at current television licence fee levels, of providing concessionary licences for all pensioners below the age of 75 is(a) £425 million a year for a £25 licence fee and (b) £290 million a year for a £50 licence fee, in both cases excluding administrative costs.

  Agencies (Staff)
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is the total number of employees of(a) the New Opportunities Fund, (b) UK Sport, (c) the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts, (d) Sport England, (e) the Millennium Commission and (f) the Advisory Committee on Libraries; and how many of these are (i) women, (ii) members of ethnic minorities and (iii) registered disabled. [5124]

  Tessa Jowell
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: The information is shown in the following table.

  the main UK DTT transmitter sites and relays have been placed in both Houses on CD-ROM. These show that parts of Worcestershire are covered by transmissions from the Malvern, Bromsgrove, Ridge Hill and Lark Stoke transmitters. The BBC and ITC, who are responsible for the DTT transmission network, are now considering, in consultation with the digital broadcasters, manufacturers, consumer groups and Government, how to improve the core coverage of all digital television multiplexes across the UK. Cable services are available in Worcestershire, although coverage concentrates on areas of dense population. It is for cable operators to decide on the roll out of their digital services and viability of extending services to non-urban areas.

  Films
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) how many films were refused British certification in(a) 2001, (b) 2000, (c) 1999 and (d) 1998; [5557]

  (2) what was the average time taken by her Department to make a decision on British certification once a film had been submitted in each of the last four years; [5558]

  (3) how many films received British certification in (a) 2001, (b) 2000, (c) 1999 and (d) 1998. [5556]

  Dr. Howells
  No central record is kept of cases being refused. The Department is, however, aware of the following numbers of films being refused certification:

  Year

  Film

  20011

  1

  2000

  1

  1999

  1

  1998

  0

  11 January to 30 June

  The number of certificates issued is as follows:

  Year

  Certificates

  20011

  400

  2000

  685

  1999

  142

  1998

  196

  11 January to 30 June

  No central record exists of the time taken, but the bulk of applications in each of the last four years have been dealt with within two weeks. Some applications take longer to process where, for example, incomplete information is provided by the applicant.

  Millennium Dome
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the disposal of the contents of the dome; and if she will indicate the sum raised. [4969]

  Dr. Howells
  A sale of contents held in March raised £3.5 million. The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) is in the process of selling other items by private treaty sales. It is too early to predict the amount raised from the private treaty sales.

  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how souvenir items for sale to visitors at the dome were disposed of following the closure of the dome; and for what value. [4970]

  Dr. Howells
  Some unsold items were sold in February and March, both as part of the auction of dome contents and by retail sales at the same time. Other items are being sold privately. Because the process is not complete, it is not possible to state a value.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the role played by Lord Levy in facilitating sponsoring arrangements for the Millennium Dome. [5476]
  748W
  Dr. Howells
  Lord Levy was asked to help with advice to the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) on fundraising in June 1998. Responsibility for negotiating and securing sponsorship rested with NMEC.

  Gambling
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action her Department is taking to combat gambling by young people; and if she will make a statement. [6373]

  Mr. Caborn
  The report of the Gambling Review Body (Cm 5206), which was published on 17 July, makes a number of recommendations intended to control gambling by youngsters, including recommendations that (with limited exceptions) there should be a minimum age of 18 for all gambling and that gaming machines should not be allowed on premises which are not licensed for gambling. We have now started a process of public consultation on the report, and will be reporting our conclusions to Parliament in due course.

  Television News Contracts
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to monitor the award of the new independent television news contract and to ensure continued plurality of news sources. [5462]

  Dr. Howells
  The award of the new news provider contract for Channel 3 is not a matter for Government. ITV will make the decision to award the contract to one of the two companies that have been awarded nominated news provider status by the Independent Television Commission. It is the responsibility of the ITC to ensure that only companies meeting the required standard are granted such status. This system ensures that ITV has a provider of high quality national and international news that can offer competition to the BBC's national news services and in turn guarantees plurality for viewers.

  Sporting Events
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she will respond to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee's report on the staging of international sporting events. [6015]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Government will respond shortly.

  Lottery Funding
  Mr. Denis Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress is being made to ensure that community groups and local authorities in disadvantaged areas receive an increased share of lottery funding. [6298]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Government are keen to see a fair distribution of funding throughout the country and has directed distributors to ensure that all parts of the UK have access to lottery funds. In addition, we have asked the community fund to target £100 million of its funds, and the new opportunities fund an additional £50 million to some 50 areas which are both deprived and have received less lottery funding than other parts of the country. The scheme will be UK-wide and will begin in April 2002.

  Alcohol Sales
  Ms Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what further measures she intends to take to prevent the sale of alcohol in licensed premises to those already intoxicated. [6229]

  Dr. Howells
  It is already an offence for a licensee to permit drunkenness in licensed premises or to sell alcohol to a drunken person. Anyone on licensed premises who procures or attempts to procure any alcohol for consumption by a drunken person commits an offence; and it is also an offence to aid a drunken person in obtaining or consuming alcohol in licensed premises.

  We expect to bring into force shortly those parts of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 which will extend the offence of permitting drunkenness to managers of licensed premises who do not themselves hold the licence, and extend to all bar staff the offence of selling alcohol to drunken persons in licensed premises. At the same time, the new police powers to close down disorderly and excessively noisy licensed premises will be brought into force.

  Sir Walter Raleigh
  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has for the relocation of the statue of Sir Walter Raleigh from Raleigh Green, Whitehall. [5950]

  Dr. Howells
  My right hon. Friend the Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Mr. Smith) announced on 15 November 2000 that the statue of Sir Walter Raleigh, which is currently sited in Whitehall, should be moved to a new home at the Royal Naval college, Greenwich. English Heritage, who are the statue's guardians, are managing the relocation with the intention of completing the re-siting by the autumn.

  The Arts
  Pete Wishart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the total value of (i) Government assistance and (ii) lottery assistance since 1997 has been in cash and real terms to(a) opera companies, (b) ballet companies, (c) classical orchestras and (d) popular music groups; and if he will make a statement. [6307]

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

  Music Industry
  Pete Wishart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what specific assistance she has given to the promotion and development of popular music initiatives; what specific schemes she has put in place to promote entry into the music industry for young artists; and if she will make a statement. [6308]

  Dr. Howells
  My Department's aim is to ensure a successful and thriving music industry in the UK, working in partnership with the industry and other Government Departments. The industry relies on the creativity of our 750W
  young artists for its future success, and I want to see this young talent protected, nurtured and promoted, regardless of musical genre. My Department has no specific initiatives in relation to popular music, but supports the activities of a wide range of industry bodies in this area. In relation to the entry of young artists into the music industry, I naturally fully support the Government's new deal for musicians programme.

  Sporting Events (Government Assistance)
  Pete Wishart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the total value of assistance provided by the Government to the(a) English FA bid for the 1996 European Championships, (b) UK bids for the Olympic games since 1997, (c) UK bids for the Commonwealth games since 1997, (d) English FA bid for the World Cup since 1997 and (e) Scottish FA bid for the 2008 European Championships is in (i) cash and (ii) real terms; and if she will make a statement. [6309]

  Mr. Caborn
  Financial assistance provided by the Government to these bids was as follows:

  (a) the English Football Association received no financial assistance from the Government in respect of its successful bid for the 1996 European Football Championships;

  (b) there have been no UK bids for the Olympic games since 1997;

  (c) the bidding process for the 2002 Commonwealth games closed in November 1995 with the award of the event to Manchester. There has been no financial support for the Manchester bid since 1997;

  (d) direct financial assistance from the Government to the English Football Association's bid for the 2006 World Cup consisted of £20,000 in respect of the travelling expenses of the Prime Minister's Special Envoy. My Department paid certain other travelling expenses in respect of the bid, and these items were fully reimbursed by the Football Association,

  (e) the Scottish Football Association has yet to decide whether to make a formal bid for the 2008 European Championships. UK Sport has contributed £5,000 from grant in aid funding to the cost of a feasibility study. No other Government assistance has been provided to date. Should a bid be made, funding to assist with the bidding process will be a matter for Scottish Ministers to determine.

  Administrative costs were incurred by the Department of National Heritage, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and by other Departments involved in providing non-financial support for the English Football Association's bids for the 1996 European Football Championships before 1996, and the 2006 World Cup between 1997 and 2000. These cannot be quantified.

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Boris Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the effects of the foot and mouth outbreak on tourism in Henley; and if she will make a statement. [6097]

  Dr. Howells
  Our best estimate to date is that the loss of revenue in 2001–02 by the English tourist industry is likely to he around £120 million per week averaged over the eight-month tourism season. We have not attempted to apportion this overall estimate to individual regional tourist boards or individual tourism destinations, such as Henley, since the available data do not enable this to be
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  done with a sufficient degree of reliability. We are currently updating this estimate in the light of the latest available data.

  Independent Football Commission
  Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the appointment of the Chairman of the Independent Football Commission will be made. [6448]

  Tessa Jowell
  The Government have agreed to the request from the football authorities to appoint the first chairman of the Independent Football Commission—the new self-regulatory body which they are establishing. The process of appointing the chairman is being conducted in the open and transparent manner that applies to public appointments. An independent public appointments advisory panel was convened to consider the applications which had been received by the Department for this post. The panel has made its recommendations to me. I am currently considering them. I therefore hope to make an announcement on the appointment shortly. I shall place a copy of any announcement I make on this issue in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Royal Parks Agency
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she will respond to the recommendations in the report on the five-year review of the Royal Parks Agency; and if she will make a statement. [6513]

  Tessa Jowell
  The report's main conclusion and recommendation was that responsibility for the royal parks should remain with central Government and that the Royal Parks Agency (RPA) should continue to manage them although the Department should work towards establishing the royal parks as a non-departmental public body (NDPB). The Government accept this recommendation and would like to see early progress to the change of status to NDPB. It is our intention, therefore, to establish the royal parks as an NDPB from 1 April 2002. I shall retain responsibility for the management of the royal parks but will be seeking Parliament's approval of an order under the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994 to delegate my day-to-day responsibilities to the new body. The Government have accepted all the recommendations in the report for improving the efficiency of the Royal Parks Agency. The chief executive has already achieved much in implementing these. This work will continue as part of the preparations for NDPB status. The Government accept the recommendation that the royal parks should be policed by a uniformed force. My Department and the Home Office are discussing the future relationship between the royal park constabulary and the Metropolitan police service so as to ensure the most efficient and cost-effective policing of the royal parks.

