Written Answers of 27 June 2001

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Missing Israeli Service Men
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the representations he has made on behalf of missing Israeli service men. [834]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  This Government condemn hostage taking under any circumstances. On 3 May my right hon. Friend the previous Foreign Secretary and my hon. Friend the Member for Cunninghame, North (Mr. Wilson) met the families of the three soldiers kidnapped by Hizballah on 7 October and the reservist Colonel kidnapped on 4 October. 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 ICRC. We strongly support all efforts to secure the release of all hostages, particularly efforts led by the United Nations Secretary General.

  Entry Clearance
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guidance he has given on the use of ministerial discretion in overturning the decisions of entry clearance officers overseas; and if he will place a copy of the guidance in the Library. [801]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Entry Clearance Officers (ECOs) consider entry clearance applications and apply the Immigration Rules to determine whether to grant or refuse entry clearance. In exceptional circumstances, an FCO Minister may exercise his/her discretion to overturn an ECO's decision, if the Minister considers that in fact the requirements of the Immigration Rules have, or have not, been met. This discretion extends only to decisions made in accordance with the Immigration Rules. The exercise of discretion to make a decision outside the Rules is only undertaken by a Home Office Minister.

  EU Enlargement
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if firm dates have been set for EU membership for(a) Cyprus and (b) Turkey. [307]

  Peter Hain
  No firm date has been set for the accession of any candidate country to the EU. However, the Gothenburg European Council agreed that, provided progress towards meeting the accession criteria continues at an unabated pace, the road map for enlargement should make it possible to complete negotiations by the end of 2002 for those candidates that are ready. The objective is that they should participate in the European Parliament elections of 2004 as members. The Government fully support this approach.
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  Both Turkey and Cyprus are candidates for the EU. Cyprus is well advanced in its negotiations, having provisionally closed negotiations in 22 out of the 31 chapters of the EU's acquis communautaire. Turkey has yet to begin negotiations, as it has not fulfilled the Copenhagen political criteria (covering issues such as human rights, the rule of law and respect for and protection of minorities). The Government look forward to further progress by Turkey, in line with the priorities set out in the EU's Accession Partnership with Turkey.

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has for discussions with his counterparts from(a) Latvia, (b) Lithuania, (c) Bulgaria, (d) Estonia, (e) Romania, (f) the Czech Republic, (g) Slovakia, (h) Poland and (i) Hungary on EU enlargement. [314]

  Peter Hain
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met a number of his counterparts from the Central European EU applicant countries at the European Council meeting in Gothenburg on 15–16 June. The Government attach the utmost importance to the enlargement of the EU and my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I intend to expand our dialogue with the applicants in the coming months. Programmes of inward and outward visits are under discussion.

  Balkans
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has a strategy to achieve peace in(a) Kosovo, (b) Macedonia and (c) the Balkans in general; and if he will make a statement. [308]

  Mr. MacShane
  The UK is working closely with its partners and key international organisations to bring peace and stability to the Balkans.

  In Kosovo, we fully support the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) in their efforts, in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 1244, to secure the establishment of a democratic, tolerant, multi-ethnic society and to achieve lasting security for all of Kosovo's population. Elections to a Kosovo Assembly in November 2001 will deliver the provisional democratic self-governing institutions foreseen in UNSCR 1244, and will provide an important opportunity for the people of Kosovo to have a say in how Kosovo is to be run. Extremism and organised crime are significant regional problems, and are the biggest internal threat to stability in Kosovo. We support UNMIK and KFOR in their efforts to combat extremism and to promote law and order throughout the province.

  In Macedonia, we strongly support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country and condemn all acts of extremist violence. We welcome the efforts of EU High Representative Solana and NATO Secretary-General Lord Robertson to promote inter-ethnic dialogue and an overall political settlement. The British Ambassador in Skopje has played a key role in recent months as Mr. Solana's Special Representative. We welcome the 25 June decision of the EU's General Affairs Council to appoint a senior political figure, Francois Leotard, as Mr. Solana's new full-time resident representative in Skopje. In the light of recent events, we hope he will be able to encourage all the parties to take the political process forward rapidly, to

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  head off the risk of further violence. We are discussing with Allies a possible NATO role in disarming NLA members in support of any peace agreement.

  The key elements of our regional strategy are fostering regional co-operation, inter-ethnic reconciliation and economic reform through the Stability Pact and the EU's Stabilisation and Association Process. As it made clear at the Zagreb summit, the EU has offered the incentives of potential EU membership, generous trade access and technical assistance in return for commitments to democracy, regional co-operation and economic reform. We also continue to take tough measures against extremists and organised crime whose activities continue to undermine the region.

  Kashmir
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the position of Her Majesty's Government regarding(a) the recent developments in Kashmir and (b) the scheduled meeting between Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Chief Executive General Pervez Musharraf. [309]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  We are concerned by the increasing violence in Kashmir. We have therefore welcomed the recent announcement that talks will take place between Prime Minister Vajpayee and President Musharraf in July. I hope that this leads to constructive and meaningful dialogue and progress on all the issues that divide India and Pakistan.

  Lord Levy
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the official visits to be made by Lord Levy. [310]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Lord Levy will undertake further visits as necessary.

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has met Lord Levy since assuming office; and what plans he has for meetings with Lord Levy. [311]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The Secretary of State met Lord Levy on 19 June. He and Lord Levy will meet as necessary.

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to visit(a) the Middle East, (b) the Balkans, (c) Russia and (d) Cyprus. [312]

  Mr. Straw
  I had planned to visit Macedonia on 26–27 June. However, in the light of developments overnight in Skopje, I decided it would not be right to go ahead now. But I am keen to make an early visit to Skopje and will do so at the earliest opportunity.

  I am currently considering proposals for visits to a number of other countries. The House will be informed when decisions have been made.

  Stability Pact
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of the Stability Pact in South Eastern Europe. [313]

  Mr. MacShane
  The Stability Pact for South-East Europe, in which the EU plays a leading role is aimed at increasing economic confidence in the region, and bringing its states into Euro-Atlantic structures. It is making good progress and has taken an active role in the achievement of two regional agreements. On 27 June, on the eve of the Stability Pact Regional Table meeting in Brussels, Ministers from the region are expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on trade liberalisation, while representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovinia, Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia are expected to sign an agreement refugee returns. While concern remains over political developments, in Macedonia and the UK played a leading role in bringing the trade negotiations to a successful conclusion, supporting the Pact's Macedonian-led trade liberalisation group with expertise and technical assistance.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Sudan
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has made to the Government of Sudan over the recent bombings of civilians in the Nuba mountains. [778]

  Clare Short
  We have regularly expressed concern at the highest levels in Khartoum about incidents of aerial bombing of civilian targets. We do so bilaterally and also with our European partners through the EU/Sudan Political Dialogue. We also issued a statement, with our EU partners, calling for restraint by both sides in the wake of the renewed SPLA offensive in Bahr al Ghazal.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Lottery Funding
  Mr. David
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she will take to direct Lottery funding to where it is most needed. [1272]

  Tessa Jowell
  I am announcing today a £150 million initiative to target Lottery money at those most deprived local authorities which have received less lottery funding than other parts of the UK. Over three years, £100 million from the Community Fund and £50 million from the New Opportunities: Fund will be provided to help some 50 areas. The initiative will be UK-wide and will begin in April 2002.

