Written Answers of 5 March 2001

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Departmental Policies (Hull, North)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Hull, North constituency, the effects on Hull, North of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [150623]

  Mr. Wills
  Details of the effects of a range of the Department's policies on the Hull, North constituency and on the city of Kingston upon Hull have been placed in the Library.

  Cheshire and Halton LEAs
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what specific funds have been allocated to (i) Cheshire local education authority and (ii) Halton local education authority since May 1997 for(a) pre-school, (b) primary school, (c) secondary school, (d) special school and (e) post-16 education. [148848]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 14 February 2001]: The funds allocated to Cheshire local education authority for each category since 1997–98 are shown in the table. Figures for Halton are available only from 1998–99, when it became a unitary authority. The figures include each authority's Standard Spending Assessment, Nursery Education Grant, Standards Fund, Schools Standards Grant, and Budget Support Grant. For some specific funds that are not distributed on the basis of these categories, we have estimated the amounts for each category. From 1998–99 Nursery Education Grant has been used to fund free places in the private, voluntary and independent sectors and new free places in the maintained sector. New places in the maintained sector are funded only for one year via Nursery Education Grant, and after that are normally funded through Standard Spending Assessment.

  In 1997–98, Cheshire County Council included Halton and Warrington. Since 1998–99, Halton and Warrington have been separate unitary authorities.

  Funds allocated to Cheshire and Halton local education authorities

  £ million

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Cheshire1

  Nursery

  20.5

  —

  —

  —

  Primary

  151.2

  —

  —

  —

  Secondary

  158.6

  —

  —

  —

  Post-16

  24.7

  —

  —

  —

  2W

  Funds allocated to Cheshire and Halton local education authorities

  £ million

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Cheshire2

  Nursery

  n/a

  16.7

  16.9

  17.7

  Primary

  n/a

  103.8

  114.5

  125.2

  Secondary

  n/a

  109.9

  116.8

  127.3

  Post-16

  n/a

  18.9

  19.0

  19.7

  Halton

  Nursery

  n/a

  3.9

  4.6

  4.7

  Primary

  n/a

  25.0

  26.7

  29.3

  Secondary

  n/a

  24.9

  26.4

  29.1

  Post-16

  n/a

  2.4

  2.6

  3.2

  1 Including Halton and Warrington

  2 Excluding Halton and Warrington

  In addition Cheshire has been allocated £60.6 million and Halton £9.5 million for capital expenditure since 1997–98. Capital funding cannot be broken down into the categories requested.

  Under this Government funding nationally per pupil has already increased by over £300 in real terms, and it will increase by a further £150 per pupil for 2001–02.

  FE Colleges
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what information he has collated about the academic achievements and funding per student at(a) Farnham College and (b) Godalming College in the last year for which figures are available; and what the corresponding average figures are for (i) Surrey, (ii) England and (iii) the UK. [150301]

  Mr. Wicks
  The achievement rates for further education colleges in England are contained in the table:

  Achievement rate 1998–99 (percentage)

  Farnham College

  93

  Godalming College

  93

  All sixth form colleges in England1

  86

  All colleges in Surrey

  66

  All colleges in England

  76

  1 Farnham and Godalming Colleges are both sixth form colleges, therefore this achievement figure offers a more valid comparison

  The level of funding of students by the Further Education Funding Council (FEFC) is determined by a tariff system which provides a number of "units" of funding for various aspects of the course and student. Most "units" are for the length and type of course; others cover achievement, entry and additional support, for example.

  The average level of funding (or ALF) per unit varies between colleges, mostly for historical reasons but is converging by deliberate council policy. The ALF (1998–99) for Godalming College is £16.91 and for Farnham College is £17.75. This methodology will continue for the first year following the inception of the LSC. Following that, a revised system will be introduced which will simplify the FEFC system but maintain separate elements for course length and type and for achievement.
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  Under the current methodology, funding per full time equivalent (FTE) student will depend on type of courses, level of achievement, mode of attendance and other

  Student numbers (1998–99)

  Funding (1998–99)

  Council funded

  Non-council funded

  Council funded full time equivalents (FTE)1

  Total FEFC funding (£ million)

  Funding per FTE (£)

  Farnham College

  921

  —

  575

  1.8

  3,200

  Godalming College

  1,962

  77

  1,695

  3.9

  2,323

  All FE institutions in Surrey (excluding HEI)

  44,224

  8,055

  18,561

  55.3

  2,979

  All FE institutions in England (excluding HEI)

  3,318,100

  765,500

  957,102

  2,932.5

  3,064

  1 Full time equivalents (FTEs)—for the purpose of this exercise, a full time student is defined as one who studies at the college for 655 hours. College FTEs are calculated by dividing total student hours by 655.

  This allows for a more standardised comparison in terms of funding per FTE student.

  Shakespeare
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received regarding the teaching of Shakespeare in secondary schools; and if he will make a statement. [150539]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 15 February 2001]: The requirement for secondary schools to teach Shakespeare, as well as other major literary figures, was identified clearly in our review of the National Curriculum, which was completed last year. We maintained a consistent position, despite some proposals to the contrary, that pupils between the ages of 11 and 16 should be required to study the works of a range of major writers and poets, including two plays by William Shakespeare. The range also includes plays, novels, short stories and poetry from the English literary heritage. Major classical authors are represented, including Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, John Milton and William Wordsworth.

  These proposals were the subject of wide consultation, which produced strong public support. We have no plans to change the requirement for the teaching of Shakespeare in secondary school.

  Learning Support and Pupil Referral Units
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what the target ratio is of(a) learning support units and (b) pupil referral units to secondary schools; [150712]

  (2) how many additional pupil referral units he estimates are needed September 2002 in order to meet the Government's commitment to provide a place for all young people who have been excluded from school. [150795]

  Jacqui Smith
  The ratio of Learning Support Units to secondary schools varies from LEA to LEA. Some, such as City of Nottingham, have chosen to set up LSUs in all their secondary schools; others have targeted those schools with greatest need in terms of rates of exclusion,
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  factors. The following figures on funding per FTE are affected by the factors as well as average level of funding per unit.

  attendance and severity of behavioural problems. However, in Excellence in Cities areas there is an average of one LSU for every two secondary schools. There are now over 1,000 LSUs in England.

  We are providing education authorities with the resources to ensure that all excluded pupils receive a full-time education by 2002. Such education will take place in a range of settings including PRUs, the voluntary sector, further education and work experience. From April, funding to tackle truancy and exclusion increases to £174 million and already there are over 1,000 more places and nearly 600 more teachers, instructors and education support assistants at PRUs compared to 1997. Education authorities are assessing locally their requirements for increasing provision taking account of the number of exclusions and the successful re-integration of excluded pupils into mainstream school. In 2000 one third of PRUs reported offering full-time provision to pupils and two thirds offered 13 or more hours tuition each week. Planned LEA funding for PRUs increased by 13 per cent. this year compared to last, and we expect to see a 10 per cent. rise in the number of PRUs in 2001 compared to 2000. LEA plans indicate that in 2001 nearly two thirds of authorities will move to the full timetable for excluded secondary pupils. The recent Ofsted Annual Report noted the improving performance of PRUs and in particular highlighted improvements in teaching, pupil progress and re-integration into mainstream school of key stage 2 and 3 pupils.

  Golden Hellos
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many teachers have been given golden hellos broken down by(a) gender, (b) number of UCAS points and (c) age. [151003]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 28 February 2001]: Golden hellos are awarded irrespective of gender, number of UCAS points and age. The information requested is therefore not collected centrally.

  Compared to 1998–99, before the introduction of golden hellos for maths and science, graduate recruitment is up 23 per cent. for maths and 8 per cent. for science. In September 2000, golden hellos were extended to modern languages and technology. Graduate recruitment for 2000–01 is up by 13 per cent. and 23 per cent. respectively compared to last year.

  Admission and Application Figures
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the admission figures were for the last three academic years, and for academic year 2001–02, what the latest application figures are, for higher education institutions, broken down into(a) UK based students, (b) EU and EEA students and (c) other overseas students, indicating in each case the figures for (i) full-time and (ii) part-time students. [151161]

  Mr. Wicks
  The available data on the home domicile of students, covering students applying for full-time and sandwich undergraduate courses via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), are shown in tables 1 and 2. UCAS does not cover applicants or accepted applicants to part-time courses. The available data, collected by the Higher Education Statistics Agency, on entrants to part-time undergraduate courses are shown in table 3. Information on the numbers of part-time entrants for 2000–01 will be available in April 2001.

  Table 1: Accepted applicants to full-time and sandwich undergraduate courses via UCAS institutions in the UK

  Thousand

  Academic year of entry

  Domicile

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  UK

  298.2

  303.1

  308.7

  EU

  15.9

  15.5

  14.0

  Other overseas

  15.7

  16.0

  17.0

  Total

  329.8

  334.6

  339.7

  Table 2: Applicants1 to full-time and sandwich undergraduate courses via UCAS institutions in the UK

  Thousand

  Academic year of entry

  Domicile

  2000–01

  2001–02

  UK

  292.4

  296.4

  EU

  13.6

  11.4

  Other overseas

  14.4

  14.8

  Total

  320.5

  322.6

  1 As at 15 December

  UCAS UK-domiciled applicants and accepted applicants to Oxford and Cambridge universities by previous educational establishment

  Oxford Year of entry

  Cambridge Year of entry

  1999

  2000

  1999

  2000

  Nos.

  %1

  Nos.

  %1

  Nos.

  %1

  Nos.

  %1

  Applicants

  Independent

  3,401

  42

  3,202

  40

  3,509

  36

  3,526

  36

  Maintained2

  3,177

  39

  3,176.

  40

  4,410

  45

  4,412

  45

  Other3

  1,222

  15

  1,304

  16

  1,495

  15

  1,474

  15

  Not known

  287

  4

  281

  4

  411

  4

  413

  4

  Total

  8,087

  100

  7,963

  100

  9,825

  100

  9,825

  100

  Accepted applicants

  Independent

  1,421

  48

  1,343

  46

  1,301

  44

  1,306

  44

  Maintained2

  1,106

  37

  1,130

  39

  1,258

  42

  1,232

  41

  Other3

  364

  12

  392

  13

  340

  11

  368

  12

  Not known

  73

  2

  63

  2

  86

  3

  93

  3

  Total

  2,964

  100

  2,928

  100

  2,985

  100

  2,999

  100

  1 Constituent parts may not sum to totals because of rounding.

  2 Includes comprehensives, grammar, former grant maintained schools, sixth form centres, special schools and other secondary schools.

  3 Includes FE and HE institutions, Sixth Form Colleges. Adult Colleges and City Technology Colleges.

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  Table 3: Entrants to part-time undergraduate course in the UK1

  Thousand

  Academic year of entry

  Domicile

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  UK

  266.3

  272.8

  EU

  3.3

  2.7

  Other overseas

  3.4

  3.7

  Total

  273.0

  279.3

  1 Including all undergraduate courses in HE institutions, FE institutions and the Open University

  Free School Meals
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the average percentage of pupils entitled to free school meals was in(a) specialist secondary schools and (b) other secondary schools in England for the most recent period for which figures are available. [151165]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Information from the Department's 2000 Annual Schools Census shows that the proportion of pupils "known to be eligible for free school meals" was 16 per cent. in mainstream specialist secondary schools currently operational, and 18 per cent. in other mainstream maintained secondary schools. For those mainstream specialist schools designated in 1996 or earlier, the proportion of pupils "known to be eligible for free school meals" was 14 per cent.: for those mainstream specialist schools designated after that date the proportion was 17 per cent.

  Oxbridge Applicants
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list for each constituent college of(a) Oxford and (b) Cambridge universities the proportion of (i) applicants and (ii) accepted applicants from (a) state schools and (b) independent schools for the academic years 1999–2000 and 2000–01. [151179]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 26 February 2001]: The available data for Oxford and Cambridge universities are given in the table.

  Figures for each constituent college are not available centrally.

  Voluntary Organisations
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to establish training and financial support structures for existing voluntary organisations. [151180]

  Ms Hodge
  [holding answer 28 February 2001]: My Department has no specific mandate to set up training and financial support structures for voluntary organisations. It is the Home Office Advice Communities Unit that has overall responsibility within Government for the voluntary sector. However, the voluntary sector is essential to the achievement of our objectives and we have put in place a number of arrangements for improvement the way we work with voluntary organisations and to help them improve the quality of their work.

  We already provide support and technical assistance to providers working on particular initiatives such as Surestart, Millennium Volunteers and the New Deal Innovation Fund. We have established a short-term Voluntary Sector Support Unit within the Department to enhance the relationship with the sector, and we are introducing a national Funding Formula through the Employment Service and the Learning and Skills Council with effect from April this year.

  1993–94

  School name

  Project description

  Allocation (£)

  Belmont Primary

  Remedial works after flooding

  43,598

  Re-roofing work

  7,000

  Chellaston Secondary

  New technology extension and internal refurbishment

  550,569

  Merrill College

  Repairs to pipework

  924

  Heating system repairs

  10,129

  Heating system repairs

  6,221

  Health and Safety work and fire prevention measures

  84,205

  John Port

  Heating repairs

  71,904

  Roof repairs and Health and Safety work

  31,286

  Noel-Baker

  Roof repairs

  102,875

  Roof repairs

  44,633

  The Pingle

  Security measures

  63,585

  1994–95

  School name

  Project description

  Allocation (£)

  Belmont Primary

  Boiler repairs

  4,824

  Replacement classrooms

  256,559

  Linton Primary

  New hall and changing rooms

  210,830

  Chellaston Secondary

  New sixth form

  1,139,747

  Replacement of outfall drains

  12,163

  Merrill College

  Repairs to electrical services following water leak

  8,534

  Repair to gas pipes following gas leak

  14,688

  Re-roofing works

  5,498

  Sewer repairs

  5,698

  Essential roof repairs and securing of windows

  120,792

  John Port

  Re-roofing works

  77,079

  Foul drainage works

  34,251

  Four new science labs accommodation and prep rooms

  510,034

  Noel-Baker

  Re-roofing works

  78,317

  Upgrade fabric of block

  129,787

  The Pingle

  Extension and roof repairs to technology block

  295,093

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  With the establishment of Learning and Skills Council, we are introducing a Common Inspection Framework, a system of approved providers, longer-term contracts and "joined-up" purchasing arrangements.

  We have recently commenced work on developing a new framework for our relationships with providers which will harmonise best practice around the Department and its associated bodies. A consultation exercise on the basis for this framework will be carried out in the spring.

  Schools (South Derbyshire)
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 12 February 2001,Official Report, column 46W, on schools (South Derbyshire), if he will list the project-specific allocations to individual schools in each of the financial years listed in the table. [151250]

  Jacqui Smith
  [pursuant to her reply, 12 February 2001, c. 46W]: The project-specific allocations to individual schools in the South Derbyshire constituency in each financial year from 1993–94 are shown in the tables.
  9W

  1995–96

  School name

  Project description

  Allocation (£)

  Belmont Primary

  New Classroom Block and toilets

  36,000

  Linton Primary

  Boiler replacement

  8,440

  Shelton Junior

  Developing independent learning through IT

  30,000

  Chellaston Junior

  ICT

  117,500

  Merrill College

  Boiler replacement

  6,417

  IT equipment

  117,500

  Repairs to drains

  4,345

  John Port

  Disabled access

  954

  Repair/replace water installation

  26,675

  Replacement of obsolete thermostatic mixing valves

  2,500

  Re-roofing works

  63,447

  1996–97

  School name

  Project description

  Allocation (£)

  Chellaston Junior

  Six classroom extension

  536,618

  Shelton Junior

  Asbestos removal

  82,002

  Pennine Way Junior

  Detached three classroom block with covered way

  196,496

  Merrill College

  Health and safety work

  64,208

  Mechanical extract ventilation and refurbishment

  142,000

  Demolition and reprovision of toilets

  54,000

  Replacement of failed boiler

  9,038

  John Port

  New technology provision

  450,769

  Health and safety work

  49,845

  Boiler replacement in Ashbourne block

  76,059

  Ventilation and electrical works

  359,372

  Replacement of hot water cylinder

  8,540

  Repairs to Ashbourne block

  39,996

  Noel-Baker

  Replacement of heating system

  138,240

  Refurbishment of toilets and drainage repairs

  42,587

  The Pingle

  Provision of additional places

  265,888

  Repairs to external fabric

  125,304

  Provision of additional places

  165,304

  1997–98

  School name

  Project description

  Allocation (£)

  Repton Primary

  Provision of nursery places

  50,000

  Chellaston Secondary

  Sports Hall

  178,953

  Merrill College

  Rewire gym and replace lower school water tank

  78,137

  Repairs to science block heating and refurbishment of two labratories

  43,355

  Reglaze and repair windows and extraction canopy in kitchen

  39,630

  Repair defective cabling and control equipment

  2,796

  John Port

  Re-roof home economics classrooms

  88,900

  Fire compartmentation of Edale Block

  45,126

  Noel-Baker

  Re-roofing of the science block

  114,191

  The Pingle

  Roof repairs

  50,456

  Provide ramp and handrails

  43,938

  Work to masonry, cladding, windows and doors to main block

  129,417

  10W

  11W

  1998–99

  School name

  Project description

  Allocation (£)

  Repton Primary

  Modifications to doors, toilets and access to the school

  1,000

  Re-roofing works

  4,623

  Chellaston Junior

  Ramp provision

  3,765

  Glazing—addition of safety film to windows

  5,700

  Linton Primary

  Replacement of two mobile classrooms

  100,178

  Shelton Junior

  Introduction of Successmaker into the curriculum

  36,272

  Pennine Way Junior

  Install ICT suite, extend and refurbish library

  20,000

  Merrill College

  Completely rewire original building

  96,798

  Gas distribution, ventilation and electrical work

  38,386

  Rationalisation of school sites

  119,875

  Emergency Health and Safety work

  6,071

  John Port

  Complete replacement of failing concrete panels

  297,515

  New sixth form (preliminary work)

  47,619

  Refurbishment to elevation curtain wall

  46,530

  Glazing

  11,633

  New sixth form

  1,858,795

  Re-roofing works

  38,480

  Noel-Baker

  Repairs to gas pipes

  9,521

  Re-roofing works

  47,818

  The Pingle

  Sports hall and changing rooms

  200,000

  Roof, cladding, windows and lights

  40,853

  Provision of a lift

  40,788

  1999–2000

  School name

  Project description

  Allocation (£)

  Linton Primary

  Emergency replacement of collapsed drain

  14,868

  Shelton Junior

  Emergency replacement of water heater

  11,490

  Chellaston Secondary

  Increase accommodation and refurbish science facilities

  200,000

  Merrill College

  Emergency roofing repair works

  25,979

  Emergency drainage repairs

  6,004

  Noel-Baker

  Relocation of specialist facilities

  804,925

  The Pingle

  Two general teaching rooms and conversion of two laboratories

  144,760

  In addition, Derbyshire local education authority was allocated central Government support for capital investment in schools between 1996–97 and 2000–01 as shown in the following table. Information before 1996–97 is not readily available.

  Central Government support for Capital Investment in schools in Derbyshire local education authority

  £000

  1996–97

  5,088

  1997–98

  4,037

  1998–99

  12,708

  1999–2000

  13,008

  2000–2001

  27,128

  Total

  61,969

  Fast Track Learning Programme
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) where, and in what form, academic
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  requirements for the Fast Track Learning programme were published prior to its launch; and what changes have been made to the requirements subsequently; [151609]

  (2) how many applications have been (a) received for the Fast Track Learning programme, (b) accepted on application, (c) accepted on appeal, (d) rejected on application and (e) rejected on appeal. [151610]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The academic requirements for the Fast Track Teaching programme reflect the demands it will make on those who will participate. The key requirements were published on the Fast Track Recruitment website at the time of the launch in October 2000. They have not been changed since that date. 1,574 applications were received by the closing date of 31 January. In common with accelerated progression schemes for other professions, applicants will undergo a rigorous staged assessment process. We expect that process to continue into April. To date over 400 applicants have proceeded to the second stage. Of those who did not, 21 have asked for their applications to be reviewed. In one case the review has resulted in the applicant progressing to the second stage.

  School Transport
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will estimate the annual cost of providing private taxi hire for the purposes of school transport in(a) Devon and (b) the United Kingdom. [151881]

  Jacqui Smith
  In 1998–99, the latest year for which figures are available, Devon local education authority spent £11.9 million on home to school transport. The figure for England for the same year was £444 million. These figures are for all forms of transport: we do not have any means of estimating the amount spent on taxis.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much his Department spent on school bus transport in the last financial year; and if he will break down the sums allocated to each LEA. [152009]

  Jacqui Smith
  My Department does not allocate money to local education authorities specifically for school transport. Money for this purpose is included in LEAs' standard spending assessments, but it is up to individual authorities how they spend it. In 1998–99, the latest year for which figures are available, LEAs in England spent a total of £444 million on all forms of school transport; we do not have a breakdown of how much of this was on buses.

  Disability Rights Task Force
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he will publish a response to the report of the Disability Rights Task Force, "From Exclusion to Inclusion." [152415]

  Ms Hodge
  I am delighted to announce that the Government's response to the Task Force, entitled "Towards Inclusion—civil rights for disabled people", is published today. Copies are available in the Library of the House.

  We are already taking forward the Task Force's recommendations on civil rights in education in the Special Educational Needs and Disability Bill, which received its Third reading in the House of Lords on 1 March. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, the Member for Streatham (Mr. Hill), announced on 7 December that he would be consulting separately on the Task Force's civil rights recommendations on transport. The Disability Rights Commission, on which the Task Force made previous recommendations, has been open to the public since 25 April 2000.

  "Towards Inclusion" describes our proposals for amending the Disability Discrimination Act's provisions on the definition of disability, employment and access to goods, services, facilities and premises. These proposals will have a major impact on promoting equality for, and safeguarding the rights of, disabled people. They include: covering more people with HIV and cancer; ending the DDA's small employer exemption by 2004; bringing within scope of the DDA occupations and employment such as the police, fire-fighters, prison officers, barristers and partners in business partnerships. By making these changes, we will bring over 600,000 disabled people, in a range of jobs and occupations, into its scope. We will also improve the process for making tribunal complaints; extend the scope of the DDA to cover most functions of public
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  bodies—not just services to the public as now; and introduce a new duty for public bodies to promote equalisation of opportunities for disabled people. We are seeking views on our proposals by 8 June. In addition, we have asked the DRC, as part of its role to monitor and review the DDA, to consider further some other Task Force issues.

  "Towards Inclusion" also describes how we have taken forward the Task Force's non-legislative recommendations and outlines the wide range of positive Government action for disabled people over the last four years, in all areas of life.

  Our 1997 manifesto made a major commitment to disabled people. We promised to support their comprehensive and enforceable civil rights. With the help of the Disability Rights Task Force, the steps we have taken over the last four years—and what we now propose in "Towards Inclusion"—meet this commitment. We are on the way towards creating a truly inclusive society for disabled people.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Guinea
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the number of refugees in Guinea. [151684]

  Clare Short
  There are currently around 310,000 Sierra Leonean refugees, and around 122,000 Liberian refugees, in Guinea. Many have been there for a number of years. There are also significant numbers of internally displaced Guineans in the south of the country, in the area adjoining the Liberian and Sierra Leone borders.

  Intellectual Property Rights
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the composition, terms of reference and scheduled date of reporting of the planned commission on intellectual property rights. [152141]

  Clare Short
  The process of selecting the commission is under way, but not yet completed. A selection panel will sit at the end of March and propose recommendations for its membership to me thereafter. The terms of reference are as set out in the White Paper "Eliminating World Poverty: Making Globalisation Work for the Poor". We expect the commission to report by the end of this year.

  HIV/AIDS
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much money her Department has contributed to research to identify a microbicide to prevent HIV transmission in the last four years; and which research organisations received funding. [151631]

  Clare Short
  My Department is a major source of international support for reproductive health commodities including male and female condoms. An effective microbicide would be an important addition to the list of reproductive health commodities and would also offer people more choice and control in protecting themselves from infection.
  15W
  In the last four financial years, we have made the following contributions to organisations in support of research and development, and advocacy for microbicide development:

  Medical Research Council: £900,000

  Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine: £334,766

  Population Council: £136,707

DEFENCE

  Departmental IT Policies
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the IT projects his Department plans to undertake in the next year; and if he will state in each case the(a) expected date of commencement and completion and (b) cost. [151473]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 26 February 2001]: A number of new Defence IT-related projects are planned to commence during the coming financial year. It is impracticable to list all new initiatives, but the most important is the Defence Information Infrastructure (DII), which will enter its initial assessment phase during 2001–02. This is planned to provide a computing infrastructure across the whole of Defence, and is an important step forward, since it represents a change from stand-alone IT projects to the development of a single Defence-wide computing infrastructure on which both office and business applications will be mounted. The DII is based on, and is planned to subsume, a number of related IT projects. Other business application projects being considered include DRUMM (material management capability), DSMS (Defence Supply Management System), P2P (Purchase to Payment, a component of the Defence e-Commerce programme) and SGIS (Surgeon General's system). All of these are in their formative stages, with completion expected over the next three years. Since contracts for these projects have yet to be awarded and are subject to commercial confidence, I am withholding the information under Exemption 13 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the IT projects currently undertaken in his Department; and if he will state the(a) expected completion date and (b) cost of each project. [151503]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 26 February 2001]: Information Technology is a key component of many Ministry of Defence (MOD) projects, both large and small. Consequently the MOD has a large number of information-related systems in service, under development or planned. Many projects are relatively small and are undertaken within the delegations given to budget-holders and Defence agencies. Comprehensive records of these projects are not held centrally. As part of the MOD response to the McCartney report on improving Government IT projects, records are being compiled for medium to large-scale projects. Since these records include commercial in confidence details of projects, I am withholding the information under Exemption 13 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. Some 45 projects are currently listed and work continues to complete the list and ensure that all useful data have been captured.

  Gulf Veterans
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made on the Gulf Veterans Medical Assessment Programme; and if he will make a statement. [151814]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Gulf Veterans Medical Assessment Programme has been in existence since October 1993 and at the end of February of this year 3,105 veterans had been seen. A paper on the findings from the first 1,000 veterans was published in the British Medical Journal in January 1999. A paper on the second 1,000 veterans will shortly be published in the Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps and a paper on the third 1,000 veterans, and the 3,000 in total, is almost ready for submission for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. A presentation based on this last paper was made by the head of the GVMAP at a recent conference on Gulf illnesses in the United States.

  Psychiatric illneses are predominant among the illnesses seen at the GVMAP, of which Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, with or without co-morbidity, is the most common. The GVMAP physicians have found a few other Gulf related illnesses, predominantly of a respiratory or dermatological nature. They have not found any evidence of a unique syndrome among Gulf veterans or any unusual pattern of disease among veterans who attended the programme. They have not seen any evidence of increased immunological, neurological or renal diseases, or the appearance of any unusual cancers. The symptoms presented by veterans who have attended the GVMAP are similar to those reported by members of the general population attending their GPs' surgeries.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what repots the Department has received or produced relating to neurological damage sustained by service personnel in the Gulf War; and if he will publish them. [152154]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Ministry of Defence has not received any reports relating to neurological damage in Gulf veterans which have not been published in scientific journals or are otherwise publicly available. Nor has the Ministry of Defence produced any such reports.

  The MOD is currently sponsoring research at King's College Medical School which is investigating neuromuscular problems in Gulf veterans. The results of this research will be published in the peer-reviewed scientific literature in due course.

  Force Reaction Unit
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date and for what reasons he decided to acknowledge the existence of the Force Reaction Unit; what the limits are on disclosure of information regarding the activities of this unit; and what instructions he has issued regarding the co-operation of former members of the FRU with the Stevens Inquiry. [150583]

  Mr. Spellar
  I believe my hon. Friend is referring to the Force Research Unit (FRU).

  In July 2000 the Ministry of Defence provided a national newspaper with information relating to a court order obtained against a former soldier, known as "R".

  17W
  The order was obtained in order to protect lives and national security. These papers confirmed that "R" was a former member of the FRU.

  Further information regarding the activities of this unit is withheld under exemption 1a of the Code of Practice on Access to Government information.

  It would be inappropriate for the MOD to issue instructions to any former soldier who is to be questioned by the police on any issue. Nevertheless, the MOD is fully supportive of the Stevens Inquiry and will continue to provide it with whatever assistance it can.

  Troop Statistics
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel in total have served with the armed forces in Northern Ireland since troops were deployed there in 1969; how many have been killed and injured in the course of their duties; how many are receiving war pensions as a result of injuries sustained in Northern Ireland; and how many widows are receiving pensions where bereavement is attributable to tours of duty in Northern Ireland. [150584]

  Mr. Spellar
  Since August 1969, the total number of soldiers who have served at least one day in Northern Ireland is 310,831, while the total number of officers who have served at least one day in Northern Ireland is 28,2821. In the case of the Royal Air Force 2,233 officers and 24,236 airmen/airwomen are recorded as having received pay while serving in Northern Ireland and will, therefore, have served at least one month in Province. Comparable information for the Royal Navy is not available.

  The number of service personnel who have lost their lives since August 1969 in connection with their military duties and responsibilities in Northern Ireland is detailed in the table.