  The Government believe that NDPB status, with the management of the royal parks guided by an expert and experienced board, will provide the royal parks with greater freedom and focus to continue to build on the high standard of presentation of the royal parks which has improved even further in recent years.

  New Millennium Experience Company
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she will publish the annual report and financial statements of the New Millennium Experience Company for the period ending 31 December 2000. [6514]

  Dr. Howells
  I have today placed copies of the New Millennium Experience Company's annual report and financial statements for the period ending 31 December 2000 in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Sport England
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress has been made on the review of Sport England. [6515]

  Mr. Caborn
  As part of this Department's programme of quinquennial reviews of its public bodies, I am today announcing the conclusion of the first stage of the Sport England quinquennial review.

  Sport England is responsible for developing and maintaining the infrastructure of sport in England, for distributing national lottery funds for sport in England and for five national sports centres. The first stage of the review concludes that the development of sport is important to both the Government's wider objectives and the public, and that Sport England should continue its unique role in the development of sport in England on behalf of the Government but at arm's length from it.

  The first stage of the review has made a series of recommendations for consideration in the second stage of the review to enable Sport England to further become a responsive and high quality organisation responsible for the development of sport in England and play its part in implementing the proposals set out in the Government's plan for sport published earlier this year.

  We aim to complete the second stage of the review in the autumn. Copies of the first stage report have been placed in the Libraries of the both Houses.

  Royal Parks (Culling)
  Mr. Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) how many foxes have been removed from the Royal Parks in each of the last four years; and what the method employed was; [1826]

  (2) how many and what species of animals have been culled in the Royal Parks in each of the last four years. [1825]

  Mr. Caborn
  Responsibility for the subject of this question has been delegated to the Royal Parks Agency under its chief executive, William Weston. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from William Weston to Mr. Tony Banks, dated 20 July 2001:

  I have been asked by the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport to reply to your Parliamentary Questions about the number and species of animals culled in the Royal Parks in each of the last four years, and the number of foxes removed from the Royal Parks in the same period.
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  I am sorry I have been unable to reply sooner, but these figures were not available centrally and it takes some time to collate them from around the eight Royal parks for which I am responsible. I should also point out that we have only started collecting this data since 1998.

  We removed foxes either because they are having a serious effect on the population of other wildlife or because they are in poor health, mainly due to mange. We have removed the following numbers, using humane traps and shotguns.

  1998: 125

  1999: 92

  2000: 83

  2001: 110

  I enclose a list of other species culled in each of the last four years.

  Animal species

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  Red deer

  331

  193

  240

  105

  Fallow deer

  402

  217

  235

  361

  Squirrel

  1,915

  891

  1,282

  588

  Rat

  55

  50

  23

  36

  Rabbit

  3,568

  2,770

  2,450

  776

  Mice

  0

  4

  9

  0

  Greylag Geese

  0

  0

  25

  0

  Canada Geese

  0

  0

  97

  0

  Moorhen

  12

  11

  18

  0

  Coot

  8

  7

  12

  0

  Crow

  740

  335

  541

  429

  Magpie

  230

  161

  210

  153

  Jay

  9

  0

  0

  0

  Pigeon

  1.061

  2,035

  2,176

  518

  Hornet

  12

  0

  2

  0

  Wasp

  12

  19

  33

  0

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

  Building on Success
  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will place in the Library the written responses she has received to the Green Paper "Building on Success". [2593]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 9 July 2001]: A full list of respondents to the consultation exercise on the Green Paper will be placed in the Library before the end of the

  All students

  Academic year

  1998–991

  1999–20001

  Number of students (000s)

  Percentage of students

  Number of students (000s)2

  Percentage of students

  Full student/parent/spouse contribution3,4

  84

  35

  168

  35

  Partial student/parent/spouse contribution

  49

  20

  94

  20

  Nil student/parent/spouse contribution5

  108

  45

  215

  45

  11999–2000 data are provisional and as such may change.

  2Student Support Scheme funding arrangements in higher education came into effect from the start of the 1998–99 academic year; 1999–2000 was the second year of the scheme accounting for the increase in student numbers.

  3In 1998–99, includes students who withdrew from their course before the fee due data (and therefore no fee payment was made by Local Education Authorities).

  4In 1998–99. includes an estimated 15,000 students who, because they did not expect to receive a contribution to their fees from public funds, did not make an application to their local authority.

  5Includes students on courses where the fees were not subject to income-assessment (e.g. PGCE courses; and some other ITT courses; and some courses at private colleges).

  Source:

  F503G Survey of LEAs in England and Wales.
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  month. The list does not include responses that have requested anonymity.

  I have asked officials to ensure that a full list is also sent to the hon. Member. Copies of any individual written responses from the list will be made available to Members on request.

  The summary and analysis of the responses and the list of respondents will be available via the departmental website www.dfes.gov.uk before the end of the month.

  Head Teachers
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on her Department' s proposals to give extra responsibilities to head teachers. [2968]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 9 July 2001]: We are committed to giving head teachers in successful schools greater managerial discretion in matters of pay and staffing. We plan to say more about this in a White Paper to be published in the autumn.

  Tuition Fees
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what proportion of students(a) paid the full cost of, (b) paid the partial cost of and (c) were exempt from contributing towards the cost of tuition fees, each year since 1998; and if she will make a statement. [4069]

  Margaret Hodge
  [holding answer 16 July 2001]: In England and Wales, under the Student Support Scheme, students and their families make a contribution towards tuition fees only if they can afford to do so. Students are assessed on family income.

  In 1998–99 and 1999–2000 (the latest year for which data are available) the following table shows the proportions of students making a full/partial/nil contribution towards their fees. The proportion of students who are exempt from making any contributions is expected to increase to 50 per cent. in 2001–02, when the income threshold at which parents are expected to contribute will increase from £17,805 to £20,000 and the threshold for spouses will rise from £15,070 to £17,200. These increases are 10 per cent. above inflation.
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  Lembit Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what discussions she has had with the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning in the Welsh Assembly regarding the conclusions of the Independent Investigation Group on Student Hardship and Funding in Wales; and if she will make a statement; [5754]

  (2) what assistance she plans to give the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning in Wales to address student poverty; and if she will make a statement. [5755]

  Margaret Hodge
  I met the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning on 17 July and we discussed the recent report of the Independent Investigation Group into Student Funding and Hardship. It is for the Assembly itself to respond to the recommendations in the report addressed to them and which fall within their powers.

  Applications are increasing, and drop-out remains consistently low. The figures published by UCAS on 20 July show that overall the number of UK students applying to higher education has gone up by 2.4 per cent. In particular, there has been a 4.7 per cent. increase in the number of applications from students over 21. The latest Student Income and Expenditure Survey does not give evidence of widespread student hardship. However, we have increased support going to the most vulnerable students, those with dependants or with disabilities. For student parents entitled to receive maximum financial support, this could be up to £13,110—or £17,425 if student loans are taken into account—per year. But we are not complacent, and will continue to review the effectiveness of the arrangements against our widening access and increasing participation objectives. Arrangements for further education student support are matters for each country but we will continue to keep in touch with each other when considering future developments.

  Lembit Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the benefits of abolishing tuition fees throughout England and Wales; and if she will make a statement. [5756]

  Margaret Hodge
  The new funding arrangements for higher education introduced in 1998–99 provide for contributions from students, their parents and the taxpayer. From this autumn, 50 per cent. of students will make no contribution to tuition fees following changes in the parental income threshold.

  There is no evidence to suggest that the new arrangements are deterring students from entering higher education. The total number of full-time students enrolled in HE has risen in each of the two years since contributions to fees were introduced. The latest published figures from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service show a 2.4 per cent. rise in UK applicants for entry in autumn 2001 and the figures for mature students show a rise of 4.7 per cent.

  Academic Medicine
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on her plans to increase recruitment into academic medicine. [4422]

  Margaret Hodge
  I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

  Teachers (Early Leavers)
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teachers left the profession in the last year for which figures are available; and what percentage of the total this represents. [3702]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 16 July 2001]: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

  SATs
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of seven-year-old children in Sure Start areas achieved level 1 or above in key stage 1 English and maths tests in(a) 1999–2000 and (ii) 2000–01. [4801]

  Yvette Cooper
  Sure Start is expected to have an impact on children's performance at key stage I performance in the medium term. Baseline information to enable this to be measured is currently being collated from the 180 Sure Start programmes that are operational and should be available by the end of 2001.

  School Exclusions
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of pupils were excluded in 1999–2000. [4808]

  Mr. Timms
  The Department collects data on permanent exclusions but not on fixed term exclusions. Information on permanent exclusions is shown in the table.

  Number of permanent exclusions expressed as a percentage of the school population, January 1999–2000

  Percentage1

  Maintained Primary

  0.03

  Maintained Secondary

  0.21

  Special

  0.40

  All Schools

  0.11

  1The number of permanent exclusions expressed as a percentage of the number (headcount) of full and part-time pupils of all ages (excluding dually registered pupils in special schools) in January

  The latest permanent exclusions data were published in a Statistical First Release "Permanent Exclusions from Schools, England 1999/2000" on 19 July, copies of which are available from the Library, or alternatively can be accessed from the Department for Education and Skills statistical website www.dfes.gsi.gov.uk/statistics.

  Linda Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidance her Department provides to schools and local education authorities concerning temporary and permanent exclusion policies. [5019]

  Mr. Timms
  The Department's Circular 10/99, Social Inclusion: Pupil Support, contains the Secretary of State's guidance on the appropriate use of exclusion—both fixed term and permanent—procedures to be followed on exclusion and provides guidance on the duties and roles of those involved in the process. My right hon. Friend intends to consult schools on changing the guidance in order to provide more support for head teachers.
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  Linda Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to collect statistics on the number of children and young people who receive fixed-term exclusions from schools. [5027]

  Mr. Timms
  Local education authorities collect data from their schools on fixed-term exclusions. These data are not collated nationally, nor are there currently plans to do so.

  Qualifications
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of 19-year-olds had at least one level 2 qualification or equivalent in 2000. [4806]

  John Healey
  The proportion of 19 to 21-year-olds in England with at least one level 2 qualification or equivalent, as measured by the autumn Labour Force Survey, was 75.3 per cent. in 2000.

  Child Care
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of the first 1 million child care places provided under the National Childcare Strategy were taken up by under-fives using(a) daycare nurseries and (b) childminders. [4915]

  Mr. Timms
  The National Childcare Strategy has not reached a total of 1 million child care places yet. Since April 1997, 382,685 new child care places have been created. Of these, 132,538 have catered for under-fives. 82,298 of these were daycare places in day nurseries, pre-schools and playgroups1 and 50,240 were with childminders.

