Written Answers of 8 March 2001

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Waste Regulation
  Ms Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what checks the Environment Agency makes before providing individuals with waste management licences and waste carrier licences. [148730]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  Under section 36(3) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the Environment Agency may reject an application for waste management licence if it is not satisfied the applicant is a "fit and proper person" or if rejection is necessary to prevent pollution of the environment or harm to human health. There are three components to the "fit and proper person" test: conviction for a relevant offence, technical competence and financial provision. Guidance on these provisions has been provided to the Environment Agency in Waste Management Paper No. 4 "Licensing of Waste Management Facilities"; and Waste Management Paper No. 4A "Licensing of Metal Recycling Sites".

  Under section 3 of the Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989, and Regulation 5 of the Controlled Waste (Registration of Carriers and Seizure of Vehicles) Regulations 1991, the Environment Agency may reject an application for registration as a carrier of controlled waste if, among other reasons, the applicant has been convicted of a prescribed offence, and in the opinion of the Agency it is undesirable for the applicant to be authorised to transport waste. Guidance on the refusal by the Environment Agency of applications for waste carrier registration has been provided in DOE Circular 11/91 (paragraphs 1.27–1.47).

  The Coastguard
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if it is his policy to allow the coastguard to use public funds for non-operational purposes, including publicity; and if he will make a statement. [151445]

  Mr. Hill
  The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is responsible for the operation of the Coastguard service. The Agency uses public funding for non-operational purposes such as publicity and educational material to raise safety awareness, promote maritime safety generally and to protect the marine environment.

  Mobile Telephone Masts
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what weight will be given to health risks when deciding on planning permission for mobile telephone masts. [151656]
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  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Health considerations and public concern can in principle be material considerations in determining applications for planning permission and prior approval. Whether such matters are material in a particular case is ultimately a matter for the courts. It is for the decision-maker (usually the local planning authority) to determine what weight to attach to such considerations in any particular case. However, it is the Government's view that if a proposed development meets the guidelines of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) on limiting public exposure to electromagnetic fields it should not be necessary for an authority, in processing an application, to consider health effects further.

  Road Works
  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review the provisions of the New Roads and Streetworks Act 1991 in relation to the control of roadworks undertaken by private telecommunications contractors. [152048]

  Mr. Hill
  Regulations under section 74 of the New Road and Street Works Act 1991 were laid before the House on 26 February. These will come into force on 1 April and allow highway authorities to levy charges on utilities, including telecommunications companies, who fail to complete street works by an agreed deadline. The Government also took powers in the Transport Act 2000 to make regulations permitting highway authorities to levy daily charges on utilities from the outset of works (so-called "lane rental"). The lane rental powers are being kept in reserve at this stage. However, we will activate them if it becomes clear that the section 74 powers have failed to reduce sufficiently the disruption which works cause to road users. We have also made it clear that we are prepared to introduce further measures, including revisiting other provisions of the 1991 Act.

  Bus Vehicle Inspectors
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many licences have been withdrawn from bus companies by bus vehicle inspectors in each of the last three years. [152003]

  Mr. Hill
  Vehicle Examiners from the Vehicle Inspectorate notify the results of their maintenance inspections to Traffic Commissioners who are responsible for licensing operators of public service vehicles. The numbers of licences revoked by Traffic Commissioners as a result of operators failing to maintain their vehicles adequately are:

  1997–98:—21

  1998–99:—20

  1999–00:—18.

  All figures relate to Great Britain.

  Turnham Green Tube Station
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 26 February 2001,Official Report, column 317W, on Turnham Green tube station, on how

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  many occasions Piccadilly Line trains have made special stops at Turnham Green tube station since the current engineering works began. [152156]

  Mr. Hill
  This is an operational issue for London Underground who inform me that between 3 February and 6 March 2001 there have been 12 special stops in the morning and five special stops in the afternoon of Piccadilly Line trains at Turnham Green tube station. The majority of these stops were made outside the peak hours.

  LUL have also informed me that there have been three additional periods, two in the morning peak and one between 8pm and 10pm when Piccadilly Line trains have stopped but the actual number of trains that have stopped during each period has not been recorded for those occasions.

  London Underground
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 23 January 2001 to the hon. Member for Hammersmith and Fulham (Mr. Coleman),Official Report, column 525W, on London Underground, what factors underlay the difference between (a) the original figure for London Underground's gross operating margin for 1999–2000 and the revised figure, (b) the original operating loss of London Underground Ltd. for 1999–2000 and the revised loss, (c) the original budgeted gross operating margin of London Underground Ltd. for 2000–01 and the revised figure and (d) the original budgeted investment programme for London Underground Ltd. in 2000–01 and the revised figure. [152370]

  Mr. Hill
  As was made clear in the Answer referred to in the Question, these differences result from London Underground's adoption of the accounting standard Financial Reporting Standard 15, which governs the treatment of tangible fixed assets. The underlying figures are unchanged.

  Motorway Safety Signs
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the criteria governing the siting of Tiredness Kills notices on motorways. [152263]

  Mr. Hill
  Decisions on the provision of signs at specific locations are made locally and, based on conditions at the site concerned. In most cases, however, "Tiredness Can Kill" signs are provided no more than around two miles in advance of a motorway service area. This ensures that motorists who take the advice to have a break from driving do so at a motorway service area, where they can park safely.

  Vehicle Excise Duty
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many road fund licences were unpaid in(a) Essex and (b) Kent at the end of February; what the procedure for collecting the moneys due for unpaid road fund licences is; and what the penalties for non-payment are. [152595]
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  Mr. Hill
  A roadside survey conducted in 1999 estimated that there were 43,000 unlicensed vehicles in Essex and 44,000 in Kent.