  Number

  Army2

  651

  RN3

  11

  RAF3

  4

  Date

  Duties

  30 April 2000

  A Company-Exercise Red Stripe in Jamaica

  7–26 May 2000

  Operation Palliser in Sierra Leone

  31 July-4 August 2000

  Arms plot move to Dover

  2–20 September 2000

  A Company-Operation Barras Sierra Leone

  October-December 2000

  Northern Ireland Training

  December 2000

  Rural Roulement Bn (Northern Ireland)-two Companies are in Northern Ireland

  They are engaged on a variety of Infantry Training duties.

  Depleted Uranium
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much depleted uranium was used by each country in the allied forces during the Gulf war. [147377]

  Mr. Spellar
  As far as we are aware, only UK and US forces used ammunition containing depleted uranium 18W
  The number of British service personnel injured in Northern Ireland since August 1969 is detailed in the table.

  Number

  Army4

  6,146

  RN5

  165

  RAF5

  154

  1 These figures include regular soldiers, full and part-time members of the Ulster Defence Regiment and the Royal Irish Regiment. They also include members of the TA, who do not play any part in security operations in Northern Ireland, but it is not possible to extract these figures from the overall totals.

  2 Figures are from August 1969–19 February 2001 and relate to terrorist activity. 434 deaths occurred while the individual was on duty.

  3 Figures are from 1 January 1974–19 February 2001 and include injuries/deaths from all causes.

  4 Figures are from August 1969–19 February 2001 and relate primarily to injuries which were incurred while on duty; however, the manner in which data have historically been compiled means some injuries incurred while off duty may also be included.

  5 Figures are from 1 January 1976–19 February 2001 and relate primarily to injuries which were incurred while on duty; however, the manner in which data have historically been compiled means some injuries incurred while off duty may also be included.

  Information about the number of widows receiving pensions where bereavement is attributable to tours of duty in Northern Ireland is not readily available. Neither my Department nor the War Pensions Agency categorises these pensions according to the geographical area in which bereavement took place. This information could be obtained only by a manual search of all pension files, which could only be done at disproportionate cost.

  Paratrooper Shootings
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what further action has been taken against the three paratroopers alleged to have shot Fahri Bici and Avni Dudi in Kosovo; and what duties have been undertaken since April 2000 by(a) the 1st Battalion Parachute Regiment and (b) the three paratroopers against whom allegations have been made. [150632]

  Mr. Spellar
  This issue is currently being considered by the Attorney-General, and any potential further action will be dependant on the outcome of his deliberations. The 1st Battalion Parachute Regiment has undertaken the following duties since 1 April 2000.

  (DU) during the Gulf conflict. The Ministry of Defence's assessment is that UK tanks used fewer than one hundred 120mm rounds against Iraq's military forces during hostilities (this equates to less than one metric tonne of DU). Additional rounds were fired by UK forces during earlier work-up training to establish the round's Mean Point of Impact. In a paper published in December 2000, the US Government reported that US forces in the Gulf had fired ammunition rounds containing some 290 metric tonnes of DU.

  National Missile Defence
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions have taken place between(a) Government officials and (b) Ministers and British companies about the latter's participation in National Missile Defence projects. [151608]

  Mr. Hoon
  No discussions have taken place between either Ministers or officials of my Department and British companies about participation by the latter in US National Missile Defence projects.

  Typhoon
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to review the number of Typhoons which will be(a) purchased and (b) brought into service by the UK; and what the in-service date for the Typhoon in the United Kingdom is. [151792]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 1 March 2001]: Typhoon is the name given by industry to the export version of Eurofighter; it is not the name for RAF aircraft.

  The UK currently intends to acquire 232 Eurofighter aircraft, and we plan to bring all of these aircraft into service, except for two Instrumented Production Aircraft and one to be used for the Major Aircraft Fatigue Test.

  Production contracts for the first 55 RAF aircraft were signed in September 1998. Contracts for the remaining aircraft are planned for 2003 and 2007. The in-service date of Eurofighter, which is defined as delivery of the first aircraft, is June 2002.

  "Brits"
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date and for what reason the former serviceman described as Geoff in the BBC television documentary "Brits" was discharged from the Army. [152088]

  Dr. Moonie
  It is not normal practice to disclose such details of any individual's military service. Such information is confidential between employer and employee and is withheld under Exemptions 8a and 12 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Porton Down
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many new staff have been taken on in the Gulf Veterans Illnesses Unit to deal with issues relating to Porton Down volunteers since 21 November 2000; and in what grades each of these new staff were. [152083]

  Dr. Moonie
  Since 21 November 2000, the following members of staff have joined the Gulf Veterans Illnesses Unit (GVIU), specifically to deal with issues relating to the Porton Down Volunteer Programme:

  1 x Principal (Grade B2).

  2 x Senior Executive Officers (Grade C1).

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 21 November 2000,Official Report, columns 101–02W, on what dates officials from his Department and the Chemical Defence
  20W
  Establishment, Porton Down, held meetings with the Medical Research Council regarding advice on an independent epidetmiological study for Porton Down volunteers. [152080]

  Dr. Moonie
  My staff met representatives from the Medical Research Council (MRC) at Porton Down on 5 March 2001.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 14 December 2000,Official Report, column 223W, regarding nerve agent studies, if the research to establish the definitive numbers of Porton Down volunteers who have taken part in nerve agent studies will include an assessment of the safety and ethical procedures which were in force at Porton Down during these studies [152054]

  Dr. Moonie>
  Yes

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 25 January 2001,Official Report, column 659W, regarding Oripavine, if he will place in the Library a list of the technical papers which discuss the different aspects of Porton' s research on TL2636, specifying the title, number and date of each paper. [152050]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Chemical and Biological Defence Sector of DERA at Porton Down has identified several internal technical reports which relate to research involving Oripavine TL2636. These are as follows:Porton Technical Paper 0835: Oripavine derivative (TL2636) as a potential incapacitating agent. 1963
  Porton Technical Paper 0951: Prediction of biological activity. 1966
  Nancekuke Internal Note 9: Some applications of potentiometric titrations in non-aqueous media. 1965
  Nancekuke Internal Note 16: Analysis of tertiary alcohols of the 6:14 endetheno tetrahydro Oripavine series. 1966
  Nancekuke Report 78: Preparation of tertiary alcohols of the 6:14 endetheno tetrahydro Oripavine series. 1966
  Porton Down Technical Paper 939: N-dealkylation of Oripavine derivatives and its significance in their pharmacological activity. Date unknown.
  Technical Paper 008: Neuropharmacological comparison in the cat of the catalepsy producing drugs morphine and bulbocapnine. 1969
  Technical Paper 068: Effects of small doses of an Oripavine derivative on human subjects under both laboratory and field conditions. 1972.

  The following three reports have some reference to Oripavine TL2636:
  Annual Summary Report 1965–1966. 1966
  CW Applications Discussion Group: 17th Quadripartite CBR Conference. 1964
  Applied Biology Committee Chemical Defence Establishment: Effects of small doses of TL2636 on human subjects at rest and exercising in the laboratory and the field. 1968.

  The majority of these reports are over 30 years old and are part of the Porton Down archive holding of records which have been progressively transferred to the main MOD repository at Hayes. Since 1998, the majority of the above technical reports and other material have been forwarded to MOD archives for review, in accordance with normal procedures, and eventual transfer to the Public Records Office.
  21W
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment(a) his Department and (b) the Chemical Defence Establishment, Porton Down, have made of the report produced by the US Institute of Medicine in 1993 entitled, "Veterans at Risk-the health effects of mustard gas and lewisite"; and on what dates these assessments were made. [152082]

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

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the ways in which his Department and the Chemical Defence Establishment, Porton Down, have co-operated and provided assistance to the Wiltshire Police during their inquiry into human trials at Porton Down. [152081]

  Dr. Moonie
  From the start of the investigation by Wiltshire Police, staff at Porton Down have been as helpful as possible in providing them with the material they require. Officers were issued passes to allow them easy access to the Porton Down site and, prior to moving the records to the Police Headquarters, the Police had use of an office containing the archived volunteer files to carry out their work. The Police have also had access to archive material held in the Ministry of Defence's archives, and research advice and assistance from the MOD historical branches.

  MOD staff continue to be in regular contact with their opposite numbers in the Wiltshire Constabulary and meet with them whenever necessary to discuss points of concern.

  US-UK Strategic Defence Initiative (Memorandum of Understanding)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the 1985 US-UK Strategic Defence Initiative Memorandum of Understanding. [152052]

  Mr. Hoon
  I am withholding this information under exemption lb of the Code of Practice, relating to international relations.

  Stakeholder Pensions
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements his Department has made to offer stakeholder pensions to members of the reserve forces. [152055]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Ministry of Defence is in the process of going out to tender for a designated stakeholder pension scheme. It is intended to offer eligible members of the reserve forces the opportunity to make contributions to the designated stakeholder pension scheme via deductions from their pay.

  Policy and Strategy Units
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his policy planners department was established; which of its reports are placed in the public domain; how many departmental or non-departmental special advisers 22W
  participate in its work; how many regular (a) non-departmental and (b) departmental staff participate in its work; and how many of these work for the department on a full-time basis. [150373]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Directorate of Defence Policy in the Ministry of Defence was renamed the Directorate of Policy Planning in autumn 1999, although the role it undertakes remains similar. It supports the strategic planning process which arose from the Strategic Defence Review, and undertakes policy development work on a range of issues. It also carries out work in support of the Defence Diplomacy initiative and the Government's conflict prevention agenda.

  The Directorate does not generally publish reports in the public domain in its own right, but it had a major input, for example, into three recent Ministry of Defence publications (Defence Policy 2001, The Future Strategic Context for Defence and Policy Paper 1: Defence Diplomacy).

  The Directorate currently comprises 22 full-time Ministry of Defence employed personnel, both civilian and military, and one French military exchange officer. It does not contain any special advisers.

  In undertaking its work, the Directorate works with a wide range of bodies in the Ministry of Defence, other Government Departments, the academic community and other interested parties. Special advisers do not routinely participate in its work, although they may be involved in discussion of work undertaken by the Directorate, in the normal way.

  Investment Strategy
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of progress in implementing the Investment Strategy; if he will list the exceptional circumstances under which sites may be offered to other public bodies; what sites have been disposed of in this way, and under what circumstances in each case, in the last four years; and if he will make a statement. [150524]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Investment Strategy was published as a result of the 2000 Spending Review, which sets out new plans for investment for 2001–02 to 2003–04. At the same time, the Government committed themselves to producing documents that would show how Departments planned to use this funding by setting out a strategic plan for both new investment and the use of existing assets. The Defence Investment Strategy is the result. The Strategy sets out the strategic context the MOD is working in, an analysis of its existing asset base, future investment plans and the systems the Department will be adopting to deliver value for money.

  The exceptional circumstances under which sites may be offered to other public bodies are where it will ensure the future preservation of an area of importance for nature conservation, a listed building or scheduled monument or to preserve a community facility which would have no alternative use. Details of the sites which have been disposed of in this way over the last four years are not held centrally, and the costs of retrieving this information would be disproportionate.

  Service Personnel Medical Assessment Programme
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many former service personnel have made an appointment with the Medical Assessment Programme at St. Thomas's Hospital since 21 November 2000; and how many of these appointments have been made following a referral from the individual's medical practitioner. [152049]

  Dr. Moonie
  All appointments with the Medical Assessment Programme (MAP) at St. Thomas' Hospital are made as a result of a referral by the patient's GP. During the period 21 November 2000 to 1 March 2001, 47 former service personnel who served in the Gulf have been referred to the MAP. Of these 26 have been seen.

  During the same time period 42 former Porton Down volunteers have been referred to the MAP by their GP. Of this number 12 have been seen.

  Firing Ranges
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make available sites designated for live firing for dry military training. [151692]

  Dr. Moonie
  All sites designated for live firing are used for dry training whenever it is safe to do so.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what dates army firing took place within each of the firing ranges in the Dartmoor National Park; and which dates were advertised in advance for the year ending 31 December 2000. [151884]

  Dr. Moonie
  The advertised and actual number of days on which the Armed Forces fired on each of the three firing ranges in the Dartmoor National Park for the year ending 31 December 2000 are as follows:

  Range

  Advertised

  Actual

  Okehampton

  60

  47

  Willsworthy

  179

  125

  Merrivale

  128

  87

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Burglaries and Personal Attacks
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many burglaries and personal attacks for residents of(a) housing blocks owned by local authorities and housing associations and (b) privately owned houses there were in the last 12 months. [151532]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 27 February 2001]: Crimes recorded by the police do not provide this information. The most recent results available from the 2000 British crime survey relate to 1999, and estimate the number of burglaries and personal attacks against those in privately owned houses and those renting from social and private landlords. The survey cannot provide figures for people living in
  "housing blocks owned by local authorities and housing associations"
  24W
  as some blocks will have a tenure mix of owner occupiers, private tenants, and social renters. The figures for local authority/housing association properties will also include flats as well as houses. Table 1 gives the figures available.

  Table 1: Estimated number of burglaries and violence incidents in 1999 (in thousands), by tenure type (British crime survey estimates)

  Tenure

  Burglary1

  Violence2

  Owner occupiers

  596

  1,652

  Social rented sector

  476

  710

  Private rented sector

  237

  703

  1 Includes attempts and burglary with entry.

  2 Comprises the following offences; robbery, snatch theft, wounding and common assault.

  Note:

  These estimates are based on the number of incidents per 10,000 households/individuals, multiplied up to represent the adult population of England and Wales.

  Source:

  2000 BCS.

  Table 2 shows rates of victimisation in each sector (taking account of the varying number of householders in each). Tenants in private rented accommodation face the highest levels of both burglary and violent incidents, followed by social renters. The wider context needs to be borne in mind. For instance, rented accommodation is more common in urban and inner-city areas, where levels of crime are generally higher.

  Table 2: Rates per 10,000 of burglaries and violent incidents in 1999, by tenure type (British crime survey)

  Tenure

  Burglary1

  Violence2

  Owner occupiers

  394

  540

  Social rented sector

  1,040

  960

  Private rented sector

  1,061

  1,755

  All

  585

  773

  1 Includes attempts and burglary with entry.

  2 Comprises the following offences; robbery, snatch theft, wounding and common assault.

  Source:

  2000 BCS.

  Either-way Cases
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) hove many either-way offences were dealt with by magistrates in each year since 1987; of these how many were(a) committed to the Crown court for sentence and (b) committed for trial by Crown court; and in how many of these was mode of trial (i) elected by the defendant and (ii) referred for trial where the magistrate declined jurisdiction; [151818]

  (2) how many defendants in either-way cases pleaded (a) guilty and (b) not guilty in (i) cases dealt with by the magistrates court, (ii) cases referred for trial by Crown court on election by the defendant and (iii) cases referred for trial by the Crown court where the magistrate declined jurisdiction in each year since 1987; [151819]

  (3) how many either-way offences were committed to trial in the Crown court in each year since 1996, showing the proportion of elected cases to all either-way cases committed for trial in the Crown court. [151820]
  25W
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Home Office court proceedings database does not contain information on whether defendants elect Crown court trial or are directed for trial there, nor does it contain details on defendants' pleas at magistrates courts. The number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts for triable either-way offences in England and Wales for the years 1987 to 1999 are shown in Table A, together with details of those committed for trial or sentence. Table B shows details of plea entered by defendants committed for trial on triable either-way offences at tf e Crown court in England and Wales for the years 1996to 1999.

  The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not separately record plea by type of offence at magistrates courts, but does record defendants finalised at the Crown court who elected for Crown court trial. Table C, from CPS statistics for the years 1992 to 2000, shows the proportion of defendants committed for trial to the Crown court in England and Wales for either-way offences who elected Crown court trial.

  Table A: Defendants proceeded against for triable either-way offences at magistrates courts in England and Wales, and those committed for trial or sentence, 1987 to 1999

  Year

  Defendants proceeded against

  Defendants committed for trial

  Defendants committed for sentence

  1987

  468,900

  95,600

  5,800

  1988

  473,300

  95,100

  6,100

  1989

  425,900

  82,000

  5,500

  1990

  444,500

  82,000

  6,200

  1991

  462,400

  82,600

  7,100

  1992

  462,000

  74,900

  5,900

  1993

  449,600

  66,600

  3,600

  1994

  466,800

  69,500

  3,600

  1995

  434,100

  61,100

  3,700

  1996

  432,600

  61,200

  4,400

  1997

  454,400

  66,500

  6,800

  1998

  477,500

  52,000

  18,200

  1999

  479,900

  51,000

  19,300

  Table B: Defendants committed for trial for triable either-way offences to the Crown court in England and Wales, by plea, 1996 to 1999

  Year

  Defendants pleading guilty

  Defendants pleading not guilty

  1996

  46,500

  21,300

  1997

  51,000

  21,900

  1998

  40,000

  22,200

  1999

  35,900

  21,900

  Table C: Crown Prosecution Statistics—Percentage of either-way cases committed to the Crown court in which the defendant has elected Crown court trial, England and Wales, 1987 to 2000

  Year

  Percentage of triable either-way defendants electing to be committed for trial

  19871

  52

  1988

  45

  1989

  42

  1990

  38

  1991

  37

  1992

  37

  1993

  35

  1994

  35

  1995

  33

  26W

  Table C: Crown Prosecution Statistics—Percentage of either-way cases committed to the Crown court in which the defendant has elected Crown court trial, England and Wales, 1987 to 2000

  Year

  Percentage of triable either-way defendants electing to be committed for trial

  1996

  32

  1997

  28

  1998

  28

  1999

  32

  2000

  30

  1 Data available for April to December only

  Special Constables
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many special constables there were in Lancashire in(a) 1992, (b) 1997 and (c) in the latest year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [151759]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Statistics on the strength of the Special Constabulary have been collected since 1995 by the Home Office research development and statistics directorate. These figures are compiled at the end of March and September each year. Before 1995, figures were collected by Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary. The figures for 1992 were compiled at the end of the calendar year.

  The Special Constabulary strength figures for Lancashire Special Constabulary for 1992, September 1997 and September 2000 (the latest figures available) are as follows:

  December 1992

  September 1997

  September 2000

  Male

  313

  286

  222

  Female

  226

  214

  140

  Total

  539

  500

  362

  We are currently considering a number of recruitment and retention issues in relation to the Special Constabulary with the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Association of Police Authorities with a view to seeing how best to address the decline in the number of special constables in England and Wales.

  Asylum Seekers
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers who have had their applications rejected are in receipt of NASS support prior to removal from the country; and if he will make a statement. [151746]

  Mrs. Roche
  The information requested is not currently available. However, the national asylum support service (NASS) supports single asylum seekers who receive a negative decision for 14 days following notification to them of the decision. Families with children under 18 who receive a final negative decision will continue to be supported by NASS until they leave the country.

  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of crimes committed by asylum seekers in each police authority area in each quarter of(a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) 2000. [151237]
  27W
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information on offences recorded in each police authority area that is routinely returned to the Home Office does not include details of the offender. Information is also not held in respect of statistics relating to asylum seekers themselves. The only statistics which relate in any way to offences committed by those from abroad are court statistics of the number of offenders recommended for deportation, but these relate to others as well as asylum seekers.

  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many held asylum seekers have been returned to the Democratic Republic of Congo in each month of the last two years. [151289]

  Mrs. Roche
  The requested information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Departmental Policies (Ilford, North)
  Ms Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what initiatives embarked upon since May 1997 have benefited Ilford, North; and if he will make a statement. [152028]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Home Office is working to build a safe, just and tolerant society in which the rights and responsibilities of individuals, families and communities are properly balanced, and the protection and security of the public are maintained. Detailed information on the impact of Home Office policies across the full range of responsibilities is set out in Home Office annual reports. A copy of the most recent report, "Home Office Annual Report 1999–2000", is available in the Library. Information on recorded crime and policing is also published. "Recorded Crime England and Wales, 12 months to September 2000" and "Police Service Strength England and Wales, 30 September 2000" can be found in the Library. The recorded crime statistics include information on recorded crime by basic command unit and crime and disorder partnerships.

  The impact of Home Office policies and actions is not normally examined by constituency and the statistics which the Department collects, such as recorded crime, cannot be matched in the way requested, although set out are examples relating to the Ilford, North constituency or the immediate locality.

  Redbridge, in partnership with Havering, Barking and Dagenham and Waltham Forest, is running a drug arrest referral scheme. The borough is policed by the Metropolitan police, who have increased the amount of class A drugs seized by 23 per cent. from 1997 to 1998. The borough also benefits from a Londonwide domestic violence and racially motivated crime initiative being run by the Metropolitan police.

  The Redbridge crime and disorder reduction partnership audit, which covers Ilford, North, was published in 1999. It showed, among other findings, that Redbridge has the second lowest crime rate in London. Redbridge's crime and disorder reduction strategy for 1999–2002 was published later in the year, setting three-year objectives for each priority area and identifying specific projects to enable these to be met.
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  Youth Offending Teams (YOTs)

  The Redbridge YOT covers the constituency of Ilford, North. The YOT is working with other youth justice agencies to deliver the Government's pledge to halve the average time taken from arrest to sentence for persistent young offenders from 142 to 71 days. According to local information, the Redbridge youth court achieved an average of 40 days for the last quarter.

  The YOT is carrying out initial assessments of young people using a research-based structured assessment tool. Assessment interviews are conducted jointly by YOT staff members from two different professional backgrounds to enhance the quality of the assessment process.

  A bail support scheme is in operation locally in order to reduce the incidence of secure remands and reoffending by young people while on bail. Structured group work and individual programmes of differing intensities have been developed in order to address different levels of offending behaviour. 89 per cent. of young people receiving a community-based order are seen for their first appointment within one working day. All community-based orders contain a focus on the consequences of the offending for the victim. Local victim-offender mediation and mentoring projects have been established to support the YOT in the delivery of programmes. The team also works closely with the Odyssey under-18 drug and alcohol project. Two thirds of young people in contact with the YOT receive an input on education and training. Significant progress has been made in preventing school exclusions.

  More generally, all of the policies of the Home Office will impact on the residents of Ilford, North to a greater or lesser extent. For example:
  376 crime and disorder reduction partnerships have been established;
  racial harassment and racially motivated crimes have been made criminal offences by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998;
  the asylum backlog has been cut from 103,495 at the end of January 2000 to 66,195 by the end of December 2000; and
  good progress is being made in reducing the incidence of fire deaths in England and Wales. They have dropped from 605 in 1997 to 534 in 1999

  Information on the Home Office and its policies is also published on its website www.homeoffice.gov.uk.

  Departmental Policies (Bolton, West)
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Bolton, West constituency, the effects on Bolton, West of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [150605]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Home Office is working to build a safe, just and tolerant society in which the rights and responsibilities of individuals, families and communities are properly balanced, and the protection and security of the public are maintained. Detailed information on the impact of Home office policies across the full range of responsibilities is set out in Home Office annual reports. A copy of the most recent report, "Home Office Annual Report 1999–2000", is available in the Library. Information on recorded crime and policing is also published. "Recorded Crime England and Wales, 12 months to September 2000" and "Police Service
  29W
  Strength England and Wales, 30 September 2000" can be found in the Library. The recorded crime statistics include information on recorded crime by basic command unit and crime and disorder partnerships.

  The impact of Home office policies and actions is not normally examined by constituency and the statistics which the Department collects, such as recorded crime, cannot be matched in the way requested, although set out are examples relating to the Bolton, West constituency or the immediate locality:

  Reducing Burglary Initiative:

  Our scheme covering Bolton, North-East was awarded £174,000 under round two of the reducing burglary initiative.

  One other scheme, for £189,000, was submitted under round three of the reducing burglary initiative, and is currently under consideration.

  Neighbourhood Wardens Schemes:

  One scheme covering Great Lever Hutton, Lane and Deane, has been awarded £343,000.

  Youth Offending Teams (YOT):

  The Bolton YOT covers the constituency of Bolton, West. The YOT has achieved an 85 per cent. compliance with national standards for the production of written court reports within agreed timescales. The YOT has also achieved a reduction in the number of young people being remanded into local authority accommodation. The availability of bail supervision programmes is targeting young people who previously would have been remanded by the courts and preventing reoffending while on bail. Reoffending by young people on bail is also being reduced through the introduction of Narey court procedures, as courts are now processing the cases of young people faster.

  The police final warning scheme has been in operation since January 2000 and approximately 201 young people have been referred to the YOT for assessment and intervention work. More than 50 per cent. have engaged in some form of reparative activity. The YOT has also established a project to facilitate victim/offender mediation in support of the new community-based court orders. They are also providing victim awareness programmes for young people.

  The health workers within the YOT have established links with child and adolescent mental health services; immunisation clinics; teenage pregnancy and sexual health programmes promoted by healh staff.

  Greater Manchester (including the Bolton, West constituency) is benefiting from the Youth Justice Board's development fund, which has awarded grants of approximately £3,754,000 over three years for one bail support scheme (covering the Greater Manchester area) and seven intervention programmes).

  There is one additional intervention programme benefiting from grant funding by the Youth Justice Board which is specific to Bolton. The project is receiving a grant of approximately £15,000 over three years. This grant, together with match funding from health and social services, has allowed the "360? substance misuse project" to be established for young people. The project provides
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  a drug treatment service covering all drugs and provides a community-based response offering a safe environment in which young people can assess their current lifestyles.

  The youth justice board also provided funding for the operation of Splash schemes during the summer holidays in 2000. These schemes provided constructive and positive leisure activities for young people most at risk of offending. A Splash scheme was run in Johnson Fold.

  More generally, all of the policies of the Home Office will impact on the residents of Bolton, West to a greater or lesser extent. For example:
  376 crime and disorder reduction partnerships have been established:
  racial harassment and racially motivated crimes have been made criminal offences by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998;
  the asylum backlog has been cut from 103,495 at the end of January 2000 to 66,195 by the end of December 2000;
  good progress is being made in reducing the incidence of fire deaths in England and Wales. They have dropped from 605 in 1997 to 534 in 1999.

  Information on the Home Office and its policies is also published on its website: (www.homeoffice.gov.uk).

  Foot and Mouth Disease
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to provide during the period of a foot and mouth emergency for(a) one free postal delivery of municipal election addresses, (b) moneys to be spent promoting voting by post, (c) Northern Ireland local government elections to be brought forward to 3 May and (d) moneys to promote awareness among those using postal votes in Northern Ireland of the different method for voting between Westminster elections and that used for electing members of local authorities; and if he will make a statement. [151880]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Government have no current plans to extend the provision of free posting of electoral addresses to candidates in local elections. A Home Office-funded campaign to publicise the changes in postal voting procedures began on 19 February, shortly after they came into force.

  The conduct of local government elections in Northern Ireland is a matter for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. We have no plans to introduce either of the suggested measures.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessments he has made of the implications of the current foot and mouth outbreak for the feasibility of holding national or local elections in(a) April and (b) May. [152168]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The date of a parliamentary general election is not a matter for me. The law requires the local elections schedule for 3 May to take place on that date. At the moment we have no intention to change that.

  Race Relations (Amendment) Act
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps have been taken to prepare for commencement of the Race Relations (Amendment)
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  Act 2000; and what public bodies he has consulted concerning future application of a general duty to promote race equality. [150613]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  A commencement order has been made for the provisions of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act to come into force on 2 April 2001. There is one exception to this. To enable the immigration provisions to work effectively from 2 April 2001, the order provides for section 1 of the Act to come into force on 26 March 2001 (for the purposes of the imposition of requirements or giving of express authorisations (as defined) by a Minister of the Crown).

  A public consultation paper was issued on 22 February 2001 setting out the Government's proposals for extending the list of public bodies in the Act that are subject to the general duty to promote and the specific duties to promote race equality that might apply. The paper has been circulated widely among the public bodies that are likely to be affected by the new duty and to other interested parties for comments by 15 May 2001. A copy has been placed in the Library. The paper is also available on the Home Office website at: www.homeoffice.gov.uk/ raceact/welcome.htm.

  Religious Affiliation (Prisoners)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will break down by religious belief(a) the prison population and (b) the population as a whole. [150614]

  Mr. Boateng
  On 30 June 1999, there were 64,529 prisoners in England and Wales. Information on inmates' religious affiliation is recorded as a standard part of the reception process on entry into prison.

  Of the inmates, 42 per cent. were Anglican, 17.5 per cent. were Roman Catholic and 3 per cent. belonged to other Christian denominations. Further, 7 per cent. were Muslim, 1.5 per cent. were Buddhist, Hindu or Sikh and 1 per cent. belonged to other religions. The remaining 28 per cent. of the population did not profess to belong to any religion.

  This information is also published in "Prison Statistics England and Wales" (Table 6.6 of the 1999 edition, Cm 4805) copies of which are in the Library.

  Information on the religious composition of the general population is currently available only through the British social attitudes survey, which is conducted annually. This is a sample survey of 3,500 randomly chosen households in Great Britain, of whom 3,143 responded to the following question: "Do you regard yourself as belonging to any particular religion?"

  In 1999, the responses were as follows: 27 per cent. were Anglican, 9 per cent. were Roman Catholic and 16 per cent. belonged to other Christian denominations. Further, 1.5 per cent. were Muslim, 1 per cent. were Buddhist, Hindu or Sikh and 0.6 per cent. belonged to other religions.