  1Daycare is defined as child care of three and a half hours or more. It is not possible to break down the figures for new places to show those in nurseries only.

  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what her Department's estimate is of the number of full-time child care places in the United Kingdom for children up to 5 years. [4912]

  Mr. Timms
  At the end of March 2000 the Survey of Children's Daycare Facilities in England showed that there were 264,200 places in day nurseries and 320,400 places with childminders1. We do not have figures for the United Kingdom as a whole.

  1The childminding places cater for children aged 0–8. We are not able to separate childminding places to show only those places that cater for 0–5-year-olds. These figures do not include full-time places in pre-schools and playgroups, which traditionally provide care for less than three and a half hours a day but are increasingly expanding into daycare, because a breakdown is not available.

  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate has been made of the proportion of families that require full-time day care for one or more children at some point in their working life. [4913]

  Mr. Timms
  The Department does not have a figure for the demand by families for child care over their working life but it does have information on the use of day care.
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  The Department commissioned a survey of parents' use of and demand for child care. This survey shows that 28 per cent. of parents had used some formal child care in the last week of the survey. The survey shows that 31 per cent. of parents who had used some child care in the last year said there had been times when they would have needed or liked more child care but they were unable to obtain it.

  Pupil Expenditure
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much was spent per pupil in(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools in each English local education authority in each year since 1990. [5332]

  Mr. Timms
  The information requested is contained in a table copies of which have been placed in the Library. Information based on net institutional expenditure per pupil is given in real terms for each local education authority from 1990–91 to 1999–2000, the latest year for which this information is available.

  Ministerial Duties
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 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. [4890]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  In line with paragraph 72 of the Ministerial Code, a Minister for this Department will be on duty throughout the summer adjournment.

  Student Hardship
  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what information she has collated on the earnings of(a) female graduates and (b) male non-graduates; and if she will make a statement on alleviating female student hardship. [4989]

  Margaret Hodge
  Latest Labour Force Survey figures, for Spring 2000, show average weekly earnings of £458 for female graduates with first degrees and above. Average earnings figures for the category of male non-graduates are not available from the Survey report but, within that category, men with no qualifications earn on average £293 per week. By comparison, women earn £217 per week on average.

  The Government recognise that female single parents and some female mature students may have additional financial needs. They have benefited in particular from the fourfold increase in access and hardship funds since 1997–98 and will be major beneficiaries from the new child care package in 2001–02, including a child care grant typically covering 85 per cent. of actual costs. For student parents entitled to receive maximum student support, this could be up to £13,110—or £17,425 if student loans are taken into account—per year.

  Medical Schools
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many(a) men and (b) women are training to become medical doctors at medical schools in the Greater London area. [4882]
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  Margaret Hodge
  The information requested is shown in the following table.

  Students1 on first degree medical courses2 in Greater London 2000–01

  Number

  Men

  3,210

  Women

  3,286

  Total

  6,496

  1 Includes all home domiciled and overseas students studying at higher education institutions in Greater London.

  2 Includes pre-clinical and clinical medicine. Graduate entrants to medical schools apply to study under the standard undergraduate route, joining in year 3 of the 6 year course. They are therefore included in these figures.

  School Buildings (North Somerset)
  Brian Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much money has been allocated for(a) new school building and (b) school building repairs and improvement in north Somerset for each year since May 1997. [5876]

  Mr. Timms
  A total of £1.1 million has been allocated since May 1997 specifically for new school building in north Somerset, based on the demand for new pupil places as assessed by north Somerset local education authority. The authority has been allocated a further £30.7 million for school building repair and improvement work, making a total capital allocation of £31.8 million. The following table shows the breakdown of the total amount allocated for each year since May 1997. Additional allocations for 2002–03 and 2003–04 will be made later this year.

  £000

  Financial year

  New pupil places

  Repair and improvement

  Total capital

  1997–98

  80

  4,216

  4,296

  1998–99

  468

  4,412

  4,880

  1999–2000

  —

  3,499

  3,499

  2000–01

  553

  7,172

  7,725

  2001–02

  —

  4,542

  4,542

  2002–03

  —

  2,843

  2,843

  2003–04

  —

  4,068

  4,068

  Total

  1,101

  30,752

  31,853

  Brian Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the condition of school buildings in North Somerset; and if she will make a statement. [5877]

  Mr. Timms
  Information on the condition of school buildings should be currently available from the Local Education Authority.

  Authorities' condition data, supplied to support the Department for Education and Skills' arrangements for appraisal of Asset Management Plans, are being validated with a view to publishing national benchmarking data later this year.

  Drugs
  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate she has made of the number of exclusions from schools that arose from drug-related incidents in each year since 1997. [5885]
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  Mr. Timms
  The Department does not keep records of the numbers of drug-related incidents leading to exclusion. In the absence of data it is impossible to make a reliable estimate.

  Newly Qualified Teachers
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of newly qualified teachers have left the teaching profession in each of the last five years for which information is available. [5396]

  Mr. Timms
  The percentage of regular newly qualified teachers leaving the maintained schools sector1 in England within one year of entering service is as follows:

  Financial year left service

  Percentage of new entrants leaving

  1994–95

  3.5

  1995–96

  4.1

  1996–97

  3.9

  1997–98

  4.0

  1998–99

  4.1

  1 Teachers moving from the maintained schools sector to the Independent sector, FHE sector, miscellaneous or other non-school service or providing FE for adults are included as leavers.

  Education Funding (North Somerset)
  Brian Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what the 2001–02 Education SSA for North Somerset Council would be if the real terms percentage increase were the same as the English national average; [5874]

  (2) what the real terms difference between the education spending in 2001–02 by North Somerset Council and the education SSA for the same authority in 2001–02 is, expressed as (a) cash and (b) a percentage. [5875]

  Mr. Timms
  If the percentage increase (4.64 per cent.) in North Somerset's SSA were the same as the national average (4.78 per cent.) its SSA for 2001–02 would be £74.62 million.

  Based on North Somerset's Budget Statement (final outtum information is not yet available), total education revenue expenditure for 2000–01, net of special and specific grants, was £72.24 million. North Somerset's education SSA for 2001–02 is £74.51 million: at 2000–01 prices this is £72.69 million. This is £0.45 million or 0.6 per cent. more than North Somerset's budgeted expenditure for 2000–01.

  Teachers Numeracy Test
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills for what reason teachers in England are required to pass the national numeracy test before being qualified to teach. 15869]

  Mr. Timms
  Trainee teachers in England are required to pass the numeracy test to ensure that they have the necessary numeracy skills to carry out their professional roles effectively. In order to raise standards in schools and ensure that all children achieve their full potential, we need newly qualified teachers (NQTs) who possess these skills. Evidence from Ofsted has confirmed that the
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  numeracy standards for a significant number of teachers in schools in England have not been good enough in the past.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills for what reason teachers who have qualified in Scotland or Wales are allowed to teach in England without passing the national numeracy test. [5868]

  Mr. Timms
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 5 July 2001,Official Report, column 299W.

  Schools (Oxfordshire)
  Mr. Cameron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which secondary schools in Oxfordshire have applied for specialist status; and what awards have been made to date. [5625]

  Mr. Timms
  The following Oxfordshire schools successfully applied for designation:

  Designation

  Banbury School

  Technology—1995

  Bicester Community College

  Technology—1998

  Didcot Girls High School

  Technology—1997

  Henry Box School

  Language—2001

  King Alfred's School

  Technology—1999

  Lord Williams's School

  Sports—2001

  Peers School

  Technology—1995

  St. Birinus School

  Technology—1997

  Wheatley Park School

  Arts—2000

  Applications have also been received from Gillotts School and Bartholomew School for technology college status. This may not be a comprehensive list of unsuccessful applicants as there is no central record of all applications since 1994.

  Mr. Cameron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teacher vacancies there were in Oxfordshire in each of the years from 1997 to 2001. [5626]

  Mr. Timms
  The number of vacancies for full-time teachers in maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special schools in Oxfordshire is shown in the table.

  Number of vacancies

  Vacancy rate1

  January

  1997

  1

  0.0

  1998

  7

  0.2

  1999

  11

  0.3

  2000

  8

  0.2

  2001

  16

  0.4

  1 The vacancy rate is calculated by dividing the number of vacancies by the sum of full-time qualified regular teachers plus teachers on full-time secondment for a term or more.

  Graduates (Salaries)
  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what her most recent estimate is of the average salary of graduates in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) Wales upon leaving education. [5887]

  Margaret Hodge
  The annual survey of members of the Association of Graduate Recruiters, "Graduate Salaries and Vacancies 2001", reported typical starting salaries for newly qualified first degree graduates in the UK ranging 762W
  from £12,000 to £32,000 in 1999–2000. The median starting salary for new graduates in 1999–2000 was £18,000 compared to £17,500 in 1998–99. Comparable figures for Wales are not available.

  Labour Force Survey statistics show that, on average, graduates working full-time earn around 20 per cent. more than workers with two or more 'A' levels as their highest qualification.

  Performing Arts
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the levels of applications for performing arts courses and the funding available to such students; and if she will make a statement. [5752]

  Margaret Hodge
  The level of applications for performing arts courses continues to be high. We do not collect national totals for applications. There were 9,662 full-time undergraduate drama students and 9,922 undergraduates of music in 1999. While we do not have figures for students applying for performing arts subjects in FE, the Arts continue to be one of the largest curriculum areas.

  Students on HE courses which are designated for student support may apply for help with student fees and loans. Students on FE courses may apply for learner support funds and those aged 16–19 in the 56 Education Maintenance Allowance pilot areas have access to the allowances.

  Over 1,600 students are currently participating in the Dance and Drama Award Scheme which provides the standard HE support for fees and loans or maintenance to help with fees and living costs for those on the vocational route. Competition for these places continues to be high.

  The Music and Ballet Scheme trains over 750 pupils and offers assistance towards fees calculated relative to parental income.

  Computers within Reach Scheme
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the Computers within Reach scheme; and if she will make a statement. [5657]

  John Healey
  The Department has commissioned an external research evaluation of the Computers within Reach scheme. This evaluation has been undertaking research with the relevant partners and customers of the scheme. The work is on-going and alongside information from contractors and officials is forming the basis of a review of the first phase of the scheme that I am currently undertaking before making decisions on next steps.