  Vehicle excise duty (VED) evaders are required to pay an out-of-court settlement or in more serious cases face prosecution. Some 612,000 were penalised last year. In addition a scheme is in place to wheelclamp, impound and dispose of unlicensed vehicles. Over 333,000 motorists have been encouraged to relicense thus far as a result of the scheme over the three and a half years it has been in operation.

  The maximum fine for VED evasion is a £1,000 or five times the annual rate of duty, whichever is the greater. In addition a penalty equal to the amount of duty owed must be paid, together with costs.

  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action the Government are taking to enforce the requirement for all vehicles to display a valid tax disc. [152489]

  Mr. Hill
  Following a roadside survey in 1999, it is estimated that the level of Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) evasion has been cut for the first time from 4.1 per cent. in 1994 to 3.9 per cent., representing a saving of £17 million a year.

  The payment of VED is enforced by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). Action includes offering out-of-court settlements and prosecuting where appropriate. Last year over 612,000 motorists were penalised and some £86 million in total was recovered in fines, penalties and relicensing revenue.

  Part of DVLA's enforcement role is to administer a nationwide scheme to wheelclamp, impound and dispose of unlicensed vehicles. The scheme has encouraged over 333,000 motorists to relicense their vehicles voluntarily bringing in over £39 million in increased revenue over the last three and a half years. The police work closely with DVLA on VED enforcement and take part in a programme of high profile VED enforcement campaigns throughout the country. Last year, 26 such campaigns were undertaken.

  A new initiative to detect and deter unlicensed vehicles will make use of mobile automatic number plate readers. A trial is due to take place shortly. It is planned to introduce this camera technology on a nationwide basis later this year.

  Combined Heat and Power
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action the Government are taking to meet its target of 10,000 megawatts of CHP by 2010. [152638]

  Mr. Meacher
  We have introduced a range of incentives to stimulate CHP growth, including exemption of Good Quality CHP from the Climate Change Levy, subject to EU clearance and eligibility for enhanced capital allowances. Electricity generating plant and machinery will also be exempted from business rating from 1 April 2001 A comprehensive strategy will be
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  launched in the coming months to ensure that our 2010 target is achieved with the help of the measures already announced and other new measures designed to stimulate CHP growth further.

  Construction Industry (Health and Safety)
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many(a) fatal accidents and (b) accidents requiring an overnight stay in hospital there were on construction sites in each Government region in the last three years. [152640]

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–20001

  Region

  Fatal

  Major/Non-fatal

  Fatal

  Major/non-fatal

  Fatal

  Major/Non-fatal

  North

  5

  282

  0

  287

  2

  311

  North West

  15

  576

  12

  546

  9

  559

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  7

  430

  5

  484

  8

  426

  West Midlands

  7

  331

  7

  365

  3

  378

  East Midlands

  4

  347

  3

  336

  5

  284

  East Anglia

  0

  142

  4

  188

  3

  164

  South West

  5

  365

  4

  380

  10

  419

  South East

  12

  761

  11

  799

  13

  824

  Greater London

  12

  635

  9

  744

  15

  815

  Wales

  7

  285

  6

  261

  3

  273

  Scotland

  12

  511

  7

  644

  14

  587

  Total

  86

  4,665

  68

  5,034

  85

  5,040

  1 The figures for 1999–2000 are provisional.

  Average Mortgage Payments
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the average mortgage payment was in London(a) in 1996 and (b) at the latest date for which figures are available. [152192]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Based on data from the Family Resources Survey, the estimated average mortgage payment for owner occupiers in London with an outstanding mortgage was:

  £ per week

  1996–97

  64

  1999–2000

  82

  Notes:

  1. These figures are a combination of interest payments only, for those with interest-only mortgages, and interest payments plus capital repayments for those with repayment mortgages. It is not possible to separate the two.

  2. Any insurance payments (eg endowment, mortgage protection or buildings insurance) are excluded.

  3. The estimates are rounded to the nearest pound.

  4. The period covered, in each case, is 1 April to 31 March.

  Source:

  Family Resources Survey (Department of Social Security)

  Greater London Authority
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what level of grant he will set for the Greater London Authority for 2001. [153069]
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  Mr. Meacher
  The following table displays, for each of the past three years1, reported fatal and major injuries to workers and fatal and non-fatal injuries to members of the public in the construction industry.

  The statistics are compiled from reports by employers and others under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases, and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR). Major and non-fatal injuries are defined as major injuries to workers (e.g. amputations, fractures and injuries which lead to 24 hours stay in hospital) and to members of the public, which lead to immediate transfer to hospital. Overnight stays in hospital are not reported.

  1 Data covers period 1 April to 31 March.

  Mr. Hill
  GLA Transport grant is determined annually after consultation with the Mayor of London under section 101 of the GLA Act 1999. The Secretary of State has today determined the level of grant for 2001–02 at £707,088,000.

  Transport for London
  Ms Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what major land assets were transferred to Transport for London on 3 July 2000. [153068]

  Mr. Hill
  I have today placed a list in the Libraries of both Houses, which details all the major land assets that TfL inherited on 3 July 2000.

  Heathrow
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the inspector's report on the inquiry into the fifth terminal at Heathrow will be published. [152660]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Secretary of State plans to publish the Inspector's Report when he issues the decision on Terminal 5. This is in accordance with the usual practice for planning decisions.

  Regional Planning Guidance
  Mr. Leslie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to publish his response to the recommendations of the
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  panel that conducted the public examination of draft regional planning guidance for Yorkshire and the Humber; and if he will make a statement. [153125]

  Mr. Raynsford
  My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister is today publishing for public consultation Proposed Changes to the Draft Regional Planning Guidance (RPG 12) for Yorkshire and the Humber. They are largely based on the recommendations of the independent Panel that held a public examination into draft RPG last summer.