  Forty-four per cent. of the sample claimed no religion. One per cent. refused to divulge their religion or did not answer.
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  The information for 1999 is published in Appendix III of "British Social Attitudes—The 17th Report" (2000), a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Departmental Policies (Hull, North)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Hull, North constituency, the effects on Hull, North of his Department' s policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [150618]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Home Office is working to build a safe, just and tolerant society in which the rights and responsibilities of individuals, families and communities are properly balanced, and the protection and security of the public are maintained. Detailed information on the impact of Home Office policies across the full range of responsibilities is set out in Home Office Annual Reports. A copy of the most recent report, "Home Office Annual Report 1999–2000", is available in the Library. Information on recorded crime and policing is also published. "Recorded Crime England and Wales, 12 months to September 2000" and "Police Service Strength England and Wales, 30 September 2000" can be found in the Library. The recorded crime statistics include information on recorded crime by basic command unit and crime and disorder partnerships.

  The impact of Home Office policies and actions is not normally examined by constituency and the statistics which the Department collects, such as recorded crime, cannot be matched in the way requested, although set out are examples relating to the Hull, North constituency or the immediate locality:

  Targeted Policing:

  Humberside police, in partnership with Kingston-upon-Hull city council, was awarded £377,000 for a project aimed at reducing the level of anti-social and low-level criminal behaviour in Bransholme.

  Reducing Burglary Initiative:

  Three projects were awarded a total of £275,000—one scheme covering the Stoneferry and Bransholme area of Hull, was awarded £135,000 under the first round of the reducing burglary initiative. Two schemes, both covering Hull, West, were awarded a total of £139,000 under round two of the reducing burglary initiative.

  Youth offending Teams (YOTs):

  The Kingston-upon-Hull YOT covers the constituency of Hull, North. The YOT is working with other youth justice agencies to deliver the Government's pledge to halve the average time taken from arrest to sentence for persistent young offenders, from 142 to 71 days. Locally the average time for the youth court is below the Government target of 71 days. The YOT is also preparing 100 per cent. of all pre-sentence reports on young people within the adjournment period specified by the courts for the preparation of such reports.

  The YOT is utilising the ASSET assessment system in order to ensure intervention work is effectively targeted at the personal, family, social, educational and health

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  problems that contribute to the causes of a young person's offending behaviour. The YOT is achieving a 96.6 per cent. completion rate for assessment work at the pre-sentence report stage and a 100 per cent completion rate for assessment of young people referred to in through the police final warning scheme.

  The YOT is also delivering intervention programmes for young people referred to it through the operation of the police final warning scheme. 96.4 per cent. of all programmes delivered as the result of a police final warning contain an element of either direct or indirect reparation to victims. The team is also working with victims as a result of the operation of the police final warning scheme and the community-based reparation order.

  Kingston-upon-Hull (including the Hull, North constituency) is benefiting from the Youth Justice Board's development fund, which has awarded grants of approximately £483,000 over three years for one bail support scheme and two intervention programmes.

  The Youth Justice Board also provided funding for the operation of Splash schemes during the summer holidays in 2000. These schemes provided constructive and positive leisure activities for young people most at risk of offending. A Splash scheme was run in Orchard Park.

  The YOT is also working in partnership locally in order to address youth crime. For the first time it has created a single and coherent database about youth crime so it can establish a baseline for local youth crime reduction targets.

  More generally, all of the policies of the Home Office will impact on the residents of Hull, North to a greater or lesser extent. For example
  376 crime and disorder reduction partnerships have been established;
  racial harassment and racially motivated crimes have been made criminal offences by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998;
  the asylum backlog has been cut from 103,495 at the end of January 2000 to 66,195 by the end of December 2000;
  good progress is being made in reducing the incidence of fire deaths in England and Wales. They have dropped from 605 in 1997 to 534 in 1999.
  Information on the Home Office and its policies is also published on its website (www.homeoffice.gov.uk).

  Speed Cameras
  Mr. Prior
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much revenue was raised from fixed speeding penalties, arising front police cameras in(a) 1995, (b) 1996, (c) 1997, (d) 1998, (e) 1999 and (f) 2000. [150624]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Available information showing the number of fixed penalties for speeding offences, where cameras have provided evidence, from 1995 to 1999 is given in the table. Automatic camera devices provided evidence from 1995 to 1998 and all camera types for 1999. Data for 2000 are not yet available. From 1995 to 1999 the fixed penalty ch trge for speeding offences was £40.34W

  Fixed penalties for speeding offences detected by cameras1, England and Wales, 1995–99

  Year

  Fixed penalties2

  'Estimated' revenue (£ million)3

  1995

  170,000

  6.8

  1996

  212,600

  8.8

  1997

  288,600

  11.5

  1998

  338,800

  13.6

  1999

  423,000

  16.9

  1 Automatic cameras until 1998, all camera types for 1999

  2 Paid ie no further action

  3 'Estimate' based on £40 fixed penalty charge from 1995 to 1999

  Departmental Policies (Vale of Clwyd)
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Vale of Clwyd constituency, the effects on the Vale of Clwyd of his Department's policies and actions since May 1997. [151931]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Home Office is working to build a safe, just and tolerant society in which the right and responsibilities of individuals, families and communities are properly balanced, and the protection and security of the public are maintained. Detailed information on the impact of Home Office policies across the full range of responsibilities is set out in Home Office Annual Reports. A copy of the most recent report, "Home Office Annual Report 1999–2000", is available in the Library. Information on recorded crime and policing is also published. "Recorded Crime England and Wales, 12 months to September 2000" and "Police Service Strength England and Wales, 30 September 2000" can be found in the Library. The recorded crime statistics include information on recorded crime by basic command unit and crime and disorder partnerships.

  The impact of Home Office policies and actions is not normally examined by constituency and the statistics which the Department collects, such as recorded crime, cannot be matched in the way requested, although examples relating to the Vale of Clwyd constituency or the immediate locality are set out as follows:

  Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)

  The Rhyl south-east scheme was awarded £159,000 under the first round of the CCTV initiative. The scheme is a four-camera extension of the existing town centre system, covering three educational sites with additional surveillance capabilities for the surrounding residential and smaller commercial areas. The scheme proposes to impact on incidents of criminal damage, burglary and anti-social behaviour.

  Reducing Burglary Initiative

  One scheme, covering houses in multiple occupancy in Colwyn Bay, Abergele and Rhyl, elderly persons sheltered housing in Flintshire, and the areas of Gwenfro and Y Wern in Wrexham was awarded £33,000 under round two of the reducing burglary initiative. Interventions include: covert observations; high profile and targeted policing; high profile media press strategy; preparation/distribution of crime prevention literature and a crime stoppers campaign.

  Youth Offending Teams (YOTs)

  The central north Wales YOT covers the constituency of Vale of Clwyd. The YOT is making an excellent contribution to reducing delays within the court process

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  by producing 98 per cent. of court reports within the agreed timescales. A bail supervision scheme has been established to reduce the incidence of secure remands and reoffending by young people while on bail. The YOT is also performing well against national standards and objectives with 90 per cent. of all final warning assessments being completed within 14 days.

  A community reparation scheme is being operated in support of the community-based court orders and 11 agencies are supporting community reparation work. As a result, 60 per cent. of local reparation work is community-based. There is also a trained YOT worker in place to consult and liaise with victims of crime on their willingness to become involved in direct reparation work. The YOT has also developed protocols with appropriate agencies with the aim of involving parents in the youth justice process.

  The Youth Justice Board is also providing funding for Splash schemes to be run during Easter and summer school holidays in 2001. These schemes provide positive and constructive activities for young people most at risk of offending. Easter and summer Splash schemes are planned for Rhyl.

  More generally, all of the policies of the Home Office will impact on the residents of Vale of Clwyd to a greater or lesser extent. For example:
  376 crime and disorder reduction partnerships have been established;
  racial harassment and racially motivated crimes have been made criminal offences by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998;
  the asylum backlog has been cut from 103,495 at the end of January 2000 to 66,195 by the end of December 2000;
  good progress is being made in reducing the incidence of fire deaths in England and Wales. They have dropped from 605 in 1997 to 534 in 1999.
  Information on the Home Office and its policies is also published on its website (www.homeoffice.gov.uk).

  Criminal Bar
  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to address members of the Criminal Bar Association on their relationships with the criminal fraternity; [152133]

  (2) what plans he has to meet the Chairman of the Bar Council to discuss the criminal justice system and the conduct of barristers; [152131]

  (3) what plans he has to bring forward legislation enabling action to be taken against barristers at the criminal bar who are suspected of acting unprofessionally. [152132]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  My right hon. Friend has no such plans. Barristers are subject to the Bar code of conduct. The code is a matter for the Bar Council, which is responsible for its enforcement, including investigating allegations of professional misconduct.

  Title of contract

  Awarded by

  Contract start

  Contract finish

  Facilities Management at Police Scientific Development Branch Langhurst

  Home Office

  6 January 1998

  31 January 2002

  Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Mandatory Training

  Fire Service College

  28 September 1998

  31 March 2003

  Mode of Trial
  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when he intends to bring forward the Mode of Trial Bill; [152130]

  (2) if he will abandon his previously announced plans to restrict trial by jury. [152129]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  As was affirmed in the speech from the Throne, the Government propose to give the courts, rather than the defendant, the power to decide where an either-way case should be tried. No decisions have been taken on the timing of this measure.

  Sewerage Charges
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average annual level of sewerage charges is on homes in(a) Devon, (b) the United Kingdom and (c) his Department's estate in Denbury. [151882]

  Mr. Boateng
  Unmeasured sewerage charges consist of a fixed charge and a charge based on the rateable value of the property, both of which vary by water company. Information on unmeasured sewerage charges published by the Office of Water Services (Ofwat) show that in England and Wales in the financial year 2000–01, the weighted average fixed charge is £41.50 and the weighted average charged based on rateable value is 46.89p in the pound. Figures for South West Water, which covers Devon, are £42 and 112.35P in the pound respectively. The charges for the properties in the former Prison Service quarters estates are based on South West Water's figures and are equivalent to the charge which would be made by that company.

  Exemption Certificates
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many exemption certificates have been issued on the grounds of national security since the implementation of the Data Protection Act 1998. [151119]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 26 January 2001]: Since the Act came into force I have signed one certificate, which relates to categories of personal data held by the Security Service. In addition, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has signed two certificates which relate to categories of personal data held by the Government Communication Headquarters (GCHQ) and the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) respectively.

  Serco Contracts
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the contracts that exist between SERCo and his Department, its executive agencies and associated public bodies; and if he will list those which have existed in the last three years. [151336]

  Mr. Straw
  I list the details on existing contracts with SERCo. The available information shows that there have been no other contracts between SERCo and my Department, its agencies and associated public bodies in the last three years.

  Ministerial Visits
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the Ministers in his Department who visited any of the constituencies which are in the Peterborough unitary authority area between 1 January 2000 and 14 February 2001, indicating in each case(a) the date of the visit, (b) the constituencies included in the visit and (c) if the local hon. Member met the Minister. [151027]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 26 February 2001]: The list of Ministers within my Department who have visited the Peterborough unitary authority area within the specified period above are as follows:

  Area

  Date

  Minister

  Huntingdon Life Sciences, Cambridgeshire

  8 June 2000

  Mike O'Brien

  Newmarket, Cambridgeshire

  19 April 2000

  Mike O'Brien

  The Minister did not meet the local MP on these visits.

  Proceeds of Crime Bill
  Mr. Hope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the draft Proceeds of Crime Bill. [152128]

  Mr. Straw
  I have today published a Command Paper, CM 5066, entitled "Proceeds of Crime Bill: Publication of Draft Clauses." Copies have been placed in the Library. It is also available on the Home Office website, www.homeoffice.gov.uk.

  The draft clauses we are publishing provide for the establishment of an asset recovery agency; the introduction of civil recovery; the application of taxation powers to suspected criminal assets; the creation of new specific powers for the tracing and investigation of criminal assets; the restraint of assets of suspected persons during a criminal investigation instead of only at the point of charge; improvements in the United Kingdom's ability to assist foreign jurisdictions; and the reform and updating of confiscation procedures and money laundering offences. The Bill, the work on which has been undertaken on a collaborative basis, will introduce equivalent measures in Scotland and Northern Ireland, adjusted for the legal systems of those Jurisdictions.

  The Government will take account of the responses to the Command Paper before finalising the Bill for introduction. We are asking to receive replies before the end of May.

  Immigration and Asylum
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) operators and (b) hirers of self-drive vehicles have been liable for penalties under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 Carriers Liability (Clandestine Entrants and Sate of Transporter) Regulations 2000 attributable to the actions of their clients; and if he will make a statement [151797]

  Mrs. Roche
  The civil penalty provisions of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 enable the imposition of a penalty on those who, through negligence or 38W
  otherwise, allow their vehicles to be used by persons seeking to enter the United Kingdom clandestinely. Owners, hirers and drivers of vehicles found to have carried clandestine entrants are jointly and severally liable to a penalty of £2,000 for each clandestine entrant carried.

  Since 3 April, when the provisions were implemented, and as at 28 February 2001, a total of 815 civil penalties have been imposed on persons found to have carried between them 4,514 clandestine entrants. Eighteen of the penalties have been imposed on the owners, hirers and drivers of self-drive vehicles in respect of a total of 193 clandestine entrants carried.

  A code of practice, issued in accordance with the legislation, sets out the practical measures that should be taken by those seeking to prevent unauthorised entry into their vehicles, and provides a basis for a defence against a penalty should clandestine entrance nevertheless be found. Vehicle owners who believe they are unable to fulfil the requirements of the code of practice are advised to seek ways to offset any financial liability to which they may be exposed.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Corus
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many apprentices and other trainees have been affected by the Corns closures announced on 1 February; and what action he is taking to secure continuity in their training programmes. [148986]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 7 February 2001]: Corns informs me that where there have been major job reductions/closures in the past, the company has been able, with very few exceptions, to get all trainees through to the end of their apprenticeships. The company's intention is to ensure that all current trainees have the opportunity of completing their training. This may require some to relocate.

  The announcement on 1 February related to several plants in England and Wales. The company has provided me with the following information about the number of apprentices/trainees at the plants as follows:

  Number

  Ebbw Vale

  48 apprentices

  Scunthorpe and Teesside

  No impact on trainees as they are employed directly by local colleges

  Llanwern and Port Talbot

  130 apprentices

  Shotton

  30 apprentices

  Rotherham

  17 apprentices/trainees

  Corus has a good track record on training and we will encourage it to maintain this record.

  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will list the occasions on which he met the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales to discuss the job losses at Corus in Wales, prior to the announcement on 1 February; and if he will make a statement; [150253]
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  (2) if he will list the occasions on which he met the Secretary of State for Wales to discuss the job losses at Corus in Wales, prior to the announcement on 1 February; and if he will make a statement; [150255]

  (3) if he will list the occasions on which he discussed the proposed job losses at Corns in Wales with the Economic Development Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales, prior to the announcement on 1 February; and if he will make a statement. [150254]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 13 February 2001]: I have maintained a regular dialogue with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales, my right hon. Friend the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales and the Economic Development Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales in recent months about a range of issues. Since 5 December, when Corns announced its intention to restructure, I have met them on the following occasions to discuss the matter:

  Date

  Names

  15 December

  Paul Murphy and Rhodri Morgan

  17 January

  Paul Murphy, Rhodri Morgan and Mike German

  31 January

  Paul Murphy and Rhodri Morgan

  1 February

  Paul Murphy

  5 February

  Paul Murphy

  6 February

  Paul Murphy

  8 February

  Paul Murphy

  13 February

  Paul Murphy

  26 February

  Paul Murphy, Rhodri Morgan and Mike German

  Project Grants (London Boroughs)
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list each category of grants given to projects in(a) Westminster and (b) the royal borough of Kensington and Chelsea in (i) 1997–98, (ii) 1998–99, (iii) 1999–2000 and (iv) 2000–01. [148598]

  Mr. Caborn
  Westminster and the royal borough of Kensington and Chelsea have benefited from a range of DTI initiatives since 1997 to support innovation and promote business development.

  Direct business advice and support to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) has been provided by the DTI through core programmes and Business Links. While the Department does not collect detailed statistical information on a borough basis, Business Links have handled 12,758 requests for advice, information and support from SMEs in Westminster and 4,158 requests from SMEs in the royal borough of Kensington and Chelsea since 1997. During the same period grants totalling over £533,000 and £128,000 have been awarded to SMEs in Westminster and the royal borough respectively, for innovation and technology projects under the Smart scheme.

  All wards in both boroughs are eligible for the enterprise grant scheme, which was introduced in 2000.

  Universal Banking Services
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Morecambe and Lunesdale (Miss Smith) of 12 February 2001,Official Report, column 20W, if
  40W
  universal banking services will be registered as a bank or be subject to prudential regulation; if the Post Office card account will permit (a) phased withdrawals of benefits due and (b) the setting up of direct debits to councils and public utilities; and if the card account and universal banking services will have a single payment system manager. [150973]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  [holding answer 26 February 2001]: There is a lot of detailed work to be done to implement the concept of universal banking services between now and 2003 when it is due to come on stream. The project is at too early a stage in its development to he prescriptive about issues such as whether the Post Office will need to register as a bank; or whether there will be a single payment systems manager.

  The intention is that the Post Office card account will permit phased withdrawal of benefits. With regard to the setting up of direct debits, users of the basic bank account element of universal banking services will be able to benefit from direct debit facilities, which will mean that gas and electricity bills are reduced. It is also the intention of the Post Office to provide a bill payment service alongside the card account, with the aim that such payments will attract discounts in a similar way to those offered to direct debit customers. Development of this is at an early stage.

  Depleted Uranium
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if export licences have been granted for the export of(a) depleted uranium materials and (b) manufactured products of which depleted uranium materials form part; and how many such licences were granted and in which years. [151043]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 26 February 2001]: The export of depleted uranium is controlled under entry 0C001 of Annex 1 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1334–2000. This entry also covers natural uranium and thorium. Since May 2 1997 details of licences granted covering the export of goods rated 0C001 have been outlined in the Government's annual reports on strategic export controls. In addition, between 1 January 2000 and 11 February 2001, seven standard individual export licences (SIELs) and four open individual export licences (OIELs) have been issued covering goods with this rating. As regards how many of these licences covered the export of depleted uranium, investigations are being made and I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible and place a copy of that letter in the Library of the House.

  Manufactured products of which depleted uranium materials form part would be controlled under the relevant entries in Part III of Schedule I of the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994 and also under the relevant entries in Annex 1 of the Dual Use and Related Items (Export Control) Regulations 2000. The control would cover the product itself and not the depleted uranium contained therein. Consequently, it would entail disproportionate cost to establish which, if any, licences covered the export of manufactured products of which depleted uranium materials form part
  41W
  There are also certain forms of depleted uranium, for example, when specifically fabricated for certain non-nuclear applications, which are not covered by strategic export controls and would not therefore require an export licence.

  Post Offices
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much money has been allocated to fund pilot schemes for post offices in Scotland to act(a) as Government general practitioners and (b) internet learning and access points. [151798]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The Scottish Executive received a funding consequential of £3.5 million as a result of money being allocated in England for the support of pilots of Government general practitioner and internet learning and access points. All funding consequentials contribute to a block allocation to the Scottish Executive. It is for Scottish Executive Ministers to decide how that money is allocated.

  Departmental Policies (Bolton, West)
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Bolton, West constituency, the effects on Bolton, West of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [150608]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Department does not maintain statistical information at constituency level.

  My hon. Friend's constituents, like many others throughout Greater Manchester, will have benefited from my Department's employment rights policies, which include the national minimum wage, working time directive, part-time working regulations and improved maternity leave.

  All wards in Bolton, West are eligible for the enterprise grant scheme. Halliwell and Blackrod are included in the revised assisted area map and are therefore also eligible for regional selective assistance.

  In the north-west region, my Department's policies have contributed to growth in employment by 107,000 and a fall in unemployment by 63,000, and to reductions in youth unemployment by 75 per cent. and long-term unemployment by 54 per cent.

  Departmental Policies (Hull, North)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Hull, North constituency, the effects on Hull, North of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [150620]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Department has provided the following support for firms in Hull since May 1997. Information at constituency level is not available in all cases.

  Regional Selective Assistance (RSA)

  RSA is a capital investment grant linked to the creation or safeguarding of jobs in designated areas of need. 24 RSA grant offers totaling £4,485,000 have been made
  42W
  to firms in the Hull, North constituency, to support projects with a capital expenditure of £74,118,750, and to create and safeguard a total of 854 jobs.

  Enterprise Grants

  The enterprise grants scheme is a simplified scheme that was introduced in April 2000 to help small firms undertake fixed capital investment projects. Three offers totalling £54,000 have been made to firms in the Hull, North constituency, to support projects with a capital expenditure of £466,675.

  Smart

  Smart awards are designed to help small firms with the introduction of new products and processes. 15 Smart awards totalling £743,933 have been made to firms in Hull (information is not available at constituency level).

  Business Link

  Business Link Humberside have provided services to small business in Hull (including the Hull, North constituency) since 1997. This has included general and specialised advice to help businesses expand, export development counselling, ICT advice, and a full range of specialist information. From April 2001, these services will be provided by the Small Business Service operating through a new Humberside Business Link.

  Departmental Policies (Ilford, North)
  Ms Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what initiatives embarked upon since May 1997 have benefited Ilford, North; and if he will make a statement. [152036]

  Mr. Caborn
  The parliamentary constituency of Ilford, North has benefited from a range of initiatives since May 1997. Direct business advice and support to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) is available from the DTI through core programmes and Business Links. While the Department does not collect detailed statistical information on a constituency basis, over 394 requests for advice, information and support from SMEs in Ilford, North have been handled by the Business Links since May 1997.

  All wards in the constituency are eligible for the enterprise grant scheme, which was introduced in 2000.

  Post Office Counters Ltd.
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many employment tribunals were outstanding against Post Office Counters Ltd. at the beginning of February. [151780]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  As of 31 January 2001, the public registers of applications and decisions for England and Wales and Scotland showed a total of 11 employment tribunal claims against Post Office Counters Ltd. as still outstanding with no decision recorded in these cases.

  Nuclear Industry
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much has been allocated to the insurance liability fund set aside to underwrite accidents at United Kingdom nuclear facilities; and what steps have been taken to increase the amount of compensation available under the Nuclear Installations Act 1965. [151601]
  43W
  Mr. Hain
  There is no specific insurance liability fund set aside by the Treasury. Under UK legislation, implementing the Paris and Brussels conventions on third-party liability in the field of nuclear energy, it is the duty of the operator of a nuclear installation to maintain insurance cover of £140 million per accident.

  In the event of a nuclear accident causing damage exceeding this amount, public funds would be made available, at present up to a guaranteed amount of 300 million special drawing rights (approx £300 million). Parliament may vote additional funds. Proposals currently under consideration as part of the negotiations to revise the Paris and Brussels conventions would significantly increase the amount of guaranteed compensation provided.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the incident that occurred at the high level radioactive waste storage tanks at Sellafield in January; and what report he has received from the nuclear installations inspectorate in respect of the incident. [151598]

  Mr. Hain
  The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) informed my Department on 29 January 2001 that on 26 January, the ventilation system in B215, the building which houses the highly active liquid storage vessels at Sellafield, was out of action for two and three quarter hours. The problem occurred during work to install a new caustic scrubber to improve the building's ventilation system. This work is being undertaken in line with requirements of the Environment Agency (EA). No radioactivity was released and no worker was exposed to enhanced levels of radiation.

  I understand that HSE's nuclear installations inspectorate (NII) has directed BNFL to halt work on the ventilation system in B215 and to review the conduct of operations within that plant. BNFL are required to submit a report to HSE within four weeks (ie by 5 March). HSE's consent will be required before BNFL can resume work on modifying the ventilation system. The HSE has also informed the Department that as a result of its action THORP remains closed.

  Working Time Directive
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 15 February 2001,Official Report, column 289W, how many specialist working time officers there are in the United Kingdom. [151822]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  There are currently seven specialist working time officers at the HSE, who work solely on working time enforcement. As described in my previous answer, the working time officers carry out their functions as an integral part of the HSE's wider structure of regulatory teams based throughout the country.

  Intellectual Property Rights
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with the Department for International Development concerning the establishment of a commission to investigate intellectual property rights. [151675]
  44W
  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 1 March 2001]: The establishment of the new Commission for Intellectual Property Rights was discussed in contacts between the Department for International Development and the Department of Trade and Industry and the Patent Office, as well as a number of other Departments, in the context of the preparation of the White Paper "Eliminating World Poverty: Making Globalisation Work for the Poor", and officials will continue to work together.

  Minimum Wage
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what work his Department has carried out to identify how many of those workers earning below the minimum wage as recorded by the new earnings survey should have been in receipt of the minimum wage. [151768]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  [holding answer 1 March 2001]: An estimate of the number of workers being paid below the national minimum wage can be made from central estimates based on the Office for National Statistics' new earnings and labour force surveys. However, this in itself is not an indication of the extent of non-compliance. There are a number of factors which need to be taken into account. Exactly which jobs and workers have been included in the surveys, for example, the different components of pay received and the composition of hours of work, can all affect the estimates. There is also the issue of sampling variation in the survey results, which means that any estimates should properly be provided as a range. The surveys do not tell us how many people are receiving free accommodation, are Government trainees, or are working for their family business and thus exempt. Account needs to be taken of the level of economic activity in the informal economy, which may not be picked up by the central estimates. The Low Pay Commission is monitoring and evaluating the impact of the minimum wage and is due to report its findings by July. I look forward to receiving the commission's report. My Department is also working with the Inland Revenue, which enforces the national minimum wage and administers the Working Families Tax Credit, to obtain indications of the level of minimum wage non-compliance from those sources

  Telecommunications Masts
  Mr. Lepper
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on progress made by the Radiocommunications Agency in its audit of mobile phone base stations and masts and the assessment of emissions from them. [151129]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 26 February 2001]: The Radiocommunications Agency's audit of mobile phone base stations started at the end of December 2000. The focus of the audit is schools with base stations located on their premises and these schools were asked to register with the RA to express an interest in their being included in the audit. 107 schools have registered their interest.

  The first eight surveys have now been completed and the results are published on the RA website www.radio.gov.uk. All the surveys have shown emissions that will lead to exposure substantially inside the public exposure guidelines of the International Commission for Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). The

  45W
  adoption of these guidelines was recommended by the Stewart Group, and this recommendation was accepted by the Government.

  Maternity Pay
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of mothers with children born in 1999–2000 were entitled to(a) statutory maternity pay and (b) maternity allowance. [150997]

  Mr. Bayley
  I have been asked to reply.

  Both statutory maternity pay and maternity allowance are payments made to pregnant working women to help them take time off work around the time of the birth.

  It is estimated that 42 per cent. of mothers with children born in 1999–2000 received statutory maternity pay and that 6 per cent. received maternity allowance.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Departmental Policies (Vale of Clwyd)
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Solicitor-General if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Vale of Clwyd, the effects on the Vale of Clwyd of his Department's policies and actions since May 1997. [151930]

  The Solicitor-General
  In October 1998 the Colwyn Bay and Bangor offices of Crown Prosecution Service, North Wales, in liaison with the police and courts, became a Narey Pilot site. All defendants charged with a criminal offence now make their first appearance before local magistrates courts within 96 hours. Current information indicates that around 40 per cent. of defendants now have their cases finalised at that first hearing.

  On 1 June 2000 the Crown Prosecution Service, North Wales altered its structures in line with the proposals contained in the Glidewell review to establish a Criminal Justice Unit and Trials Unit in Colwyn Bay. This enabled the Crown Prosecution Service to place greater emphasis on more serious crime proceeding to the Crown court.

  The Crown Prosecution Service, North Wales is also piloting statutory time limits in youth cases and has worked together with the other agencies locally to speed up youth justice, particularly persistent young offenders. Since May 1997, the Crown Prosecution Service has reduced the time taken to finalise prosecutions arising in the Vale of Clwyd area, especially cases involving youth offenders. This has resulted in the target of 71 days being achieved in two of the quarters in if the current year. All these changes illustrate the Government's successful policy of speeding up the work of the criminal justice system.

  North Wales is also piloting the Victim Information Bureau at Wrexham which provides detailed explanations to victims when cases are dropped or charges substantially amended. Meetings are also offered to victims in certain cases and so far, since the commencement of the pilot in April 2000, seven meetings have been held.

  Action and policies of the Treasury Solicitor's Department and the Serious Fraud Office affect my hon. Friend's constituency only indirectly.

  Departmental Policies (Hull, North)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Solicitor-General if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Hull, North constituency, the effects on Hull, North of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [150621]

  The Solicitor-General
  The Hull branch of the Crown Prosecution has worked closely with the police and courts to implement a number of changes which have reduced delay in the prosecution process. Other changes now in hand aim to improve the preparation of more serious cases for trial in the Crown court.

  In October 1999, in line with national policy, the Narey proposals were implemented. Defendants now appear in Hull magistrates court within 36 to 72 hours of being charged by the police. Before this change there was often a delay of four to five weeks. To ensure that all relevant information is available for court, CPS lawyers and caseworkers attend at the police station and liaise with police staff prior to court. This means that in spite of the shorter timescales more cases can be finalised at the first hearing rather than being adjourned.

  Further changes in January this year have enabled serious cases such as robbery, rape and murder to get to the Crown court much more quickly. In one recent case a defendant appeared at Hull Crown court only eight days after committing an offence of robbery and was sentenced to three years' imprisonment. Last year it would have taken around 12 weeks to deal with the case. All these changes illustrate the Government's successful policy of speeding up the work of the criminal justice system.