  Youth Education and Training
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of 16 to 18-year-olds were in education or training in(a) 1998, (b) 1999 and (c) 2000. [5238]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: I will write to my right hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

  Maintained Schools
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teachers were employed in maintained schools in England in each year since 1997,(a) in absolute terms, (b) expressed as full-time equivalents and (c) per hundred pupils in maintained schools. [5903]

  Mr. Timms
  The data requested are contained in the table.

  Number and FTE of teachers in maintained schools in England 1997–2001—position in January each year

  Headcount of teachers

  FTE of teachers1

  Number of teachers per 100 pupils

  Nursery schools

  1997

  1,784

  1,572

  3.5

  1998

  1,740

  1,537

  3.6

  1999

  1,712

  1,516

  3.6

  2000

  1,706

  1,500

  3.7

  2001

  1,704

  1,504

  3.8

  Primary schools

  1997

  208,020

  182,442

  4.7

  1998

  207,093

  181,394

  4.6

  1999

  207,657

  182,646

  4.7

  2000

  208,303

  183,762

  4.7

  2001

  211,761

  185,505

  4.8

  Secondary schools

  1997

  197,291

  181,692

  6.5

  1998

  197,518

  181,853

  6.4

  1999

  198,783

  183,578

  6.4

  2000

  200,173

  185,429

  6.3

  2001

  204,064

  188,951

  6.3

  Pupil referral units

  1997

  2,254

  1,740

  29.9

  1998

  2,440

  1,801

  31.5

  1999

  2,435

  1,851

  29.5

  2000

  2,624

  1,986

  30.9

  2001

  2,826

  2,118

  30.4

  Special schools

  1997

  15,125

  13,884

  16.3

  1998

  15,129

  13,759

  16.2

  1999

  15,118

  13,731

  16.2

  2000

  15,132

  13,695

  16.5

  2001

  15,221

  13,697

  16.7

  1 Includes full-time and the full-time equivalent of part-time qualified teachers

  Source:

  Annual Schools' Census

  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teachers have taken early retirement from maintained schools in England in each year since 1997,(a) for health reasons and (b) for other reasons. [5904]

  Mr. Timms
  Ill-health and premature retirements from the maintained schools sector in England are shown in the following table.

  Financial year

  Ill-health

  Premature

  Total

  1997–98

  3,290

  11,480

  14,770

  1998–99

  2,310

  2,420

  4,720

  1999–2000

  2,330

  2,670

  5,010

  2000–01

  2,420

  3,170

  5,590

  Note:

  Totals may not equal the sum of component parts because of rounding.
  764W
  Some teachers may have returned to teaching after receiving a pension.

  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teachers from maintained schools in England have left the profession for each year since 1997. [5948]

  Mr. Timms
  Regular qualified teachers leaving1 the maintained schools sector in England.

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Full-time

  26,320

  28,140

  20.860

  Part-time

  7,410

  8,480

  7.650

  Total

  33,730

  36,620

  28,510

  1Leaving between 1 April and 31 March of the years shown.

  Acting and Dance Schools
  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list all acting and dance schools approved by her Department for grant purposes; if she will list all those applying for this status; and if she will make a statement. [5907]

  Mr. Timms
  The DfES approves acting and dance schools as providers for the vocational element of the Dance and Drama Awards and for the Music and Ballet Scheme. All other further and higher education provision is arranged and approved by the Higher Education Funding Council for England and the Learning and Skills Council.

  The schools currently providing the vocational element of the Dance and Drama Awards are:

  Academy of Live and Recorded Arts

  Arts Educational Schools (London)

  Arts Educational School (Tring)

  Central School of Ballet

  Doreen Bird College of Performing Arts

  Elmhurst, The School for Dance and the Performing Arts

  English National Ballet School

  Hammond School

  Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts

  Laine Theatre Arts Liverpool Theatre School

  London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art

  Merseyside Dance and Drama Centre

  Midlands Academy of Dance and Drama

  Millennium Dance 2000

  Northern Ballet

  Oxford School of Drama

  Performers College Stella Mann College Studios La Pointe Urdang Academy

  Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art.

  The schools in the Music and Ballet Scheme providing dance training are:

  The Royal Ballet School

  Elmhurst the School for Dance and Performing Arts

  The Arts Educational School, Tring Park.

  765W
  It is not possible for the Department to list schools applying to be providers of Dance and Drama Awards or within the Music and Ballet Scheme as their applications are treated as "Commercial-in-Confidence".

  Bullying Online
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what help she plans to give from public funds to the charity Bullying Online. [5958]

  Mr. Timms
  We are aware of the work of Bullying Online in supporting bullied pupils, but we have no record of any application for funding from the organisation.

  Education (Henley)
  Mr. Boris Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the supply of(a) teachers and (b) school places for the next academic year in Henley. [6093]

  Mr. Timms
  We collect and publish data annually on the numbers of teachers and on vacancy levels, both nationally and by local education authority. However, we do not collect or publish projections of demand or possible shortages, either nationally or by Parliamentary constituency. On the supply of places, local education authorities have a duty to ensure that there are sufficient school places within their area, and the Government believe that decisions on these are best taken locally.

  School Places
  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the shortage of school places for the next academic year in(a) England and (b) Billericay. [6218]

  Mr. Timms
  Assessments of this kind are made by each local education authority and not by my Department. Local education authorities have a duty to ensure that there are sufficient school places in their area. They must publish annually a School Organisation Plan, which sets out how they plan to deal with any surplus or deficit of school places over a rolling five-year period.

  Teachers (Billericay)
  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate she has made of the shortage of teachers for the next academic year in(a) England and (b) the Billericay and district constituency. [6222]

  Mr. Timms
  We collect and publish data annually on the numbers of teachers and on vacancy levels, both nationally and by local education authority. However, we do not collect or publish projections of demand or possible shortages, either nationally or by Parliamentary constituency.

  Chief Inspector of Schools
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps she has taken to appoint a permanent Chief Inspector of Schools. [6284]

  Mr. Timms
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 19 July 2001,Official Report, column 410W.

  General Teaching Council
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills from whom she has received recent representations about the General Teaching Council's Code of Practice; and if she will make a statement. [6290]

  Mr. Timms
  I have recently received three letters from Members of Parliament and three letters from members of the public about the General Teaching Council's (GTC's) Professional Code for Teachers. The content of the Code is a matter for the GTC. It has distributed its current draft of the Code widely for consultation and will be considering the responses in due course.

  Teacher Recruitment and Retention
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions she has had with the National Union of Teachers about teacher recruitment and retention; and if she will make a statement. [6318]

  Mr. Timms
  My right hon. Friend meets representatives of the National Union of Teachers from time to time to discuss a range of issues, including teacher recruitment and retention. The next such meeting will take place on Monday 23 July.

  School Buildings (Colchester)
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the condition of the school buildings in the Colchester constituency; and if she will make a statement. [6335]

  Mr. Timms
  Information on the condition of school buildings should be currently available from the local education authority.

  Authorities' condition data, supplied to support the Department for Education and Skills' arrangements for appraisal of Asset Management Plans, are being validated with a view to publishing national benchmarking data later this year.

  Teacher Vacancies (Colchester)
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teacher vacancies there were in(a) Essex and (b) the Colchester constituency in each year from 1997 to 2001 in (i) infant schools, (ii) junior and primary schools and (iii) secondary schools. [6336]

  Mr. Timms
  The number of vacancies for full-time teachers in maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools in Essex are shown in the tables.

  Vacancy numbers

  January

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  Essex

  Nursery/primary

  45

  56

  48

  83

  105

  Secondary

  33

  46

  34

  73

  110

  Total

  78

  102

  82

  156

  215

  Southend-on-Sea

  Nursery/primary

  n/a

  n/a

  6

  5

  8

  Secondary

  n/a

  n/a

  3

  16

  16

  Total

  n/a

  n/a

  9

  21

  24

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  Vacancy numbers

  January

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  Thurrock

  Nursery/primary

  n/a

  n/a

  9

  19

  39

  Secondary

  n/a

  n/a

  12

  9

  29

  Total

  n/a

  n/a

  21

  28

  68

  Total Essex

  Nursery/primary

  45

  56

  63

  107

  152

  Secondary

  33

  46

  49

  98

  155

  Total

  78

  102

  112

  205

  307

  Vacancy rates1

  January

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  Essex

  Nursery/primary

  0.8

  1.0

  1.1

  1.8

  2.3

  Secondary

  0.6

  0.8

  0.7

  1.6

  2.4

  Total

  0.7

  0.9

  0.9

  1.7

  2.3

  Southend-on-Sea

  Nursery/primary

  n/a

  n/a

  1.1

  0.9

  1.4

  Secondary

  n/a

  n/a

  0.5

  2.8

  2.8

  Total

  n/a

  n/a

  0.8

  1.8

  2.1

  Thurrock

  Nursery/primary

  n/a

  n/a

  1.7

  3.4

  7.0

  Secondary

  n/a

  n/a

  2.9

  2.2

  6.9

  Total

  n/a

  n/a

  2.2

  2.8

  6.9

  Total Essex

  Nursery/primary

  0.8

  1.0

  1.1

  1.9

  2.7

  Secondary

  0.6

  0.8

  0.9

  1.7

  2.7

  Total

  0.7

  0.9

  1.0

  1.8

  2.7

  1 The vacancy rate is calculated by dividing the number of vacancies by the sum of full-time qualified regular teachers plus teachers on full-time secondment for a term or more

  Essex local authority was affected by the local government reorganisation (LGR) on 1 April 1998, when it became three authorities; Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock. Figures for 1997 and 1998 are for the Essex local authority prior to LGR.

  Specialist Schools (Essex)
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which secondary schools in Essex have applied for specialist status; and what awards have been made to date. [6337]

  Mr. Timms
  The following Essex schools successfully applied for designation:

  Designation

  Anglo European School

  Language—1995

  Brentwood Ursuline Convent School

  Arts—1999

  The Bromfords School

  Technology—1996

  Chalvedon School and Sixth Form Centre

  Technology—1994

  Chelmsford County High School for Girls

  Technology—2000

  Clacton County High School

  Arts—2001

  Colne School

  Sports—2000

  Davenant Foundation School

  Sports—1999

  The Deanes School

  Sports—1998

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  Designation

  The FitzWimarc School

  Language—2000

  Greensward School

  Technology—1995

  The Harwich School

  Language—2000

  The Notley High School

  Technology—2001

  Philip Morant School

  Technology—1994

  The Saffron Walden County High School

  Technology—1994

  Sir Charles Lucas School

  Arts—2001

  St. Martin's School

  Technology—1995

  St. Peter's High School and Technology College

  Technology—1996

  Tendring Technology College

  Technology— 1996

  Thomas, Lord Audley School

  Language—2001

  Applications have also been received from: Newport Free Grammar School, The Rickstones School, Burnt Mill School, Debden Park High School and The King John School for Arts College status, The John Bramston School, Hylands School and William De Ferrers School for Technology College status and The Endeavour School for Sports College status. This may not be a comprehensive list of unsuccessful applicants as there is no central record of all applications since 1994.