  In October 2000, my right hon. Friend published new guidance on regional planning in Planning Policy Guidance (PPG) Note 11. This followed the announcement of a new approach to planning for housing provision last March which was taken forward in more detail in the revised Planning Policy Guidance (PPG) Note 3. Important issues for the region to take forward are contained in the Urban and Rural White Papers, issued last November. The Proposed Changes to the draft RPG for Yorkshire and the Humber reflect the principles and priorities set out in these statements. They aim to achieve urban and rural renaissance, support economic growth and regeneration, while at the same time protecting and enhancing the region's environment.

  Draft RPG was prepared by the Regional Assembly for Yorkshire and Humberside. Its overall spatial strategy aims to create a more sustainable region and achieve urban and rural renaissance by focusing development on the region's main towns and cities and making best use of previously-developed land. We support this, and, as recommended by the Panel, we are proposing changes to ensure that the strategy is more clearly expressed and so that its implications for development plans and other programmes are clearer to make a real difference on the ground.

  A key issue for the region is to encourage economic growth and regeneration in a sustainable way. To achieve this we are proposing changes which set out priority areas for regeneration, a clear strategic framework for choosing where future industrial and business development will take place, and a sub-regional growth study covering West Yorkshire and Barnsley.

  We are proposing that the first priority for regeneration in the region be South Yorkshire and the Coalfields, particularly the Dearne Valley. This reflects South Yorkshire's Objective 1 status and the importance of regenerating the Yorkshire Coalfields. The strategy also aims to build on the success of the Leeds economy and spread the benefits further afield. To help this process, it is proposed that the Regional Assembly leads a growth study involving the local authorities, Yorkshire Forward and other stakeholders. The study would look to examine the potential for plan-led growth, and determine the distribution of additional housing land. It offers the opportunity to take a more strategic and collaborative approach than in the past and will provide a valuable input to an early review of RPG.

  We are proposing a modest increase in the amount of additional housing in the region as recommended by the Panel in order to reflect the region's aims of economic regeneration and growth. The new proposal is for 14,650 additional dwellings per year, compared with the 13,980 previously proposed by the region's local
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  authorities. We agree with the Panel's recommendation that 60 per cent. of this should be provided on previously-developed land and by re-using existing buildings.

  We are proposing some changes to the distribution of the housing provision as recommended by the Panel in order to ensure that it is concentrated on the region's main towns and cities, avoids unnecessary development in the countryside, and helps to create a better balance between where people live and work.

  There will now be a twelve week consultation period on the Proposed Changes, ending on Friday 1 June 2001. Copies of the relevant documents have been placed in the House Library and provided to all of the region's MPs.

  Ports Police
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on port police forces. [153353]

  Mr. Hill
  We are setting up a review of the current arrangements for ports police, as proposed in "Modern Ports—A UK Policy", published in November last year. My Department is aiming to review the powers, duties and functions of ports police forces; the advantages or disadvantages of alternative arrangements that have been implemented at those; ports that no longer have port police; how the port police forces compare to Home Office police forces in terms of accountability i.e. management, inspection, complaints procedures, disciplinary matters and training; and report on the current situation and make recommendations for future options for the port police. We will be consulting the ports police forces, the ports industry and users and other Government Departments.

  Municipal Ports
  Mr. Rapson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his Department's proposed study of municipal ports. [153354]

  Mr. Hill
  The ports policy paper noted our intention to look at the existing management structures and practices and financial arrangements for municipal ports to make sure that they are playing a full and accountable part in the local and regional economy. We are keen to ensure that municipal ports have an opportunity to benefit from the same changes as are now being made in the trust port sector following out review of trust ports and publication of national standards of accountability and good practice in "Modernising Trust Ports—A Guide to Good Governance" (which we launched last year).

  We are now about to commence the study and will be looking at: how effectively the Best Value initiative and the Modern Local Government White Paper are impacting on municipal ports: what, if any, constraints are posed to development, accountability and effective operation by municipal ownership and how these might be addressed; the advantages of municipal ownership for non-commercial municipal ports;

  The study will also seek to benchmark performance of the municipal sector against other UK ports and will examine options and opportunities for the future role and status of municipal ports in England and Wales.
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  There will be full consultation with the relevant local authorities, the ports sector, and port users. We aim to report the findings of this study and any recommendations by the end of the year.

  Ferries
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when more rigorous safety checks for roll on/roll off passenger and high-speed ferries operating in UK waters will be introduced. [153355]

  Mr. Hill
  Regulations implementing Council Directive 1999/35/EC on a system of mandatory surveys for the safe operation of regular roll on/roll off and high speed passenger craft operating a service to or from the UK came into force on 16 February.

  The Regulations require Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) surveyors to:
  Inspect a vessel's documentation;
  Verify a vessel's operating company and flag state;
  Check for the presence of a voyage data recorder (required on all roll on/roll off ferries by January 2003);
  Survey each vessel once a year, or where the vessel's circumstances have changed;
  Prevent a vessel from operating if it does not meet stringent EU safety rules; or else require any safety defects to be remedied.

  These new, tougher safety measures will result in greater safety on all roll on/roll off and high speed passenger ferries operating in UK waters, regardless of which flag they might fly.

  Local Transport Plans
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to issue guidance to local authorities on local transport plan annual progress reports. [153356]

  Mr. Hill
  In order to provide the guidance on local transport plan annual reports to local authorities as early as possible, my Department is today arranging for local authorities to receive copies of the guidance by electronic mail. This will be followed shortly with printed copies and the posting of the guidance on my Department's website.