  Radio Licences
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will ensure that United Christian Broadcasting receives a radio broadcasting licence. [15]
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  Dr. Howells
  The Radio Authority is responsible for awarding radio broadcast licences under the terms of the Broadcasting Acts. United Christian Broadcasters already hold two satellite radio licences issued by the Radio Authority.

  The Broadcasting Act 1990 disqualifies bodies whose objects are wholly or mainly of a religious nature from holding a terrestrial national analogue radio licence or a digital radio licence issued by the Radio Authority. The White Paper, "A New Future for Communications", announced our intention to lift the ban on religious bodies from holding local digital licences, at the next legislative opportunity. The White Paper also invited comments on relaxing the restrictions regarding the ownership of other licences by such bodies. We are currently considering the responses made. The Government will publish details of their proposals in a draft Bill as announced in the Queen's Speech.

  Sponsorship (Tobacco Companies)
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the financial consequences for sport of the proposed ban on sponsorship by tobacco companies. [143]

  Tessa Jowell
  [holding answer 25 June 2001]The Government are committed to banning all forms of tobacco advertising and promotion, with certain limited exceptions, and will be introducing legislation in due course concerning tobacco sponsorship of sport. In the Draft Regulatory Impact Assessment to the Draft Tobacco (Prohibition of Advertising and Promotion) Regulations published in 1999, the annual cost of tobacco sponsorship of sport was estimated at £43 million. It is difficult to estimate the extent to which this sponsorship income would be lost as much may well be replaced by other sources.

  Wembley National Stadium Ltd.
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the £20 million which Wembley National Stadium Ltd. agreed to pay back to Sport England will be returned.[105]

  Tessa Jowell
  [holding answer 25 June 2001]During discussions held in April, the Football Association reiterated its commitment to repay £20 million of the lottery grant invested in the Wembley Stadium project to Sport England in return for the removal of athletics. The timetable for repayment will depend on the conclusions of the review which Patrick Carter has agreed to undertake.

  Rate Relief (Sports Clubs)
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with Brighton and Hove Council regarding the availability of discretionary rate relief for sports clubs. [137]

  Tessa Jowell
  [holding answer 25 June 2001]I have not had any discussions with Brighton and Hove Council regarding the availability of discretionary rate relief for sports clubs since my appointment. This issue was addressed in the Local Government Finance Green Paper and the Government are currently considering the responses to it. A White Paper will be published later this year.

  Cricket
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what representations she has received regarding the need for legislative change to enable action to be taken against individuals who take part in cricket pitch invasions; and if she will make a statement; [110]

  (2) what discussions she has had with the England and Wales Cricket Board regarding crowd behaviour at one day international matches. [109]

  Tessa Jowell
  [holding answer 25 June 2001]I have received no representations on this subject. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Sport discussed the recent incidents at the matches played at Edgbaston and Headingley with the England and Wales Cricket Board prior to, and during, his visit to the one day international at Trent Bridge on 19 October. My right hon. Friend will shortly be arranging a meeting with the Board and the Home Office to discuss a range of issues concerning security at cricket matches.

  English Tourism Council
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to restore a marketing function to the English Tourism Council. [103]

  Tessa Jowell
  [holding answer 25 June 2001]I have no such plans; however, I shall be taking stock of tourism policy, including the work of the English Tourism Council.

  The Tote
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to transfer the Tote to the private sector; and if she will make a statement. [96]

  Tessa Jowell
  [holding answer 25 June 2001]The Government's proposals for the Tote were set out by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary in his statement to the House on 2 March last year. It remains our intention to bring forward legislation to provide for a sale when Parliamentary time allows.

  World Athletics Championships 2005
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the ability of London to host the 2005 World Athletics Championships. [93]

  Tessa Jowell
  [holding answer 25 June 2001]A full assessment of London's ability to meet the IAAF requirements for the staging of the World Athletics Championships formed part of the successful bid for the 2005 Championships. The bid was prepared by a steering group which was co-ordinated by UK Sport and UK Athletics.

  Concessionary TV Licences
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proposals she has to change the working of the concessionary scheme so that eligibility
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  for concessionary TV licences is not lost when someone under 60 years moves into the beneficiary's sheltered housing. [926]

  Dr. Howells
  On 9 April this year, the Government announced their intention to introduce measures to preserve the rights of beneficiaries of the Accommodation for Residential Care concessionary television licence scheme who remain in accommodation provided or managed by a local authority, a housing association or a development corporation, when the social mix or the level of warden cover change. We are consulting with the BBC on the formulation of the necessary amendments to the regulations governing the concessionary scheme.

  Professional Sport (Drugs)
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action she is taking to tackle the use of drugs by professional sportsmen and women. [780]

  Mr. Caborn
  This Government are firmly committed to combating doping in sport. We currently spend over £1 million a year on the UK anti-doping programme, which is delivered through UK Sport in conjunction with sports governing bodies. This programme includes both in and out-of competition testing of athletes, the development of a national policy framework, and the provision of education and information services for athletes and governing bodies. We are also working closely with European and International colleagues towards global harmonisation in the fight against doping in sport. In particular we are working to ensure a strong UK input into the work of the recently established World Anti-Doping Agency.

  British Board of Film Classification
  Mark Tami
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the British Board of Film Classification's Annual Report will be published. [1271]

  Tessa Jowell
  The British Board of Film Classification's Annual Report is published today and I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  UK Sports Institute
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many athletes have to date received assistance from the UK Sports Institute. [125]

  Tessa Jowell
  [holding answer 25 June 2001]The number of athletes to date that have received assistance from the UK Sport Institute is 1,416. This is broken down as 855 at UK level, 139 in Wales, 172 in Scotland and 250 in England.

HEALTH

  Palliative Care
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what financial support his Department gives services for palliative care; and how such funds are to be distributed. [12]
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  Yvette Cooper
  The National Health Service supports the provision of specialist palliative care services by NHS service providers and voluntary organisations. The NHS Cancer Plan set out our commitment to increase NHS investment in specialist palliative care by £50 million by 2004 to end inequalities in access to care and enable the NHS to make a realistic contribution to the cost that hospices incur in providing agreed levels of service.

  Cancer networks are currently developing detailed service delivery plans, which will identify current provision and set out action plans for further development across all services including palliative care. These will be completed by the autumn.

  Haemophiliacs
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when recombinant genetically engineered haemophiliac treatment will be available to all patients in England. [306]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 26 June 2001]We have already instructed National Health Service trusts to provide recombinant clotting factors to new haemophilia patients and those under 16. Earlier this year we met representatives from the Haemophilia Alliance to discuss the case for extending this provision to all haemophilia patients in England and we are giving this careful consideration. However there is currently a worldwide shortage of recombinant clotting factors and, while this continues, it will not be possible to increase the availability of these products.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Departmental Services
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has for the services and functions carried out by her Department. [1165]

  Ms Hewitt
  I want to ensure that my Department is fully able to play its part in meeting the Enterprise and Productivity Challenge which the Government set last week for this Parliamentary session. I am therefore announcing today a review of the priorities and structure of my Department. I have asked to receive initial recommendations by mid September.

  In addition, on 13 June I announced a major review of my Department's support for business. Some £1 billion a year of support is made available to business and I want to ensure that this funding is properly targeted as part of my drive to help UK businesses get to the future first. The review of business support will focus on two strands: industrial support and manufacturing; and then wider business support. I hope to be able to announce first results by late summer.

  Both of these reviews will he undertaken in consultation with business and the Department's other stakeholders.