  Performance-related Pay
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the total cost of performance-related pay is for each of the years(a) 2000–01 and (b) 2001–02; what the cost of assessing teachers' entitlement to performance-related pay was; and if she will make a statement. [5827]

  Mr. Timms
  I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

  Graduation Certificate
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the graduation style certificate proposed by her Department at the end of June; and what the cost implications are. [6285]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  The proposed award would be for all young people to attain by 19 years of age, and would recognise a range of activities—including voluntary work—as well as formal qualifications. Further substantial work on the proposal, including the cost implications, will need to be undertaken before decisions are made.

  Advanced Vocational Qualifications
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proposals she has for amendments in the testing regime in advanced vocational qualifications with a view to reducing their intrusiveness and achieving a broad parity with their academic counterparts. [5687]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  As part of the review announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 14 June, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority has been asked to look at the standards and structure of the Vocational A level and to report its conclusions in December.

  Sixth Forms
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will publish the guidance given by her Department to LEAs on the passporting of funds from the Learning and Skills Council to schools with sixth forms. [5820]
  769W
  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  We stated clearly in May 2000, in our consultation paper "Post-16 Funding", that LEAs would not be able to top-slice the funds they receive from the Learning and Skills Council for school sixth forms.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what work her Department has undertaken on the formula for top-slicing funding from LEAs to fund school sixth forms under the new arrangements to be introduced in 2002–03 for funding sixth forms through the Learning and Skills Council. [5819]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  Work is proceeding on the sixth form baseline funding transfer from the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions to the Department for Education and Skills; and on the implications of this for local authorities. Ministers will announce the transfer arrangements in due course.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many schools have seen a fall in the number of pupils in their sixth forms in each of the last three years; and if she will list those schools. [5823]

  Mr. Timms
  Of the 1,719 maintained secondary schools with sixth forms1 for which information is available for each of the last three years, 313 show a decrease in pupils of sixth form age in each year.

  A table showing the 313 maintained secondary schools has been placed in the Library.

  1 For the purpose of this exercise a school with a sixth form has been defined as being a maintained secondary school with eight or more pupils aged 16 and eight or more pupils aged 17.

  Mr. Boris Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on differences in performance at GCSE between state secondary schools(a) with and (b) without a sixth form. [6095]

  Mr. Timms
  I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

  Connexions Service
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people appointed as advisers and in other capacities under the Connexions scheme, are qualified teachers; and of these how many were teaching immediately before their appointment to Connexions. [5822]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on developments in the Connexions Service. [5676]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  The first 12 Partnerships began delivering the Connexions Service on 1 April 2001. A further four Partnerships will start in September 2001, with the remaining 31 Partnerships starting during 2002–03, subject to the production of satisfactory business plans that demonstrate their readiness to deliver the Service effectively.

  It is very early days, but information from the first 12 Partnerships is encouraging. For example, reports from Partnerships at the end of May 2001 show that there are almost 1,000 full-time equivalent Personal Advisers in
  770W
  post; almost 150,000 young people have been assisted; and over 40 Connexions 'one-stop' shops have been opened.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will set out the salary levels for personal advisers/mentors under the Connexions Scheme. [5824]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  Personal Advisers will be drawn from a range of professional backgrounds, including the Careers Service and Youth Service, as well as those who are newly recruited by Connexions Partnerships. Personal Advisers from Careers and Youth Services will be employed under existing terms and conditions. Salary rates for new Personal Advisers are being determined by local Partnerships, taking account of their local labour market situation.

  Education Maintenance Allowance Scheme
  Mr. Denis Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the time scale is for the review of the Education Maintenance Allowance scheme; and if she will amend the financial assessment process to ensure that it is based on a household's actual income. [6300]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) pilots are being evaluated extensively over a three-year period and the final report is not likely to be available before early 2003. The first interim reports were published in summer this year and the next is due early in 2002. We are looking at emerging evidence from this evaluation and practical experience from the pilots to inform our thinking about future development of EMAs.

  The evaluation will include an assessment of the impact of eligibility criteria, including the income assessment rules. This, and the views of stakeholders, will be carefully considered if designing a model for a national rollout of EMAs.

  Further Education
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what studies she has conducted into the implications of phasing out GNVQ Foundation on intermediate qualifications in favour of vocational GCSEs for participation in education post-16, with particular reference to young people with a predominantly vocational aptitude. [5677]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  Ministers considered very carefully the advice from the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority on the introduction of vocational GCSEs. The advice was informed by an extensive public consultation exercise. It was agreed to delay the withdrawal of the Foundation and Intermediate GNVQs for two years, to secure learning opportunities particularly for post-16 students, while other work goes ahead on the development of coherence and breadth in publicly funded programmes of vocational study.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what studies he has conducted into the comparative burden of administration and regulatory compliance by(a) further and (b) higher education; and what action he is taking to alleviate these burdens. [5680]

  Margaret Hodge
  The Department has conducted no studies of this kind; neither has the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) nor its predecessor the Further Education
  771W
  Funding Council. The creation of the LSC has reduced the number of public bodies further education colleges need apply to for funding and the number of audits they need to undergo. The LSC has already reduced the audit burden in further education by appointing the auditors of student numbers and by developing a common audit approach for all colleges. The LSC is also reviewing the funding processes for further education colleges and is working with other public sector funding bodies to reduce further the audit burdens on the sector.

  The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) commissioned, last year, a review from PA Consulting on the accountability burden in the HE sector. The review, published in August 2000, identified four areas of burden—assessments carried out by the Quality Assurance Agency in HE Institutions (HEIs), the bidding process for HEIs, the Research Assessment Exercise and the provision of information. A HE forum, chaired by the HEFCE and composed of the major HE stakeholders, has undertaken five projects to look at these issues.

  The HEFCE have already taken the following actions:
  to lower transaction costs for the Science Research Investment Fund (SRIF) to 0.5 per cent. compared to 5 per cent. under Joint Infrastructure Fund (JIF);

  Student numbers in further education sector colleges in England from 1994–95 to 1999–2000 by mode of attendance

  Thousand

  Mode of attendance

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–991

  1999–20002

  Full-time

  750.6

  777.9

  799.3

  746.3

  738.1

  745.5

  Part-time

  2,282.9

  2,741.4

  3,130.1

  3,149.3

  3,044.8

  2,975.5

  Total

  3,033.6

  3,519.3

  3,929.5

  3,895.6

  3,782.9

  3,720.9

  Notes:

  1 1998–99 figures are affected by three mergers between FE colleges and higher education institutions.

  2 1999–2000 figures are affected by the merger of one college with a higher education institution.

  The table counts all students who attended FE sector colleges at some time in the year in question. It does not therefore include funded students in external institutions, specialist designated institutions and higher education institutions. Data are not available on a consistent basis for the year 1993–94, when a count was made on a given date. Data for 2000–01 are not yet available on a consistent basis either.

  Diana Organ
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what the average level of funding was per full-time equivalent student in the further education sector in England in(a) 2001, (b) 2000, (c) 1997 and (d) 1993; [2402]

  (2) what has been the percentage increase in the amount of funding per full-time equivalent student in the further education sector since (a) the incorporation of further education colleges and (b) 1997 in (i) England and (ii) Gloucestershire; [2404]

  (3) what has been the real term percentage increase in the amount of funding per full-time equivalent further education student since (a)incorporation of further education colleges, (b)1997 and (c)2001. [2406]

  John Healey
  Funding per full-time equivalent student in the further education sector for Gloucestershire could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Funding to
  772W
  to reduce the number of days for carrying out transparency audits, from 15–20 to 2–10;
  to drop an element of the research activity survey.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what studies she has conducted into fringe imports between(a) areas piloting educational maintenance allowances and (b)those outside into providers of post-16 education. [5683]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  In the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) pilot, eligibility for an EMA is determined on the basis of where a student lives, rather than according to the school or college attended. Students who live in an area where EMA is available qualify for an award whichever school or college they attend—even if it is in a different LEA area. There is a very extensive evaluation under way looking at all aspects of EMA. It has not identified fringe imports as a significant feature.

  Diana Organ
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many(a)full-time and (b) part-time students there were in the further education sector in (i) 1993, (ii) 1997, (iii) 2000 and (iv) 2001. [2407]

  John Healey
  Full and part-time student numbers in the FE sector from 1994–95 to 1999–2000 were as follows:

  individual colleges is not allocated on a uniform full-time equivalent basis but through a formula taking detailed account of the types of courses and students involved.

  The unit of funding for further education based on total funding for the sector is as follows:

  Year

  Unit of funding (£)

  Real-terms index

  1993–941

  3,210

  110

  1994–951

  3,170

  107

  1995–961

  3,040

  100

  1996–971

  3,050

  97

  1997–981

  3,070

  95

  1998–991

  3,130

  94

  1999–20002

  3,400

  100

  2000–013

  3,420

  99

  1Actual

  2Provisional

  3Plans

  Note:

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

  Source:

  Further Education Funding Council's individualised student record and DfES estimates and projections.
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  The incorporation of further education colleges was at I April 1993.

  The percentage decrease in unit funding between 1993–94 and 1997–98 is 4.1 per cent.; the real terms decrease is 13.4 per cent.

  The percentage decrease in unit funding between 1993–94 and 2000–01 is 6.7 per cent.; the real terms decrease is 10 per cent.