  Departmental Policies (Clwyd, South)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  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 Clwyd, South constituency, the effects on Clwyd, South of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [150912]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I have been asked to reply because, prior to 1 July 1999, responsibility for most aspects of transport, environmental and local government policy in Wales fell to my Department. Since the impact of departmental policies and actions is not normally examined by constituency, it is not practicable, in most cases, to provide statistical information which is specific to Clwyd, South. However, I can say that, between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 2000, central Government grants were 278W
  paid under the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme towards the cost of domestic insulation measures for some 4,200 households in my hon. Friend's constituency.

  A range of all-Wales policy initiatives and other action taken during this period will also have impacted on Clwyd, South and its residents. Some of the more significant ones are listed and fuller details are contained in the Welsh Office Departmental Reports for 1998 (Cm 3915) and 1999 (Cm 4216), copies of which are in the Library:
  "A Strategic Review of the Welsh Trunk Roads Programme"—setting Wales' highway needs in the context of a balanced integrated transport policy (July 1997);
  "Wales for the 21" Century"—providing guidance to local authorities on the preparation of Agenda 21 plans (January 1998);
  "Transporting Wales into the Future"—examining ways of developing integrated transport solutions which would meet the particular needs of Wales (July 1998): and
  "Driving Wales Forward"—identifying a new core network of nationally important strategic roads and setting out key criteria to be used in assessing options for addressing problems on the road network (July 1998).

  In addition, two substantial pieces of primary legislation—the Local Government Acts 1999 and 2000—have implemented the Government's vision of revitalised local government in both Wales and England. The best value provisions in the 1999 Act, and the new political management structures, ethical framework and powers to promote the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of communities in the 2000 Act, have given local authorities the tools they need to be more efficient, transparent and accountable in serving their local communities.

  Other developments since 1 July 1999 are matters for the National Assembly for Wales.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Public Relations (Expenditure)
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the total expenditure and the breakdown of expenditure was in his Department for the financial years(a) 1996–97. (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99 and (d) 1999–2000, and what the planned expenditure and breakdown of expenditure for 2000–01 is on (i) public opinion research, (ii) television, radio and newspaper advertising and
  (iii) direct mail. [149259]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 8 February 2001]: (i) Public Opinion Research: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 17 December 1998, Official Report, column 721W. In the present financial year, the FCO has spent £43,000 on preliminary public opinion research on consular matters.

  (ii) TV. Radio and Newspaper advertising: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 17 December 1998, Official Report, column 721W, and to the answer given to the hon. Member for Hertsmere (Mr. Clappison) on 9 January 2001, Official Report, column 504W. There have been no further consular publicity campaigns on TV or Radio or in the newspapers. The FCO has advertised in the region of 200–250 recruitment campaigns since

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  1996. It would involve disproportionate costs to establish a breakdown of expenditure. The European Union Command advertised its Europe Day 2000 in Metro at a cost of £8,539.

  (iii) Direct mail: Since the answer given to the hon. Member on 17 December 1998, Official Report, column 721W, approximately £200 has been spent on direct mail by the European Union Command.

  Minority Ethnic Liaison Officer
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the cost to date of hiring a consultant minority ethnic liaison officer. [152408]

  Mr. Wilson
  Since 1 December 1999, £43,724, including VAT has been paid to a consultancy company for the services of the FCO's Minority Ethnic Liaison Adviser.

  Sri Lanka
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations to the Sri Lankan Government he has made about the possible introduction of capital punishment in Sri Lanka. [152480]

  Mr. Wilson
  The UK opposes the death penalty in all circumstances and, together with EU partners, calls upon all states to abolish the death penalty. At the World Bank Development Forum in December 2000, the EU expressed their concern about Sri Lanka's plan to bring back the death penalty. The EU Troika in Colombo are currently seeking a meeting with the Sri Lankan Minister for Justice to make a formal demarche on this matter.

  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to encourage peace in Sri Lanka. [152479]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Government remain fully committed to supporting the peace process in Sri Lanka. We will continue to give our wholehearted support to Norway's efforts to facilitate peace talks between the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE. We stand ready to play a role, if asked.

  We urge the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE to intensify their efforts towards seeking, with the help of the Norwegian Government, a peaceful negotiated settlement to this tragic conflict which has claimed over 65,000 lives.

  Logos and Branding
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much has been spent by his Department on departmental and agency logos and associated branding since 1 May 1997. [152657]

  Mr. Wilson
  We have spent £127,333 on departmental and associated branding since 1 May 1997.

  Mrs. Ingrid Chare
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will 280W
  reply to a letter dated 7 November 2000 concerning Mrs. Ingrid Chare, a constituent, whose address has been supplied to him. [152457]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 7 March 2001]: My noble Friend Baroness Scotland of Asthal, FCO Minister responsible for consular matters, replied to my hon. Friend's letter on 7 March.

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with representatives of the Saudi Arabian Government on the efforts of Mrs. Ingrid Chare to obtain compensation following the death of her husband, Mr. John Bernard Chare. [152459]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 7 March 2001]: Our Consulate in Jeddah has raised this matter with the Saudi authorities on over six occasions in the last 12 months. Compensation matters such as these do take some time to resolve. Our Consulate will continue to press the judge for a decision on the Blood Money in this case. We are waiting for confirmation of the exact date the papers to be served on Mr. Chare's former company were passed to the Saudi authorities. Our Embassy in Riyadh and our Consulate in Jeddah are currently closed for the Eid holiday. However, my noble Friend Baroness Scotland of Asthal, FCO Minister responsible for consular matters, will write directly to my hon. Friend once we have this information.