  Progress is being made on the structural changes recommended by Sir Iain Glidewell's review of the CPS. Lay staff known as designated caseworkers now deal with straightforward guilty pleas and road traffic cases in the magistrates court. In Hull they cover eight courts per week which would previously have required a lawyer. The lawyers freed from this routine work are able to spend their time on more serious matters and in June they will form a specialist Trials Unit dedicated to Crown court cases.

  Actions and policies of the Treasury Solicitor's Department and the Serious Fraud Office affect my hon. Friend's constituency only indirectly.

  Departmental Policies (Bolton, West)
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Solicitor-General if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Bolton, West constituency, the effects on Bolton, West of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [150609]

  The Solicitor-General
  In November 1999, in line with national policy, the Bolton/Wigan branch of the Crown Prosecution Service, in liaison with Greater Manchester police and Bolton magistrates court, introduced the Narey proposals. All adult defendants charged with a criminal offence now make their first appearance before Bolton magistrates court within 48 hours. The present figures suggest that more than 50 per cent. of all defendants now have their case finished far more quickly than was previously the case. In January 2001, also in line with national policy and new legislation, the Crown Prosecution
  47W
  Service and the magistrates courts started sending the most serious cases to the Crown court within one week of the first appearance in the magistrates court. Henceforth, Crown court judges will monitor the progress of these cases and they will be finalised more quickly than previously.

  So far as young offenders are concerned, the Crown Prosecution Service, together with the police, the magistrates court and the local Youth Offending Team, have agreed procedures designed to bring persistent young offenders before the courts much more quickly. A recent survey of independent consultants revealed that the Crown Prosecution Service in Bolton reviewed 69 per cent. of trial files on the day of receipt, 8 per cent. within 48 hours of receipt, 8 per cent. within three days of receipt and 15 per cent. within six days of receipt. All these changes illustrate the success of the Government's policy of speeding up the work of the Criminal Justice System.

  The Crown Prosecution Service has also contributed to the formulation of a local crime and disorder strategy which, after widespread consultation, identified the types of offence which cause the greatest public concern. It is now working with other criminal justice agencies to meet targets which the strategy group has set for the reduction of those offences.

  Actions and policies of the Treasury Solicitor's Department and the Serious Fraud Office affect my hon. Friend's constituency only indirectly.

  Operation Care
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Solicitor-General how many of the cases referred to the CPS as part of Operation Care were(a) accepted and (b) refused; and what the main reasons for refusal were. [151613]

  The Solicitor-General
  Operation Care is an investigation into allegations of sexual and physical abuse of children in care in the Merseyside area from 1960 to the present day. Since April 1996, when Operation Care commenced, Merseyside police have submitted cases relating to 181 suspects to the Crown Prosecution Service. The CPS prosecuted 59 suspects; 20 pleaded guilty, seven were convicted after trial, 10 were acquitted, four died before trial and 16 suspects sill await trial. Allegations against a further 21 suspects have been referred back to the police for further inquiries to be made. In addition, one person has been cautioned for a single sexual offence, which was unlikely to result in a sentence of imprisonment.

  The CPS advised the police that a prosecution was not justified in the cases of the remaining 100 suspects. There was insufficient evidence against 90 of the suspects. The

  £

  Nature of funding

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  (examples include):

  Revenue Support Grant1

  126,825,635

  128,711,991

  122,542,693

  Income from National Non-domestic Rates1

  60,589,879

  65,495,908

  73,718,842

  Highway Maintenance Standard Spending Assessment (SSA)

  7,763,000

  7,968,000

  7,293,000

  SSA Reduction Grant (SSA review)

  7,498,940

  0

  0

  Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Support Grant

  33,601,236

  30,198,391

  29,740,875

  Housing Investment Programme (HIP)

  8,249,000

  8,484,000

  20,832,000

  48W
  circumstances of the remaining 10 suspects meant that the public interest test in the Code for Crown Prosecutors was not satisfied.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Housing
  Mr. Linton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many affordable housing units were built in the Wandsworth planning area in(a) 2000, (b) 1999, (c) 1998, (d) 1997 and (e) 1996. [148123]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  The information requested is, as far as possible, as follows:

  1999–2000

  Units completed: 117

  Units approved: 42.

  Earlier figures are unavailable as information of this type was not routinely collected before the 2000–01 Housing Investment Programme (HIP) allocation round.

  Mr. Linton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many affordable housing units were built in the Wandsworth planning area through planning gain (Section 106) in(a) 2000, (b) 1999, (c) 1998, (d) 1997 and (e) 1996. [148122]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  The information requested is, as far as possible, as follows:

  1999–2000

  Discounted/free land: nil

  Financial contributions: nil.

  Earlier figures are unavailable as information of this type was not routinely collected before the 2000–01 Housing Investment Programme (HIP) round.

  Departmental Policies (Tooting)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will set out with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Tooting parliamentary constituency, the effect of his Department's policies and actions since 1 May 1997. [149866]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The principal kinds of funding which this Department has provided to the London Borough of Wandsworth since 1 May 1997 are shown in the table. These include grants and borrowing approvals for revenue capital expenditure.

  It is not possible to determine how much of this money has been spent on Tooting. It is for the local authority to decide where, within its boundaries, these resources are invested.
  49W

  £

  Nature of funding

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Single Regeneration Budget (SRB)

  2,226,000

  2,283,274

  3,260,264

  Local Transport Capital Expenditure

  2,308,000

  2,080,000

  1,676,000

  Central Support Protection Grant

  n/a

  6,304,020

  6,523,300

  1 This relates to the grants for 1998–99 as amended by 'The Local Government Finance Report (England) 1998/1999: Amending Report 2000'

  Single Regeneration Budget (SRB)

  SRB Round 3—Wandsworth Town—A new urban center

  Currently in its fourth year of operation, this Round 3 SRB scheme incorporates the original Round 1 scheme. The central aim of the scheme is to transform Wandsworth into a new urban riverside centre for the 21st century. This scheme is delivered through the Wandsworth Challenge Partnership.

  SRB Round 4—East Battersea Powerhouse

  This is a six-year programme to ensure the redevelopment of the Battersea power station site benefits the surrounding community and contributes towards the overall regeneration of the East Battersea area.

  SRB Round 6—Young People—Agepts for change in Tooting

  The purpose of this seven-year programme is to support and involve young people, particularly those who are disadvantaged and socially excluded from mainstream activity, in the development of their community in the Tooting priority community area. It focuses on four themes: Young People and Society; Young People, Education and Learning; Young People and Work; and Young People, Health and Wellbeing.

  Hastings Bypass
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the cost-benefit ratio is for the A259 Hastings bypass recommended by the Steer Davies Cleave multi-modal study, according to the same methodology used by his Department appraising other schemes. [150901]

  Mr. Hill
  Guidance on the methodology for multi-modal Studies (GOMMMs), published by DETR in March 2000, provided a framework for applying the Government's new approach to appraisal (NATA) as part of the multi-modal study process GOMMMs was followed by the Access to Hastings study which was completed in November 2000. The final report for this study provides a table of impacts which contains all the significant costs and benefits of the strategies. The balance of this information gives an 'overall net value' of the strategies. This includes an assessment of the affordability of the strategies, represented in more conventional terms of a cost benefit analysis.

  An error was made by the consultants in their cost-benefit analysis for their two preferred strategies within the final report. Revised figures have been circulated and provide a benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 0.5 for Strategy 12 ("without bypasses") and of 1.0 for strategy 13 ("with bypasses"). An assessment of the A259 Hastings bypass schemes provided a BCR of 1.7. These figures relate only to the economic assessment and not to other aspects of the appraisal, for example the environmental assessment.

  Local Transport (Sefton)
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much capital programme (local transport plan) has been allocated to Sefton Council for 2001 to 2006; and if he will indicate the sums allocated to support schemes relating to(a) travel to schools, (b) walkwise, (c) traffic management and signing, (d) CCTV televisions, (e) cycling measures, (f) bridge maintenance, (g) principal road maintenance, (h) quality of life, including local safety schemes, street lighting, traffic calming and home zones, and (i) forward planning, in (i) 2000–01 and (ii) each year since 1994. [151568]

  Mr. Hill
  The information is as follows.

  Financial years 2001–06

  The block allocation local transport plan settlement for Merseyside for 2001–06 is as follows:

  £000

  Integrated transport block

  Maintenance

  Total

  Allocation

  2001–02

  34,000

  11,164

  45,164

  Indicative allocation

  2002–03

  31,700

  11,628

  43,328

  2003–04

  32,000

  8,721

  40,721

  2004–06

  31,600

  8,721

  40,321

  2005–06

  31,900

  8,721

  40,621

  Of the total allocation for Merseyside for 2001–02, £5.163 million has been allocated to Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council (MBC). This covers both maintenance (principal road and bridge maintenance) and the integrated transport block, which includes the other elements referred to in the question. It is for Sefton MBC to decide how it will spend this allocation, but expenditure should be in accordance with the aims and objectives of the local transport plan for Merseyside.

  The indicative allocations for 2002–03 to 2005–06 are Merseyside-wide, and the five local authorities will together decide the exact allocation to each on an annual basis.

  Financial 2000–01

  The allocation to Sefton MBC for 2000–01 was £2.847 million. This represents Sefton's share of the £22.967 million block allocation to Merseyside for the maintenance and integrated transport programme contained in the 'provisional' Merseyside Local Transport Plan.

  Financial years 1994–99

  Prior to the introduction of Local Transport Plans, local transport funding was allocated under Transport Policies and Programmes system. Funding was allocated in four areas and the figures for Sefton MBC are detailed in the table.

  51W

  £000

  Bridge maintenance

  Principal road maintenance

  Local safety schemes

  Minor works— transport projects under £2 million

  1994–95

  363

  185

  319

  308

  1995–96

  328

  248

  266

  1,220

  1996–97

  510

  192

  200

  1,000

  1997–98

  605

  540

  225

  957

  1998–99

  170

  190

  181

  979

  1999–2000

  640

  192

  254

  1,222

  It was for Sefton MBC to decide how to spend these allocations on the other specific elements mentioned in the question.

  Road Schemes
  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those major road schemes which were provisionally accepted in the 1999 local transport financial settlement, indicating for each whether they have(a) been given full approval, (b) require further work or (c) have been subsequently rejected. [151557]

  Mr. Hill
  The following schemes were provisionally accepted in the 1999 local transport financial settlement:Barnsley: Coalfields Link Road Phases 2 and 3
  Bedfordshire: A507 Ridgmont Bypass and Woburn Link
  Bedfordshire: Bedford Western Bypass
  Buckinghamshire: A4146 Stoke Hammond and Linslade Western Bypass
  Cambridgeshire: A142 Fordham Bypass
  Doncaster: A6023 Denaby Main Diversion1
  Hertfordshire: Baldock Bypass
  Manchester, Salford: Manchester/Salford Inner Relief Road (Regent Road/Gore Street)1
  North Yorkshire: Scarborough Integrated Transport Scheme
  Nottinghamshire: A617 Mansfield Ashfield Regeneration Route
  Suffolk: Stowmarket B1115 Relief Road
  1 These schemes have now been given full approval.

  Work on the remainder is still in progress. None have been rejected.

  Teenage Lone Parents
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many foyer projects have been established for teenage lone parents since 1997; how many teenage lone parents they accommodate; and where they are located. [151745]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  The Edmund's Court Foyer in Birmingham, which opened in July 1997, has 48 bedspaces for teenage lone parents. Aberdeen Foyer, which opened in April 1998, also has a number of units held exclusively for teenage lone parents to use. Many other foyers across the country also have a small number of flats or converted units, which would be appropriate for use by this group.

  Southampton Airport
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the Government 52W
  have asked the British Airports Authority to examine the feasibility of adding an extra runway to Southampton Airport; and if he will make a statement. [151674]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  As part of the ongoing South East and East of England Regional Air Services (SERAS) study we asked BAA and other operators of major airports to provide technical assistance to the Department's consultants who are preparing possible options for development of airports to serve the study area. This work by the airport operators is subject to audit by the Department's consultants. The appraisal of the options, in line with the published framework, is being carried out entirely by our consultants.

  We are currently appraising a very large number of options and will proceed through successive sifts to narrow down these options to a final shortlist, on which there will be a full public consultation before Ministers come to decisions. The published terms of reference clearly indicate that the study should consider both scenarios incorporating additional capacity and no additional capacity, and should consider both terminal capacity and runway capacity.

  In advance of the consultation, it would be premature to comment on the status of any specific option. Releasing information in the early stages of a possible project, in advance of final options, could result in unnecessary and lengthy blight, as well as multiplying uncertainty and anxiety. This approach is consistent with my Department's Code of Practice on the Dissemination of Information during Major Infrastructure Developments.

  Local Strategic Partnerships
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions who is responsible for deciding the membership of each local strategic partnership. [151786]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The membership and size of a local strategic partnership will depend on local circumstances. To be effective any strategic partnership will need to involve the key public agencies who provide most local services, such as local authorities, the health authority, police, Employment Service and Benefits Agency. However, local strategic partnerships must also include the private sector, voluntary organisations and local people in their core membership. The specific membership in any area should reflect local needs and priorities (as identified by the community strategy and local neighbourhood renewal strategy). Local authorities should take the first steps to ensure that a local strategic partnership is set up, building on existing effective partnerships in the area wherever possible.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he intends to issue further guidance on the establishment of local strategic partnerships; and if he will make a statement. [151758]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Draft guidance on the establishment and key objectives of local strategic partnerships was issued for consultation in October 2000. Over 250 responses were received. The Government have considered these responses and are drafting final guidance in light of the comments made and other
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  relevant policy developments on neighbourhood renewal, local government modernisation and urban and rural issues. We intend to issue this guidance shortly.

  Neighbourhood Renewal Scheme
  Miss Geraldine Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if Lancaster city council is entitled to apply for funding under the neighbourhood renewal scheme. [151659]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Neighbourhood Renewal Fund is a new fund that will provide grants to local authorities over the next three years to improve services in the most deprived areas.

  88 local authorities will benefit from this fund. Lancaster city council is not eligible to receive money from the NRF. However, it is one of the authorities invited to express an interest in taking part in the Neighbourhood Management pilot schemes.

  MPG6
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review Minerals Policy Guidance 6 following the recent floods. [151812]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Minerals Planning Guidance Note 6 (MPG6) sets out "Guidelines for the provision of aggregates in England". It is currently under review and it is at present planned that public consultation on a draft revision will be undertaken later this year. That draft revision will make appropriate references to other guidance including Planning Policy Guidance Note 25 (PPG25) "Development and Flood Risk". The publication of a revised draft of PPG25, for fast-track consultation, was announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning in a written answer to my hon. Friend on 6 February 2001,Official Report, column 456W. That draft refers briefly to mineral workings in flood plain areas that could affect water storage and the control of flooding. We will consider, in the light of responses, whether this needs to be elaborated in the final text of PPG25. This will be the primary document giving planning guidance on flood risk.

  Air Pollution (Leeds)
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the days on which in the last five years, the air quality in Leeds city centre was classified as severely polluted. [152018]

  Mr. Hill
  The dates when levels of air pollution were recorded as high or very high at the Leeds city centre monitoring station are as follows.

  1996

  16 January

  28 February

  11 March

  15 March

  16 March

  17 March

  18 March

  19 March

  21 March

  22 March

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  1997

  14 January

  15 January

  16 January

  26 January

  27 January

  30 January

  11 March

  12 March

  11 April

  12 April

  15 April

  16 April

  17 April

  18 April

  10 July1

  11 July1

  19 August1

  29 October

  30 October

  31 October

  6 November

  1998

  18 November

  1999

  1 August2

  12 August1

  2000

  Nil days

  Note:

  Particles (PM10) were responsible for the majority of days when levels were high or very high, apart from dates indicated 1 when sulphur dioxide levels were high and 2 when ozone levels were high.

  Urban Development Plans
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the time frame required for publication of UDPs following their approval. [151838]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The procedures to be followed for the adoption or approval of development plans are set out in the Town and Country Planning (Development Plans) (England) Regulations 1999. These require printed copies of a development plan to be available for inspection or purchase, as soon as practicable after its adoption or approval. There are currently no plans to prescribe a timescale for plan publication.

  Bus Vehicle Inspectors
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many bus vehicle inspectors are in post in each traffic region. [152002]

  Mr. Hill
  The Vehicle Examiners and Traffic Examiners employed by the Vehicle Inspectorate check Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs), Passenger Service Vehicles (PSVs) and other road vehicles for roadworthiness, emissions and compliance with drivers' hours and other traffic legislation. Vehicle Examiners also carry out standards control checks
  55W
  at MOT testing stations and support the Traffic Commissioners in their operator licensing functions. The total number of Vehicle Examiners and Traffic Examiners

  Enforcement Group

  Number of Vehicle Examiners (VE)

  Number of Traffic Examiners (TE)

  VE resource deployed on PSV work

  TE resource deployed on PSV work

  Scottish

  26

  17

  2.0

  1.7

  North Eastern

  48

  29

  3.3

  3.2

  North Western1

  42

  25

  2.9

  2.7

  West Midlands

  26

  17

  1.4

  1.3

  South Wales

  14

  9

  1.4

  0.8

  Eastern

  41

  28

  2.6

  2.4

  South Eastern and Metropolitan

  39

  29

  2.3

  3.4

  Western

  40

  21

  2.2

  2.4

  Total

  276

  175

  18.1

  17.9

  1 Including North Wales

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many buses were inspected by bus vehicle inspectors in the West Midlands Traffic Commission area in the(a) 1999–2000 and (b) 2000–01 financial year to date; and how many were found to be defective in each year. [151999]

  Mr. Hill
  Vehicle Examiners (VEs) and Traffic Examiners (TEs) employed by the Vehicle Inspectorate check buses and coaches at the roadside and at operators' premises for roadworthiness, emissions, weight and compliance with drivers' hours and other traffic legislation. Where serious defects are found, or offences detected, an immediate or delayed prohibition notice may be issued and the offence may be reported for prosecution. The tables show the number of passenger service vehicles checked in the West Midlands Traffic Area and the enforcement action taken in 1999–2000 and in the half year to the end of September 2000.

  Results of PSV spot and fleet roadworthiness checks and emission spot checks

  Spot and fleet checks

  Emission checks

  Number of vehicles examined

  1999–2000

  2,634

  —

  Half year 2000–01

  1,068

  —

  Spot check prohibitions

  1999–2000

  Number of checks

  2,195

  664

  Percentage

  10.3

  0.6

  Half year 2000–01

  Number of checks

  880

  143

  Percentage

  14.1

  1.4

  Fleet check prohibitions

  1999–2000

  Number of checks

  439

  —

  Percentage

  11.8

  —

  Half year 2000–01

  Number of checks

  188

  —

  Percentage

  4.8

  —

  56W
  in post in each Enforcement Group Area in 1999–2000 and the equivalent resource deployed on PSVs are shown in the table.

  PSV traffic enforcement examinations, weighing and offences prohibited and prosecuted

  1999–2000

  Half year 2000–01

  UK

  Foreign

  UK

  Foreign

  Number examined (inc. number weighed)

  1,822

  71

  933

  68

  Number weighed

  85

  0

  47

  2

  Offences found and action taken:

  Drivers' hours tachographs and records

  Report for prosecution

  60

  —

  149

  —

  Convicted

  52

  —

  148

  —

  Prohibited (foreign only)

  —

  0

  —

  2

  Overloading

  Prohibited

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Other

  Report for prosecution

  9

  —

  23

  —

  Convicted

  8

  —

  10

  —

  GM Crop Trials
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will advise the removal of flower heads from the winter and spring trials as a precautionary measure in line with the advice from the Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Stretford and Urmston (Ms Hughes), in a Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions press release of 23 August 2000. [151539]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 1 March 2001]: The News Release of 23 August 2000 set out the arrangements for the farm-scale evaluations of autumn oilseed rape. It recognised that the review of separation distances for GM crops published by MAFF earlier that month had highlighted that increased separation distances might be required for certain types of oilseed rape. As an interim measure the News Release announced 100 m separation distances for varietal association oilseed rape pending full consideration of the NIAB report. If as a result the separation distances turned out to be greater than 100 m, consideration would be given to other risk reduction measures such as removal of flower heads from the rape plants to prevent pollen dispersal.
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  MAFF announced the outcome of their review and the distances to be applied to future rounds of the farm-scale evaluations on 6 February 2001, Official Report, column 492W. As a result the Government have asked the agriculture and farming industry body SCIMAC to incorporate two changes into their revised code of practice on GM crops. The first is to continue to apply the 100 m separation distance used at the autumn sown sites where varietal association oilseed rape was nearby, as mentioned in the 23 August press release. The second is an increased distance of 80 m for maize crops. This is intended, to ensure that contamination of neighbouring crops does not exceed 1 per cent.

  The MAFF announcement means that it is not necessary to remove the flower heads from the GM oilseed rape fields presently growing or planned for this spring where they are near conventional crops of varietal association oilseed rape. There are no maize or beet sites presently being grown. The new separation distance for maize crops will be implemented at all of the spring 2001 sites, when they are sown later in the year.

  Local Authority Reserves
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those local authorities which have been advised by the Audit Commission to increase their reserves in each of the past three years. [152142]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  It is the responsibility of the independent auditors appointed by the Audit Commission to consider the financial practices of authorities and to comment direct to an authority where they identify any matter which gives any cause for concern. This may include the level of an authority's reserves. The Audit Commission does not advise authorities on the level of reserves nor does it keep any central record of the recommendations of individual auditors.

  National Air Traffic Services
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those who have responded to the three-month consultation on the NATS PPP; when the consultation period will end; and when he plans to announce his decision. [152377]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  The Government undertook to hold further discussions about the public-private partnership for National Air Traffic Services during a period of three months from the date of Royal Assent to the Transport Act 2000. Royal Assent was given on 30 November, so the discussion period ended on 28 February. A report will be made to Parliament shortly.

  During the three-month period, my colleagues and I had meetings with, or received written representations from, the following organisations:

  Air 2000

  Air Transport Users Council

  Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association

  Airport Operators Association

  Association of British Travel Agents Ltd

  Aviation Environment Federation

  BAA plc

  Birmingham International Airport Ltd.

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  Board of Airline Representatives in the UK

  British Air Transport Association

  British Airline Pilots Association

  British Helicopter Advisory Board

  Civil Aviation Authority

  Civil Aviation Authority Retired Staff Association

  Federation of the Electronics Industry

  Gatwick Airport Consultative Committee

  General Aviation Manufacturers and Traders Association

  Guild of Air Traffic Control Officers

  Heathrow Airport Consultative Committee

  Independent Pilots Association

  International Air Carrier Association

  International Air Transport Association

  International Civil Aviation Organisation

  Institute of Directors

  Institute of Logistics and Transport

  Institution of Professionals, Managers and Specialists

  London Luton Airport Consultative Committee

  Manchester Airport plc

  National Air Traffic Services Ltd.

  Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety

  Popular Flying Association

  Public and Commercial Services Union

  Royal Aeronautical Society

  Society of British Aerospace Companies Ltd.

  Strategic Aviation Special Interest Group of the Local Government Association

  Trustees of the Civil Aviation Authority Pension Scheme.

  Rail Fares
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if it is the policy of the Government to maintain the existing formula for capping regulated fares on the railway for the purpose of new or revised rail franchises; [152375]

  (2) if it is the policy of the Government to extend coverage of regulated fares on the railway; [152374]

  (3) what arrangements have been agreed for new franchise agreements for the capping of regulated fares in respect of (i) the Chiltern franchise and (ii) the South Central franchise. [152376]

  Mr. Hill
  The regulation of fares is a matter for the Strategic Rail Authority. The Authority has no current plans to extend or change the existing formula for capping regulated fares on the railways, but it is reviewing the relationship between performance and fare caps. The current arrangements will apply to new or revised franchises including Chiltern and South Central, unless or until revised arrangements are subsequently agreed.

  Railway Records
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what the policy of his Department and the Strategic Rail Authority is in respect of historic railway documents previously kept in the British Railways Board Records Centre; [152366]
  59W
  (2) if it is the policy of his Department and the Strategic Rail Authority to sell the British Railways Board Records Centre, London W2; [152365]

  (3) what consultation takes place with Railtrack before railway records relating to the railway infrastructure are disposed of; [152368]

  (4) if it is the policy of his Department and the Strategic Rail Authority permanently to transfer records from the British Railways Board Records Centre to Railtrack and to the Public Record Office. [152367]

  Mr. Hill
  The great majority of the British Railways Board's (BRB's) responsibilities have been assumed by the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) as a consequence of the Transport Act 2000. The management of the BRB records is, therefore, a matter for the SRA. With the ending of the BRB's operational responsibilities, a decision was made in 1997 to rationalise the archive and to retain only those documents necessary to meet the on-going requirements of the Board to deal with its continuing legal liabilities. Under an appraisal process agreed by the Public Record Office (PRO) and the Railway Heritage Committee, records of historical importance are being deposited with the PRO or County Record Offices. Railtrack (and where appropriate any other successor body) are being advised of those records in which they may have an interest for the on-going running of the railway. The building in which the former BRB Records Centre is housed is now much larger than that appropriate for the number of records held and will be sold in due course.

  Rough Sleepers (London)
  Mr. Lammy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress his Department has made in reducing the number of people sleeping rough in London. [152410]

  Ms Armstrong
  Using information from street counts carried out in 12 London boroughs on 11 December 2000, it was estimated that there were around 438 people sleeping rough on any one night in London. This is a reduction of 29.5 per cent. from the baseline of 621 in June 1998. A borough by borough breakdown is available in the Library of the House. Using information from street counts carried out in central London on 1 March 2001, it is currently estimated that there are 380 people sleeping rough in London.

  Waste Management
  Mr. Leslie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance he is giving local authorities in planning their municipal waste management strategies; and if he will make a statement. [152427]

  Mr. Meacher
  Best value guidance which was published last December already sets out clear standards for local authorities to adhere to in delivering waste management services.

  Today I am publishing guidance for English local authorities in preparing their Municipal Waste Management Strategies. It sets out the new statutory targets for authorities on household waste recycling and composting, which we promised in "Waste Strategy 2000".
  60W
  Overall these statutory targets will double recycling of such waste by 2003–04 and triple it by 2005–06. The guidance encourages Collection and Disposal Authorities to work closely together to deliver these targets. It also includes guidance on the Waste Minimisation Act 1998. Copies of the guidance have been deposited in the House of Commons Library and are being sent to all relevant English local authorities.

  Concessionary Fares (Students)
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to extend concessionary travel fares to students. [152121]

  Mr. Hill
  Travel concessions are primarily a matter for local authorities. They already have powers to provide discounted fares for young people under 19 years of age who are in full-time education.

  Environmentally Sustainable Fuels
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the relative environmental sustainability of(a) the liquid biofuels, biodiesel and bioethanol and (b) the road fuel gases CNG and LPG. [152066]

  Mr. Hill
  The Government have undertaken an environmental assessment of a range of alternative fuels, including biofuels and road fuel gases, as part of the Government's Green Fuel Challenge. The Government will make a further announcement about the Green Fuel Challenge in the Budget.

  Building Regulations
  Mr. Plaskitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the outcome of the review of Part L of the Building Regulations will be announced; and what technical changes he plans to introduce as a result of consultation. [152449]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The review of Part L of the Building Regulations is now almost complete. The Government wish to implement the changes at the earliest opportunity to maximise the reduction in Co2 emissions that will result. In order to allow the construction industry the maximum time possible to gear up to the changes in the Building Regulations with regard to energy efficiency, we are working towards publishing the proposed draft Approved Document in the near future, in advance of its formal publication, with a view to making amendment regulations in August of this year.

  The draft cannot be finalised and formally published until after we have received the responses to the current consultation on Part E of the Building Regulations, which deals with sound insulation. We recognise the interaction between these two parts of the regulations, and specifically sought any further comments on Part L in the consultation on Part E. This consultation closes on 20 April 2001.

  A key issue in the consultation on Part L was the target U-values. We have listened to the views expressed in response to the consultation, and have decided to implement the changes in one stage rather than two, to reduce the disruption to the industry. We have also accepted that the U-value of 0.30W/m2K for walls would

  61W
  put an undue burden on builders and their materials and component suppliers in circumstances where European standards for declaring thermal insulation performance have yet to settle, and have relaxed it to 0.35 W/m2K. This is still an important improvement on the current standard and we will work towards a further seduction at a future date by early signalling of the prospective higher target.

  Lead Pipes (Lancashire)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to ensure that lead pipes carrying water into domestic properties in Lancashire are replaced; and if he will make a statement. [152276]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  Under Regulations laid before Parliament in December 2000, North West Water and other water companies are embarking on major programmes of new and improved treatment to minimise the capacity of water to dissolve lead from pipes. These programmes should enable the Drinking Water Directive's interim standard of 25 microgrammes of lead per litre of water (25 µgPb/l) to be substantially met by December 2003, and will go a long way towards meeting the final standard of 10 µgPb/l which has to be complied with by December 2013. Where the standards are not met, water companies will need to replace (or line) their own lead pipes and advise consumers as to any action that it is desirable that they take in the interests of their health. We shall know the full extent to which these additional measures will be needed when the treatment programmes have been completed. Property owners remain responsible for the pipes within their own properties.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Pension Credit
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the responses received during the consultation period on pension credit. [150493]

  Mr. Rooker
  We have received over 400 responses to the pension credit consultation paper so far and are now carefully considering the points raised in them.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many complaints he has received about the operation of the Child Support Agency over the past year; and if he will make a statement. [150495]

  Angela Eagle
  Normally, complaints about the operation of the Child Support Agency are addressed to the chief executive of the CSA. Around 16,000 complaints have been received to date this financial year. The agency is committed to reducing complaints, and these are currently within the target set by Secretary of State of 0.15 per cent. of the total caseload.