  The percentage increase in unit funding between 1997–98 and 2000–01 is 11.3 per cent.; the real terms increase is 3.9 per cent.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the unit of funding for full-time equivalent students in further education is in 2001–02; and what it was in the two previous years and is forecast to be in the next two years. [31881
  John Healey[holding answer 11 July 2001]: The unit of funding for the further education based on total funding for the sector is as follows:

  £

  Unit of funding

  1999–20001

  3,400

  2000–012

  3,420

  2001–022

  3,660

  2002–032

  3,760

  2003–042

  3,910

  1Provisional

  2Plans

  Note:

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

  Source:

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

  Mr. Selous
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to reduce the number of sources from which(a)further education colleges and (b)schools have to bid for funds. [4709]

  John Healey
  The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) took over responsibility for the funding of further education, work based learning for young people and adult and community learning. This has reduced the number of public bodies colleges need apply to for funding. The LSC is reviewing the funding processes for further education colleges and is working with other public sector funding bodies to reduce audit burdens. The reforms introduced from April 2001 to the Schools Standards Fund have done away with almost all forms of bidding for funds, so that nearly all recurrent funding is allocated to schools via transparent formulae.

  Mr. Selous
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what has been the percentage increase in the amount of funding per full-time equivalent student in the further education sector since(a) the incorporation of further education colleges and (b) 1997 in (i) England and (ii) Bedfordshire. [4710]

  John Healey
  Funding per full-time equivalent student in the further education sector for Bedfordshire is not collected centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Funding to individual colleges is not allocated on a uniform full-time equivalent basis but through a formula taking detailed account of the types of courses and students involved.
  774W
  The unit of funding for further education based on total funding for the sector is as follows:

  Unit of funding (£)

  Real-terms index

  1993–941

  3,210

  110

  1994–951

  3,170

  107

  1995–961

  3,040

  100

  1996–971

  3,050

  97

  1997–981

  3,070

  95

  1998–991

  3,130

  94

  1999–20002

  3,400

  100

  2000–013

  3,420

  99

  1Actual

  2Provisional

  3Plans

  Note:

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

  Source:

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

  The incorporation of further education colleges was at 1 April 1993.

  The percentage decrease in unit funding between 1993–94 and 1997–98 is 4.1 per cent.; the real terms decrease is 13.4 per cent.

  The percentage increase in unit funding between 1993–94 and 2000–01 is 6.7 per cent.; the real terms decrease is 10.0 per cent.

  The percentage increase in unit funding between 1997–98 and 2000–01 is 11.3 per cent.; real terms increase is 3.9 per cent.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to encourage improvements in the pay and status of non-lecturer staff in the further education sector. [5686]

  Margaret Hodge
  I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many further education colleges to date have(a) cleared arrangements for incentive payments under the teaching pay initiative and (b) made such payments to their lecturers. [5685]

  Margaret Hodge
  I understand that 56 colleges had submitted 'Declarations of Intent' forms to their local Learning and Skills Councils by 18 July 2001. The Learning and Skills Council will make first payments to colleges by the end of July. Detailed arrangements for making payments to individual teachers will be implemented locally by each college.

  Learning and Skills Council
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on progress with the Learning and Skills Council and local LSCs. [5678]

  Margaret Hodge
  The Learning and Skills Council is a single unitary organisation. It has made a good start, helping to introduce real and lasting change, and I look forward to the publication of its first Corporate Plan.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when the LSC will publish its funding allocation framework. [5681]
  775W
  Margaret Hodge
  This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council. I have therefore asked John Harwood, the Council's Chief Executive, to write to the hon. Member with the information requested and to place a copy of his reply in the Library.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what arrangements have been made to secure financial accountability by the further education sector to the Learning and Skills Council. [5682]

  Margaret Hodge
  The LSC has a responsibility to ensure the proper accountability of all its providers, including those in the FE sector, and will be building on the FEFC's accountability and audit arrangements.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of staff posts have been filled by(a) the Learning and Skills Council and (b) local LSCs. [5679]

  Margaret Hodge
  This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council. I have therefore asked John Harwood, the Council's Chief Executive, to write to the hon. Member with the information requested and to place a copy of his reply in the Library.

  Teachers
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to relate teaching pay initiative moneys in further education to performance indicators. [5684]

  Margaret Hodge
  Colleges receive a Teaching Pay Initiative allocation in proportion to their main funding allocation from the Learning and Skills Council and the Higher Education Funding Council for England. We will explore with the Learning and Skills Council and college representative bodies whether it would be right to refine the arrangements from 2002–03 for distributing funding above these minimum annual allocations, to recognise the different retention and achievement rates at different colleges while having regard to the prior attainment of their students.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when her Department will next publish figures for(a) teacher vacancies and (b) admission appeals. [5821]

  Mr. Timms
  Provisional January 2002 figures from the annual survey of teacher vacancies in England are due to be published in April 2002.

  Provisional admission appeals figures for maintained primary and secondary schools in England 2000–01 are due to be published in June 2002.

  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teachers in England have applied for performance-related pay; how many of these received such a payment; what percentage of eligible teachers this constitutes; and if she will make a statement. [5826]

  Mr. Timms
  Just over 200,000 teachers applied for the performance threshold in the first round. This was equivalent to about 80 per cent. of eligible teachers. Applications were assessed by headteachers or, for teachers employed directly by LEAs, heads of service. Heads' assessments were verified by external assessors. Assessor visits to schools and LEAs have recently been 776W
  completed. The Department is still analysing the results and it is too early to be precise. But it seems clear that well over 150,000 teachers have passed the threshold.

  Education Expenditure
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what target she has set for the share of national income which is spent on education for each of the next five years; and if she will make a statement. [5689]

  Estelle Morris
  United Kingdom education spending is forecast to rise from 5.0 per cent. of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2001–02 to 5.3 per cent. in 2003–04. By comparison the share in 1996–97 was 4.7 per cent. of GDP. The Government have a manifesto pledge to increase the share of national income for education in this Parliament, so that education spending as a share of GDP will be higher than 5.0 per cent., the figure for 2001–02, in the final year of the Parliament. We are therefore on course to meet this pledge.

  Plans for later years up to 2005–06 will be set in the 2002 Spending Review, announced by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 25 June 2001, Official Report, column 39W.

  Construction Industry Training Board
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the benefits of aligning the levies for the CITB and the ECITB. [5843]

  John Healey
  I do not believe there is any basis for aligning the levies of the CITB and the ECITB. It is for each board, in consultation with the employers in its industry, to propose its own levy arrangements, including the rate of levy. These proposals are, subject to the approval of Ministers and Parliament. The levy rate must reflect the board's general policy and plans for training in the industry and the costs of those plans. Just as the plans of each board will vary, so also will the levy rate.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations she has received from tool hire companies regarding the CITB requiring them to pay the CITB levy. [5844]

  John Healey
  I have received representations from 21 companies in the plant and tool hire sector.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will review the operation of the CITB levy in order to identify if there are operations which are required to pay the levy but do not qualify for benefits. [5845]

  John Healey
  I have just approved the new CITB grants scheme which will operate from 1 August 2001. This will include grants for all types of training, including management and IT, identified in individual company training plans. All construction employers who train should benefit from the new scheme.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of the CITB levy raised is spent on training provision within tool hire companies. [5846]

  John Healey
  In 2000, companies involved in the plant and tool hire sector paid around £1.8 million in levy to the CITB and those who trained and claimed grants
  777W
  received direct financial support from the board of around £2.2 million. This equated to 2.57 per cent. of the board's total levy income. In addition to direct grants the CITB maintains substantial plant training facilities in four locations throughout the UK, sets standards to help raise skill levels in the industry, offers advice to companies on training and administers a certification scheme for plant operators on behalf of the industry.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations she has received from companies paying the levy regarding the forthcoming review of the CITB levy. [5847]

  UK domiciled students1 studying in higher education institutions in Wales

  Postgraduates

  Undergraduates

  Total

  All years

  First years

  All years

  First years

  All years

  First years

  1996–97

  10,955

  6,434

  67,521

  29,801

  78,476

  36,235

  1997–98

  11,182

  5,729

  68,807

  28,655

  79,989

  34,384

  1998–99

  11,027

  6,418

  70,038

  29,637

  81,065

  36,055

  1999–2000

  11,451

  6,699

  71,357

  30,807

  82,808

  37,506

  2000–012

  12,465

  7,237

  72,803

  32,707

  85,268

  39,944

  1Full-time and part-time students, as at 1 December

  2Provisional

  Convention on the Rights of the Child
  Linda Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidelines have been issued to schools and local education authorities concerning the rights of children and young people to participate in decisions that affect them, as defined by Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. [5020]

  Mr. Timms
  The Government strongly support the need to ascertain the views of young people in relation to decisions that affect them. Citizenship, a statutory secondary subject from September 2002, will teach young people about their rights and responsibilities and how to participate in the decision-making processes. This month, guidance written by teachers to support the effective delivery of citizenship in secondary schools was made freely available in draft form. This includes tried and tested teaching and learning ideas to encourage active participation by young people, for example through local democratic processes and student councils. It will be sent to all schools and LEAs in the autumn and is on the Department's Standards website.

  School Management (Pupil Participation)
  Linda Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidance documents are available to schools and local education authorities concerning pupil participation in the management of schools. [5021]

  Mr. Timms
  Many schools already involve pupils in management issues that concern them. With the introduction of citizenship, a statutory part of the secondary curriculum from September 2002, active participation in decision making at school will be encouraged. Good practice already exists in many schools, for example through school councils where pupils represented on governing bodies are involved in staff recruitment, school policies and catering decisions. Guidance for secondary schools is available on the DfES
  778W
  John Healey
  I have received representations from 36 companies concerning the fact that they are required to pay a training levy to the CITB.

  Welsh Universities
  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students from the UK were educated at Welsh universities in the last five years. [6404]

  Margaret Hodge
  The information requested is shown in the following table.

  website and the Department has funded Schools Councils UK to produce primary and secondary school council toolkits.

  Supply Teachers
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations she has received about uncompetitive practices operating within the provision of agency supply teachers to maintained schools. [5453]

  Mr. Timms
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry is responsible for regulating employment agencies, including those supplying teachers to schools. My Department has received no recent representations on this matter.

  Excellence in Cities
  Mr. Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on delays in funding projects for Excellence in Cities City Learning Centres Phase 3; and if she will provide details of the progress made. [5674]

  Mr. Timms
  There are no such delays. The allocation of Phase 3 City Learning Centres was confirmed in March of this year and Phase 3 Excellence in Cities areas were told in May that all Centres would open by September 2003. This remains the case. Officials are at present considering the funding arrangements for those Centres.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what targets for a reduction in(a) primary and (b) secondary school class sizes she has set for each of the next five years; and if she will make a statement. [5690]

  Mr. Timms
  We have introduced legislation to ensure that the size of infant classes for 5, 6 and 7-year-olds is limited to 30 or fewer by this September at the latest. Since January 1998 the Government have reduced the
  779W
  number of infants in large classes by around 450,000: in January 2001 as few as 36,000 (2 per cent.) infants were in classes of 31 or more compared to 485,000 (29 per cent.) in January 1998. No further class size targets have been set.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what funding is available to schools with special educational needs; and how much is available under each stream. [5374]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: Funding for schools is allocated and distributed via local education authorities (LEAs) under local arrangements for the Fair Funding of schools. It is for individual LEAs and schools to decide spending priorities for pupils with special educational needs.