  Afghanistan
  Mr. Ennis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if any goods subject to strategic export controls have recently been approved for export to Afghanistan. [153209]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Department of Trade and Industry recently issued two export licences for mine-clearance equipment for use by the HALO Trust to assist their demining activities in Afghanistan. These goods appear on the Military list. However, UNSCR 1333 (2000) which imposes inter alia an arms embargo on Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, it provides scope for the UN Sanctions Committee to approve of non-lethal military equipment intended solely for humanitarian or protective use to Taliban-controlled territory. The Sanctions Committee has given its approval in these cases.

  The granting of these export licences are fully consistent with the UN Security Council resolutions and does not affect the Government's continued support for the EU common position on arms exports to Afghanistan.

  South Georgia
  Mr. Ennis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made towards establishing a fully civilian presence on South Georgia. [153210]

  Mr. Battle
  In 1998 the Government announced their intention to establish a fully civilian presence on South Georgia. From the end of March, the small military detachment will be withdrawn. The Commissioner for South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands and the Commander British Forces, based in the Falkland Islands,
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  will continue to have responsibility for ensuring the security of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.

  At the same time, the British Antarctic Survey will be opening a new scientific base on South Georgia. The scientific and support team will augment the existing civilian presence on the island. New accommodation and science facilities have been built. BAS will undertake a programme of scientific research, under contract to the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. The aim will be to support the Government in environmental management and sustainable development of the Territory.

  The opening of this new facility, with funding from the British Government, the Government of the Falkland Islands and the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands demonstrates our commitment to the Overseas Territories, in accordance with the Overseas Territories White Paper 1999, in particular to sound environmental management of a territory with a unique and sensitive ecosystem.

  Our commitment to the maintenance of British sovereignty over South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, and to ensuring their security, remains as firm as ever.

  Liberia
  Mr. Pound
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what changes there have been in United Nations sanctions in relation to Liberia. [153352]

  Mr. Wilson
  UN Security Council resolution 1344 (2001), imposing mandatory UN sanctions in relation to Liberia, was adopted on 7 March. The resolution was co-sponsored by the UK and US in response to the findings of the UN Expert Panel on Sierra Leone on violations of the Sierra Leone arms embargo and the link between the trade in diamonds and arms. The Security Council determined that the active support provided by the Government of Liberia for armed rebel groups in neighbouring countries, and in particular the RUF in Sierra Leone, constitutes a threat to international peace and security in the region.

  The new measures are as follows:
  an embargo on the export of arms and related material to Liberia, and a ban on the provision to Liberia of related technical assistance and training;
  a ban on the import by UN member states of any rough diamonds from Liberia, whether or not such diamonds originated in Liberia.
  a travel ban on senior members of the Liberian military and their spouses and any other individuals providing financial and military support to armed rebel groups in countries neighbouring Liberia, as designated by the UN Sanctions Committee.

  The diamond embargo and the travel ban will enter into force on 7 May, unless the Security Council determines before that date that Liberia has complied with its demands. These include the key demands that the Government of Liberia should cease all financial and military support for the RUF and should cease all imports of Sierra Leone rough diamonds in breach of UN sanctions.
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  The arms embargo and the ban on the provision of related technical assistance and training, which entered into force immediately upon the adoption of the resolution, are established for a period of 14 months. The other measures will be established for a period of 12 months. At the end of this period, the Council will decide whether the Government of Liberia has complied with its demands and, accordingly, whether to extend these measures for a further period.

  The resolution lifts the former arms embargo imposed on Liberia by UN Security Council resolution 788 (1992) in response to concerns regarding the civil war in that country.

  New Orders will be made to implement the new measures in the UK, the Crown Dependencies and the Overseas Territories under the United Nations Act 1946 and by other legislative and administrative means as necessary.

  Iran
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Iranian Government on the exclusion of the(a) Simon Wiesenthal centre and (b) Bahái international community from the United Nations world conference against racism, xenophobia, racial discrimination and related intolerance hosted by Iran. [152667]

  Mr. Wilson
  We have not made any representations to the Iranian Government in this instance. However, we and our EU partners take every opportunity to raise such issues, particularly those concerning discrimination and human rights, in Tehran and in London.

  In conjunction with our EU partners we also table twice-yearly UN resolutions on human rights in Iran. The most recent resolution, reflecting both positive developments and remaining concerns, was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 4 December.

DEFENCE

  Defence Events
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for major future defence public events; and if he will make a statement. [153202]

  Mr. Hoon
  In 1999 my predecessor announced a series of events, now under the umbrella title Defence 2000, which would follow the ending of the Royal Tournament. The spirit of the Tournament would be taken forward with an event in London and a military festival held annually outside the capital at different military locations. The Royal Military Tattoo 2000 held on Horse Guards Parade last summer was a major undertaking for the Armed Services. It was the Ministry of Defence's principal contribution to the Millennium celebrations and was an outstanding success. London will continue to be well served with military pageantry not least in terms of State occasions, the annual Beat Retreat and Queen's Birthday Parade. We intend to identify possible future occasions where an event on the scale of RMT 2000 would be both appropriate and practicable.
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  In 2001, the Royal Navy will host the first regional event in Portsmouth. It will build on the very successful International Festival of the Sea format, held previously in Bristol in 1996 and Portsmouth in 1998. This year's International Festival of the Sea will feature significant contributions from all three Services under the title Defence 2001. These regional events will allow our Armed Services to display their latest equipment, as well as providing a glimpse into the future. There will be no regional event in 2002 because of the involvement of the Armed Services in the celebrations for The Queen's Golden Jubilee, in particular the Royal Visit to the Armed Services at Portsmouth and the Thanksgiving Service at St. Paul's Cathedral. The Royal Air Force will host the regional event in 2003 and the Army in 2004.