  Mrs. Betty Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the operation of the Child Support Agency. [150503]
  62W
  Angela Eagle
  The child support scheme is being completely reformed to address the failures of the current system. The new system will be straightforward and easily understood, allowing the Child Support Agency to deliver an effective and reliable service.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the administration of the Housing Benefit system. [150497]

  Angela Eagle
  Following years of neglect by previous Governments, improving administration is the biggest challenge facing the Housing Benefit system.

  We published our strategy to achieve this in December. One of our first steps is the formation of the expert help team. Working in partnership with local authorities, the team will help authorities turn things around.

  Mr. Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he proposes to take to improve the administration of Housing Benefit. [150507]

  Angela Eagle
  We recognise that some local authorities provide a better service than others. The Housing Green Paper set out our strategy for reforming the complex and fragmented Housing Benefit system that we inherited. Our priority is to work with local authorities to improve standards, drive our fraud and error and promote work incentives.

  Our response to consultation on the Green Paper set out a wide-ranging package of measures to help improve service delivery and streamline the system, making Housing Benefit easier for councils to administer and those in need to claim.

  We will work with local authorities to develop the detail and discuss timing for the introduction of these measures.

  We have already announced the setting up of the expert help team, which will help those councils committed to working in partnership to develop and manage improvement plans. I am pleased to see that East Ayrshire council is among the first wave of local authorities to take advantage of the help offered by the team.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the action he will take against local authorities which have a poor record for addressing Housing Benefit fraud. [150512]

  Mr. Rooker
  We are working in partnership with local authorities, through the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate (BFI) and other agencies, to ensure that the unacceptable levels of fraud and error are reduced. Fighting fraud is fundamental to the good administration of Housing Benefit. If the BFI identifies administrative weaknesses in a local authority, we expect the authority to act quickly to remedy them. Where the BR finds evidence of persistent service failings, we will use our statutory powers to direct the authority concerned on the standards it is to achieve and the time scales for doing so.

  Retirement Pension Payments
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to review the system
  63W
  of paying retirement pensions to ensure that payments are made from the actual day of entitlement rather than from the following Monday. [150498]

  Mr. Rooker
  There are no plans to change the present arrangements, which work well and take account of the sensitivities at the time the pension is no longer required as well as when it is claimed.

  New Deal (Disabled People)
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has had from employers organisations about the New Deal for Disabled People. [150500]

  Mr. Bayley
  We have consulted widely, including with employers. Their views are helping us to target our measures more effectively to support those currently claiming incapacity benefits who wish to move into work.

  The New Deal for Disabled People has already helped over 6,200 people move into work. We will be extending services nationally from July this year and in addition we are currently tendering for job retention and rehabilitation pilot providers.

  Free Television Licences (North-West)
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioner households in the northwest are in receipt of a free television licence. [150501]

  Mr. Rooker
  TV Licensing, which administers this concession for the BBC as licensing authority, is not able to provide geographical breakdowns of the number of free licences issued.

  However, using family resources survey data, we estimate that 360,000 pensioner households may qualify for a free television licence in the North West Government Office Region.

  New Deal (Lone Parents)
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received on the New Deal for Lone Parents. [150504]

  Angela Eagle
  Ministers from this Department and the Department for Education and Employment attended regional events last week in advance of the national advertising campaign for the New Deal for Lone Parents, which starts today. These events brought together employers and some of the over 200,000 lone parents who have participated in the programme.

  Latest results show the number of lone parents dependent on Income Support continuing to fall and the number has fallen by over 100,000 since May 1997.

  Benefit Take-up
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to(a) increase the take-up of benefits and (b) simplify the procedure for receiving benefits. [150505]
  64W
  Mr. Rooker
  This week the Department is writing to pensioners who might be eligible for the Minimum Income Guarantee as a result of the April increases to the capital limits. We are also reducing the size of the MIG claim from 40 pages to 10 pages.

  Pensioners
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to help pensioners who have savings. [150506]

  Mr. Rooker
  Pensioners who make provision for their retirement should be and will be rewarded for doing so. From next month, we will raise the capital limits in the Minimum Income Guarantee.

  In addition, the pension credit will be designed to reward pensioners with modest pensions and savings. Part of our proposals for the pension credit includes the abolition of the current capital rules, with consideration given to the income from savings instead.

  Liz Blackman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent discussions he has had with pensioner organisations about the level of spending by his Department on pensioners. [150510]

  Mr. Rooker
  All spending on benefits by my Department is scrutinised by Parliament. I have not had any recent meetings with pensioner organisations to discuss issues specifically relating to spending—nor would it be appropriate for me to do so. However, the fact that we are spending £4 5 billion this year on pensioners has been widely welcomed.

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he is taking to tackle pensioner poverty. [150508]

  Mr. Rooker
  Our record speaks volumes. This April, around two million of the poorest pensioner households will be at least £15 a week, or £800 a year, better off in real terms as a result of Government measures since 1997. That is a real terms rise in living standards of at least 17 per cent.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will propose to amend the Social Security Benefit (Computation of Earnings) Regulations 1996 so as to provide that where the dependant of a state pensioner earns money and is paid monthly there would be no deduction from the state pensioner's benefit in respect of any weeks within that monthly period in which no money was earned by the dependant. [152004]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Computation of Earnings Regulations, which were introduced in October 1996, align the method of calculation of earnings for the non-income-related benefits with that used for the income-related benefits. The change was designed to remove inconsistencies between benefits and reduce complexity in the social security scheme. The current rules are intended to make the calculation of earnings fair, easy to understand and straightforward to administer, while ensuring similarity of treatment between people in similar circumstances.

  We have no plans to change the present arrangements.
  65W
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the impact on income-related benefits for pensioners of the basic state pension being uprated in line with earnings from 2002–03. [151796]

  Mr. Rooker
  In 2002–03, we will be spending over £5 billion a year extra in real terms on pensioners as a result of policies since 1997. This will be £3 billion more a year than if the basic state pension had been linked to earnings since April 1998.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what arrangements he has made to ensure that his Department can inform individually those who will be retiring with a SERPS pension after 2002 that their spouse will not be entitled to full inherited rights. [151919]

  Mr. Rooker
  We are writing to all pensioners to reassure them that they will not be affected by the change in the rules. Regulations were laid on 26 February to put into effect the proposals announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 29 November. Subject to parliamentary approval for these regulations, arrangements are being made to inform the large number of people affected and to answer queries from individuals about their own entitlement to SERPS.

  Disability Benefits
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many persons no longer receive disability allowances which they previously received over the past 12 months. [150509]

  Mr. Bayley
  About 170,000 awards of Disability Living Allowance and 283,000 awards of Attendance Allowance were terminated in the 12 months ending 31 January 2001. Awards are terminated when people's condition improves and their care and/or mobility needs reduce, they go to live abroad, they enter long-term residential care, or they die.

  During the same period about 186,000 awards of Disability Living Allowance and 6,000 awards of Attendance Allowance were renewed, and 270,000 new awards of Disability Living Allowance and 330,000 new awards of Attendance Allowance were made. There was therefore a net increase in the number of people receiving Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance in the period.

  Minimum Income Guarantee
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners are eligible for the Minimum Income Guarantee in(a) Wales and (b) England; and how many and what proportion have had their applications approved to date. [150511]

  Mr. Rooker
  There are currently some 97,000 pensioners in Wales and some 1.4 million in England in receipt of the Minimum Income Guarantee. This figure does not include spouses and dependants, who account for some 2 million beneficiaries in GB. As a result of the national take-up campaign over 182,000 additional claims have been processed by the end of January, of which some 82,000 were successful.
  66W
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people have been sent letters inviting them to apply for the Minimum Income Guarantee; how many tear-off slips have been returned; how many of the letters have resulted in a successful claim; how many people have contacted the Minimum Income Guarantee helpline; how many claims have been submitted as a result of a helpline inquiry; and how many of the helpline inquiries have resulted in a successful claim. [151497]

  Mr. Rooker
  Since the launch of the campaign last May, 2.4 million pensioners have been written to and around 840,000 pensioners have responded. Over 475,000 calls have been received by the MIG claim line service and some 365,000 pensioners have requested a postal claim pack. At the end of January, the Department had received over 182,000 additional claims. Claims continue to be received and processed.

  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners in the Leeds, Central parliamentary constituency are receiving the Minimum Income Guarantee. [151668]

  Mr. Rooker
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to him on 26 February 2001,Official Report, column 541W.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he last met(a) the National Autistic Society, (b) Mencap, (c) the Royal National Institute for the Blind, (d) the Royal National Institution for Deaf People, (e) the Council for Disabled Children and (f) the Down's Syndrome Association to discuss the provision of benefits. [150513]

  Mr. Bayley
  I last met the National Autistic Society in February 1999; Mencap in November 2000; the Royal National Institute for the Blind in May 2000; and the Royal National Institute for the Deaf in May 1999. I have not met the Council for Disabled Children or the Down's Syndrome Association, though I have recently written to the latter about a report it produced on benefits.

  Winter Fuel Payments
  Mr. David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received about the exclusion from eligibility for winter fuel allowance of those who are aged 60 years or over on the relevant date. [150514]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is not kept in the format requested. So far this winter, around 11 million people have benefited from Winter Fuel Payments. The representations we have received concerning exclusions from the scheme are negligible.

  Widows Benefit
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security pursuant to his oral answer of 29 January 2001,Official Report, column 1, what the value is of bereavement benefit anticipated to be paid out; and what conveniently available figures he has for the likely number of recipients. [150515]
  67W
  Angela Eagle
  The information available is in the table.

  Estimated expenditure on bereavement benefits 2001–02

  Gross expenditure (£ million)

  Number of recipients (Thousand)

  Average amount of weekly benefit (£ per week)

  Lump-sum bereavement payment

  110

  60

  —

  Widowed parents allowance

  340

  60

  100

  Bereavement allowance

  40

  20

  50

  Total

  490

  180

  —

  1 Due to overlaps between the numbers receiving lump sum bereavement payment and those receiving weekly benefits, the total number of recipients counts numbers of weekly benefit recipients only.

  Notes:

  1. Figures estimated by the Government Actuary's Department and are consistent with the latest pre-Budget report. Estimates are in cash terms.

  2. Expenditure estimates are rounded to the nearest £10 million; recipient numbers to the nearest 10,000: and average amounts to the nearest £10. Figures may not sum due to rounding.

  3. Income-related benefit effects are excluded. Figures do not therefore represent changes in overall benefit expenditure due to the reforms to widow's bereavement benefits, nor do the average amounts represent average changes in weekly incomes.

  4. No explicit assumptions are made about levels of take-up.

  5. For the lump sum bereavement payment it is assumed that a certain proportion of payments in early 2001–02 continue to attract a payment of £1,000 as the deaths occurred in the previous financial year.

  6. Figures do not include women who receive Widow's Pension under the current rules.

  Means Testing
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the means testing of benefits. [150516]

  Mr. Bayley
  I refer the hon. Member to the replies given to the hon. Members for Gosport (Mr. Viggers) and for Vale of York (Miss McIntosh) earlier today,Official Report, Column 16.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what estimate he has made of the savings in means tested social security payments to his Department of a lone parent with one child aged over 11 leaving unemployment and entering a job that pays(a) £20,000 per annum and (b) £7,500 per annum; [151545]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the average change in benefits and tax credits paid when a participant in the New Deal for Lone Parents enters full-time employment. [151638]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 1 March 2001]: The information is in the table.

  Weekly income related benefit savings of a lone parent with one child aged 11–15 moving into work (at April 2000 rates)

  £

  Out of work benefits

  In work benefits

  Income related benefit saving

  No rent

  Earn £20,000

  87.95

  —

  87.95

  Earn £7,500

  87.95

  70.40

  17.91

  68W

  Weekly income related benefit savings of a lone parent with one child aged 11–15 moving into work (at April 2000 rates)

  £

  Out of work benefits

  In work benefits

  Income related benefit saving

  Private renter

  Earn £20,000

  166.35

  —

  166.35

  Earn £7,500

  166.35

  94.18

  72.17

  Local authority renter

  Earn £20,000

  131.27

  —

  131.27

  Earn £7.500

  131.27

  70.04

  61.23

  Notes:

  1. This table assumes:

  (a) work of 30 hours or more per week

  (b) no child care costs involved in WFTC assessment

  (c) private rented housing average rent of £78.40

  (d) local authority housing average rent £43.32

  (e) council tax of £9.90.

  2. Working Families Tax Credit has been treated as an income-related benefit for these calculations.

  3. Of the examples in this table the one that is most typical of a lone parent moving from benefit into work would be a local authority renter.

  Savings Incentives
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proposals he has to provide a greater incentive to save by those in receipt of, or on the threshold of, benefits. [150517]

  Mr. Bayley
  Investment in income-related benefits such as the Minimum Income Guarantee has provided the most effective and immediate way of tackling poverty. Modernising current systems through the development of tax credits and more tax-like assessments of benefits will provide a more efficient and simpler way of ensuring that people on low and modest incomes receive the security to which they are entitled.

  Social Security Fraud
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many prosecutions for social security fraud were secured in each calendar year since 1996. [150518]

  Mr. Rooker
  These figures are collected by financial year and are not available by calendar year. The number of prosecutions by financial year were given in my written answer to the hon. Member for Havant (Mr. Willetts) on 10 January 2001,Official Report, column 575–76W.

  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he is taking to combat social security fraud. [150499]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Fraud Bill currently before Parliament sets out measures that will make it easier to detect fraud and provide greater deterrents for those thinking of committing fraud.

  Yesterday we launched a national advertising campaign that will raise public awareness and reinforce the message that benefit fraud is wrong, unfair and hurts everyone who has to pay for it.

  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on his proposals for reducing fraud in social security.[150492]
  69W
  Mr. Rooker
  We have already taken steps to tighten the gateways to benefit, improve the training of fraud investigators, modernise technology to identify cheats, and we are seeking new powers to toughen the penalties against persistent offenders and gather the information necessary to catch them.

  Today we have also launched a national advertising campaign that will raise public awareness and reinforce our message that benefit fraud is wrong, unfair and will not be tolerated.

  Maternity Pay
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the estimated cost(a) to the Government and (b) to employers of paying statutory maternity pay at 90 per cent. of earnings for a period of 13 weeks, followed by (i) 13 and (ii) 39 weeks at a flat rate of £100. [150996]

  Mr. Bayley
  [holding answer 28 February 2001]: The information is in the table.

  £ million

  Estimated cost to:

  Government in 2001–02

  Employers in 2001–02

  Statutory maternity pay at 90 per cent. of earnings for 13 weeks followed by 13 weeks at flat rate of £100

  1,300

  600

  Statutory maternity pay at 90 per cent. of earnings for 13 weeks followed by 39 weeks at flat rate of £100

  2,100

  1,200

  Notes:

  1. Costs to Government take no account of effects on tax revenue, or of any income-related benefit offsets.

  2. Costs to employers include an estimation of the costs of engaging and training staff cover for employees on maternity leave and other costs, assuming the mother does not return to work during the statutory maternity pay period.

  3. Possible benefits to employers such as staff retention are excluded.

  4. Costs assume 100 per cent. take up by mothers eligible for receipt of statutory maternity pay in 2001–02

  Departmental Policies (Ilford, North)
  Ms Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what initiatives embarked upon since May 1997 have benefited Ilford, North; and if he will make a statement. [152029]

  Angela Eagle
  The Department's policies and initiatives have made a significant contribution to the Government's overall objectives of:Eradicating child poverty in 20 years, and halving it within 10;
  Promoting work as the best form of welfare for people of working age while protecting the position of those in greatest need; and,
  Combating poverty and promoting security and independence in retirement for today's and tomorrow's pensioners.

  These goals are being pursued nationwide and our achievements are set out in our annual Opportunity for all reports. Our second report, Opportunity for all—One year on: making a difference (CM4865, September 2000) sets out what progress has been made in the past year, as well as highlighting what more needs to be done. Nationwide statistical information is necessarily more complete than
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  constituency level data, but the following provides a comparative guide to the effect of the Department's policies and actions in Ilford, North since May 1997.

  Measures in our first four Budgets will lift over 1 million children out of poverty. These include record increases in Child Benefit, Working Families Tax Credit, increases in the income-related benefits, the minimum wage and tax changes.

  Child Benefit will be worth £15.50 a week for the eldest child and £10.35 a week for other children from April 2001: nationally about 7 million families receive Child Benefit, and in Ilford, North 11,420 families benefit.

  We now have the lowest unemployment rate in 25 years. The New Deals have helped lone parents, the young unemployed, the long-term unemployed, the over-50s and partners of the unemployed to move from benefit into work. In the period since May 1997 the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance nationally has reduced from 1,562.400 to 1,044,; in Ilford, North the number has reduced from 2,200 to 1,500. Since May 1997 the number of lone parents who claim Income Support has decreased from 1,013,500 to 894,100 nationally, and in Ilford, North from 1,600 to 1,500.

  Older people are disproportionately affected by fuel poverty, so we have introduced Winter Fuel Payments to help with their heaviest fuel bill. This winter, the payment is £200 for households who qualify. Around 17,000 older people in Ilford, North have received a Winter Fuel Payment for this winter.

  To demonstrate our commitment to combating pensioner poverty, this year we will spend £4.5 billion extra in real terms on pensioners. Some 16,400 pensioners in Ilford, North will benefit from the substantial increases in the basic State Pension this April and next; this year's increase is £5 a week for single pensioners and £8 for couples. In addition we have introduced free TV licences for the over-75s, of whom we estimate there are about 7,000 in Ilford, North. 2,700 pensioner families in Ilford, North are receiving the minimum income guarantee, which we introduced in April 1999 to help our poorest pensioners. From April they will be at least £15 a week, or £800 a year, better off in real terms as a result of Government measures since 1997.

  Other reforms in the pipeline include the new Pension Credit in 2003, designed to ensure that pensioners benefit from their savings. The launch of Stakeholder Pensions in April this year and the introduction of the State Second Pension in April 2002 will both help provide greater security for tomorrow's pensioners.

  Departmental Policies (Bolton, West)
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Bolton, West constituency, the effects on Bolton, West of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [150604]
  71W
  Mr. Rooker
  The Department's policies and initiatives have made a significant contribution to the Government's overall objectives of:Eradicating child poverty in 20 years, and halving it within 10;
  Promoting work as the best form of welfare for people of working age while protecting the position of those in greatest need; and,
  Combating poverty and promoting security and independence in retirement for today's and tomorrow's pensioners.

  These goals are being pursued nationwide and our achievements are set out in our annual "Opportunity for all" reports. Our second report, "Opportunity for all—One year on: making a difference" (CM4865, September 2000) sets out what progress has been made in the past year, as well as highlighting what more needs to be done. Nationwide statistical information is necessarily more complete than constituency level data, but the following provides a comparative guide to the effect of the Department's policies and actions in Bolton, West since May 1997.

  Measures in our first four Budgets will lift over one million children out of poverty. These include record increases in Child Benefit, Working Families Tax Credit, increases in the income-related benefits, the minimum wage and tax changes.

  Child Benefit will be worth £15.50 a week for the eldest child and £10.35 a week for other children from April 2001: nationally about 7 million families receive Child Benefit, and in Bolton, West 11,106 families benefit.

  We now have the lowest unemployment rate in 25 years. The new deals have helped lone parents, the young unemployed, the long-term unemployed, the over-50s and partners of the unemployed to move from benefit into work. In the period since May 1997 the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance nationally has reduced from 1,562,400 to 1,044,900; in Bolton, West the number has reduced from 1,200 to 1,100. Since May 1997, the number of lone parents who claim Income Support has decreased from 1,013,500 to 894,100 nationally, and in Bolton, West from 1,100 to 1,000.

  Older people are disproportionately affected by fuel poverty. So we have introduced Winter Fuel Payments to help with their heaviest fuel bill. This winter, the payment is £200 for households who qualify. Over 15,500 older people in Bolton, West have received a Winter Fuel Payment for this winter.

  To demonstrate our commitment to combating pensioner poverty, this year we will spend £4.5 billion extra in real terms on pensioners. Some 14,500 pensioners in Bolton, West will benefit from the substantial increases in the basic state pension this April and next; this year's increase is £5 a week for single pensioners and £8 for couples. In addition we have introduced free TV licences for the over-75s, of whom we estimate there are about 5,800 in Bolton, West. 2,000 pensioner families in Bolton, West are receiving the Minimum Income Guarantee, which we introduced in April 1999 to help our poorest pensioners. From April they will be at least £15 a week, or £800 a year, better off in real terms as a result of Government measures since 1997.
  72W
  Other reforms in the pipeline include the new pension credit in 2003, designed to ensure that pensioners benefit from their savings. The launch of stakeholder pensions in April this year and the introduction of the state second pension in April 2002 will both help provide greater security for tomorrow's pensioners.

  Departmental Policies (Hull, North)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Hull, North constituency, the effects on Hull, North of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [150617]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Department's policies and initiatives have made a significant contribution to the Government's overall objectives of Eradicating child poverty in 20 years, and halving it within 10;
  Promoting work as the best form of welfare for people of working age while protecting the position of those in greatest need; and,
  Combating poverty and promoting security and independence in retirement for today's and tomorrow's pensioners.

  These goals are being pursued nationwide and our achievements are set out in our annual "Opportunity for all" reports. Our second report, "Opportunity for all—One year on: making a difference" (CM4865, September 2000) sets out what progress has been made in the past year, as well as highlighting what more needs to be done. Nationwide statistical information is necessarily more complete than constituency level data, but the following provides a comparative guide to the effect of the Department's policies and actions in Hull, North since May 1997.

  Measures in our first four Budgets will lift over one million children out of poverty. These include record increases in Child Benefit, Working Families Tax Credit, increases in the income-related benefits, the minimum wage and tax changes.

  Child Benefit will be worth £15.50 a week for the eldest child and £10 35 a week for other children from April 2001: nationally about 7 million families receive Child Benefit, and in Hull, North 11,834 families benefit.

  We now have the lowest unemployment rate in 25 years. The New Deals have helped lone parents, the young unemployed, the long-term unemployed, the over-50s and partners of the unemployed to move from benefit into work. In the period since May 1997 the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance nationally has reduced from 1,562,400 to 1,044,900; in Hull, North the number has reduced from 4,400 to 3,300. Since May 1997 the number of lone parents who claim Income Support has decreased from 1,013,500 to 894,100 nationally, and in Hull, North from 2,900 to 2,800.

  Older people are disproportionately affected by fuel poverty. So we have introduced Winter Fuel Payments to help with their heaviest fuel bill. This winter, the payment is £200 for households who qualify. Over 13,500 older people in Hull, North have received a Winter Fuel Payment for this winter.

  To demonstrate our commitment to combating pensioner poverty, this year we will spend £4.5 billion extra in real terms on pensioners. Some 12,300 pensioners in Hull, North will benefit from the substantial increases

  73W
  in the basic state pension this April and next; this year's increase is £5 a week for single pensioners and £8 for couples. In addition we have introduced free TV licences for the over-75s, of whom we estimate there are about 5,100 in Hull, North. 3,300 pensioner families in Hull, North are receiving the Minimum Income Guarantee, which we introduced in April 1999 to help our poorest pensioners. From April they will be at least £15 a week, or £800 a year, better off in real terms as a result of Government measures since 1997.

  Other reforms in the pipeline include the new pension credit in 2003, designed to ensure that pensioners benefit from their savings. The launch of stakeholder pensions in April this year and the introduction of the state second pension in April 2002 will both help provide greater security for tomorrow's pensioners.

  Regulated Tenancies
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many tenants of regulated tenancies are not in receipt of housing benefit. [151877]

  Angela Eagle
  The information available is as follows.

  It is estimated from the survey of English housing data for 1999–2000 and other sources that there are some 80,000 regulated tenancies in Great Britain where housing benefit is not received.
  Notes:
  1. Rounded to nearest five thousand.
  2. Information from the Family Resources Survey 1998–99 is used to estimate the ratio of regulated tenancies in Scotland and Wales to those in England. It is assumed that regulated tenancies are those commencing prior to 1998–99.
  3. The Survey of English Housing data for 1998–99 is used to estimate proportions in receipt of HB, results for 1999–2000, the latest available, are used to estimate the number of regulated tenancies in England.
  4. The above estimates are based on survey information rather than administrative data with regard to benefit receipt. This follows published information for England in the "Housing in England" publication.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what research he has(a) undertaken and (b) commissioned on the income distribution of regulated new tenants. [151878]

  Angela Eagle
  We have not undertaken or commissioned any research on the income distribution of regulated tenants.

  The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions published a range of information on the economic status of regulated tenants in the publication "Housing in England 1998–99", which is available in the Library.

  War Pensions
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to allow those who are 15 per cent. disabled to be eligible for a war pension. [151685]

  Mr. Bayley
  Where service disablement is assessed at 20 per cent. or more, the War Pensions Agency pays an on-going pension based on a weekly or annual rate. Where the assessment is less than 20 per cent. a war pension is paid as a lump sum gratuity.
  74W
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to spend more money on processing claims for war pensioners; and if he will make a statement. [151686]

  Mr. Bayley
  The War Pensions Agency is an Executive Agency of the Department of Social Security and as such remains subject to gross expenditure control under the Parliamentary Vote system.

  The agency expects to meet all targets in its current business plan relating to claims and appeals processing for 2000–01. It is confident of receiving sufficient funding for 2001–02 to deliver further improved performance and to continue to reduce the total number of cases in action at the agency.

  Correspondence
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will respond to letters from the hon. Member for West Derbyshire dated 19 January and 8 February relating to the case of Mr. and Mrs. Walker of Broadholme Lane Farm, Belper. [152261]

  Mr. Bayley
  A reply was issued on 5 March 2001.

PRIME MINISTER

  Lord Levy
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Prime Minister which department organises and books(a) air flights and (b) other travel arrangements, when Lord Levy is travelling abroad as his personal envoy. [148516]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 2 February 2001]: Lord Levy's air flights are normally booked by his personal assistant. On a few occasions, they have been booked by the Foreign Office travel centre in London or by embassies in countries visited by Lord Levy, and Lord Levy has reimbursed the cost.

  Other travel arrangements are made by embassies in the countries visited by Lord Levy.

  Hammond Inquiry
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will take steps to establish the origin of the appearance in Sunday newspapers of details of the findings of the inquiry set up under Sir Anthony Hammond into the Hinduja passport affair; if he will identify publicly the person or persons responsible; and if he will make a statement. [151837]

  The Prime Minister
  No. Sir Anthony Hammond was still compiling his report when a number of speculative newspaper reports appeared. I have made clear that I will publish Sir Anthony's report.

  Prime Ministerial Meetings
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister how many times he met the Irish Prime Minister between 1 January and 1 July 2000; what the dates of each meeting were; and where each meeting took place. [152060]
  75W
  The Prime Minister
  I met the Taoiseach on the following occasions between 1 January and 1 July 2000:

  Date

  Location/event

  16 February

  Talks at No. 10

  23 March

  Bilateral talks, Lisbon

  18 April

  Dinner, Dublin

  20 April

  Webcast at No. 10

  2 May

  Lunch at No. 10

  4 May

  Talks at Hillsborough

  7 June

  Dinner at No. 10

  19 June

  Meeting in Oporto

  Hinduja Brothers
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 26 February 2001,Official Report, column 338W, concerning the Cabinet Secretary's meeting with the Hinduja brothers, from whom the advice came that it would be beneficial for the Cabinet Secretary to accept the lunch invitation. [152064]

  The Prime Minister
  As is normal with such invitations, the Secretary of the Cabinet took advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

  Albania
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will discuss with(a) the President of France, (b) the Chancellor of Germany, (c) the Prime Minister of Italy and (d) the Prime Minister of Greece, KFOR' s response to Albanian incursion into (i) Macedonia and (ii) Southern Serbia. [152337]

  The Prime Minister
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has discussed this issue with his EU and NATO colleagues on 26 and 27 February respectively and with the FRY Foreign Minister on 28 February. We have also remained in close contact with partners in the region including Macedonia.

  Performance and Innovation Unit
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Prime Minister if the Performance and Innovation Unit's research into new technologies to address HIV/AIDS in developing countries is considering microbicides; and if he will make a statement. [151630]

  The Prime Minister
  The Performance and Innovation Unit project, announced on 8 November 2000, is considering how to increase the availability of technologies for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. As part of this, the project is looking at increasing incentives for research and development of new technologies. Technologies being considered include preventative measures such as microbicides as well as treatments.

CABINET OFFICE

  Policy and Strategy Units
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when her Performance and Innovation Unit was established; which of its reports are placed in the public 76W
  domain; how many departmental or non-departmental special advisers participate in its work; how many regular (a) non-departmental and (b) departmental staff participate in its work; and how many of these work for the unit on a full-time basis. [150364]

  The Prime Minister
  I am replying to this question, as it relates to matters for which I am responsible.