  In the current year more than £22 billion is available for the education of school children including children with special educational needs. Over £1 billion of this is used by LEAs to provide additional support for children with special educational needs. In addition, when allocating budgets to schools in 2000–01, LEAs identified over £1.7 billion as notionally allocated towards special educational needs.

  We have also made £82 million of supported expenditure available for special educational needs in this year's Standards Fund. This compares to £55 million last year. The fund can be used for a range of activities including training for staff in special educational needs, improvements in speech and language therapy provision for children with communication difficulties, the provision of information and advice to parents and the greater inclusion of children with special educational needs in the mainstream.

  In addition to their normal funding, all schools in England have received funding through the School Standards Grant. The Grant will total £640 million in the current financial year. A typical secondary school will receive an extra £70,000 and a typical primary £24,000. Special Schools with up to 100 pupils will receive £20,000 in the 2001–02 financial year and those with over 100 pupils will receive £28,000.

  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children with special educational needs were on roll in each local education authority in(a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999, (d) 2000 and (e) 2001 broken down by those without and those with statements. [5375]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 19 July 2001]: The available data are contained in tables, copies of which have been placed in the Library.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  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]
  780W
  Mr. Timms
  In the financial year 1998–99, grant-maintained (GM) schools in Surrey received recurrent funding from the former Funding Agency for 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.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many PFI transactions have been overseen by her Department in each of the last 10 years; what her estimate is of the cost savings made in each of these transactions in comparison with the public sector alternative; what are the outstanding payments to be made in relation to these transactions for each of the next 15 years; and if she will make a statement. [5722]

  Mr. Timms
  The first local authority schools PH project was signed in 1998. A total of 56 schools PFI
  781W
  projects have been approved by this Department and the Treasury chaired Project Review Group. Of these, 30 have so far reached commercial and financial close, as follows: 1997–98 (1), 1998–99 (6), 1999–2000 (9) and 2000–01 (14).

  Published guidance on Public Sector Comparators (PSCs) notes that: "Accounting Officers should not rely solely on a straight comparison of a PFI bid to its PSC, which should never be regarded as a pass/fail test but instead as a quantitative way of informing judgment." (Treasury Taskforce Technical Note No 5: How to construct a public sector comparator).

  As agreed with the National Audit Office, payments to contractors under PFI contracts are commercially in confidence. Aggregate figures of estimated payments under all PFI contracts for the years 2000–01 to 2025–26 were published in Table C18 of the Budget 2001 "Red Book".

  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the economic penalties imposed on private sector firms in each of the last five years for

  Project

  Type

  PFI credit value in £ million

  Birmingham—10 schools

  Refurbishment

  50.6

  Brent (FAS)—Jews Free School

  New School

  9.0

  Cornwall—grouped

  Refurbishment/Rationalisation

  60.7

  Derbyshire

  Refurbishment

  29.0

  Dorset—Colfox School

  New School

  15.6

  Dudley

  ICT Services

  29.5

  East Riding—Bridlington

  Refurbishment

  26.0

  East Sussex—Peacehaven

  New School/Refurbishment

  19.0

  Enfield—Worlds End Lane Secondary

  New School

  15.9

  Essex—Loughton,

  New School

  11.1

  Haringey—secondary schools

  New School/Refurbishment

  62.5

  Hillingdon

  New School

  18.8

  Kent—Swanscombe

  New School

  11.6

  Kingston-upon-Hull—Victoria Dock

  New School

  2.8

  Kirklees—grouped

  Refurbishment

  59.2

  Lancashire—Fleetwood High

  Refurbishment

  13.4

  Leeds—Cardinal Heenan

  Refurbishment

  4.1

  Lewisham

  Catering

  4.3

  Liverpool—Speke/Garston

  Replacement

  10.8

  Manchester—Temple School

  Replacement

  3.7

  Newham

  New School

  30.0

  North Yorkshire—four schools

  Replacement

  7.2

  Portsmouth—Miltoncross Secondary

  New School

  12.4

  Sheffield—six schools

  Refurbishment

  58.8

  Staffordshire—two schools

  Refurbishment

  13.7

  Stoke-on-Trent—grouped

  Energy Management

  93.0

  Torbay—two Torquay schools

  Refurbishment

  14.2

  Waltham Forest—Leyton

  New School

  18.5

  Wiltshire—three schools

  New School

  38.6

  Wirral—nine schools

  Refurbishment

  58.5

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many private finance initiatives have been underestimated, detailing in each case the amount by which the original cost expectation was exceeded. [3363]

  Mr. Timms
  The Private Finance Initiative (PFI) procurement process is a negotiated procedure which, by its nature, involves changes in the scope and cost of a project as it is developed by a Local Education Authority.
  782W
  failures to deliver in relation to key performance indicators in projects involving the Private Finance Initiative; and if she will make a statement. [5723]

  Mr. Timms
  Local authorities are generally responsible for monitoring the performance of Private Finance Initiative contracts in schools. The information requested is not available centrally.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the(a)type, (b)length and (c) value of contract of each Private Finance Initiative in England and Wales; and if she will make a statement. [3362]

  Mr. Timms
  The table shows those local authorities in England that currently have a signed schools Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contract. One other project has reached commercial close, but has not yet reached financial closure. The table shows the type of contract and the PFI credit value for each project. Typically, the length of a PFI contract in the schools sector is of the order of 25 to 30 years, although contracts which provide services not directly related to buildings are for shorter periods.

  PFI in Welsh schools is the responsibility of the National Assembly for Wales.

  Current PFI projects have many years still to run. All schools PFI projects in England require approval from the Treasury chaired Project Review Group (PRG). Financial support from the Department is in the form of PFI credits. The level of PFI credits for each project is set by PRG, after a rigorous review which ensures that projects are financially viable and offer value for money to the public sector. If, due to circumstances beyond an Authority's control, an increase in funding is required, PRG approval must be obtained.

  Departmental Contracts
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the top 10 companies to which her Department contracted out their construction and refurbishment work in the last 12 months. [6424]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

  Departmental Events
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what(a)national and (b)international awareness events her Department and its predecessors participated in since June 1997 in the form of (i) sponsorship, (ii) departmental attendance, (iii) similar departmental activities and (iv) a message of support. [5032]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  The information is not available in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Absence
  David Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many days on average were lost per employee in her Department because of sickness, and how many officials retired early from her Department in each of the past 10 years. [R] [5058]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  The average number of days per employee lost through sickness in my Department was as follows:

  Days

  1999

  17.6

  1998

  19.8

  1997

  19.8

  1996

  110.3

  1995

  110.3

  1994

  28.2

  1994

  31l

  1Department for Education and Employment

  2Department for Education

  3Employment Department Group

  The figures for 2000 have not yet been published. No reliable information is available for 1993. Records for 1992 and earlier years have not been retained.

  The number of officials who retired early was as follows:

  Year

  Number

  2000

  45

  1999

  38

  1998

  49

  1997

  52

  1996

  181

  1995

  79

  1994

  89

  1992–93

  342

  No reliable information is available for ill-health retirements prior to 1996. Separate information is not available for 1992 and 1993.

  Medical Students
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the number of A-level students applying to medical schools in each of the last three years; and if she will make a statement. [37141]

  Margaret Hodge
  I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

  Social Security Benefits
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the impact of withdrawing social security benefits from adults unwilling to have their basic skills levels tested; and if she will make a statement. [3370]

  John Healey
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given earlier today by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, column 686W.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Justices of the Peace (Ethnic Minorities)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many(a)men and (b)women from ethnic communities were appointed justice of the peace for magistrates courts covering the Greater London area during the last 12 months. [4783]

  Mr. Wills
  . In the last 12 months, 38 people (15 men and 23 women) from ethnic communities have been appointed as magistrates in the Greater London area out of a total of 145 new appointments; that is 26.2 per cent. of the total.

  The Middlesex and Inner London Advisory Committees will take part in a scheme involving job shadowing, education and training to encourage people from ethnic minorities to apply for appointment. My noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor announced the scheme, which will be run with the help of Operation Black Vote, on 2 May and it will be launched shortly. Any assistance my hon. Friend can give to assist in the recruitment of people from ethnic minority backgrounds would also be welcome.

  Damages Act
  Mr. Gamier
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the average gross redemption yield on Index Linked Government stock was for the three years to 8 June. [13654)

  Mr. Wills
  A figure of 2.61 per cent. for the average yield on index linked government stock for the three years up to 8 June 2001 was quoted in the Lord Chancellor's reasons for setting the discount rate for personal injury awards at 2.5 per cent. Those reasons were placed in the Library of this House when that decision was announced on 27 June 2001.

  Since then some questions have been raised about that figure, and the Debt Management Office, an executive agency of HM Treasury, which supplied it, have been providing advice to the Lord Chancellor on the calculation

  785W
  performed. The Lord Chancellor is considering that advice. He proposes to make a further announcement as soon as possible and will lay his further reasons in the Library of the House during the recess.

  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his answer of 27 June 2001,Official Report, column 115W, on the Damages Act 1996, what account was taken of the guidance provided by the Judicial Committee of the House of Lords in Wells v. Wells [1999] 1 AC 345. [3656]

  Mr. Wills
  The Lord Chancellor's reasons for setting the discount rate for personal injury awards at 2.5 per cent. were laid in the Library of this House on 27 June 2001. In those reasons the Lord Chancellor made clear that the legal principle that guided him, which was confirmed in the judgment in Wells v.Wells (1999) 1AC 345, was that:
  "…the object of the award of damages for future expenditure is to place the injured party as nearly as possible in the same financial position he or she would have been in but for the accident. The aim is to award such a sum of money as will amount to no more, and at the same time no less, than the net loss".

  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his answer of 27 June 2001,Official Report,column 115W, on the Damages Act 1996, what method was used to calculate the discount rate. [3653]

  Mr. Wills
  The Lord Chancellor's reasons for setting the discount rate at 2.5 per cent. were placed in the Libraries of both Houses on 27 June 2001.