  Performance Targets
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what performance targets have been set for the Medical Supplies Agency for 2001–02. [153204]

  Dr. Moonie
  Key Targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the Medical Supplies Agency (MSA) for financial year 2001–02. The targets build on the progress already made by the Agency since it formed in March 1996 and are as follows:

  Key Target 1—composite medical materiel
  To build, completely, to schedule and within budget, by 31 March 2002, 100 per cent. of all modules on the mutually Operational Build Programme, as authorised by the Director Medical Operational Capability (D Med Op Cap).

  Key Target 2—the operational requirement
  To meet demands from units on active operations for blood products and scaled medical material within new and more challenging MSA Charter Response Time.

  Key Target 3—the exercise and training requirement
  To meet 100 per cent. of the Services requirements for modularised medical material, First Aid Kits, blood and blood products in support of exercises, training, Air Shows and other major events.

  Key Target 4—response to demands
  To meet the stated percentages of all demands for Category B items (commonly used items with a unit cost of less than £100 and approved by D Med Op Cap) within the agreed timescale, expressed in working days.

  Key Target 5—stock issued to stock held ratio
  To improve the ratio of stock issued to stock held from 2 to 2.25.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what performance targets have been set for the Defence Medical Training Organisation for 2001–02. [153205]

  Dr. Moonie
  Key Targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the Defence Medical Training Organisation (DMTO) for financial year 2001–02. The targets build on the progress already made by the Agency since it formed in April 1997 and are as follows:

  Key Target 1—academic success (quality and quantity)
  To achieve the following academic success rates:
  Phase 2 Training—96 per cent.
  (Formerly entitled Common Core Course (CCC)).
  Specialist Registrars (SpR)—96 per cent.
  Pre-Registration Nurses (Pre-Reg Nurses)—96 per cent.
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  Key Target 2—academic success (timeliness)
  The following percentage of trainees achieving academic success to be delivered on time, as agreed with the customer:
  Phase 2 Training—96 per cent. (at first attempt, remainder at second attempt (which is normally within three months)).
  SpR—96 per cent.
  Pre-Reg Nurses—98 per cent.

  Key Target 3—external individual medical services training
  Confirm with customers the baseline requirement for external medical services training by 31 March 2002.

  Key Target 4—corporate efficiency index
  To achieve a 3 per cent. efficiency improvement demonstrated by the DMTO corporate efficiency index for 2001–02.

  Ms Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what performance targets have been set for the Defence Dental Agency for 2001–02. [153206]

  Dr. Moonie
  Key Targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the Defence Dental Agency (DDA) for financial year 2001–02. The targets build on the progress already made by the Agency since it formed in March 1996 and are as follows:

  Key Target 1—The Operational Requirement
  From within personnel resources allocated to the DDA by single Services, to achieve 100 per cent. of personnel called forward, trained to required professional and military standards, at the specified readiness for deployment with the Joint Rapid Reaction Force (JRRF) and all operations.

  Key Target 2—Overall Dental Fitness
  For each Service, to achieve the dental fitness level targets, representing a significant improvement in Army dental fitness, as follows:

  (a) RN—at least 75 per cent.

  (b) Army—at least 70 per cent.

  (c) RAF—at least 75 per cent.

  Key Target 3—Treatment Needs
  To reduce the Treatment Need Index (TNI) for each Service to the following:

  (a) RN—at or below 470.

  (b) Army—at or below 670.

  (c) RAF—at or below 330.

  Key Target 4—Dental Fitness Category D
  To limit the number of personnel in dental fitness Category D4 (those personnel who have not received a dental inspection and charting for 12 months or more) representing a significant improvement in the Army position in particular, to the following percentage of the total Service population:

  (a) RN—13 per cent.

  (b) Army—16 per cent.

  (c) RAF—10 per cent.

  Key Target 5—Military Training
  To ensure that 80 per cent. of all DDA personnel, whose medical category permits, are released to undertake annual military training as specified by respective single Services.

  Key Target 6—Personnel for Exercises
  To ensure that 100 per cent. of all DDA personnel nominated to established posts in the operational core requirement of their parent Service are released to attend appropriate exercises.

  Ms Blears
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what performance targets have been set for the Defence Secondary Care Agency for 2001–02. [153207]
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  Dr. Moonie
  Key Targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the Defence Secondary Care Agency (DSCA) for financial year 2001–02. The targets build on the progress already made by the Agency since it formed in April 1996 and are as follows:

  Key Target 1—The Operational Requirement
  From within the personnel resources provided to the DSCA by the single Services, to meet 100 per cent. of the requirement of the Commanders in Chief's (CinCs) for secondary care personnel for operational deployments.

  Key Target 2—Outpatient Waiting Times
  To ensure that 45 per cent. of Service patients referred to the Agency are offered a first outpatient appointment within four weeks of receipt of a referral and 90 per cent. within 13 weeks.

  Key Target 3—Inpatient Waiting Times
  To ensure that 80 per cent. of Service patients are offered a treatment date which is within 13 weeks of the decision to give inpatient treatment.

  Key Target 4—Efficiency
  To review medical equipment management policies and make savings of 10 per cent. or more in the costs of procurement, support and associated training.

  Key Target 5—Quality (Clinical Governance)
  To demonstrate measurable improvement in military patient satisfaction and risk management and introduce the agreed NHS procedures of appraisal for doctors and clinical supervision for nurses, by 31 March 2002.

  Key Target 6—Military Training
  To ensure that 80 per cent. of all DSCA personnel, whose medical category permits, are released to receive their respective Service's annual mandatory military training.

  Key Target 7—Personnel for Exercises
  To ensure that 80 per cent. of DSCA based personnel nominated to established posts in their Service's operational core requirement are released to attend appropriate exercises.