  Power Generation
  Mr. Damian Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what plans the Government have to increase use of gas-fired power; and if she will make a statement; [838]
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  (2) what plans the Government have to reduce dependence on coal-fired power; and if she will make a statement. [839]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Government have no plans to do either. Rather, the Government have established a fully competitive market structure for electricity generation in which both coal and gas are competing well.

  Yesterday my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced that he has asked the Performance and Innovation Unit to undertake a review of the strategic issues surrounding UK energy policy. The aim of the review will be to define objectives within that framework and to develop a strategy consistent with longer-term goals. Competitive markets will continue to be central to energy policy.

  Packaging Waste Regulations
  Mr. Damian Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what responsibility her Department has for the packaging waste regulations; and if she will make a statement. [808]

  Mr. Wilson
  The UK packaging waste regulations implement European Parliament and Council Directive 94/62/EC on Packaging and Packaging Waste. This Directive aims both to reduce the environmental impact of waste packaging and to ensure the functioning of the single market with respect to packaging. The single market provisions of the Directive require member states to ensure that packaging may be placed on the market only if it complies with certain essential requirements and heavy metals limits. These measures are implemented in the UK through the Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations SI 1998 No. 1165 and enforcement powers have been given to local Trading Standards Departments. These regulations fall under my area of responsibility.

  In addition to my responsibilities for these regulations my department represents the UK at meetings of the technical adaptation committee set up under Article 21 of Directive 94/62/EC.

  The other provisions of Directive 94/62/EC are implemented in the UK through the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations SI 1997 No. 648 (as amended in 1999 and 2000) and through similar legislation in the devolved administrations. My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment has the responsibility for these regulations.

  Petrol Prices
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what powers she intends to take to control retail petrol prices in response to a fall in world supply prices. [17]

  Mr. Wilson
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry does not intend to seek further powers.

  The Government believe that free and open competition between fuel suppliers provides consumers with supplies at the best available prices. We are in regular contact with the industry on this and other issues.

  Icelandic Fisherman
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many former Icelandic fisherman have been paid compensation for the loss of their jobs, port by port; and what total sums have been paid out in each port. [1045]

  Nigel Griffiths
  The information requested, broken down by where claimants now live, is in the following table:

  Port

  Number of payments

  Compensation (£)

  Hull

  842

  10,247,847

  Grimsby

  194

  1,492,361

  Fleetwood

  170

  1,792,209

  Blackpool

  24

  205,933

  Cleethorpes

  46

  370,155

  Newcastle

  151

  1,873,305

  West Yorkshire

  84

  958,988

  Abrdeen

  17

  139,187

  Other

  142

  1,324,359

  Greenhouse Gases
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further action she will be taking to encourage businesses to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases. [411]

  Mr. Wilson
  The UK's Climate Change Programme, published last November, sets out the Government's approach to tackling climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. For business this draws together a range of policies and measures. These include:Regulation, such as the implementation of the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Directive through the Pollution Prevention and Control regulations, requiring major industrial plants to take up best available techniques for energy efficiency;
  The Climate Change Levy package, which was introduced in April this year, including the associated climate change levy agreements for energy intensive industries and exemption for renewable sources of energy and good quality combined heat and power; and an enhanced capital allowances scheme;
  A UK Emissions Trading Scheme, due to start in April 2002, with Government funding of £215 million (net of corporation tax) over a five year period. to encourage companies to participate;
  Technology development through the formation of the Carbon Trust to deliver an integrated programme of support to accelerate the take up of low carbon technologies, and help business to prepare for a low carbon future.

WORK AND PENSIONS

  Child Support
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many non-resident parents have been affected by the formula for the calculation of child support as outlined in schedules 1 and 2 to the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000. [368]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The new child support rates set out in schedules 1 and 2 to the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000 are intended radically to simplify the calculation of child maintenance due. These new rates will be introduced for new cases by April 2002,
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  with existing cases transferring once the new system is shown to be working well. No parents have yet been affected by these changes.

  Publications
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on what date he expects to publish the next edition of(a) "Households Below Average Income", (b) "Opportunity for All", the Government's annual report on poverty and (c) "Income-related benefits—estimates of take-up". [355]

  Malcolm Wicks
  "Households Below Average Income 1994–95 to 1999–2000" will be published on 13 July 2001. The next edition of "Opportunity for All" will be published in Autumn 2001. A date for publication of take-up estimates has not yet been determined.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Work Permits
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what basis(a) Mr. Hector Sam and (b) Mr. Carlos Edwards were granted work permits; and what assessment has been made of the extent to which conditions attaching to their work permits have been fulfilled. [1044]

  Angela Eagle
  The work permit applications for Hector Sam and Carlos Edwards were approved after Wrexham Football Club submitted a sworn affidavit from a Trinidad and Tobago Football Association medical official stating that Carlos Edwards and Hector Sam were injured and unavailable for selection in some of the games used to calculate their playing records in the previous two years.

  In line with the policy relating to injuries, set out in the published criteria, those games were excluded from the calculations and the players subsequently met the criterion of playing in at least 75 percent. of competitive international matches in the previous two years prior to the applications being lodged with the Department.

  Work permits are issued to employers to employ an overseas national in a specific post based on the information contained in work permit application form. Where doubt is cast subsequently on that information, the Department investigates this. No concerns have been raised with the Department about Carlos Edwards and Hector Sam.

  Travellers
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to enable police and local authorities to prevent the occupation of parks, sports grounds and public open spaces by travellers and for their immediate eviction; and if he will make a statement. [734]

  Mr. Denham
  Both the police and local authorities have powers under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 to direct travellers or other trespassers to leave land when the appropriate statutory requirements are met. We have no plans to amend this legislation at present although its effectiveness is kept under review.

  Immigration and Nationality Directorate
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many items of correspondence from hon. and right hon. Members are currently being processed by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate; what the average length of time is in dealing with such cases; what action he proposes to take to assist IND in dealing with the backlog of cases; and if he will make a statement; [9]

  (2) how many items of correspondence from hon. and right hon. Members were dealt with by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate in each of the last three years for which figures are available; what the levels of staffing were in each year; and if he will make a statement. [8]

  Angela Eagle
  Figures on the number of items of correspondence from Members of Parliament dealt with by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) and IND's staffing levels in the last three years are set out in the following table:

  1998

  1999

  2000

  Number of letters from MPs received by IND1

  8,518

  10,092

  10,566

  Number of staff in IND at end of calendar year

  5,229

  5,834

  8,538

  1 Excludes cases from MPs addressed directly to IND, for which corresponding figures are unavailable

  In May 2001, IND dealt with 698 items of such correspondence with an average turnaround time of 38 days. At the end of May 2001 the number of letters from MPs to Ministers awaiting a reply was 1,634, and the number of letters from MPs addressed directly to IND awaiting a reply on 21 June was 2,564. Priority is being given, with the use of overtime, to reducing the backlog of outstanding correspondence. IND also operates a MPs Hotline which provides MPs with a dedicated telephone inquiry point and is intended to reduce the need to correspond on immigration and nationality-related matters. Further significant improvements are being sought to the service, so that the time taken to reply to correspondence continues to be reduced.