  I announced the establishment of the Performance and Innovation Unit on 28 July 1998. The PIU provides the Government with a capacity to analyse major policy issues and design strategic solutions. Since then it has published the following reports:
  Encryption and Law Enforcement (published May 1999)
  E-commerce@its.best.uk (September 1999)
  Rural Economies (December 1999)
  Wiring It Up: Whitehall's Management of Cross-Cutting Policies and Services (January 2000)
  Adding It Up: Improving Analysis and Modelling in Central Government (January 2000)
  Reaching Out: The Role of Central Government at Regional and Local Level (February 2000)
  Winning the Generation Game—Improving Opportunities for People Aged 50–65 in Work and Community Activity (April 2000)
  Recovering Criminal Assets (June 2000)
  Counter Revolution—Modernising the Post Office Network (July 2000)
  Adoption (July 2000)
  e.gov—Electronic Government Services for the 21st Century (September 2000)
  Rights of Exchange—Social, Health, Environmental and Trade Objectives on the Global Stage (September 2000).

  The modernising government White Paper recommended that the PIU examine future strategic challenges. In addition, a research study "Migration: An Economic and Social Analysis" produced by the research, development and statistics directorate of the Home Office, with the assistance of the Performance and Innovation Unit, was published in January 2001. Copies of PIU reports have been placed in the Library of the House of Commons. Details of all completed and current projects can also be found the PIU website.

  Most projects are overseen by an advisory group of outside stakeholders and senior Whitehall officials including some special advisers. Details of these groups can be found in the published reports.

  The PIU primarily works on individual projects, using small teams drawn from government and across the public, private and voluntary sectors. The unit has about 50–60 staff at any one time. As at 1 March 2001, 10 members of the FIU are permanent employees of the Cabinet Office, 22 are on loan from other Government Departments and 19 have been brought in from the wider public sector and the private and voluntary sectors. All except five members of staff are employed on a full-time basis.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Committee on the Rights of the Child
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what communication he has had
  77W
  with other Government Departments concerning his contribution to the UK periodic report to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child [150601]

  Mr. Ingram
  All Northern Ireland Departments were consulted concerning the Northern Ireland Office's contribution to the UK periodic report to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child

  Smuggling
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have been(a) charged, (b) brought to court, (c) found guilty and (d) given a custodial sentence for smuggling goods across the Irish border in each of the past 10 years; if he will break down prosecutions in each of those years by (i) class A drugs, (ii) class B drugs, (iii) alcohol, (iv) tobacco, (v) petrol, (vi) arms and (vii) videos and musical recordings; if he will break down sentences in each year; and if he will break down arrests in each year by the electoral district in which the arrest was made. [150580]

  Mr. Ingram
  The information is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Departmental IT Projects
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the IT projects currently undertaken in his Department; and if he will state the(a) expected completion date and (b) cost of each project. [151508]

  Dr. Reid
  The Northern Ireland Office is currently undertaking the following IT projects:

  Project

  Start date

  Completion date

  Cost

  Criminal Justice information systems and sharing (£ million)

  April 2001

  March 2004

  1.5

  Extension of Oasis to compensation agency and tariff scheme (£000)

  May 2001

  Stage 1: December 2001

  300

  Stage 2: March 2002

  Integra software upgrade (£000)

  April 2001

  August 2001

  200

  Document and records management system (£ million)

  April 2001

  December 2003

  1.2

  Electronic commerce (£000)

  April 2001

  April 2002

  20

  PAFIS software upgrade (£000)

  April 2001

  August 2001

  200

  YOC access control (£000)

  April 2001

  December 2001

  60

  Atlas operations (£000)

  April 2001

  December 2001

  40

  Ministerial Visits
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the Ministers in his Department who visited any of the constituencies which are in the Peterborough unitary authority area between 1 January 2000 and 14 February 2001, indicating in each case(a) the date of the visit, (b) the constituencies included in the visit and (c) if the local hon. Member met the Minister. [151031]

  Date

  Base demolition/closure

  12 October 1998

  Demolition of Crumlin Road Sangar, Belfast

  21 October 1998

  Demolition of R16 roadside Sangar, Newry

  23 November 1998

  Demolition of three Bessbrook PVCP's

  January 1999

  Vacation of six Fermanagh Patrol Bases—Mullan Bridge, Rosscor Bridge, Wattle Bridge, Clonatty Bridge, Annaglimartin, Killyvilly

  3 February 1999

  Demolition of Aughnacloy PVCP

  8 February 1999

  Demolition of Hump PVCP, Strahane

  12 February 1999

  Demolition of Muff PVCP, Londonderry

  78W

  Project

  Completion date

  Cost (£000)

  Knowledge Network

  December 2001

  106

  Redesign of NIO website

  December 2001

  80

  Intranet

  June 2003

  500

  Replacement hardware for Records Management System

  March 2001

  14.5

  Forensic Science DNA Database

  December 2001

  100

  Oasis Resilience

  March 2001

  127

  Oasis Infrastructure Communications lines

  March 2001

  130

  Replace Electoral Register System

  June 2002

  300

  xGSI

  June 2001

  110

  Visitor Records Booking System

  December 2001

  200

  COMPASS

  September 2002

  £2 million

  PRISM

  December 2003

  £3 million

  To ensure probity and value for money, my Department complies with EC public procurement rules, Government accounting rules, national audit requirements and UK Government domestic procurement policy and best practice guidance when contracting for IT projects.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the IT projects his Department plans to undertake in the next year; and if he will state in each case the(a) expected date of commencement and completion and (b) cost. [151472]

  Dr. Reid
  The Northern Ireland Office is currently considering its medium-term IT strategy. Subject to the conclusions of this, it currently plans to undertake the following projects, commencing in the year 1 April 200131 March 2002:

  Dr. Reid
  There have been no visits by Ministers in my Department to any of the constituencies in the Peterborough unitary authority area between 1 January 2000 and 14 February 2001.

  Normalisation Measures
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list each of the normalisation measures taken in Northern Ireland since 1 April 1998. [150297]

  Mr. Ingram
  The information is in the table
  79W

  Date

  Base demolition/closure

  26 February 1999

  Demolition of Letterkenny PVCP, Londonderry

  April 1998 to April 1999

  Withdrawal of troops from RUC Stations: Corry Square, Warrenpoint, Castlederg, Carrickmore, Kesh, Rosemount, Andersonstown, Springfield Road

  21 May 1999

  Demolition of Fort Whitrock, Belfast

  4 August 1999

  Demolition of Gortmullan PB, Fermanagh

  5 September 1999

  Closure of Carrickfergus Royal Irish Base

  31 December 1999

  Closure of Castlereagh Holding Centre

  May 2000

  Withdrawal of troops from RUC Pomeroy

  16 June 2000

  Templar House Op, Belfast closed and handed back

  21 June 2000

  Broadway Op, Belfast closed and handed back

  4 August 2000

  Demolition of Boruchi Sangar, Crossmaglen

  1 October 2000

  Closure of Strand Road Holding Centre

  8 October 2000

  Demolition of R16 Base, Cloghoge, Newry completed

  8 November 2000

  Cookstown Royal Irish Base closed and demolished

  8 November 2000

  Demolition work at Fort George, Londonderry complete. Site to be handed over to the Harbour Commissioners

  27 November 2000

  Long Kesh vacated and handed over to contractors for demolition

  12 January 2001

  Demolition of Killyvilly PB completed

  17 January 2001

  Demolition of Wattle Bridge PB completed

  19 January 2001

  Demolition of Rosscor Bridge PB completed

  Other normalisation measures include the return to Land Command of two roulement battalions. Three of the remaining four roulement battalions are now rear-based in GB with elements called to Northern Ireland as and when required.

  When the Good Friday agreement was signed there were 18 battalions under the command of the GOC (NI). There are now 15 battalions (six resident battalions, four roulement battalions, and five home service battalions of the Royal Irish).

  Also, since the Good Friday agreement, the security forces have been able to return areas of previously requisitioned land to their original owners.

  In addition, the police are making increased use of soft-skinned and high-profiled liveried vehicles and beat patrols. Police officers increasingly wear fluorescent jackets and now patrol without Army support in most parts of the Province.

  Saville Inquiry
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the cost to public funds, broken down by Department, of(a) establishing and (b) running the Saville inquiry up to 31 December 2000. [149876]

  Dr. Reid
  The cost of the Bloody Sunday inquiry to my Department, from its establishment in January 1998 to 31 December 2000, was £33,834,904. In addition, I estimate that around £81,705 was incurred in staff and other administrative costs within the Department over the same period. Since no departmental staff are employed full-time on inquiry work, it is not possible to give precise figures.

  I am advised that the Ministry of Defence's expenditure until 31 December 2000 was £8,823,819. This includes the cost of staff employed full-time on inquiry-related work.
  80W
  Other Departments do not employ staff full-time on inquiry work so are able to estimate only the costs to them. I am advised that the approximate expenditure of the Cabinet Office for this period was £33,600; for the Home Office the figure was £56,0001; and for the Treasury Solicitor's Department the figure was £12,247. The security and intelligence agencies have also incurred costs of this nature, but it is not Government practice to disclose expenditure by these agencies. I am not aware of any other Department incurring expenditure in connection with the inquiry.
  1 This includes the cost of providing legal advice to the Northern Ireland Office, which is covered by the Home Office Vote.

  Post
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of(a) letters and (b) parcels posted in Northern Ireland in the past 12 months were sent to (a) Northern Ireland, (b) Ireland, (c) Great Britain, (d) the European Union, (e) Europe (other), (f) USA, and (g) elsewhere. [152084]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  I have been asked to reply.

  I am advised by the Post Office that it does not hold this information for the last 12 months. However, the Post Office has provided snapshot figures for letters and parcels posted in Northern Ireland as follows:

  Destination

  Percentage

  Letters (Royal Mail)

  Northern Ireland

  65

  Republic of Ireland

  10

  Great Britain

  20

  Rest of World

  5

  Parcels (Parcelforce Worldwide)

  Northern Ireland

  20

  Republic of Ireland

  4

  Great Britain

  70

  Rest of World

  6

SCOTLAND

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the special advisers working for her will relinquish their posts when the next general election is called. [149310]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I refer to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 13 February 2001,Official Report, column 130W.

  Departmental IT Projects
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will list the IT projects currently undertaken in her Department; and if she will state the(a) expected completion date and (b) cost of each project. [151509]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 26 February 2001]: No IT projects are currently being undertaken by my Department.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will list the IT projects her Department plans to undertake in the next year; and if she will state in each case the(a)expected date of commencement and completion and (b) cost. [151470]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 26 February 2001]: No IT projects are planned by my Department for next year.

  Electoral Statistics
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many electors there are in each parliamentary constituency in Scotland as per the electoral registers published on 15 February. [151167]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The table as shown provides the number of electors in each parliamentary constituency in Scotland as per the electoral registers published on 15 February.

  Number

  Aberdeen, Central

  50,423

  Aberdeen, North

  53,530

  Aberdeen, South

  59,495

  Airdrie and Shotts

  58,785

  Angus

  60,508

  Argyll and Bute

  48,819

  Ayr

  56,,297

  Banff and Buchan

  57,225

  Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross

  41,181

  Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley

  65,735

  Central Fife

  59,705

  Clydebank and Milngavie

  51,844

  Clydesdale

  64,928

  Coatbridge and Chryston

  52,375

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  50,042

  Cunninghame, North

  55,612

  Cunninghame, South

  50,568

  Dumbarton

  55,251

  Dumfries

  63,502

  Dundee, East

  57,255

  Dundee, West

  54,558

  Dunfermline, East

  52,822

  Dunfermline, West

  54,185

  East Kilbride

  67,031

  East Lothian

  59,422

  Eastwood

  68,920

  Edinburgh, Central

  66,296

  Edinburgh, East and Musselburgh

  59,775

  82W

  Number

  Edinburgh, North and Leith

  62,731

  Edinburgh, Pentlands

  60,484

  Edinburgh, South

  64,437

  Edinburgh, West

  62,503

  Falkirk, East

  58,095

  Falkirk, West

  53,888

  Galloway and Upper Nithsdale

  53,189

  Glasgow, Anniesland

  53,189

  Glasgow, Baillieston

  49,350

  Glasgow, Cathcart

  52,055

  Glasgow, Govan

  53,832

  Glasgow, Kelvin

  60,000

  Glasgow, Maryhill

  55,087

  Glasgow, Pollok

  49,257

  Glasgow, Rutherglen

  52,175

  Glasgow, Shettleston

  51,363

  Glasgow. Springburn

  55,185

  Gordon

  60,619

  Greenock and Inverclyde

  48,492

  Hamilton, North and Bellshill

  54,146

  Hamilton, South

  47,054

  Inverness, East, Nairn and Lochaber

  66,893

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  61,719

  Kirkcaldy

  51,636

  Linlithgow

  55,086

  Livingston

  65,393

  Midlothian

  49,253

  Moray

  57,752

  Motherwell and Wishaw

  52,790

  North-East Fife

  61,356

  North Tayside

  62,253

  Ochil

  45,042

  Orkney and Shetland

  32,340

  Paisley, North

  47,982

  Paisley, South

  53,098

  Perth

  62,069

  Ross, Skye and Inverness West

  56,300

  Roxburgh and Berwickshire

  47,429

  Stirling

  53,340

  Strathkelvin and Bearsden

  62,482

  Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale

  52,396

  West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine

  61,961

  West Renfrewshire

  52,736

  Western Isles

  21,941

WALES

  St. David's Day
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the First Secretary concerning declaring St. David's day a bank holiday. [151926]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I meet the First Minister regularly and discuss a wide range of subjects, including this one.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Departmental Policies (Bolton, West)
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Bolton, West constituency, the effects on Bolton, West of her Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [150610]
  83W
  Jane Kennedy
  The Bolton community legal service partnership (CLSP), which covers Bolton, West, is one of 165 CLSPs throughout England and Wales.

  Throughout the Bolton area, 29 agencies have been awarded contracts with the Legal Services Commission (LSC). The suppliers are generally located in the centre of the city, but provide services to residents of all Bolton wards. The suppliers include 28 law firms, and one district citizens advice bureau. The total value of the contracts awarded amounts to over £790,000 in year one of the contracting strategy.

  The 29 agencies are all holders of the CLS quality mark. In addition, there are a further 16 organisations in the Bolton area which provide general help or general help with casework and which have committed themselves to applying for the CLS quality mark by October 2001.

  Departmental Policies (Hull, North)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Hull, North constituency, the effects on Hull, North of her Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [150622]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Hull community advice and legal service partnership. which covers Hull, North, is one of 165 community legal service partnerships (CLSPs) throughout England and Wales.

  The Hull partnership is reviewing the need for and supply of advice services throughout Hull, and intends to produce its strategy for advice and legal services for consultation this summer.

  Throughout the Hull area, 22 agencies have been awarded contracts with the Legal Services Commission (LSC). The suppliers are all located in the centre of the city, but provide services to residents of all Hull wards. The 22 agencies includes 20 law firms, one law centre and one independent housing aid centre. The total value of the contracts awarded amounts to over £1,178,000.

  The 22 agencies noted are all holders of the CLS quality mark. In addition, Hull fair trading advice centre has been awarded the quality mark at general help with casework level, and there are a further six organisations which provide general help or general help with casework and which have committed themselves to applying for the CLS quality mark by October 2001.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what sums were offered by each founding partner and sponsor of the millennium dome; and what sums have been paid so far by each sponsor, distinguishing cash payments from benefits in kind. [147781]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 30 January 2001]: The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) achieved a total sponsorship and donation income of £119.7 million, of which the total value-in-kind
  84W
  sponsorship was £34.7 million. These figures exclude the direct funding by BT and Ford of the costs of their zones and the extra funding for marketing and promotion spent by a number of sponsors over and above the requirements of their contracts. Actual payments of cash and value-in-kind following detailed and lengthy negotiations are subject to the confidentiality requirements of the contracts between NMEC and the sponsors.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if he will list the dates on which sponsorship agreements for the faith zone at the millennium dome were agreed, listing in each case the amount and the identity of the sponsor; [148362]

  (2) how much sponsorship money was received by the New Millennium Experience Company for the faith zone; which organisations contributed funds; and how much each contribution was. [149223]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 2 February 2001]: On 3 June 1999 NMEC announced that the faith zone would receive £4 million in sponsorship—£2 million from the Laing Family Trusts (Christian charitable foundations); £ 1 million from the Hinduja Foundation; and £1 million from other Christian Trusts including the Jerusalem Trust. Agreement with the Hinduja Foundation was confirmed on 16 February 1999. Agreement with the Laing Family Trusts was also confirmed in February 1999. Agreements with other Christian Trusts, including the Jerusalem Trust, were confirmed between January 1999 and August 1999. The terms of their agreements with the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) require that details remain confidential.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) on how many occasions Lord Levy acted on behalf of the New Millennium Experience Company in discussion with potential millennium dome sponsors; [149222]

  (2) when the New Millennium Experience Company authorised Lord Levy to act on its behalf in discussions with potential sponsors for the millennium dome. [149221]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 6 February 2001]: Lord Levy was asked to help with advice to NMEC on fundraising in June 1998.

  According to my Department's records, Lord Levy attended a meeting on one occasion on 29 October 1998 with the then chief executive of NMEC and representatives of the Hindjua Foundation to discuss their potential support of the faith zone in the millennium dome.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much commission was paid for the securing of sponsorship for the dome; and to whom it was paid. [150932]

  Janet Anderson
  I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 7 February 2001,Official Report, column 537W. IMG provided significant support to the in-house team but did not itself deliver sponsorship. No commission has therefore been paid by the New Millennium Experience Company to third parties for securing sponsorship.
  85W
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much money was spent on advertising and promoting the dome [150928]

  Janet Anderson
  The figure provided by the New Millennium Experience Company (N VIEC) is subject to the company's necessary external audit scrutiny. That work will begin shortly and will inform the content of the company's annual report and financial statements for the period 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2000. The report and statements will be published in due course. NMEC has advised that marketing and sales expenditure was £38.8 million. Of that, £24.4 million was attributable to advertising.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much money was received from sponsors of the dome in(a) cash and (b) contributions to the fabric of the dome or its exhibits. [150922]

  Janet Anderson
  The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) achieved a total sponsorship and donation income, including cash and value-in-kind of £119.7 million. This figure excludes the direct funding by BT and Ford of the costs of their zones and the extra funding for marketing and promotion spent by a number of sponsors over and above the requirements of their contracts. Taken together, the overall sponsorship and donations relevant to the dome is estimated at £150 million—the most ever raised for a single event in the UK. Sponsorship received contributed to the overall budget of the project not just to the exhibits and other structures.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what professional fees were paid to(a) lawyers and (b) accountants for the dome (i) up to its closure and (ii) since its closure. [150927]

  Janet Anderson
  The figure provided by the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) is subject to the company's necessary external audit scrutiny. That work will begin shortly and will inform the content of the company's annual report and financial statements for the period 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2000. The report and statements will be published in due course. NMEC has advised that expenditure on legal firms for a range of professional advice, including contractual and sponsorship issues, was £3.8 million for the period February 1997 to 31 December 2000. Expenditure for the period 1 January 2001 to 16 February 2001 was £576,000 net.

  Expenditure on accounting firms for a range of professional advice including tax, audit, IT, management support and accounting was £5.8 million net for the period February 1997 to December 2000. Expenditure for the period 1 January 2001 to 16 February 2001 was £729,000 net. Both the legal and accountancy figures for post-December 2000 represent payments made against invoices received after 31 December 2000. Those invoices cover some work undertaken prior to 31 December. In particular, the expenditure reflects the detailed and comprehensive review of all the contracts undertaken by the NMEC, and also reflects the management and finance support provided to the company's executive. Both of these areas of work are essential to the successful implementation of the company's programme to achieve solvent liquidation.
  86W
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the total cost of the exhibits in the dome was to NMEC; and what percentage of the costs of exhibits were paid by the sponsors. [150931]

  Janet Anderson
  The figure provided by the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) is subject to the company's necessary external audit scrutiny. That work will begin shortly and will inform the content of the company's annual report and financial statements for the period 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2000. The report and statements will be published in due course. NMEC has advised that the total cost of the exhibits was £95 million. This figure excludes the millennium show and exhibit zone foundation and heavy steel works, the costs of which are reflected in dome construction costs. It includes the costs of those staff within the department of NMEC that had responsibility for the exhibits. It is not possible to identify the costs paid by sponsors in the way requested. Sponsorship received contributed to the overall budget of the project, not just to the exhibits and other structures.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the final construction costs of the dome were. [150930]

  Janet Anderson
  The figure provided by the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) is subject to the company's necessary external audit scrutiny. That work will begin shortly and will inform the content of the company's annual report and financial statements for the period 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2000. The report and statements will be published in due course. NMEC has advised that the final construction costs of the dome were £332.3 million including infrastructure, planning costs, dome structure, exhibit zone foundations and exhibit zone heavy steel works.

  ASHA Project
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the Millennium Commission's funding of the ASHA project. [151927]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  This is a matter for the Millennium Commission. I will write to the hon. Member in my capacity as chairman of the Commission, and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of both Houses.

  BBC
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 14 February 2001,Official Report, column 133W, if the to-date costs for BBC Choice, BBC Knowledge and BBC News 24 were approved in principle with the BBC. [152364]

  Janet Anderson
  No. Budgets for individual services are not subject to Government approval.

  Television Licences
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will review the guidelines for enforcement by the Television Licensing Authority of television licence payments. [151462]
  87W
  Janet Anderson
  No. Statutory responsibility for the administration and enforcement of the television licensing system rests with the BBC. TV Licensing carries out the day-to-day administration and enforcement as agent for the corporation. It is for the BBC, as licensing authority, to keep under review the guidelines under which TV Licensing operates.

TREASURY

  EU Stability and Growth Pact
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library the Opinion of the Council made under Council Regulation EC No. 1466/97 and Article 99 EC. [151118]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 26 February 2001]: A copy of the Opinion has been deposited in the Library of the House.

  Departmental Policies (Bolton, West)
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Bolton, West constituency, the effects on Bolton, West of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [150602]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Bolton, West, along with the rest of the United Kingdom, is benefiting from the long-term action we have taken to build economic stability and secure high and stable levels of growth and employment. Since the General Election, claimant unemployment in the constituency has fallen by 439, or 33 per cent, youth unemployment is down by 67 per cent. and long-term unemployment has fallen by 66 per cent.

  Macro-economic stability is being complemented at the micro-economic level by the Government's policies to ease the transition from welfare into work and to make work pay. To the end of December 2000, the New Deal for 18–24-year-olds had helped 447 young people in Bolton, West constituency gain valuable skills and experience—238 (53 per cent.) of whom had moved into employment. The Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC), introduced in October 1999, is helping to make work pay for low and middle income families. In August 2000, 1,700 families in the constituency were benefiting from WFTC.

  The Government are also committed to developing policies which enable all pensioners to share in the country's rising prosperity. As a result of the recent Pre-Budget Report, all pensioners, including 14,500 in Bolton, West, will receive an above-inflation increase in the basic state pension from April 2001. Single pensioners will receive an extra £5 a week, and couples will receive an extra £8 a week. All pensioners aged 75 or over have also been entitled to a free TV licence since November 2000—including around 9,700 in Bolton, West.

  Child Care
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will review the types of child care costs taken into consideration in the payment of the Working Families Tax Credit. [150519]
  88W
  Dawn Primarolo
  The child care tax credit in the Working Families Tax Credit supports the National Child Care Strategy not only by making child care more affordable but by ensuring that the help we give goes to those using safe, good quality, child care. By the end of August 2000, 124 000 working families were getting money towards their child care costs through the Working Families Tax Credit. This is far in excess of the 47,000 families who received child care help at the high-water mark of family credit.

  Departmental Policies (Hull, North)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Hull, North constituency, the effects on Hull, North of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [150616]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Hull, North along with the rest of the United Kingdom, is benefiting from the long-term action we have taken to build economic stability and secure high and stable levels of growth and employment. Since the General Election, claimant unemployment in the constituency has fallen by 998, or 22 per cent., youth unemployment is down by 72 per cent., and long-term unemployment has fallen by 34 per cent.

  Macro-economic stability is being complemented at the micro-economic level by the Government's policies to ease the transition from welfare into work and to make work pay. To the end of November 2000, the New Deal for 18 to 24-year-olds had helped 2,434 young people in Hull, North constituency gain valuable skills and experience—1,160 (48 per cent.) of whom had moved into employment. The Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC), introduced in October 1999, is helping to make work pay for low and middle income families. In August 2000, 2,800 families in the constituency were benefiting from WFTC.

  The Government are also committed to developing policies which enable all pensioners to share in the country's rising prosperity. As a result of the recent pre-Budget report, all pensioners, including 12,300 in Hull, North, will receive an above-inflation increase in the basic state pension from April 2001. Single pensioners will receive an extra £5 a week, and couples will receive an extra £8 a week.. All pensioners aged 75 or over have also been entitled to a free TV licence since November 2000— including around 8,000 in Hull, North.

  Tax and Dividend Income
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the(a) mean and (b) median taxable income of pensioners was in the most recent year for which information is available; [151639]

  (2) if he will estimate the annual cost of exempting non-taxpayers from the abolition of payable tax credits on dividend income; [151642]

  (3) what estimate he has made of the gains in income decile of cutting the basic and starting rates of tax on savings and dividends income to zero; and if he will make a statement; [151641]
  89W
  (4) what estimate he has made of the gains (a) in absolute terms and (b) as a percentage of income by income decile, of increasing age- related personal allowances for all people aged over 65 years by £2,000; [151637]

  (5) what estimate he has made of the (a) cost and (b) absolute and relative gain by income decile of increasing the amount of income subject to basic rate income tax by £6,000; and if he will make a statement. [151643]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answers 1 March 2001]: An analysis by range of income decile for increasing tax age-related allowances by £2,000 in 2001–02 is in the table:

  Decile of total income

  Gains (£ million)

  Gain as a percentage of income

  Bottom 7

  90

  1—

  8

  310

  2.6

  9

  380

  2.8

  Top

  220

  0.8

  All

  1,000

  1—

  1 It is not possible to provide a breakdown of the bottom deciles as the survey of personal incomes can only provide reliable estimates for the income of taxpayers.

  Note:

  The estimates are based on the Survey 01 Personal Incomes and consistent with the November 2000 pre-Budget report.

  In 2000–01 the mean and median taxable income for people of state retirement pension age are £3,700 and £0 respectively, where taxable income is defined as income above the appropriate personal allowance.

  An analysis by range of income decile for cutting the basic and starting rates of tax on savings and dividends income to zero in 2001–02 is in the table:

  Decile of total income

  Gains (£ million)

  Bottom 7

  490

  8

  780

  9

  830

  Top

  1,010

  All

  3,000

  Note:

  The estimates are based on the Survey of Personal Incomes and consistent with the November 2000 pre-Budget report. It is not possible to provide a breakdown of the bottom deciles as the survey of personal incomes can only provide reliable estimates for taxpayers.

  The cost of exempting non-taxpayers from the abolition of payable tax credits on dividend income is around £50 million in 2001–01 before allowing for behavioural effects.

  An analysis by range of income decile for increasing the income tax basic rate limit by £6,000 in 2001–02 is in the table:

  Decile of total income

  Gains (£ million)

  Bottom 9

  0

  Top

  2,500

  All

  2,500

  Note:

  The estimates are based on the Survey of Personal Incomes and consistent with the November 2000 pre-Budget report.

  Debt Relief
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the Italian Government about debt relief discussions at the forthcoming G8 Summit; and if he will make a statement. [152296]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The UK has discussed debt relief and development issues extensively with the Italian Government, who are currently chair of the G7. In particular the UK is working closely with the Italian Government to build on announcements made at an international conference on Child Poverty hosted by the UK on 26 February, aimed at improving the access to drugs and vaccines for the world's poorest children.

  Departmental Policies (Vale of Clywd)
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Vale of Clwyd constituency, the effects on the Vale of Clwyd of his Department's policies and actions since May 1997. [151932]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Vale of Clwyd, along with the rest of the United Kingdom, is benefiting from the long-term action we have taken to build economic stability and secure high and stable levels of growth and employment. Since the general election, claimant unemployment in the constituency has fallen by 504, or 26 per cent., youth unemployment is down by 79 per cent., and long-term unemployment has fallen by 57 per cent.

  Macro-economic stability is being complemented at the micro-economic level by the Government's policies to ease the transition from welfare into work and to make work pay. To the end of December 2000, the New Deal for 18 to 24-year-olds had helped 809 young people in the Vale of Clwyd constituency gain valuable skills and experience—393 (49 per cent.) of whom had moved into employment. The Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC), introduced in October 1999, is helping to make work pay for low and middle income families. In August 2000, 2,000 families in the constituency were benefiting from WFTC.

  The Government are also committed to developing policies which enable all pensioners to share in the country's rising prosperity. As a result of the recent pre-Budget report, all pensioners, including 15,800 in the Vale of Clwyd, will receive an above-inflation increase in the basic state pension from April 2001. Single pensioners will receive an extra £5 a week, and couples will receive an extra £8 a week. All pensioners aged 75 or over have also been entitled to a free TV licence since November 2000—including around 10,000 in the Vale of Clwyd.

  Pensions
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the effects of the abolition of the advance corporation tax credit on future pensions. [150488]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Our package of corporation tax reforms included measures to boost corporate investment by removing tax distortions. The withdrawal of payable tax credits on dividends was just one part of these measures. Pension funds will share in the long-term
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  benefits from these changes to corporation tax. The overall effects of these changes on future pensions will vary depending upon many factors, such as: the type of scheme paying the pension; the take-up of private pensions; the level of future pension contributions; and the investment policy adopted by pensions fund managers.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people he estimates will invest in an individual pension account between April 2001 and April 2002. [152439]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  No such estimates have been made.