  Reserve Forces
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to call out members of the reserve forces to support UN operations in(a) Siena Leone and (b) the Democratic Republic of the Congo. [153203]

  Dr. Moonie
  Our policy remains that, reservists who volunteer to serve with our regular forces on such operations will be called-out as and when required. The first call-out order made under section 56 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 expired on 1 March and a further order effective from that date has been made to permit members of the reserve forces to continue to be called out for operations in Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

  Gulf War
  Mr. Hendrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he plans to resume the programme of voluntary immunisation against anthrax for armed forces personnel deployed to the Gulf. [153378]

  Mr. Spellar
  We plan to resume the anthrax immunisation programme for personnel deployed on operations to the Gulf shortly. Immunisation was last offered in 1998, but had to be suspended due to manufacturing difficulties at our supplier. We have now 286W
  received the first new supplies of licensed anthrax vaccine and will be in a position to resume the voluntary immunisation programme in April.

  Anthrax immunisation is safe and effective. As in 1998, it will be offered to personnel on the basis of voluntary informed consent. By accepting it alongside other defensive measures, armed forces personnel will have the very best protection possible against anthrax used as a biological weapon.

  Scottish Service Personnel
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) Scots and (b) non-Scots are serving in the UK armed forces. [152405]

  Mr. Spellar
  Examination of available personal records of currently serving personnel1 has revealed the following information:
  1Place of birth and nationality for personnel serving in the Naval Service is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Army details are based on nationality at birth, RAF on place of birth. The figures are for combined trained and untrained strengths.

  Number

  Scots

  Army1

  12,956

  RAF2

  5,688

  Non-Scots

  Army3

  96,953

  RAF

  48,221

  1 At 1 February 2001

  2 At 5 March 2001

  3 The non-Scots army figure includes 2,636 personnel with a recorded nationality at birth as 'British' with no further breakdown available.

  Mines
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what alternatives to anti-personnel mines are being researched by DERA; and at what cost. [152599]

  Dr. Moonie
  In response to the Ministry of Defence requirement, DERA has been asked to pursue research into replacing the capability previously provided by anti-personnel mines. Any such capability will comply fully with the Ottawa Treaty. The research programme is to look at various sensor systems, such as acoustic, infrared and seismic, which when combined together can detect intrusion into a defined area. The cost of the proposed work is approximately £0.25 million to £0.5 million.

  Operational Tour Intervals
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average interval between tours and the average length of operational tour was for(a) Army field ambulance units and (b) Army field hospital units in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [151802]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 7 March 2001]: The tour length for Field Hospitals, or main elements of Field Hospitals, was extended from six months to one year in 2000. The average tour interval for Field Hospitals

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  between 1995 and 1999 was nine months. The usual tour length for all Field Ambulance units is six months, although in the last five years some units have deployed on short notice deployments for less than this. The average tour interval for Field Ambulance units between 1995 and 2000 was 26 months. It is not possible to break these averages down by year as requested, as many deployments span more than one calendar year and the reorganisation of nine Field Ambulance units into five Medical Regiments between 1999 and 2000 further complicates the issue.

  Tour lengths and intervals for individuals do not necessarily match those for units. For example, individuals in Field Hospital units would not normally deploy for more than six months, and some only for much shorter periods, even though the unit tour length is now one year.

  Depleted Uranium
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's policy is on the call by the European Parliament for a suspension of the use of depleted uranium munitions. [147411]

  Mr. Spellar
  Based on the results of many years of scientific study already available to us, we see no basis for any moratorium on the use of depleted uranium (DU) based ammunition. This ammunition provides a battle-winning edge. We have no intention of denying this capability to our troops, thereby placing them at unnecessary risk. DU based ammunition will therefore remain part of our arsenal for the foreseeable future.

  NATO has recognised the concerns raised from the use of DU munitions and has acted swiftly in its responsibility to ensure Alliance members, Partners and other troop contributors are fully informed of DU risks. As announced by the Secretary General on 10 January, measures have been put in place to pool and share scientific analysis and information to best inform decision making, and in response the UK has contributed information for consideration and will continue to do so.

  Viral Warfare
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what research he undertakes on(a) defence against viral warfare and (b) the foot and mouth virus. [152057]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 6 March 2001]: The remit of the Chemical and Biological Defence Sector of DERA at Porton Down is to provide safe and effective protection for the UK and its armed forces should chemical and biological weapons be used against them. In order to achieve this, research involving a range of pathogenic viruses is undertaken.

  This research is aimed at understanding the hazard posed by these agents, developing rapid methods for their detection and diagnosis of the diseases they cause, identifying suitable physical protection equipment, and developing medical countermeasures against them. These later measures include the development of safe and effective vaccines and therapies for use of the UK and its armed forces.
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  There is currently no research being undertaken involving the virus which is the causative agent of foot and mouth disease.

  Ministry of Defence Police
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will review the decision to withdraw the Ministry of Defence Police from policed sites. [152745]

  Dr. Moonie
  The decision to withdraw Ministry of Defence Police was taken after full consultation with the Home Office and Licensing Authorities, the Association of Chief Police Officers and the relevant Home Department Chief Constables, and after careful consideration of the security threat to the sites I can see no grounds for reviewing it.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Money Lenders
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the penalties which are applied to unlicensed money lenders. [152407]

  Dr. Howells
  The Consumer Credit Act 1974 set up a licensing regime for individuals, companies and firms carrying on regulated consumer credit or consumer hire business. Therefore, generally, a money lender is required to obtain a licence in order to carry on its business. Licences are issued by the Director General of Fair Trading and it is a criminal offence to engage in regulated consumer credit (or consumer hire) business without one.

  Section 167 of, and Schedule 1 to, the Act set out the penalties for this offence, which are:

  (a) Summarily—The prescribed sum within the meaning of the Magistrates Court Act 1980 which is currently £5,000.

  (b) On indictment—Two years imprisonment or a fine or both.