  European Police Force
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the plans for a European Police Force; and how many officers are to be seconded to it from UK police forces. [149]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 25 June 2001]There are no plans for a European Police Force. A concrete target for European Union policing capabilities in the context of civilian crisis management was agreed at last year's Feira European Council. In the event of the European Union carrying out a civilian policing operation, the United Kingdom would not be obliged to contribute any police officers, but would decide in the light of circumstances whether it was appropriate for the United Kingdom to contribute to the operation, and, if so, at what level of numbers.

  Departmental Transfers
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much his Department has spent on administration associated with the transfer of functions to and from other Departments since 8 June. [241]
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  Mr. Blunkett
  [holding answer 25 June 2001]The information requested is not available.

  Sex Offences
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library the responses to his Department's consultation on reform of the law on sex offences, "Setting the Boundaries". [192]

  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 25 June 2001]We received over 650 responses to "Setting the Boundaries". We are currently assessing the responses and now considering how best to summarise them.

  Police authority net pension costs as a percentage of net expenditure, 1996–97 to 2000–01

  Percentage

  Proportion of expenditure on pensions

  Police authority

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Avon and Somerset

  14.5

  15.6

  14.1

  14.8

  16.2

  Bedfordshire

  9.6

  11.5

  12.6

  11.9

  12.5

  Cambridgeshire

  11.0

  11.9

  12.0

  12.3

  13.0

  Cheshire

  8.3

  11.1

  9.9

  11.1

  11.3

  City of London

  11.6

  12.7

  18.1

  14.2

  15.4

  Cleveland

  11.9

  10.9

  13.8

  14.5

  15.2

  Cumbria

  12.9

  12.8

  14.9

  14.8

  15.4

  Derbyshire

  12.0

  12.8

  11.7

  11.3

  13.4

  Devon and Cornwall

  12.6

  13.5

  14.0

  14.3

  14.0

  Dorset

  11.2

  13.0

  13.1

  14.5

  14.0

  Durham

  11.8

  16.5

  11.1

  12.6

  12.0

  Dyfed Powys

  12.3

  12.0

  13.0

  12.9

  13.2

  Essex

  9.5

  10.6

  12.4

  12.0

  11.3

  Gloucestershire

  13.7

  13.2

  13.5

  13.4

  14.2

  Greater Manchester

  13.9

  16.5

  15.6

  15.9

  15.2

  Gwent

  9.8

  11.6

  9.9

  11.3

  10.8

  Hampshire

  9.5

  9.6

  10.1

  11.5

  10.8

  Hertfordshire

  8.8

  9.5

  9.2

  11.2

  9.8

  Humberside

  10.9

  13.2

  12.8

  13.3

  14.1

  Kent

  8.9

  11.3

  11.2

  11.3

  12.5

  Lancashire

  13.6

  14.2

  12.8

  12.6

  13.5

  Leicestershire

  11.1

  11.9

  11.3

  11.5

  12.1

  Lincolnshire

  12.5

  13.8

  14.6

  15.3

  16.3

  Merseyside

  15.8

  14.9

  14.5

  15.3

  15.7

  Metropolitan police

  10.1

  11.4

  12.7

  11.7

  13.3

  Norfolk

  12.8

  13.2

  12.2

  11.6

  12.6

  North Wales

  12.7

  13.6

  14.5

  13.7

  14.7

  Northamptonshire

  9.6

  12.4

  11.0

  10.7

  11.9

  North Yorkshire

  14.1

  14.5

  13.8

  16.5

  16.3

  Northumbria

  14.6

  15.4

  14.9

  13.9

  14.3

  Nottinghamshire

  11.1

  13.7

  13.4

  13.8

  13.7

  South Wales

  13.8

  17.6

  15.2

  14.3

  15.3

  South Yorkshire

  8.5

  12.1

  9.4

  10.7

  10.6

  Staffordshire

  14.3

  17.3

  13.7

  15.6

  14.8

  Suffolk

  13.2

  13.3

  13.0

  14.9

  13.5

  Surrey

  9.7

  13.7

  11.3

  10.3

  9.3

  Sussex

  12.8

  13.3

  14.2

  14.8

  16.0

  Thames Valley

  8.5

  9.8

  9.4

  9.2

  9.8

  Warwickshire

  8.9

  13.9

  13.0

  14.5

  15.3

  West Mercia

  10.2

  11.0

  12.4

  12.2

  13.3

  West Midlands

  10.2

  12.2

  11.5

  11.3

  11.9

  West Yorkshire

  11.5

  13.0

  13.2

  14.1

  14.2

  Wiltshire

  13.0

  10.4

  10.9

  11.1

  11.1

  Total England and Wales

  11.3

  12.7

  12.7

  12.7

  13.3

  Source:

  CIPFA Actuals 1996–97 to 1999–2000 and Estimates 2000–01

  Police Pensions
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the proportion of expenditure on pensions for each police force in England and Wales for each of the last five years for which figures are available and his estimates for each of the next five years. [157]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 25 June 2001]The proportion of each police force net expenditure attributable to net pension costs for the last five years is given in the table.

  Projections by police authorities of future pension costs were taken fully into account in provisions made in Spending Review 2000.

  Private Security Personnel
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what special circumstances private security operatives would have the powers of a constable listed in paragraph 3.159 of "Criminal Justice: The Way Ahead" (Cm 5074); and if he will make a statement. [158]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 25 June 2001]Private security personnel, working alongside the police in providing greater public reassurance, will:"not generally have the power of the constable"
  ("Criminal Justice: The Way Ahead" (Cm 5074) para. 3.159). Statutory provisions relating to harbours, docks and public parks allow supervisory staff to be sworn as constables, but there are no plans to give private security personnel the powers of constables.

  Home Detention Curfew Scheme
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list, indicating the crimes committed and length of sentence received and served, the prisoners released on the home detention curfew scheme before they had served the requisite period; and if he will make a statement. [218]

  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 25 June 2001]I refer the hon. Member to the answers given by the former Minister of State, my right hon. Friend the Member for Brent, South (Mr. Boateng) to the right hon. Member for Maidstone and The Weald (Miss Widdecombe) on 2 May 2000,Official Report, column 74W, and to the hon. Member on 8 May 2000, Official Report, column 312–13W.

TRANSPORT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE REGIONS

  Aircraft Noise
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what his timetable is for taking forward policy in the light of the consultation paper "On control of aircraft noise from civil aircraft". [2]

  Mr. Jamieson
  My Department received some 590 responses to this detailed consultation. We shall announce our conclusions and bring forward legislation in due course.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what action is being taken to reduce the levels of street homelessness in major cities. [341]

  Ms Keeble
  The Prime Minister set the tough target of reducing the number of people sleeping rough in England to as near to zero as possible and by at least two thirds by 2002.

  In 1998, there were approximately 1,850 people rough sleeping in England. In June 2000, published figures indicated that approximately 1,180 people were sleeping rough, (546 in London and 634 outside of London). This
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  represents a 36 per cent. reduction. The unit will publish updated figures in due course in relation to counts carried out this year.

  "Coming in from the Cold". the Government's strategy on tackling rough sleeping, outlined a raft of new policies and services to deliver the target which are now all in place in all major cities.

  These include helping people sleeping rough on the streets with drug, alcohol and mental health problems; helping former rough sleepers rebuild their lives through education, training and employment; and preventing a new generation of rough sleepers particularly those leaving care, the armed forces and prison.