  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his answer of 27 June 2001,Official Report, column 115W, on the Damages Act 1996, what consultation was conducted with (a)HM Treasury and (b)the Government Actuary; on what date; and what the outcome was of the consultation. [3655]

  Mr. Wills
  The consultation document "Damages: the Discount Rate and Alternatives to Lump Sum Payments" was sent to HM Treasury along with other interested parties when it was published in March 2000. HM Treasury responded to the paper on 31 May 2000. Subsequently particular questions about the market in index-linked government stock were addressed to HM Treasury on 13 February 2001 and a reply received on 23 February 2001. There were a number of subsequent exchanges on technical issues concerning index-linked government stock.

  The Government Actuary's Department provided a report to the Lord Chancellor's Department in December 1998. This was used to inform the Lord Chancellor's consultation paper which was published in March 2000, a copy of which was sent to the Government Actuary. The Government Actuary made further comments in a letter of 26 October 2000.

  The Debt Management Office, a Treasury executive agency, supplied the figure for the average yield of index-linked government stock for the three years to 8 June 2001 which was quoted in the Lord Chancellor's reasons for setting the discount rate at 2.5 per cent.

  The Lord Chancellor also took account of views received in response to the consultation and further evidence obtained from external advisers in arriving at his decision, which was announced to this House in the
  786W
  answer referred to in the question. Copies of the Lord Chancellor's reasons were placed in the Libraries of both Houses on 27 June 2001.

  The decision was the Lord Chancellor's and the Lord Chancellor's alone. No regard whatsoever was had to public expenditure implications.

  Mediation Services
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the cost of Government funding to the mediation services was in England in each of the past five years. [5365]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The amounts paid by the Legal Services Commission as remuneration for publicly funded family mediation work for the last five years are as follows.

  Year

  £

  1996–97

  2,066,000

  1997–98

  5,266,000

  1998–99

  9,580,000

  1999–2000

  7,137,000

  2000–01

  10,719,784

  In addition the following funding was provided by the Legal Services Commission to national family mediation bodies for the development of family mediation:

  Year

  £

  1996–97

  15,400

  1997–98

  497,250

  1998–99

  679,000

  1999–2000

  374,000

  2000–01

  315,000

  These figures relate to England and Wales, and separate figures for England alone are not available.

  Additionally, in both 2000–01 and 2001–02 Mediation UK received grants of £90,000, which were funded jointly by the Legal Services Commission, the Home Office, the Department of Health and the Treasury.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps she is taking to ensure that mediation services in England receive adequate funding to continue their work. [5327]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Publicly funded family mediation is available throughout England and Wales and mediation services receive remuneration for mediation work carried out under contract from the Legal Services Commission. Some funding has been provided for service start-up costs, and mediation services also receive income from private clients. Some mediation services also receive funding under local partnership agreements with the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service. In addition, the Lord Chancellor's Department funded an advertising campaign in January this year to help raise awareness of family mediation.

  Ministerial Duties
  David Maclean
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will list for each
  787W
  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. [4903]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  A Minister in the Lord Chancellor's Department will be on duty throughout the parliamentary summer recess, in line with paragraph 68 of the current Ministerial Code.

  Departmental Events
  David Maclean
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what(a)national and (b)international awareness events the Lord Chancellor's Department 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. [5042]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The information requested by the right hon. Gentleman could be provided only at disproportionate cost. If he requires specific information relating to a particular event I would be happy to assist if he could write to me.

  Juries
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what guidance he has issued on the composition of juries in areas with high proportions of ethnic minorities; and if he will make a statement. [5650]

  Mr. Wills
  There is no guidance on the composition of juries in areas with high proportions of ethnic minorities. Jury service is governed by the principle of random selection, subject to the law on disqualified and ineligible jurors. Under the Juries Act 1974, jurors are chosen at random from the electoral register.

  Religious Discrimination
  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what progress he has made in reviewing changes to anti-Catholic terms contained in the Act of Settlement 1701 and the Bill of Rights 1688. [5890]

  Mr. Wills
  The Government have always stood firm against discrimination in all its forms, including discrimination against Roman Catholics, and will continue to do so. We have a heavy legislative programme and no immediate plans to legislate in this area, but we are monitoring the debate and shall be considering this matter further.

  Queen's Golden Jubilee
  David Wright
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the competitions for civic honours to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee will be launched; and if she will make a statement. [6533]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The competitions for grants of city status to one town in each of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and for a Lord Mayoralty, will be launched next Wednesday, 25 July, by means of press notices. Letters will be posted on 24 July to the towns and cities known to be interested in applying for these honours. Both the letters and the press notices will provide some guidance on the main factors that will be 788W
  taken into account in identifying the successful towns and city. The honours will, however, continue to be rare marks of distinction conferred, on Ministerial advice, under the Royal Prerogative, rather than rights to be earned by the meeting of specific criteria.

  Applications submitted for the grant of city status to mark the Millennium will be reconsidered if the local authorities so wish, with or without additional material. The closing date for the submission of applications and any fresh material will be 12 October 2001. The Government hope to announce the results of the competitions in the early months of 2002.

  Advisory Board on Family Law
  Dr. Desmond Turner
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when she will publish the Fourth Annual Report of the Lord Chancellor's Advisory Board on Family Law. [6535]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The Advisory Board on Family Law has today published its Fourth Annual Report and copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Tribunals
  Mrs. Fitzsimons
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when she will publish the report of Sir Andrew Leggatt's review of tribunals. [6534]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Sir Andrew Leggatt sent his report to the Lord Chancellor on 31 March 2001. The Government intend to publish the report shortly, together with a consultation paper seeking views on its principal recommendations. Copies of both documents will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Property Rights
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will introduce legislation so that greater protection is given to unmarried partners following the break-up of a relationship and in particular so that they have additional rights in the apportioning of property if that person's name is not formally registered in joint ownership of that property. [5562]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The Government have no current plans to legislate in this area. However, the Law Commission is currently reviewing the law as it relates to the property rights of people who share homes. This covers a wide category of person including all those who live in the same household other than by reason of one of them being the other's employee, tenant, lodger or boarder. It is expected that the Law Commission will be in a position to publish a consultation paper in the spring of 2002. The Government will of course be interested in the Law Commission's proposals, and in the response to them.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

  Local Government
  Mr. Gummer
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if his plans for further powers for regional Government in England will entail other changes to the local government structure. [4122]
  789W
  Mr. Raynsford
  I have been asked to reply.

  As my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister announced on 2 July 2001, Official Report, column 80W, the Government intend to publish a White Paper on regional governance in England. This will set out the Government's thinking on these issues.

  No decisions have yet been taken on what—if any—changes in local government structure might be involved in taking forward the Government's proposals in relation to elected regional assemblies.

  Mr. Gummer
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has for reforming local government. [4120]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I have been asked to reply.

  The White Paper "Modern Local Government: In Touch with the People", published in 1998, set out a 10-year programme for the reform and modernisation of local government in England so that councils everywhere can be effective leaders of their communities and can deliver the highest quality local services. We have already made considerable progress through the introduction of best value, local public service agreements (LPSAs), new political management structures and a new ethical framework for local government.

  We are now building on these achievements, easing the burden of regulation on councils, reforming the local government finance regime and developing our commitment to give freedoms and flexibilities to high performing councils. We intend during the autumn to publish a new White Paper setting out an up-to-date picture of our plans.

  Ministerial Duties
  David Maclean
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list for each week from Monday 23 July to Monday 8 October which departmental ministers will be on duty(a)in the United Kingdom and (b)in London. [4905]

  The Deputy Prime Minister: It is not normal practice of Government to publish the daily ministerial duty roster. This Department will ensure that it has sufficient cover through the summer recess in line with the requirements of the Ministerial Code.

  Work Permits
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what representations were made, and when, to Government Departments on behalf of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Authority regarding the applications for work permits by Mr. Hector Sam and Mr. Carlos Edwards. [2089]

  Mr. Leslie
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, my hon. Friend the Member for Wallasey (Angela Eagle), on 27 June 2001,Official Report, column 97W.

  Departmental Units
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the cross-departmental and other units run from within his Department, listing in each case(a)the reports
  790W
  which they have published to date and (b)the topics on which they are engaged; and if he will make a statement. [2678]

  Mr. Leslie
  I shall write to the hon. Member with a full answer as soon as the information is available, and place a copy in the Libraries of the House.

  Green Ministers
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) if he will set out the terms of reference for the role of the Green Minister in his Department; and if he will make a statement; [4821]

  (2) on what date a Green Minister was first appointed in his Department; when subsequent appointments were made; and if he will make a statement. [4822]

  Mr. Leslie
  I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to him by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment on 13 July 2001,Official Report, columns 689–90W.

  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister on what dates his Department's Green Minister attended meetings of the Green Ministers' Committee during the current Session of Parliament; on what dates subsequent meetings are planned to take place; and if he will make a statement. [4820]

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

  Electronic Communications
  Brian White
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans the Cabinet Office has to revise the guidance to Departments on the use of electronic communications at work. [5737]

  Mr. Leslie
  The second edition of guidance to Departments entitled "Electronic Communications at Work: What you Need to Know" will be published shortly by the Office of the e-Envoy. It seeks to support Departments in encouraging the responsible use of e-mails and the internet by their staff. Copies will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses and will be available on the e-Envoy's website.

  e-Government
  David Taylor
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what progress has been made on the second e-Government International Benchmarking Study. [5736]

  Mr. Leslie
  The second e-Government International Benchmarking Study has now concluded and the report is published today on the website of the e-Envoy at http://www.e-envoy.gov.uk/publications/reports/benchmarkingV2/intro.htm. Copies of the report have been laid in the Libraries of the House.

  Archway Tower
  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the rental income is for Archway Tower N19; what the expenditure by public sources was in the last 12 months; and how much capital expenditure there has been on the building in each of the last three years. [5362]
  791W
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  I have been asked to reply.

  Archway Tower is owned by a commercial landlord, so there is almost no rental income to the Exchequer. However, the annual rent payable is £884,000 for Archway Tower plus a further £29,400 for 49 adjoining car parking spaces. There is a nominal annual rent income to the Exchequer of £13,295 from Vodaphone transmitter aerials located on the roof of the building. There is no
  792W
  intention to generate rental income from sub-letting because the building is currently being fitted out for full beneficial occupation by the Public Guardianship Office (PGO) and the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) within the next nine months. The expenditure by public sources in the last 12 months was £1.346,805. The capital expenditure on the building in each of the last three years was £458,449 in 2000–01, £2,511,430 in 1999–2000 and £4,572,656 in 1998–99.