  Insurance Industry
  Dr. Cable:
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer at what point after 1990 the trend towards lower inflation and lower interest rates was reflected in advice to the insurance industry on the likely implications for guaranteed annuity rate liabilities. [150437]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 15 February 2001]: The latest professional guidance on guaranteed annuity rate liabilities was issued by the Government Actuary's Department in January 1999 and December 1999.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what steps his Department took, between 1990 and the transfer of the insurance regulatory function to the Financial Services Authority to(a) investigate and monitor the reserves kept by insurance companies to satisfy their commitments under their guaranteed annuity rate policies, (b) monitor the extent of potential liabilities of insurance companies under guaranteed annuity rate policies and (c) ensure that insurance companies had (i) provided for and (ii) fully disclosed their potential liabilities under their guaranteed annuity rate policies within their annual report and accounts; [150438]

  (2) on what occasions between 1990 and the transfer of the insurance regulatory function to the Financial Services Association his Department approved of the operation of non-guaranteed annuity rate policies from within the same fund or funds as guaranteed annuity rate policies. [150436]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 15 February 2001]: The Insurance Companies Act 1982 sets out the requirements on insurance companies to maintain an adequate margin of solvency. The regulator monitors companies on an on-going basis to ensure that regulatory requirements are met.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes were made between 1990 and the transfer of the insurance regulatory function to the Financial Services Authority to the information requests required of insurance companies in respect of potential liabilities; and at whose behest such changes were made. [150439]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The information that insurance companies must provide to the regulator is set out in the Insurance Companies Act 1982 and in consequent regulations. The regulator monitors companies on an on-going basis to ensure that regulatory requirements are met.

  Homes Bill
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the home packs to be provided by sellers, as proposed in the Homes Bill, will be subject to VAT; and if this will be extended to new-built homes, otherwise exempt from VAT. [150993]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 26 February 2001]: The Homes Bill will allow the seller of a property (or his agent) to charge potential buyers for a copy of the seller's pack, but only for reasonable costs such as photocopying and postage. This will also apply to the sale of new homes. The majority of homes are marketed by estate agents. Where the seller or agent is registered for VAT and makes a charge for the seller's pack, the charge will be subject to VAT.

  Children's Tax Credit
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what year of income is being used as the basis for assessing pupils' entitlement to the children's tax credit. [151449]

  Dawn Primarolo
  It is the parent rather than the child or pupil who has the entitlement to the children's tax credit.

  Gift Aid
  Mr. Michael Jabez Foster
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated repayment of tax to charities as a result of the Gift Aid changes implemented in April 2000; and what is the total tax repayable resulting from the Gift Aid scheme to date. [151363]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Repayments to charities of basic rate income tax on donations made under the Gift Aid scheme up to the end of 1999–2000 are available in table 10.3 of Inland Revenue Statistics 2000, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Repayments from April 2000 are not comparable with those in earlier years as companies are no longer required to deduct basic rate income tax from their Gift Aid donations. Since company donations are now made gross these no longer have associated tax repayments.

  Full year figures for April 2001 will not be available for some time yet and it is not possible, at this stage, to estimate how much of current year repayments is due to last year's changes.

  Pensioners (Tax)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many retired people in receipt of the state retirement pension pay income tax at(a) the standard rate and (b) the higher rate; and if he will make a statement. [151991]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth, North (Mr. Rapson) on 26 February 2001,Official Report, column 518W.

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 13 February 2001,Official

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  Report, column 104W, on working families tax credit, what assessment he has made of the findings of the NACB report, "Work in Progress". [151861]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) is a success in making work pay for families on low to middle incomes and tackling child poverty. Over 1.1 million families are receiving it—300,000 more than claimed the predecessor benefit, Family Credit. The WFTC is boosting incomes, paying on average an extra £76.86 a week to families looking after 2.2 million children.

  We welcome NACAB's recognition of the contribution made by the WFTC to making work pay and tackling child poverty.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households are in receipt of the working families tax credit in each English local authority. [152504]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I refer my hon. Friend to my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Lancaster and Wyre (Mr. Dawson) on 22 January 2001,Official Report, column 425W.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the(a) average change in absolute net income and (b) the percentage of net income per recipient household of working families tax credit if it were tapered away from the higher rate tax payers on a comparable basis with children's tax credit. [151572]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Such a tapering away would not be possible because, in general, the information needed to establish whether any person in the applicant's family is a higher rate taxpayer for the relevant year cannot be known at the application date.

  Jobcentre Vacancies
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the accuracy of the recording of the official data on Jobcentre vacancies following the Low Pay Unit's report. [151769]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  This information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Karen Dunnell to Mr. Frank Field, dated 28 February 2001:

  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question on jobcentre vacancies (151769). I am replying in his absence.

  All key outputs of National Statistics, including jobcentre vacancy statistics, are subject to quality assurance reviews at least every five years with the involvement of external expertise. The next review of vacancy statistics has been provisionally scheduled to take place in 2002/03.

  Gilt-edged Securities
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what powers he has to withhold issue of payment warrants for interest clue upon gilt-edged securities to the name of a security holder known to have died; [151172]
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  (2) when he made it his policy to withhold issue of payment warrants for interest due upon gilt-edged securities after receipt of notification of the death of the security holder and prior to the receipt of the office copy of the grant of probate or administration; what representations he has received on it; what plans he has to review the policy; how many estates hold Treasury stock in respect of which the Bank of England's Registrar's Department delayed issue of payment warrants in compliance with the policy in 2000; if he will estimate the average period between receipt of notification of death and receipt of an office copy grant by the Bank of England's Registrar's Department in 2000 and the consequential delay in issue of payment warrant once interest had contractually become due; what assessment he has made of the total financial benefit to the Treasury from implementation of this policy in 2000; and if he will make it his policy to make compensatory interest at the statutory rate payable in respect of late issue of payment warrants. [151173]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The information sought will take some time to assemble and I will write to the hon. Member separately.

  Repossessions
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many repossessions by building societies and other providers of mortgages there were in each of the last 10 years. [152005]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The information, as set out in a Council of Mortgage Lenders press release of 31 January 2001, is as follows:

  Property repossessions from 1991 to 2000

  Period

  Number of properties taken into possession

  1991

  75,540

  1992

  68,540

  1993

  58,540

  1994

  49,210

  1995

  49,410

  1996

  42,560

  1997

  32,770

  1998

  33,820

  1999

  30,030

  2000

  22,610

  Source:

  Council of Mortgage Lenders

  Departmental Policies (Ilford, North)
  Ms Perham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what initiatives embarked upon since May 1997 have benefited Ilford, North; and if he will make a statement. [152032]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Ilford, North, along with the rest of the United Kingdom, is benefiting from the long-term action we have taken to build economic stability and secure high and stable levels of growth and employment. Since the general election, claimant unemployment in the constituency has fallen by 1,071, or 48 per cent., youth unemployment is down by 85 per cent., and long-term unemployment has fallen by 75 per cent.
  95W
  Macro-economic stability is being complemented at the micro-economic level by the Government's policies to ease the transition from welfare into work and to make work pay. To the end of December 2000, the New Deal for 18 to 24-year-olds had helped 552 young people in Ilford, North constituency gain valuable skills and experience—241 (44 per cent.) of whom had moved into employment. The Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC), introduced in October 1999, is helping to make work pay for low and middle income families. In August 2000, 600 families in the constituency were benefiting from WFTC.

  The Government are also committed to developing policies which enable all pensioners to share in the country's rising prosperity. As a result of the recent pre-Budget Report, all pensioners, including 16,400 in Ilford, North, will receive an above-inflation increase in the basic State Pension from April 2001. Single pensioners will receive an extra £5 a week, and couples will receive an extra £8 a week. All pensioners aged 75 or over have also been entitled to a free TV licence since November 2000—including around 10,600 in Ilford, North.

  Banking Facilities
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking, prior to the establishment of the proposed universal bank, to help people on low incomes gain access to banking facilities; and which banks accept benefit books as proof of identity for the purpose of opening an account. [148490]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Government are currently consulting on a benchmark standard for basic bank accounts which includes the requirement that they are free to open and run, making them suitable for those people on low or variable incomes.

  The British Bankers Association's advice to customers on the subject of proving their identity includes a benefit book on its list of documents frequently requested by banks as evidence of identity.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  "Your Britain, Your Europe"
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent changes there have been to the criteria for selecting "Your Britain, Your Europe" roadshow venues; and if he will make a statement. [151636]

  Mr. Vaz
  Since the launch of the "Your Britain, Your Europe" information initiative, we have aimed to visit all of the English regions and devolved Administrations. We have not changed these selection criteria.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make available the responses to the "Your Britain, Your Europe" questionnaire. [151653]

  Mr. Vaz
  Among other things, the questionnaire asked where respondents got their information on the EU. We have not retained copies of the responses.
  96W
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs from which budget line expenditure on the "Your Britain, Your Europe" roadshow has been drawn; and if he has applied for EC funds. [151635]

  Mr. Vaz
  All expenditure on "Your Britain, Your Europe" activities is drawn from the programme budget of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's EU Command. We have not applied for funds from alternative sources.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs further to his answer to the right hon. Member for Strangford (Mr. Taylor) of 14 December 2000 Official Report, column 226W, what meetings and events were organised in connection with the visit to Northern Ireland of the "Your Britain, Your Europe" roadshow; which political representatives of what political parties he met; what advice he (a) sought and (b) received concerning the marketing of the Your Britain, Your Europe road show among (i) young people and (ii) people whose community origin is not British; what flags and emblems are (A) associated with and (B) on display in conjunction with the roadshow; in what publications the visit of the roadshow was advertised; what the breakdown was of the total cost of the visit of the roadshow; and what further initiatives are planned in Northern Ireland. [150612]

  Mr. Vaz
  Unfortunately, because of diary pressures we had to postpone this visit.

  Conflict Diamonds
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the United States Government about conflict diamonds; and if he will make a statement. [149990]

  Mr. Wilson
  We are in regular contact with the Government of the United States of America on the subject of conflict diamonds. Both Governments are playing an active role in the current series of meetings of the Kimberley process, a grouping of all the major participants in the diamond sector, involving Governments, industry and civil society. We hope that the Kimberley process will lead to the adoption by the end of the year of an international certification scheme for rough diamonds, as envisaged in the United Nations resolution adopted by the General Assembly last December. Such a scheme would make an invaluable contribution to preventing illegally mined rough diamonds fuelling civil conflict.

  NHS Recruitment
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 28 February 2001,Official Report, column 585W, concerning representations from other countries about recruitment of staff for the NHS in those countries if he will list the representations to which he refers. [152038]

  Mr. Wilson
  The international recruitment of medical staff has been raised during our normal discussions—both formal and informal—with other Governments, including those of Antigua and Barbuda, China, Croatia, Georgia,
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  South Africa, Spain and Vietnam. The Department of Health has of course also received a number of direct representations.

  General Affairs Council
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the outcome was of the General Affairs Council held in Brussels on 26 and 27 February; if he will set out the Government's voting record at the Council; and if he will make a statement. [151993]

  Mr. Vaz
  The General Affairs Council (GAC) on 26–27 February adopted 29 of the 31 "A" points listed document no. 6378/01 (two items were withdrawn: nos. 23 and 28). It also noted the resolutions, decisions and opinions adopted by the European Parliament in its sessions of 11–15 December 2000 and 15–18 January 2001 in Strasbourg and 31 January-1 February 2001 in Brussels, listed in document nos. 13762/1/00, 5006/01 and 5009/01 respectively. Copies of these documents have been placed in the House Libraries.

  1. Western Balkans

  The Council heard a briefing from UN Secretary-General Special Representative (UNSGSR) in Kosovo, Hans Haekkerup. The Council welcomed his proposal to develop a legal framework for provisional institutions of self-government. It also expressed support for his efforts to ensure full implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1244. The Council expressed concern over the situation in south-east Serbia, condemning actions by ethnic Albanian armed groups. The Council supported initiatives by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to find a peaceful outcome and underlined the importance of an increased presence of representatives of the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM). The Council welcomed a letter from Javier Solana, the Secretary-General/High Representative. It asked him to present proposals urgently for further EU action concerning the Presevo Valley. The Council endorsed Antoin MacUnfraidh as the new EUMM Head of Mission.

  2. MEPP/Aid to Palestinian Authority

  Foreign Ministers discussed the MEPP and the Palestinian Authority's economic situation. The Council stressed the need for the EU to play an important role in a concerted international effort aimed at avoiding economic and institutional collapse in the Palestinian territories. To that end, the EU would urge the Palestinian Authority to draw up a revised restrictive budget; press for an international donor meeting under the auspices of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee soon; and make full use of the funds available under the existing cash facility in favour of the Palestinian Authority. The Council called on both sides to refrain from violence and return to the negotiating table and renewed its call on Israel to resume payments to the Palestinian Authority And lift closures.

  3. Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

  The Council discussed developments in the DRC and agreed conclusions pledging the EU's support for UNCSR 1341 and for the relaunching of the Lusaka peace process.

  4. South Caucasus

  Following the recent ministerial Troika visit to Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, the Council agreed that the EU should play a more active political role in the region. The EU will support the efforts of international
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  organisations to prevent and resolve conflicts. The EU will also reinforce the bilateral and multilateral political dialogue with the countries in the region and with Russia, Turkey, Iran and the United States. The Council invited its competent bodies to make recommendations for its reinforced EU policy.

  5. GSP Regulation: Everything but Arms Proposal for LDC Market Access

  The GAC adopted, by qualified majority, amendments to the GSP Regulation extending duty and quota-free access to products from the 48 least developed countries (the everything but arms proposal). It welcomed this regulation as a measure not only of substantive value to least developed countries (LDCs), but as a concrete sign of political goodwill towards the LDC in the context of the next round of WTO negotiations and the 3rd UN Conference on LDCs in May.

  The regulation will apply from 5 March 2001. Duty-free and quota-free access will be extended immediately to all LDC products except arms, with transitional periods for the three sensitive products of bananas, rice and sugar. For bananas, tariffs will be reduced by 20 per cent. annually, starting on 1 January 2002. Access will be completely tariff-free by 1 January 2006. For rice and sugar, tariff reductions will be phased in with a 20 per cent. cut in 2006, 50 per cent. in 2007 and 80 per cent. in 2008. In the meantime, duty-free quotas, based on previous best exports to the EU, will be opened for the marketing year 2001–02, and these will increase by 15 per cent. each year until 2009, when all tariffs and quotas will be removed.

  The Commission will, in 2005, submit a report to the Council on the implementation of the regulation, and will make appropriate proposals, if necessary, for its amendment.

  AOB:

  6. El Salvador

  The Council invited member states and the Commission to closely co-ordinate their actions in the region and to pursue their assistance to El Salvador. It also emphasised the need for effective co-ordination of international assistance and commended the forthcoming meeting of the consultative group on El Salvador in Madrid on 7 March.

  7. Zimbabwe

  The Council discussed the worsening political and economic situation in Zimbabwe and agreed on the need for political dialogue with the Zimbabwean Government, as provided for in article 8 of the Cotonou agreement.

  8. Voting Record

  No formal votes were taken on the points under discussion at the GAC. The UK supported the Commission/Presidency compromise proposal on everything but arms. This was adopted at the GAC without a formal vote. The presidency concluded after discussions that sufficient votes in favour existed for a qualified majority.

  Gafur Rakhimov
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy not to grant an application from Mr. Gafur Rakhimov, a senior official of the International Amateur Boxing Federation, for a visa to travel to Belfast. [151787]
  99W
  Mr. Vaz
  [holding answer 1 March 2001]: If Mr. Rakhimov applies for a visa to visit the United Kingdom, his application will be considered under the Immigration Rules and a decision will be made on the evidence available at the time. All applications are considered on the individual merits of the case.

  Ministerial Visit (Egypt)
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the(a) cost to public funds and (b) purpose of the visit of the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Cunninghame, North (Mr. Wilson), to Egypt in February. [151688]

  Mr. Wilson
  The visit cost £8,371.49 for myself and two FCO officials and its purpose was to discuss bilateral and trade relations with Egypt. I had meetings with the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister.

  Burma
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to implement the ILO resolution recommending that the organisation's members review the relations they may have with Burma, to ensure that Burma cannot perpetuate or extend the system of forced or compulsory labour. [152158]

  Mr. Battle
  We share the international abhorrence at the practice of forced labour in Burma. In 1997, the European Community suspended GSP privileges to Burma as a result of this practice. We played an active role in pressing for the IL0 resolution on Burma. Since the decision, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment wrote to employers and workers groups in the UK on 18 February, asking them to draw the ILO decision to their members' attention and to consider how to give effect to the ILO resolution. We, too, are actively considering what further steps HMG could take.

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to prevent(a) UK investment in Burma and (b) UK imports from Burma when they are associated with the use of forced or compulsory labour. [152159]

  Mr. Battle
  We have given a cautious welcome to recent news that the regime in Burma has begun discussions with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. As a result of these talks, the regime has recently taken steps to decrease pressure on the National League for Democracy (NLD), including the release of 85 youth members. However, senior members of the NLD remain under house arrest. We have called for these restrictions to be lifted, and have made it clear that there will be no softening of our stance until we see real evidence of progress in Burma.

  We do not encourage trade or investment with Burma. There is now virtually no new investment into the country. We have asked the biggest British investor in Burma. Premier Oil, to leave. We have drawn the attention of the tourism industry to the views of democratic leaders that tourism to Burma is inappropriate. We are actively considering how best to give effect to the ILO's decision last November to invoke measures against Burma over forced labour. Any action will need to be
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  balanced against the delicate discussions currently taking place between the Burmese regime and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Ms Kingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will reply substantively to the questions from the hon. Member for Gloucester tabled on 31 January. [152150]

  Mr. Wilson
  These questions were answered on 1 March 2001,Official Report, columns 735–36W.

  Belize
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to refer to the territory of Belize as that defined in the 1859 Boundary Convention whenever he expresses his support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity for the country. [151876]

  Mr. Battle
  In supporting Belize's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the UK continues to regard the 1859 convention as defining the boundary between Belize and Guatemala.

  China
  Ms Osborne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the UK/China human rights dialogue of 12 to 14 February. [152484]

  Mr. Battle
  The sixth round of the UK/China human rights dialogue was held in China between 12–14 February. This comprised two days of talks in Peking and a one day mission to Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province.

  The formal talks were held with representatives of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Supreme People's Procuratorate, National People's Congress Legislative Affairs Commission, United Front Works Department, Supreme People's Court, Prisons Administration Bureau and the State Religious Affairs Bureau. We discussed China's co-operation with international human rights mechanisms; the ratification of the two human rights covenants; Tibet; Xinjiang; Falun Gong; rule of law issues; the use of the death penalty; and freedoms of religion, expression and association. We also called on the Ministry for Civil Affairs to discuss the village democracy programme, and on the All China Federation of Trade Unions.

  We also raised 28 individual cases of concern: Chadrel Rinpoche, Chen Gang, Gao Xiaoliang; Gedhun Choekyi Nyima; Kang Yuchun, Liu Jingsheng, Ngawang Choepel, Ngawang Sangdrol, Abidjan Obulkasim, Zha Jianguo, Gao Hongming, Xu Wenli, Wang Youcai, Qin Yongmin, Li Dexian, Jiang Qisheng, Rebiya Kadeer, Wang Ce, Li Chang, Wang Zhiwen, Jelil Turdi, Zhang Shanguang, Jiang Shurang, Bishop Jame Su Zhimin, Huang Qi, Zhao Ming, Wenjiang Liang and Abdulhelil Abdumijit.

  During the visit to Wenzhou, the British delegation was able to examine and discuss with the Wenzhou authorities the background to the reports of destruction of churches and temples as part of an urban redevelopment programme.

  Foreign Government Representations
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for. Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what mechanisms exist for ensuring that representations made by foreign Governments to overseas diplomatic posts are brought to his attention. [151156]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  All posts overseas report to the FCO in London any formal approach from an overseas Government. This is normally in writing direct to the relevant FCO department. Correspondence on important issues is routinely copied to my private office.

  Ministerial Visits
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the Ministers in his Department who visited any of the constituencies which are in the Peterborough unitary authority area between 1 January 2000 and 14 February 2001, indicating in each case(a) the date of the visit, (b) the constituencies included in the visit and (c) if the local hon. Member met the Minister [151025]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 26 February 2001]: To the best of my knowledge, none of the Ministers in my Department visited any of the constituencies in the Peterborough unitary authority area between 1 January 2000 and 14 February 2001.

  Qualified Majority Voting
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 12 February 2001,Official Report, column 47W, on qualified majority voting, if he will list each relevant article of Community treaties which moved to qualified majority voting, together with the topics concerned and the relevant competencies. [151602]

  Mr. Vaz
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him on 9 January 2001,Official Report, columns 511–12W, which sets out a complete list of each article that will move to qualified majority voting when the treaty of Nice comes into force. The list also gives the topic covered by each article.

  All of the articles of the EC treaty listed fall within the shared competence of the Community and member states except for articles 111(4), 123(4) and 133(5) of the EC treaty which fall within the Community's exclusive competence. The two articles of the treaty on European Union listed come within the intergovernmental pillars of that treaty where the concept of shared or exclusive competence is not relevant.

  National Missile Defence
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his United States counterpart indicated to him in recent discussions that the National Missile Defence Project could be used to provide protection for the United Kingdom. [151599]

  Mr. Vaz
  No.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Departmental Surveys
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list for(a) 1992–93, (b) 1993–94, (c) 1994–95, (d) 1995–96, (e) 1996–97, (f) 1997–98, (g) 1998–99, (h) 1999–2000 and (i) 2000–01, (I) his Department's total spending on quantitative and qualitative surveys of policy issues by focus groups, opinion polling, task forces or other means and (II) the cost of each individual project. [146589]

  Ms Quin
  The Ministry is committed to listening to those affected by our policies and actions. We always aim to consult our stakeholders on policy developments and proposals at an early stage.

  The detailed information requested is not held centrally and comprehensive data could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Departmental Costs
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the total gross running costs to his Department of the NDPBs accountable through his Department in the last 12 months. [149147]

  Ms Quin
  The net cost to MAFF of carrying out our NDPB sponsorship role in the financial year 1999–2000 is shown under "Other Expenditure by the Department" on pages 1–8 of the Cabinet Office publication "Public Bodies 2000", which was published on 4 January 2001. Copies are available in the Libraries of the House.

  There are two changes to the published figures:
  Horticulture Research International—net cost is £0.078 million;
  Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew—net cost is £0.086 million.

  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the total gross running costs were to his Department in the last 12 months of(a) stationery and (b) printing and publishing. [149144]

  Ms Quin
  From information held centrally, the total gross running costs to the Department in the last 12 months of(a) stationery and (b) printing and publishing were £1.338 million and £2.685 million respectively.

  Beef Exports
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the countries to which British beef is exported; and what quantity was exported during the week beginning 1 January. [149379]

  Ms Quin
  The quantity and destination of exports of British beef from the UK are commercially confidential as only two slaughterhouses are currently approved to export under the date-based export scheme (DBES).

  Farming (Leicestershire)
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the total value to Leicestershire farmers of all public funding made available to them for the most recent year for which figures are available. [149988]
  103W
  Ms Quin
  Total subsidies paid to Leicestershire farmers by MAFF during the EU financial year 16 October 1999 to 15 October 2000 are provided in my answer of 26 February 2001,Official Report, columns 506–07W.

  Farmers also have access to other sources of public funding, for which other Government Departments, local authorities and other public bodies are responsible, such as the regional development agencies redundant building grant programme and Working Families Tax Credit. We do not have data on the provision of such funds to Leicestershire farmers.

  Agrimonetary Compensation Scheme
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will set out the Government's plans for the application of the £200 million of EU agrimonetary compensation available to UK farmers until 30 April. [150706]

  Ms Quin
  The Government are notifying the European Commission of their intention to draw down all of the agrimonetary compensation that is currently available for the beef, sheep and dairy sectors. This will total approximately £156 million.

  Biofuels
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what financial assistance has been provided to encourage British farmers to produce environmentally sustainable biofuels for road transport. [151564]

  Ms Quin
  The green fuels challenge invited proposals for the development of alternative environmentally friendly fuels for road transport, and any announcements about the outcome will be made in the Budget.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the potential of crops grown for the production of biodiesel and bioethanol as alternative crops for British agriculture. [152067]

  Ms Quin
  The alternative crops which appear to have potential for the production of road transport fuels are non-food rapeseed for biodiesel and short rotation coppice and miscanthus for bioethanol.

  BSE
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment his Department has made of the implications for health of the decision to move to a policy of rendering carcases killed under the OTMS prior to incineration; and if he will make a statement. [151810]

  Ms Quin
  Since the outset of the OTMS in 1996, disposal of cattle has been by two means, either by direct incineration of the carcase, or by rendering of the carcase followed by the storage and subsequent incineration of the rendered material. There was then, and remains, insufficient capacity directly to incinerate all of the cattle 104W
  slaughtered. The majority are, therefore, rendered. All OTMS rendering plants operate under strict controls enforced by the Environment Agency and the relevant local authority to protect both public and environmental health. To assess the safety of OTMS operations, the Environment Agency commissioned a number of studies from independent expert consultations of the risk from BSE to human health via different environmental pathways, based on the precautionary principle. These were produced in consultation with the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC) and published in 1997. They showed that the risks are negligible compared to other risks in daily life and endorsed SEAC's advice to the Government in 1996 that the current and proposed methods of dealing with animal waste material from the slaughter of cattle are safe.

  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much meat and bonemeal has been created as a result of rendering carcases culled under the OTMS. [151781]

  Ms Quin
  The total quantity of meat and bonemeal created from rendering carcases under OTMS is 588,803 tonnes.

  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much meat and bonemeal has been disposed of via(a) direct incineration and (b) rendering followed by incineration in each year since the establishment of the OTMS. [151782]

  Ms Quin
  The total quality of meat and bonemeal incinerated so far is 157,613 tonnes, with a further 431,190 tonnes in store.

  For further information, the following table compares the weight of carease material directly incinerated with that rendered.

  Tonnes

  Year

  Direct incineration

  Rendering

  1996

  0

  206,627

  1997

  340

  133,429

  1998

  18,340

  376,763

  1999

  43,897

  384,398

  2000

  43,179

  387,049

  Stock Disposal
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he is having with the agriculture industry on methods of disposing of dead stock. [151830]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 1 March 2001]: My right hon. and noble Friend Baroness Hayman met the National Sheep Association in December 2000 to discuss the disposal of dead stock. Officials also have frequent discussions on this subject with representatives of the agriculture industry.

  EU Agriculture Council
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the outcome was of the Agriculture Council
  105W
  held in Brussels on 26 and 27 February; if he will set out the Government's voting record at the Council; and if he will make a statement. [151992]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The Minister of State and I represented the United Kingdom at the Agriculture Council held in Brussels on 26 February. Ross Finnie (Minister for Rural Development, Scottish Executive), Brid Rodgers MLA (Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development in the Northern Ireland Executive), and Carwyn Jones (Minister for Rural Affairs, National Assembly for Wales), also attended.

  The Council reviewed the main decisions on BSE which it had taken at recent meetings. Member states underlined the importance of effective implementation of those measures, as well as the need to avoid national measures. On scrapie, the Council endorsed the Commission's proposals on testing and surveillance and undertook to keep the science under review.

  The Council also considered the Commission's proposed seven-point plan responding to the crisis in the European beef market. A wide range of reactions emerged. The UK supported the need for urgent measures to restore consumer confidence and remove unwanted beef from older animals from the market, while querying the appropriateness of some of the measures designed to rebalance the beef market in the medium term. We expressed particular concern about the proposals to require suckler cow premium claims to include a minimum of 20 per cent. heifers, the introduction of individual quotas for beef special premium and restoration of the 90 head limit on beef special premium claims.

  I gave colleagues in the Council details of the foot and mouth disease outbreak in the United Kingdom as well as the measures we are taking to contain the disease and, in collaboration with the Commission, to prevent its spread to other member states. Commissioner Byrne and other Ministers expressed great sympathy for UK farmers and their appreciation of the comprehensive measures we are taking.

  Jointly with the Italian delegation, we called for a review of the EU's food labelling policy so that food labels would better satisfy consumers demands for more information, including, for example, about how food is produced and what it contains. This initiative was given strong support by Germany and Austria.

  Farmers (Retirement)
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what financial packages are available to help farmers with retirement; and if he will make a statement. [152290]

  Mr. Morley
  There are no financial packages available from MAFF to help farmers with retirement.

  Nitrogen
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much nitrogen is(a) produced and (b) used annually on farms in the UK. [152297]
  106W
  Mr. Morley
  Current research indicates that:

  (a) in the past five years an average of 1,060,000 tonnes of nitrogen (N) has been produced annually on farms;

  (b) an average total of 2,330,000 tonnes of N has been used annually on farms over the past five years.

  Rural Development Regulation Fund
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what revenue funding is available from the rural development regulation fund; and if he will make a statement. [152303]

  Mr. Morley
  The England rural development programme (ERDP) sets out the funds available for people in farming, forestry and rural businesses under the rural development regulation. Details of planned expenditure under the ERDP were provided in the response to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr. Yeo) on 29 November 2000,Official Report, columns 662–64W.

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of the rural development regulation fund is spent on monitoring farmers; and if he will make a statement. [152302]

  Mr. Morley
  None.