  Haulage Industry
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the road haulage industry. [418]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Government are committed to working with the road haulage industry to deliver a sustainable distribution system. The 2001 Budget announced a programme of measures, discussed in the Road Haulage Forum and supported by the key partners. to help the industry modernise and improve its environmental performance. We are now working with all parties to implement these. The next meeting of the forum, to be chaired by the Minister for Transport, will take place on 5 July.

  Planning Gain
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what proposals he has to improve regulations governing section 106 planning gain. [350]

  Ms Keeble
  We intend to introduce shortly amendments to the Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) Order 1995 to require all section 106 agreements related to planning applications to be shown on Part of the planning register.

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

  Climate Change
  Mr. Damian Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans the Government have to alter planning policy guidance to promote renewable energy as part of the UK's climate change strategy. [807]

  Ms Keeble
  It is already our policy to promote a positive approach to planning for renewable energy as part of the UK's climate change strategy. Last year we initiated the preparation of regional assessments and targets for renewable energy provision to encourage a more strategic approach to planning at regional and local levels.

  We intend to review the existing planning policy guidance note on ft renewable energy (PPG 22) as soon as practicable.

  Rural Services
  Mr. Damian Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans the Government have to increase the scope of business rate relief for rural services. [836]

  Dr. Whitehead
  The Rating (Former Agricultural Premises and Rural Shops) Act 2001 will introduce a new scheme of rate relief for new, small-scale farm diversification enterprises. It will also extend the mandatory element of the village shop rate relief scheme to all food shops with rateable value of no more than £9,000 in a designated rural settlement with population up to 3,000. We intend to commence the provisions of the Act in the near future. At the same time, we will increase the flat rate discount for premises used for the breeding and rearing of horses and ponies to £3,000 rateable value.

  Since 5 April 2001, mandatory relief under the village shop rate relief scheme has been available to the sole pub or petrol station with rateable value of no more than £9,000 in a designated rural settlement with population up to 3,000. Earlier this year we consulted on a proposal to extend the agricultural rating exemption to ensure it included share and contract farming and machinery rings. We are currently considering this in the light responses received. The extension would require primary legislation.

  Local Government
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local government and the Regions what progress has been made by the taskforce on local government procurement announced in July 2000. [1457]

  Mr. Raynsford
  In July last year the Government announced the establishment of a joint DETR/Local Government Association taskforce to review procurement in local government in the light of the requirements of best value. This Government have given a clear commitment to improving public services and procurement lies at the heart of better services for local people.

  The taskforce has completed its work and its report, "Delivering Better Services for Citizens", is being published today. Copies of the report have been placed in the House Libraries.

  I am grateful for the thorough manner in which Sir Ian Byatt, the chairman, and the members of the taskforce have conducted this review. The report provides a challenging analysis of current procurement practice and makes a number of recommendations for change. It is an important contribution to the debate on the modernisation of local government and the provision of high quality services to local people.

  The DTLR and the LGA have agreed to consult jointly on the report. I intend to provide a detailed response to its findings in the autumn, together with an action plan for implementation.

  Ordnance Survey Executive Agency
  Andrew Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local government and the Regions what agency performance targets have been set for the Ordnance Survey Executive Agency for the financial year 2001–02. [1104]
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  Ms Keeble
  The following performance targets have been set for Ordnance Survey in 2001–02:

  1. To achieve a revenue target of £85.6 million (excluding the National Interest Mapping Service Agreement).

  2. To achieve an efficiency gain of 6 per cent. over the period April 2000 to March 2004. The target for 2001–02 is 3 per cent. against the baseline of 1999–2000.

  3. 93 per cent. of small scale products ordered are despatched with two working days of receipt of order: 98 per cent. are despatched within 10 working days.

  4. To increase the number of users of Ordnance Survey websites by 50 per cent.

  5.99.5 per cent. of significant real world features are represented in the database within six months of completion.

  6. To reduce the carbon emissions from the Ordnance Survey Headquarters building by at least 1 per cent. year on year.

  These targets reflect Ordnance Survey's continuing commitment to customers and to improved value for many of its stakeholders.

TREASURY

  VAT (Small Businesses)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to raise the VAT threshold for small businesses to £100,000; and if he will make a statement. [28]

  Mr. Boateng
  There are no plans to increase the VAT registration threshold to £100,000. As announced in the statement on 18 June by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on enterprise and productivity, Customs are now consulting on a new VAT flat rate scheme. This will make it easier for many smaller businesses with taxable turnover of up to £100,000 to calculate the amount of VAT due and simplify their bookkeeping requirements.

  Recreational Clubs
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what increases in rent are being sought by the Crown Estate Commissioners from recreational clubs. [342]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Crown Estate has as its tenants a large variety of recreational clubs across its marine, rural and urban estates, including yacht clubs, golf clubs and athletic clubs.

  The rents paid by such clubs, and any increases, are dependent upon the terms of the lease, market conditions and comparable land uses, and are settled on a case-by-case basis.

  Child Care
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what tax and benefit measures he plans to introduce to increase the level of support for parents with children of pre-school age who choose to stay at home and look after their children. [934]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The extra support which the Government have introduced through the Working Families Tax Credit and the Children's Tax Credit has greatly increased the choices available to parents about how to combine work and caring for children. The largest
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  gains have been for families with younger children. A single-earner family with two children under 11, and with earnings of around £12,500 a year, is now around £3,000 a year better off than in 1997.

  From April 2002, the Children's Tax Credit will be increased by a further £10 a week, making it worth up to £1,000 a year for around 500,000 families each year in the year of a child's birth. At the same time the Sure Start Maternity Grant, which is available to families on benefit or on WFTC, will rise to £500.

  In 2002 and 2003 increases in statutory maternity pay will guarantee a new minimum income for mothers in the first six months after the birth of a child. A new right to paid paternity leave will help fathers who wish to spend time at home with a new baby.

DEFENCE

  Porton Down
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his Department's inquiry into the use of service personnel for research at Porton Down supervised by Professor Ian Kennedy; if individual volunteers who have claimed compensation will be invited to contribute to the inquiry; if the conclusions reached by the Wiltshire police and the information held by the hon. Members who have pursued the matter in the House will be noted by the inquiry; when he expects the inquiry to be complete; and if all the information that is obtained will be published in full. [731]

  Dr. Moonie
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Truro and St. Austell (Mr. Taylor) on I May 2001,Official Report, columns 550–51W. The historical survey of the Porton Down volunteer programme will gather information from all source material. This will be largely documentary but will also include information from former Porton Down volunteers.

  The historical survey is expected to report in the summer of 2002. The findings of the survey will be published.

  Cyprus
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the findings of the investigation into the death of his Department's civil servant found near Limassol, Cyprus on 17 May; what work he was engaged in at the time; and what conclusions have been reached by the Cyprus police. [729]

  Dr. Moonie
  The civil servant, Mr. M. Morgan, died within the Western Sovereign Base Area (SBA) and as such fell within the jurisdiction of the SBA police force. It is therefore the SBA police, rather than the Cypriot police, who have carried out the investigation into his death.
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  This investigation is now complete and the results have been provided to HM Coroner for his consideration at an inquest into Mr. Morgan's death. No date has yet been set for this inquest, pending receipt of a full report from the UK pathologist. As is usual in these circumstances, details of the police investigation will not be made available until after the Coroner's inquest.

  Mr. Morgan was the Defence Estates Adviser (Works) in Cyprus providing professional building advice to British Forces Cyprus. This role required Mr. Morgan's close involvement in the transition from contractorised Works Services Management to an in-house arrangement pending the implementation of Prime Contracting in Cyprus.

  Aircraft XV208
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if a BAE 146–300 aircraft is(a) owned by and (b) leased to the Meteorological Office to perform research previously done with XV208 Snoopy; what is (i) the lowest operating level and (ii) its highest operating level; and what is the purchase or leasing cost, the cost of on-board equipment and the (A) hourly and (B) annual running cost of the aircraft. [849]

  Dr. Moonie
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Meteorological Office. I have asked him to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Ewins to Mr. Robert Key, dated 27 June 2001:

  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the BAe 146–300 aircraft that will perform research previously done with Hercules XV208, otherwise known as Snoopy. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Met Office.

  BAe Systems are currently modifying and fitting out the aircraft to undertake atmospheric research for both the UK University Community and the Met Office. The aircraft is owned by BAE Systems and will be operated under a service provision contract in the first instance with the University of Manchester Institute for Science and Technology (UMIST) and then the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) for a total period of at least 10 years. The Met Office use of the aircraft will be through a partnership agreement with UMIST and NERC.

  The BAe 146–300 will be capable of operating at heights of between 100 feet and 35,000 feet above sea level with short periods at 50 feet. The highest operating level, in particular, will allow access to a region of the atmosphere that it is critically important to atmospheric researchers.

  Met Office equipment being transferred from Hercules XV208 to BAe 146–300 initially cost in the order of £1.5 million. New and existing on-board instrumentation is also being provided by the University Community.

  The leasing, hourly and annual operating costs of the BAe 146–300 are commercial-in-confidence. However, the consequential savings to the Met Office of moving to shared use of the BAe 146–300 will be £8 million over the next 10 years.

  Mr. Key
  To as k the Secretary of State for Defence what the current location is of aircraft XV208; and what is its current role. [847]

  Dr. Moonie
  Aircraft XV208 is currently based at the Defence Evaluation Research Agency, soon to be QinetiQ, site at Boscombe Down. The aircraft is currently being kept in flying condition while future business for it is explored.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

  Specialist School Status
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many specialist schools with an arts specialism have so far been designated; and how many she intends to designate by January 2002. [797]

  Mr. Timms
  Ninety-one arts colleges have so far been designated. We expect the next designations will be made in January 2002, but it is not possible to say how many. Decisions will be taken at the same time as decisions on the designation of language, sports and technology colleges and will depend in part on the relative quality of applications across the categories.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many specialist status comprehensive schools have been designated. [822]

  Mr. Timms
  Of the 684 designated specialist schools, 616 are comprehensive, 30 are grammar, 29 are secondary modern and nine are special schools.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment her Department has undertaken of the ability of schools to raise £50,000 to support a school's bid for specialist school status. [932]

  Mr. Timms
  No formal assessment has been undertaken into the ability of schools applying for specialist school status to raise sponsorship. We recognised there were difficulties with the original £100,000 requirement and reduced this to £50,000 in 1999. My Department grant aids the technology colleges and youth sport trusts, which provide advice to schools about raising sponsorship and raise funds themselves to support applicant schools. The network of 684 specialist schools shows that applicant schools across the country, including those from rural and inner city areas, have successfully raised the sponsorship required. We shall keep the sponsorship criteria under review.

  Acquired Brain Injury
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what progress has been made on(a) inclusion of information on acquired brain injury in the new guidance on the education of sick children and (b) inclusion of guidance for health professionals on the particular special educational need; of children with acquired brain injury. [783]

  Mr. Timms
  We will be including information on acquired brain injury in the new guidance on the education of sick children to heighten the awareness of the educational needs of pupils with ABI. The new guidance is currently being drafted and it is expected that it will be issued in September 2001.

  The importance of close liaison between education and health services to cover all issues that may effect learning for children and young people with acquired brain injury will be highlighted in guidance on the role of health professionals to be issued in the summer.

  Creative Writing
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps she is taking to ensure creative writing skills are developed at an early age. [798]

  Mr. Timms
  We are committed to ensuring that children enjoy writing and develop the skills they need in order to express themselves clearly and creatively. The National Literacy Strategy "Framework for Teaching" ensures that primary school pupils are taught to write independently from an early stage, and that they are given opportunities to undertake a wide range of writing. In May 2001, we published practical guidance for teachers of four to seven-year-olds on "Developing Early Writing", which emphasises the role of imaginative play and talk in improving writing in the first years of school.

  Middle Schools
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on her policy towards middle schools. [800]

  Mr. Timms
  The Government's view remains that the relative merits of three and two-tier systems of school organisation are a matter for local discussion and determination. Schools should be organised in a way which supports the delivery of the highest possible standards of education and which also reflects parental preference. Local education authorities and school governing bodies, rather than central Government, are best placed to decide on which pattern of provision is most effective for their area.

  Teacher Numbers (Yorkshire)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many(a) primary and (b) secondary school teachers were working in (i) North Yorkshire and (ii) City of York local education authorities on 1 May and projected for 1 May 2002. [34]

  Mr. Timms
  The full-time equivalents of regular teachers (excluding short-term supply) employed in the maintained sector at January each year were as follows:

  2000

  20011

  Nursery/primary

  North Yorkshire

  2,170

  2,230

  City of York

  650

  650

  Secondary

  North Yorkshire

  2,560

  2,590

  City of York

  640

  660

  Total

  North Yorkshire

  4,730

  4,820

  City of York

  1,290

  1,320

  1Provisional

  Note:

  Totals may not be the sum of the component parts because of rounding

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

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

  Sellafield
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will place in the Library a copy of the report by Arthur D. Little Consultants on the economic case for the Sellafield MOX plant. [955]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 26 June 2001]Yes. We intend to publish the report as soon as possible, excluding only that material—such as contract prices—whose publication would cause unreasonable commercial damage to BNFL's commercial operations or to the economic case for the MOX plant itself. We propose to allow people four weeks for comment.

  Water Abstraction
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what decisions she has reached about the possible use of economic instruments in relation to water abstraction. [1273]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Department is publishing tomorrow a paper entitled "Tuning Water Taking". This sets out Government decisions following consultation last year on the use of economic instruments in relation to water abstraction in England and Wales. Copies will be placed in the Library of the House.

  The paper confirms that water abstraction charges will remain limited to recovery of the Environment Agency's water resources management costs. The agency is expected to consult by June 2002 on changes to the current charging scheme within this overall cost ceiling. The paper goes on to say that voluntary abstraction licence trading will be made easier by a variety of means, within the Environment Agency's existing powers, while ensuring that trading does not harm the water environment.

WALES

  Children's Commissioner
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the work of the Children's Commissioner. [527]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I was delighted that the Children's Commissioner for Wales Bill received Royal Assent on 11 May. The Children's Commissioner for Wales Act 2001 radically widens the Commissioner's role and extends his functions to a far greater range of public bodies, including the Assembly, who provide services or exercise devolved functions.

  Peter Clarke took up office on 1 March and his full powers are scheduled to commence this summer, following Assembly Commencement Orders and Regulations. He has been spending the interim months setting up the practical arrangements for his office.

  New Deal
  Dr. Francis
  T o ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions about the extension of the new deal in Wales. [528]

  Mr. Touhig
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State regularly attends meetings with ministerial colleagues, including the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, and I am planning a series of introductory meetings with my ministerial colleagues.