  Farm Diversification
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with local planning authorities regarding farm diversification applications; what guidance he gives to them; and if he will make a statement. [152304]

  Mr. Morley
  MAFF is consulted on all planning applications which would involve the loss of 20 hectares or more of high quality farmland. MAFF also comments on local development plans to ensure that they encourage farm diversification. The rural White Paper gave an undertaking that planning guidance would be updated to take account of the needs of the living, working countryside.

  Veterinarians (Fish)
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many registered veterinarians employed within his Department and its agencies(a) are engaged in aquaculture and (b) hold post-graduate qualifications in fish health; and where they are based. [151922]

  Mr. Morley
  CEFAS employs three registered veterinarians working in aquaculture, all based at the Weymouth laboratory, one of whom holds a post-graduate qualification in fish health.

HEALTH

  Beef Imports
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact of BSE controls in(a) Spain and (b) Sweden on the safety of beef products imported into the UK. [144312]
  107W
  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that assessments of the implementation of BSE controls in European Union member states are the responsibility of the European Commission. Its Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) carries out inspection missions to all member states to check on the implementation and effectiveness of EU BSE control measures. An additional programme of urgent FVO missions is currently under way. Spain was visited in the week beginning 11 December 2000 and Sweden in the week beginning 29 January 2001. The reports of these missions will be published on the EU Commission website, as is normal practice. In the light of the findings, the EU Commission will consider whether any further protective measures are necessary beyond those already in place or under consideration.

  Tuberculosis
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the number of recorded cases of TB(a) in the Avon area and (b) nationally in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [146107]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 22 January 2001]: Notification rates of tuberculosis in England and Wales are monitored by the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS).

  Data on the notifications of TB for Avon and nationally for the past 10 years are shown in the table.

  Year

  Avon health authority

  England and Wales Total

  1990

  44

  5,204

  1991

  48

  5,436

  1992

  52

  5,799

  1993

  53

  5,921

  1994

  47

  5,591

  1995

  54

  5,608

  1996

  66

  5,654

  1997

  61

  5,859

  1998

  60

  6,087

  1999

  60

  6,144

  The relatively low levels of disease in this country compared with other countries can be maintained only through active TB control. We have taken steps to strengthen the surveillance, prevention and control of TB, including drug-resistant TB, within the United Kingdom. Current provision includes:
  specialised chest clinics in every area with doctors experienced in the treatment of TB;
  the screening of immigrants from countries with high rates of TB either at ports of entry or locally when they arrive at their destination, or a combination of these;
  the publication of guidance from the interdepartmental working group on tuberculosis with recommendations on how local control and prevention of TB (including in homeless people) can be enhanced and for prevention and control of the transmission of HIV-related and drug-resistant, including multiple drug-resistant, tuberculosis'.
  108W
  In addition to the existing provisions, recent developments include:
  the commencement of work on on-going enhanced surveillance of TB to improve monitoring;
  the appointment of regional epidemiologists to help towards a more co-ordinated approach to surveillance (including TB);
  the strengthening of surveillance of drug and multi-drug-resistant TB through a scheme co-ordinated by the PHLS;
  the development—by the PHLS—and availability of more rapid diagnostic and drug susceptibility tests for TB, which can be used where there is a presence of risk factors which might predispose towards multi-drug-resistant TB;
  the co-ordination of the PHLS's activities through the new tuberculosis programme;
  in London, where TB cases are concentrated, after wide consultation, proposals are being taken forward to improve delivery of TB services.

  Waiting Lists
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people(a) nationally and (b) in East Sussex who had an operation on the NHS waited longer than one year for that operation in each year since 1992. [146699]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is provided in the table.

  We are committed to reducing waiting times for out-patient appointments and in-patient treatment. We addressed this in the NHS Plan announced in July 2000 where we pledged that by the end of 2005 the maximum in-patient waiting time would be cut from 18 months now to six months, and the maximum out-patient waiting time would be cut from over six months now to three months. Provided we can recruit the extra staff, and the National Health Service makes the necessary reforms, our eventual objective is to reduce the maximum wait for any stage of treatment to three months by the end of 2008.

  Number of people resident in East Sussex, Brighton and Hove HA and England who had waited for more than a year for treatment

  East Sussex, Brighton and Hove

  England

  1992–93

  4,413

  174,945

  1993–94

  4,763

  180,411

  1994–95

  4,502

  188,125

  1995–96

  5,571

  156,257

  1996–97

  2,193

  117,607

  1997–98

  3,901

  189,371

  1998–99

  4,255

  271,234

  1999–2000

  3,095

  224,841

  Note:

  Figures for 1992–93 are the sum of Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings district health authorities

  Source:

  Hospital Episode Statistics

  Departmental Costs
  Mr. Stephen O?Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the total gross running costs to his Department of fees and disbursements paid to consultants in the last 12 months. [149152]

  Ms Stuart
  Total expenditure on external management consultants by the Department in the period February 2000 to January 2001 was £8,042,525.
  109W
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were his Department's total gross running costs for travel, including fares, subsistence, accommodation and any other expenses met from public funds but excluding all such costs for journeys and stays exclusively within the United Kingdom(a) since 1 May 1997 and (b) in the last 12 months. [149156]

  Ms Stuart
  The Department's gross running costs for travel and subsistence outside of the United Kingdom has been(a) since 1 May 1997, £2,189,074 and, (b) in the last 12 months, £569,085.

  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the total gross running costs to his Department of the NDPBs accountable through his Department in the last 12 months. [149157]

  Ms Stuart
  The Department estimates that the non-departmental public bodies will have received a total of £176.2 million for their gross running costs at the end of the current financial year 2000–01

  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total gross running cost to his Department in the last 12 months of(a) stationery and (b) printing and publishing. [149153]

  Ms Stuart
  The total gross running cost to the Department for January to December 2000 for(a) stationery was £1,664,367, and (b) printing was £3,721,082.

  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total gross running cost to his Department was in the last 12 months of alcoholic drinks. [149149]

  Ms Stuart
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total gross running cost to his Department was in the last 12 months of entertaining by Ministers and officials. [149158]

  Ms Stuart
  The total gross running cost to the Department of the costs of entertaining by Ministers and officials from January to December 2000 was £84,634.

  Cancer Care
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what resources were allocated for cancer care for(a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99, (d) 1999–2000 and (e) 2000–01. [149746]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Department does not collect figures on the cost of national health service services in a way that enables an accurate figure to be calculated for the cost of a particular disease.

  It is estimated that cancer services account for 6.3 per cent. (£1,479 million) of national health service hospital expenditure in England. This excludes cancer services not normally provided on an in-patient basis—for example, cancer screening, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and community palliative care services.
  110W
  £10 million per year extra has been invested directly in breast cancer services since 1997; since 1998 £10 million extra per year has been invested in colorectal cancer services; since 1999 £10 million extra per year has been invested in lung cancer services; and from 1999 £10 million extra per year has been available for waiting times. These sums are included in health authority baselines.

  The NHS cancer plan set out funding for cancer services from 2001–02. Some £450 million has been hypothecated within health authority allocations for cancer and coronary heart disease, of which £255 million is specifically to support achievement of the cancer targets and milestones.

  There is also £25 million within central budgets, which brings the total funding to £280 million for cancer in 2001–02 as promised. This money will be used to support developments including: the extension of the breast screening programme; the roll out of the cancer services collaborative; the introduction of primary care group/trust lead clinicians through a shared initiative with Macmillan Cancer Relief; and a package of support and training for community nurses in the principles of palliative care provision.

  Hospital Beds (Leicestershire)
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to increase the number of hospital beds in Leicestershire. [149981]

  Yvette Cooper
  The NHS plan provides for a total of 7,000 extra beds nationally by 2004, including 2,100 on general and acute wards—the first increase of its kind for 30 years—and around 5,000 extra intermediate care beds. Within this expanded bedstock, there will also be a 30 per cent. increase in adult critical care beds over the next three years.

  In 2000, Leicestershire health and social care community received an additional £2.7 million, specifically to help ease winter pressures. As a direct result, Leicestershire now has an additional 21 general and acute beds, 21 more intermediate care beds and four extra critical care beds compared with this time last year.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced in the House on 15 February that Leicestershire's strategic outline case for the reconfiguration of its acute services had been given the go-ahead. This £286 million capital scheme will provide a further 320 beds in Leicestershire by 2009, making a total of 2,545. This figure is in line with recommendations in the national beds inquiry.

  Hospital Treatments (Leicestershire)
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) in-patients and (b) out-patients were treated in Leicestershire in each year between 1992–93 and the most recent year for which figures are available. [149979]

  Yvette Cooper
  The tables show the total number of finished consultant in-patient episodes (FCEs) for patients treated in Leicestershire health authority for each year between 1992–93 and 1999–2000 and also the total
  111W
  number of outpatient attendances and first outpatient attendances for patients in Leicestershire health authority for each of the same years.

  Table 1

  Year

  Total

  1992–93

  161,824

  1993–94

  177,035

  1994–95

  191,032

  1995–96

  192,566

  1996–97

  200,726

  1997–98

  205,196

  1998–99

  225,384

  1999–2000

  233,159

  Notes:

  1. Figures for 1992–93 to 1996–97 are grossed for coverage.

  2. 1997–98 to 1999–2000 figures are ungrossed.

  An FCE is defined as a period of patient care under one consultant in one health care provider. The figures do not represent the number of patients, as one person may have several episodes within the year.

  Source:

  Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Department of Health

  Table 2

  Year

  Total attendances

  Total first attendances

  1992–93

  584,426

  138,136

  1993–94

  600,394

  152,938

  1994–95

  616,252

  164,717

  1995–96

  627,634

  173,060

  1996–97

  662,124

  185,073

  1997–98

  686,184

  189,419

  1998–99

  690,263

  195,052

  1999–2000

  684,304

  192,227

  Source:

  Figures are taken from the annual Körner return KHO9 'Consultant outpatient attendance activity'

  "Outpatients and ward attenders for England", a copy of which is placed in the Library, contains information for individual NHS trusts along with summary tables for England. The returns are made on a financial year basis and the latest year for which data are available is 1999–2000.

  Policy and Strategy Units
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when his strategic planning unit was established; which of its reports are placed in the public domain; how many departmental or non-departmental special advisers participate in its work; how many regular(a) non-departmental and (b) departmental staff participate in its work; and how many of these work for the unit on a full-time basis. [150372]

  Ms Stuart
  The strategy unit was established in February 2000. It works with Ministers, special advisers and officials to produce internal policy advice. It has six full-time staff, four of whom are permanent civil servants and two who were recruited externally. Special advisers participate in the work of the Department in line with the model contract for special advisers.

  Christchurch Health Centre
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 29 January 2001,Official Report, column 50W, on Christchurch Health Centre, if there was a
  112W
  reserve placed upon the value of the long lease when it was offered at auction; and if he will give instructions for the lease to be sold without reserve. [151517]

  Ms Stuart
  A reserve price was placed on the property when it was offered for sale by auction.

  Due to the nature of the property and the restrictive leasehold terms on which it is held, the professional advisers have recommended that terms should be negotiated for the release of the restrictions and then the property marketed by private treaty rather than by auction.

  Children's Hospices
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the Government's commitment of an additional £50 million funding for palliative care by 2004 will include taxpayers' support to children' hospices. [150728]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 26 February 2001]: An additional £50 million of national health service money is to be invested in adult hospices and specialist palliative care services. Children's hospices will continue to have access to funding through the NHS. In addition, we will shortly announce funding specifically for children's palliative care services, including those provided by children's hospices. This funding will be available through the new opportunities fund.

  vCJD-Infected Blood
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what his Department's policy is on informing individuals that they have received blood from a donor infected with vCJD; and what assessment he made of compliance with the Human Rights Act 1998 in formulating his policy; [151309]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the dangers to others posed by individuals who have received blood from a donor infected with vCJD, of (a) donating blood, (b) donating organs and (c) undergoing operational procedures. [151310]

  Mr. Denham
  The Government's CJD clinical incident panel is currently addressing these issues taking into account the Human Rights Act 1998. The panel's guidelines should be made available for public consultation later this year.

  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the NHS has identified individuals who have received blood from a donor infected with vCJD. [151308]

  Mr. Denham
  The study which the National Blood Service and the CJD surveillance unit are carrying out has indicated that 23 people have received blood transfusions from donors who went on to develop variant CJD.

  Gateshead and South Tyneside Health Authority
  Mr. Hepburn
  T o ask the Secretary of State for Health how many referrals from the Gateshead and South Tyneside health authority area have been refused by health trusts in the Northern Area in the last year for which figures are available. [151007]
  113W
  Mr. Hutton
  Figures on referrals that are returned by health trusts are not collected centrally. I understand, however, that a small percentage of referrals from the Gateshead and South Tyneside health authority area have been returned by the Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals national health service trust. The vast majority of these related to a planned service change in dermatology where, due to the anticipated cessation of a service level agreement on 31 March 2001, the trust would accept no further referrals after 1 January 2001. I further understand that, following discussions between the trust and the health authority, the trust is once again accepting referrals for this service.

  Mobile Phones and Health
  Mr. Lepper
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the work of the task force led by Sir William Stewart and announced on 8 December 2000 to carry out research into the effects of mobile phone technology on health. [151009]

  Yvette Cooper
  The new research programme announced on 8 December 2000 was launched at a scientific workshop in London on Friday 9 February 2001, when the first call for proposals was issued. The research will be undertaken under the direction of an independent programme management committee chaired by Sir William Stewart. Details of the membership of the new committee and the call for proposals can be found on the website www.doh.gov.uk/mobliephones

  Ms Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research is being undertaken to assess the safety of radiation levels from telecommunication masts. [151628]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Stewart report on mobile phones and health provided a rigorous and comprehensive assessment of existing research and considered the possible effects on health of mobile phones and base stations (masts). The report concluded that the balance of evidence indicates that there is no general risk to health of people living near base stations on the basis that exposures are expected to be small fractions of guidelines. However, in view of the concerns expressed by residents near base stations and the indirect affect on people's health, the report made a number a recommendations aimed at improving the public consultation and the availability of information about the siting of base stations.

  In its summary, the Stewart group commented that the upsurge of mobile phone technology should be matched by good quality research. We have responded by setting up a new programme. This joint Government and industry initiative was launched at a scientific workshop in London on Friday 9 February when the first call for proposals was issued.

  The Department is also continuing to provide financial support for the World Health Organisation international electromagnetic fields (EMF) project which is comprehensively reviewing EMF effects, including those of radio waves.

  In addition to research programmes, the Radiocommunications Agency is currently undertaking an audit of radio emissions from cellular base stations. The results from this audit will be made available on the RA website at"www.radio.gov.uk"

  Organophosphates (Prions)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence he has assessed in relation to the possible subverting of healthy prions in mammals to rogue prions by reaction with organophosphates in the presence of manganese; and what implications such a reaction would have for the use of insecticide lotions in school hair lice eradication programmes. [151236]

  Yvette Cooper
  The hypothesis that organophosphates (OPs) cause BSE in cattle by reacting with prions in normal mammalian cells to produce abnormal prions has been assessed by the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee. This is an independent expert committee established by Government to advise on all matters relating to spongiform encephalopathies. The committee concluded that none of the available scientific evidence indicates that the BSE epidemic is related to the use of OPs. This hypothesis was not consistent with the available epidemiological evidence. For example it does not explain the high incidence of BSE in Great Britain alone when such compounds are used throughout the world. Nor does it account for the fact that the BSE epidemic in Northern Ireland lagged behind that in Great Britain by some 2 years, despite the fact that OPs were used earlier, and at higher concentrations, in Northern Ireland.

  Since the evidence does not support the hypothesis, there are no current implications for hair lice treatments containing OPs. Such products are licensed by the Medicines Control Agency in the United Kingdom; it has to be satisfied regarding safety, quality and efficacy before such licenses are issued.

  Registered Authorised Persons (Sterilisers) Panel
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the criteria for selecting members of the Registered Authorised Persons (Sterilisers) Panel. [R] [150677]

  Mr. Denham
  The Institute of Healthcare Engineering and Estate Management (IHEEM) has delegated authority, on behalf of the Department, to manage and direct all aspects of the professional duties of authorised persons (sterilisers) (AP(S)). This function is performed by the AP(S) Registration Panel on behalf of the IHEEM pursuant to its terms of reference. Criteria for selection are set out in the terms of reference. A copy has been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what training is given to members of the Registered Authorised Persons (Sterilisers) panel; and if members are required to declare relevant interests. [R] [150678]

  Mr. Denham
  The members of the Authorised Persons (Sterilisers) (AP(S)) panel are expert professional persons recognised by their peers. They are nominated to become members by their respective national professional bodies, societies etc. The full details of panel membership are included in the terms of reference, which have been placed in the Library.

  Members are expected to abide by their relevant professional bodies' codes of conduct, which include training and continuous professional development requirements as appropriate.
  115W
  Under the current arrangements, the members are not required to declare relevant interests. However, with regard to the role of the AP(S) the code of conduct is very specific on issues of potential conflicts of interest. This is applied consistently to the members of the registration panel.

  Harefield Hospital
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what account was taken of the provisions of the Human Rights Act 1998 in the selection of Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster health authority to lead the public consultation into the proposed transfer of services and facilities from Harefield hospital, Middlesex to a new hospital in Paddington. [151260]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 26 February 2001]: At the meeting of the west London partnership forum on 23 May 2000, it was confirmed that the consultation process would be led by Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster health authority although all health authorities in west London would be active partners in the process. As with other public authorities, health authorities have a duty under the Human Rights Act 1998 not to act in any way which is incompatible with a right under the European Convention on Human Rights. It is for the health authorities concerned to ensure that they consider, and seek appropriate advice on, whether their acts or decisions are compatible.

  National Service Framework for Children
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when a national service framework for children will be developed by the NHS. [151375]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 27 February 2001]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 17 February that a national service framework for children is now under development.

  Digital Hearing Aids
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which NHS trusts outside the 20 participating trusts in the modernising National Health Service hearing aid service project meet the service criteria for accessing the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency contract for digital hearing aids; and what steps his Department is taking to provide funding for equipment and staff training to enable more trusts to meet the service criteria. [151761]

  Mr. Hutton
  Pending the outcome of the modernising national health service hearing aid services project, other hospitals with the appropriate staff, training, equipment and experience are able to access the NHS purchasing and supply agency contract for digital hearing aids.

  The Department will spend £10.75 million over the two years 2000–01 and 2001–02, and if successful, a further £25 million to roll out the project to the rest of England.

  Elderly and Disabled (Care)
  Mr. Best
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will announce a detailed definition of nursing care for the purpose of funding care for the elderly and disabled. [151905]
  116W
  Mr. Hutton
  In the Health and Social Care Bill, currently before Parliament, nursing care which cannot be provided by local councils is defined as care provided by a registered nurse, and involving either the provision of care or the planning, supervision or delegation of the provision of care.

  The Department is currently developing a tool to evaluate people's nursing care needs as part of work on the single health and social care assessment. National health service staff will be trained in the use of the tool in order to ensure that people receive the care they need from registered nurses, arranged through the NHS. Detailed guidance will be issued to the NHS in May.

  Appointments (Electronic Booking)
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the IT contract for an electronic booking system for appointments will be implemented on time. [151842]

  Ms Stuart
  The project timetable will achieve the objectives in this area set out in the NHS plan, published in July 2000.

  Drug Rehabilitation
  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of expenditure on drug rehabilitation work in(a) Somerset and (b) England and Wales for each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [151582]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 01 March 2001]: The information requested is not collected centrally. Information from drug action team template returns indicate that £151.8 million was spent on drug treatment in England in 1999–2000 by all agencies, although this is likely to be an underestimate due to incomplete data, as some drug action teams were unable to provide data either in time or in the format required. Somerset health authority received a drug misuse special allocation of £405,000 in 1999–2000.

  Spending Review 2000 provides for a major gearing up of adult and young people's treatment services, and will raise total expenditure on treatment to over £400 million in 2003–04. Although its final remit is yet to be finally decided, the proposed National Treatment Agency is likely to oversee performance management and development of local agencies, including approval of the treatment plans of drug action teams.

  Drug Addicts (Somerset)
  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his estimate is of the number of(a) heroin users and (b) registered heroin addicts in (i) Yeovil constituency, (ii) South Somerset and (iii) Somerset in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [151581]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 1 March 2001]: Information is not available in the form requested.

  Information on the number of addicts in the Avon and Somerset police area notified by doctors to the Home Office as addicted to heroin during the years 1989 to 1996 is given in table 1 The index was closed from April 1997.
  117W
  The regional drug misuse databases (RDMDs), which report to the Department of Health, are now the main source of information on persons presenting to drug treatment services with a drug misuse problem. The number of users presenting to drug misuse agencies (including both doctors and other agencies) in the Avon and Somerset health authority areas with heroin as their main drug of misuse in each of the six-month periods ending 30 September 1996 to 31 March 2000 is given in table 2.

  The two sources of information are not directly comparable.

  Table 1: Number of new drug addicts notified and number of addicts renotified to the Home Office as addicted to heroin during the year by police force area of addict, Avon and Somerset, 1989 to 1996

  Year

  Number of new drug addicts

  Number of renotified drug addicts

  Total

  1989

  84

  153

  237

  1990

  122

  149

  271

  1991

  131

  141

  272

  1992

  210

  155

  365

  1993

  336

  195

  531

  1994

  514

  359

  873

  1995

  583

  544

  1,127

  1996

  745

  688

  1,433

  Source:

  Statistics of drug addicts notified to the Home Office, United Kingdom, 1996 Area Tables (Tables A5 and A6)

  Table 2: Number of users presenting for treatment at drug misuse agencies in Avon and Somerset with heroin as their main drug of misuse during the six-month periods ending 30 September 1996 to 31 March 2000

  Six-month period ending

  Avon

  Somerset

  Total

  September 1996

  720

  120

  840

  March 1997

  747

  142

  889

  September 1997

  671

  96

  767

  March 1998

  624

  99

  723

  September 1998

  711

  154

  865

  March 1999

  997

  79

  1,076

  September 1999

  943

  63

  1,006

  March 2000

  1,118

  73

  1,191

  Source:

  Statistics from the regional drug misuse databases, Department of Health

  Tackling drug misuse is a national priority for the NHS and its partners. Ambitious targets have been set and fully backed with additional new resources to prevent drug misuse and to enable those with drug problems to overcome them. Heroin is targeted in our anti-drugs strategy as one of the drugs which causes the most harm.

  Social Services (East Sussex)
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in East Sussex are not in receipt of care from social services following assessment, despite being entitled to such care; and if he will make a statement. [151785]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  NHS Care (Private Hospitals)
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the volume of health care being purchased by the NHS from private hospitals broken down by health district and health specialism. [151875]

  Ms Stuart
  The concordat signed between the National Health Service and the Independent Healthcare Association sets out a framework by which the NE-IS is best able to utilise the resources of the private, independent and voluntary healthcare sector locally to deliver better services for patients. That framework provides for local agreement in planning how and when to make use of these independent sector facilities and for monitoring the arrangements.

  Any patient treated making use of the private or voluntary sector under the terms of the concordat remains an NHS patient and their treatment remains NHS treatment. Such patients remain the responsibility of the NHS.

  Organisation-specific and condition-specific data are not collected centrally. However, the total amount of NHS funds spent on the provision of hospital and community services for NHS patients treated outside the NHS for the years 1996–97 to 1998–99 are as follows:

  Year

  Total (£ billion)

  Percentage of NHS expenditure on hospital and community services

  1998–99

  1.25

  4.8

  1997–98

  1.08

  4.6

  1996–97

  0.87

  3.8

  Source:

  Common Information Core, Outturn 1996–97, 1997–98 and 1998–99

  Teenage Pregnancies
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the top decile of wards by rate of teenage pregnancy, giving the rate in each case. [151920]

  Yvette Cooper
  Information is collected nationally about numbers of teenage pregnancies by ward. However, it is not possible to calculate ward rates as denominators for the relevant population are not available

  Pressure Sores
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment the National Institute for Clinical Excellence have made of the savings that could be made by more effective management of pressure sores; [R] [152310]

  (2) if he has asked NICE to consider targets for reducing pressure sores as part of its current study. [R] [152311]

  Mr. Denham
  The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has not yet published a guideline on pressure ulcers, but it is intending to do so. We have not asked NICE to set targets for the national health service, but it will develop methods of clinical audit for the review of patient care.

  Intercountry Adoption
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to introduce regulations under the Adoption (Intercountry Aspects) Act 1999. [152312]

  Mr. Hutton
  Section 13 of the Adoption (Intercountry Aspects) Act 1999, in so far as it inserts a new subsection (3A) after subsection (3) of section 72 of the Adoption Act 1976, came into force on 31 January 2000. This makes it clear that only local authorities and voluntary adoption agencies approved by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State may carry out an assessment of the suitability of an individual to be an adoptive parent.

  Section 14 of the Adoption (Intercountry Aspects) Act 1999 makes it a criminal offence for a person habitually resident in the British Islands to bring to the United Kingdom for the purpose of adoption a child who is habitually resident outside those islands, unless they comply with requirements to be prescribed by regulations. We intend to implement section 14 in April, and will be laying regulations before the House shortly.

  We are continuing to develop regulations under the rest of the Act and will be consulting on these as soon as possible. We will lay the regulations in time to meet our commitment to ratify the 1993 Hague convention on the protection of children and co-operation in respect of intercountry adoption by 1 January 2002.

  Drug Tariff
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what target times have been set for(a) new and (b) similar products to be given approval for placement on the drug tariff; [R] [152308]

  (2) what the waiting time is for (a) new and (b) similar products to be given approval for placement on the drug tariff. [R] [152309]

  Ms Stuart
  Applications for listing of appliances in part IX of the drug tariff take different lengths of time to consider depending on the complexity of any issues raised. Processing times are around a month in very simple cases but can be over a year in the more difficult cases. Types of product which are new to part IX tend to raise more complex issues and hence do take longer, but this is not invariably the case. Target times have not been set, but our constant aim is to deal with applications in the minimum time consistent with full consideration.

  Food Labelling
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which imported products are required to be labelled with the country of origin; and if he will make a statement. [152329]

  Ms Stuart
  United Kingdom and European Union law requires country of origin labelling on certain specified foods and on all foods in cases where its omission might mislead consumers as to the true origin of the food. We are actively pressing for these rules to be amended to require compulsory origin labelling on a wider range of foods, particularly meat products.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will ensure that food imported into the United Kingdom is labelled so as to indicate the country of origin. [151690]

  Ms Stuart
  Origin labelling rules are harmonised at European level. We are actively pressing for these rules to be amended to require compulsory origin labelling on a wider range of foods, particularly meat products, and for clear rules on the use of terms like "produce of".

  Visually Impaired People (Eastbourne)
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of the Government's additional funding allocated for community equipment services will be available for low vision equipment in Eastbourne; and what plans he has to appoint a visually impaired representative on the advisory group that will issue guidance to the NHS and Social Services. [152165]

  Mr. Hutton
  Additional funding for community equipment services has been included in allocations to health authorities 2001–02, with provision also made in the personal social services settlement. It is for health authorities and local councils to determine local funding priorities. The Royal National Institute for the Blind has a representative on the community equipment services external reference group, which has been advising on the planned guidance.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to answer the question of 15 January, [Ref. 146107] tabled by the hon. Member for Northavon on TB in Avon. [151924]

  Yvette Cooper
  The hon. Member's question was answered today,Official Report, column 107–08W.

  Entry Clearance Application Arrangements
  Entry Clearance Application Arrangements
  Asylum Seekers in Emergency Accommodation
  Asylum Seekers in Emergency Accommodation
  Asylum Applications
  Asylum Applications
  Criminal Records Bureau Registered Bodies
  Criminal Records Bureau Registered Bodies
  Immigration Advisory Service: Funding
  Immigration Advisory Service: Funding
  Illegal Sexual Services: Arrests
  Illegal Sexual Services: Arrests
  Immigration Act Detainees
  Immigration Act Detainees
  Miss Zainas Hussain Nazir Hammad
  Miss Zainas Hussain Nazir Hammad
  Abnormal Loads: Communication with Escort
  Abnormal Loads: Communication with Escort
  Immigration and Asylum Act 1999: Implementation
  Immigration and Asylum Act 1999: Implementation
  Prison Overcrowding
  Prison Overcrowding
  Title IV of EC Treaty
  Title IV of EC Treaty
  Proceeds of Crime: Draft Bill
  Proceeds of Crime: Draft Bill
  UK/China Human Rights Dialogue
  UK/China Human Rights Dialogue
  Sudan
  Sudan
  Depleted Uranium: Records of Use
  Depleted Uranium: Records of Use
  BFPO Addresses: Creditworthiness Checks
  BFPO Addresses: Creditworthiness Checks
  European Rapid Reaction Force: Command and Planning Structures
  European Rapid Reaction Force: Command and Planning Structures
  Slaughterhouse Inspection Charges
  Slaughterhouse Inspection Charges
  Air Pollution: Research Funding
  Air Pollution: Research Funding
  Sheep Dip Exposure Pilot Study
  Sheep Dip Exposure Pilot Study
  Lord Chancellor's Fundraising Dinner
  Lord Chancellor's Fundraising Dinner
  Postal Tariff Differentials
  Postal Tariff Differentials
  Employee Information and Consultation: Proposed Directive
  Employee Information and Consultation: Proposed Directive
  Parthenon Sculptures
  Parthenon Sculptures
  British Museum Portico
  British Museum Portico
  Possession Warrants on Residential Properties
  Possession Warrants on Residential Properties
  BSE Costs to CAP
  BSE Costs to CAP