  The Government's new deal programme has proved a very real success. We are keen to build on this success by extending the new deal 25+ to all over-25s who have been on jobseeker's allowance for at least 18 months; extending new deal for lone parents and extending new deal for disabled people to all those claiming invalidity benefit.

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of Wales what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry about the factors which attract inward investment to Wales. [530]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I have regular meetings with my ministerial colleagues, including the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. In addition, ministerial colleagues and I gave evidence to the Welsh Affairs Committee earlier this year on the role of the UK Government in promoting Wales abroad, including the partnership between the Government, British Trade International and the Welsh Development Agency in attracting inward investment.

  Wales has one of the most impressive foreign direct investment track records worldwide, which is a testimony to the high skills levels of the workforce and a range of training programmes, infrastructure, land, property, business services and financial packages. In particular, the securing by the UK Government of Objective 1 status and Tier 1 status under the Assisted Areas map for West Wales and the Valleys allows the Government and the National Assembly to deliver a whole range of financial benefits to companies in that area.

  Corus
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has held with the First Secretary in the National Assembly about the development of new employment opportunities in communities affected by the Corns job cuts in Wales. [531]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Government and the National Assembly for Wales responded quickly to the needs of the steel community with measures of help for steelworkers and their communities affected by Corns decisions. Government-funded measures include on-site job shop centres, as well as access to job vacancies and a job transition scheme, providing intensive advice and help with job search as well as early access to training programmes.

  Additionally, the National Assembly for Wales announced a £50 million package of regeneration and training from the Welsh block to help create jobs and regenerate the communities affected by Corns decisions and has set up an executive group of the Wales Steel Task

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  Force to implement schemes. This may also wish to take advantage of the wide-ranging package of measures and operating aids announced in the B fidget to encourage enterprise, tax incentives for urban regeneration and more spending on public services.

  Tourism
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the First Secretary about tourism operators in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [532]

  Mr. Paul Murphy: I have regular discussions with the First Secretary. In light of the current situation with foot and mouth disease, tourism has of course figured more prominently than ever in these discussions.

  Additionally, the Under-Secretary of State represents the Wales Office on the Government's Rural Task Force, a body on which the Assembly is also represented. As a result of the work of this task force, several initiatives have been announced to assist tourism and rural industries more generally where they have been affected by foot and mouth disease.

  Carers
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will meet the First Secretary to discuss provision for carers in Wales. [533]

  Mr. Touhig
  My right hon. Friend and I will continue to have regular meetings with the First Secretary and Cabinet colleagues to discuss a range of issues, including the provision of services in Wales The Assembly is committed to improving the health and well-being of carers in Wales. On 12 June the Assembly voted to commence the Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000 and approved £3.7 million local authority special grant spending for carers services and breaks. On the same day the Assembly published its first annual report on the Carers' Strategy in Wales Implementation Plan.

  Public Services (Funding)
  Mr. Havard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the mechanism for calculating the level of Government funding for public services in Wales until 2004.[535]

  Mr. Touhig
  My right hon. Friend meets the First Secretary regularly on a range of matters. Last year's Spending Review added some £2 billion to the funding the Assembly will receive by 2003–04 for the delivery of services to Wales.

  Business (Promotion)
  .Albert Owen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he plans to meet the business community in north—west Wales to discuss Government policy on the promotion of business in the area.[536]

  Mr. Touhig
  In November last ear, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales met members of the North Wales Economic Forum, which included representatives of business in north Wales.
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  Both the Secretary of State for Wales and I plan to visit north Wales shortly.

  Education
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the number of staff in his Department with responsibility for education.[534]

  Mr. Touhig
  All staff working on policy issues in my Department have responsibility for a number of subject areas. However, within my Social Affairs Policy Branch, I have three members of staff whose remit includes education matters.

  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the First Secretary of the National Assembly about the education system in Wales.[537]

  Mr. Touhig
  My right hon. Friend regularly meets the First Minister and Cabinet colleagues to discuss a range of issues including the education system in Wales.

  I also am looking forward to holding regular meetings with the Assembly Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning to discuss the provision of education in Wales.

  My right hon. Friend addressed the National Assembly yesterday on the Queen's speech, which included an education Bill. The provision and improvement of education services in Wales is a priority of this Government.

  Employment
  Kevin Brennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the First Secretary about employment levels in Wales. [538]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I regularly meet with the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales and discuss a wide range of issues including employment.

  The Government's handling of the economy has provided the right conditions for growth and has seen employment in Wales rising by 34,000 since May 1997. Additionally the Government's new deal scheme has proved an enormous success enabling a 65 per cent. fall in the number of 18 to 24-year-olds unemployed and claiming the jobseeker's allowance for six months or more since new deal was launched throughout Wales.

  Tuition Fees
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the Rees report on tuition fees and student hardship.[5391

  Mr. Touhig
  The report of the Independent Investigation Group on Student Hardship and Funding in Wales was published on 14 June.

  I understand that the National Assembly, which commissioned the report, will consider its recommendations very carefully. Any suggestions for changes to the existing system of student hardship and funding will be considered by the UK Government at the appropriate time.
  113W
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has held with the Prime Minister on student fees since the publication of the Rees report.[542]

  Mr. Touhig
  Neither my right hon. Friend or I have discussed the report of the Independent Investigation Group on Student Hardship and Funding in Wales with the Prime Minister since its recent publication on 14 June.

  I understand that the National Assembly, which commissioned the report, will consider its recommendations very carefully. Any suggestions for changes to the existing system of student hardship and funding will be considered by the UK Government at the appropriate time.

  Foot and Mouth
  . Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the First Secretary on the impact of foot and mouth disease on the rural economy in Wales; and if he will make a statement.[540]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I maintain close contact with my right hon. Friend the First Secretary on a variety of issues, including foot and mouth disease.

  My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Wales is a member of the UK Government Rural Task Force set up to examine the effect of the outbreak of foot and mouth disease across the rural economy as a whole. As a result of the work of the task force, several initiatives have been announced to assist rural industries more generally where they have been affected by the impact of foot and mouth disease.

  .Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the impact of foot and mouth disease on the Welsh agriculture industry.[544]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I have weekly meetings with the First Secretary to discuss a wide range of issues, including foot and mouth disease.

  My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Wales is a member of the UK Government Rural Task Force set up to examine the effect of the rural economy as a whole. As a result of the work of the task force several initiatives have been announced to assist rural industries more generally where they have been affected by the impact of foot and mouth disease.

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the First Secretary on policy initiatives to deal with the impact of foot and mouth disease in Wales.[546]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I have had regular discussions with the First Secretary with regard to the policy initiatives to deal with the impact of foot and mouth disease in Wales and have visited affected areas in Wales with the First Secretary.

  All efforts are focused on taking action to ensure the disease is contained and eradicated as quickly as possible. The action being taken is severe but the best way to beat the outbreak.

  Manufacturing Competitiveness
  Patrick Mercer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had about manufacturing competitiveness in Wales.[541]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Only yesterday I attended the launch of the Transport and General Workers Union policy statement on manufacturing, "Manufacturing Matters", and was able to discuss a range of manufacturing issues with a range of organisations. I also hold regularly discussions with the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales and with my ministerial colleagues.

  The Government are committed to improving manufacturing competitiveness across the whole of the UK by helping established industries to modernise and compete in new global markets, by encouraging enterprise and by creating a stable macroeconomic climate.

  Rural Economy
  Michael Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he will next meet the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales to discuss the state of the rural economy in Wales.[545]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I have weekly meetings with the First Secretary on a wide range of issues, including the state of the rural economy, particularly in light of the current foot and mouth outbreak in Wales. Foot and mouth has had a devastating effect on an already fragile industry. The Assembly continues to explore initiatives for assisting the rejuvenation of the rural economy in Wales.

  My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Wales is a member of the UK Government Rural Task Force set up to examine the effect of the outbreak of foot and mouth disease across the rural economy as a whole. As a result of the work of the Task Force many initiatives have been announced to assist a range of rural industries affected by the impact of foot and mouth disease.

  Census
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the First Secretary on the census in Wales.[547]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I have regular discussions with my Cabinet colleagues and with the First Secretary on a range of issues relevant to Wales.

  The National statistician has confirmed that the National Assembly will be formally consulted about the content of the 2011 census form in Wales.

  Police Recruitment
  Mr. David
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Home Secretary about the recruitment of police officers in Wales.[549]

  Mr. Touhig
  My right hon. Friend meets regularly with the Home Secretary to discuss a range of issues including the recruitment of police officers in Wales.

  Miners' Compensation
  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the Minister for Industry and Energy regarding the processing of outstanding claims for miners' compensation in Wales.[548]

  Mr. Touhig
  I met my hon. Friend the Minister for Industry and Energy to discuss these matters last week. I am sure that we will continue to build on the significant progress made to date.

  As the hon. Gentleman will be am are, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales established the Welsh sub-group of the Coal Health Claims Monitoring Group specifically to address coal health issues in Wales and to report back to the GB-wide group. I am convinced the measures discussed, and the actions so far agreed, will further speed up the processing of coal health claims.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Damages Act
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the Lord Chancellor proposes to set a discount rate under the Damages Act 1996; and if he will make a statement.[48]

  Mr. Wills
  The Lord Chancellor has today laid before Parliament an Order under section 1 of the Damages Act 1996 setting the discount rate at 2.5 per cent. This rate will come into effect on 28 June 2001.

  The Lord Chancellor's reasons are set out in the document "Section 1 of the Damages Act 1996: Reasons for Decision", copies of which have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  OFT Report (Legal Profession)
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what arrangements the Lord Chancellor is making to consult on the recommendations of the OFT report on the legal profession.[551

  Mr. Wills
  The Government have said that they recognise the matters raised by the OFT Report "Competition in Professions" are complex areas and that they will consult on the report, and consider comments on the Director General of Fair Trading's analysis before taking further action. My officials are working closely with their colleagues in the Department of Trade and Industry and other Government Departments to prepare a consultation paper, which we plan to issue in the autumn.

  Statutory Legacy
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the Lord Chancellor will decide whether the maximum limits for the statutory legacy should be reviewed, so as to reflect changes in house prices and the rate of inflation.[261]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The Lord Chancellor is aware that the levels of statutory legacy in interstate succession have not been reviewed since 1993, and he has asked his officials to carry out a consultation exercise on whether the limits should be raised, and if so, to what level.

  Children and Families Service
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment she has made of the launch of the children and families Service.[19]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS), a non-departmental public body, is a new dedicated service to safeguard and promote the best interests of children involved in family court proceedings. CAFCASS was only launched on 1 April 2001 and it is still early in the life of the new organisation. The Lord Chancellor is accountable to Parliament for the service's activities and performance and I am taking a close interest in its operation.

  Indemnity
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will make a statement on the future of the indemnity principle. [53]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The Government believe the indemnity principle prevents legal representatives from entering into transparent funding arrangements with their clients. The Government's views have been made known to the Civil Procedure Rule Committee and we are working with them to devise ways in which the Government's policy can be brought into effect.

  Legal Aid Fees
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what recent assessment she has made of the value for money for fees payable in legal aid cases to(a) junior counsel and (b) QCs; and if she will make a statement. [52]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  In determining remuneration the Lord Chancellor is required to consider three statutory factors under section 25(3) of the Access to Justice Act 1999: (a) the need to secure the provision of services of the description to which the order relates by a sufficient number of competent persons and bodies; (b) the cost to public funds; and (c) the need to secure value for money. Recent remuneration measures under that Act have therefore considered value for money.

  In publicly funded family work, the Lord Chancellor introduced the Family Graduated Fees Scheme for junior and Queen's Counsel, on 1 May 2001. The scheme provides for set fees, graduated to take account of complexity and specific issues in the case. In criminal cases, regulations introduced in September 2000 have controlled more tightly the circumstances where QCs or more than one advocate might be allowed for the defence in Crown court cases. Individual case contracts have been introduced in high cost cases. These secure the provision of legal services at a fixed price. New regulations, to be introduced in October, will extend the existing 10-day advocates graduated fees scheme for Crown court trials to cases lasting up to 25 days.

  Conditional Fee Agreements
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment she has made of the approach adopted by insurers to the recoverability of insurance premiums in CFA-funded cases; and if she will make a statement. [54]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  It is open to parties who believe items of cost to be unreasonable to challenge those costs in a court assessment. While it is a matter ultimately for the courts, the Government believe that recoverability includes reasonable premiums reasonably incurred, including premiums on policies taken out before any proceedings start. As long as liability insurers wish to be able to recover their costs in cases that they win, it is not unreasonable for claimants to take out insurance against that risk at the outset and to seek to recover the premium in cases where they are successful.

  Jewish Divorces
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans the Lord Chancellor has to deal with the problem of divorce in the Jewish community, when a husband refuses to grant his wife a get. [50]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The Government are sympathetic to the needs of Jewish women who are denied a religious divorce. They have supported two Private Members' Bills on the subject, which unfortunately have not been able to complete their passage through Parliament. Further consideration is being given to the best way forward.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

  Departmental Expenditure Limits
  Valerie Davey
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proposals there are to change the 2001–02 departmental expenditure limit or administration costs limit or the Cabinet Office.[1458]

  Mr. Leslie
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimates, the Cabinet Office Resource Departmental Expenditure Limit for 2001–02 will be increased by £17,605,000 from £125,417,000 to £143,022,000. The Capital Departmental Expenditure Limit for 2001–02 will be increased by £37,805,000 from £21,980,000 to £59.785,000. The administration costs limit will be increased by £17,605,000 from £124,345,000 to £141,950,000.

  This is to take account of the following changes:

  (a) to provide additional administration cost resources of £16,726,000 for increased departmental activity planned from April 2001, by taking up Departmental Unallocated Provision.

  (b) to take up Capital Modernisation Fund money of £24,605,000 awarded for the Corporate IT strategy, UK Online (£15,000,000 from round 3 and £9,605,000 from round 2); and £700,000 for developing a sect re Government intranet.

  (c) to take up £12,500,000 for the Cabinet Office new accommodation project from Departmental Unallocated Provision.

  (d) to take up a transfer of £470,000 from the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (formerly the Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions) and the Security and Intelligence Agencies, for fast stream recruitment activities.

  (e) to take up £409,000 for the Demonstration Project on Retention and Advancement in Employment from the Employment Opportunities Fund.

  The increase will be offset by transfers or charged to the DEL Reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Defence Diversification Agency
  Defence Diversification Agency
  Northern Ireland: Gas Oil Laundering Prevention
  Northern Ireland: Gas Oil Laundering Prevention
  Works of Art: Indemnity Scheme
  Works of Art: Indemnity Scheme
  Damages Act 1996: Discount Rate
  Damages Act 1996: Discount Rate