  Arms Exports (Iran/Iraq)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the companies which supplied artillery equipment to both Iran and Iraq during the Iran-Iraq war. [151854]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 6 March 2001]: Licences to export arms and other goods whose export is controlled for strategic reason; have been issued by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and his predecessors acting through the export licensing authority (current13 the Export Control Organisation) within the Department of Trade and Industry since before the Iran-Iraq conflict started in 1980.

  In his report entitled "Inquiry into the Export of Defence Equipment and Dual-Use Goods to Iraq" Sir Richard Scott included details of export licence applications to Iraq in the period 1984–90. The report also breaks down into categories the goods licensed to Iraq in that period, one of which is "1A: Arms and military equipment", which would include artillery equipment. It is not possible to establish precisely which of these entries

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  covered artillery equipment without searching the relevant paper files which would entail disproportionate cost. Also as the report notes, records of licence applications did not go back beyond 1985. We do not therefore have records from the start of the Iran-Iraq war.

  It would also entail disproportionate cost to search through the paper records to establish which licences issued to Iran between 1985 and the end of the war in 1988 covered the export of artillery equipment.

  Moreover, information about whom particular export licences were granted to is commercial in confidence, and the companies concerned would therefore need to be approached to establish whether they objected to the disclosure of such information.

  While the Department of Trade and Industry maintains records of licence applications, it does not compile records of licensed exports. Some licences are only used in part, while others may not be used at all. The extent to which the exports permitted by a licence are made is dependent on various factors; for example the customer's requirements may be less than originally expected or the expected contract may simply not materialise.

  National Missile Defence
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations have been received from BAE Systems and other British companies regarding participation in US National Missile Defence. [152669]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has not received any representations from UK industry regarding the US National Missile Defence.

  Foot and Mouth
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has made to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on the spread of foot and mouth disease. [152413]

  Mr. Byers
  I and my Department are in regular contact with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food over this issue.

  Working Time Regulations
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate the number of employees in London who were not entitled to paid holidays as a result of the coming into force of the Working Time Regulations. [152206]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The available information relates to the number of employees in London who, before the introduction of the Working Time Regulations were receiving less than the minimum stated in the Regulations. When the Regulations came into force it is estimated that 270,000 employees in the London area were receiving less than three weeks' paid leave per year. A further 70,000 are estimated to have been receiving more than three weeks but less than four weeks paid leave, and would therefore benefit when the amount of paid leave was increased from three to four weeks it November 1999.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Ministerial Visits
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the Ministers in her 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. [151028]

  Clare Short
  Neither I, my hon. Friend the Member for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley (Mr. Foulkes) as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development, or my hon. Friend the Member for Sunderland, South (Mr. Mullin) in his role as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development visited the Peterborough Unitary Authority between 1 January 2000 and 14 February 2001.

  Medicines (South Africa)
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she discussed with the South African Government the legal action being pursued by GlaxoSmithKline concerning the amended South African Medicines Act during her recent visit to South Africa; and if she will make a statement. [152137]

  Clare Short
  I did not have the opportunity to discuss this legal action with the South African Government during my recent visit to South Africa. I believe that negotiations with pharmaceutical companies on price and licensing offers the best way of balancing the need for affordable access to drugs with the need for intellectual property protection to encourage future research. The legal action is regrettable, but it is a matter between the pharmaceutical companies and the Government of South Africa.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what meetings she had during her recent visit to South Africa with the pharmaceutical companies pursuing a legal action against the amended South African Medicines Act; and if she will make a statement. [152138]

  Clare Short
  I did not have the opportunity to meet pharmaceutical companies during my recent visit to South Africa. I believe that negotiations with pharmaceutical companies on price and licensing offers the best way of balancing the need for affordable access to drugs with the need for intellectual property protection to encourage future research. The legal action is regrettable, but it is a matter between the pharmaceutical companies and the Government of South Africa.

WALES

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if the special advisers working for him will relinquish their posts when the next general election is called. [149306]
  291W
  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 13 February 2001,Official Report, column 130W.

  Departmental Policies (Clwyd, South)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Clwyd, South constituency, the effects on Clwyd, South of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [150914]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  As this question was originally addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, my response relates to the effects of Government policies and actions on industry and the economy. Such effects are not normally measured by reference to constituencies, so it is not practicable to give information in the form requested. However, prior to the transfer of functions to the National Assembly on 1 July 1999, a range of all-Wales policy initiatives and other actions taken by my Department will have impacted on Clwyd, South and its residents. Details of these are set out in the Welsh Office departmental reports for 1998 (Cm 3915) and 1999 (Cm 4216), copies of which are in the Library.

  Part of my hon. Friend's constituency is included in the west Wales and the valleys area, for which the Government secured objective 1 status at the Berlin European Council in 1999. Subsequently, in the July 2000 spending review, we made available additional funding, outside the Barnett formula, for the Welsh structural funds programmes. This also included provision for objective 3, which applies in the parts of Clwyd, South not covered by objective 1, and objective 2 which also applies in some parts of Clwyd, South.

  Our new Assisted Areas map for the UK, which was formally approved by the European Commission in July 2000, also includes tier 1 coverage for that part of my hon. Friend's constituency which falls in Denbighshire.

  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Clwyd, South constituency, the effects on Clwyd, South of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [150913]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  As this question was originally addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health, my response concentrates on the effects of my Department's policies and actions on health services prior to 1 July 1999, when responsibility for their provision transferred to the National Assembly for Wales.

  Because of the way in which health services are organised, it is not practicable to provide information which is specific to my hon. Friend's constituency. The timing of financial and statistical exercises also means that some of the figures quoted relate to periods ending shortly before or shortly after 30 June 1999.

  In October 1997, an additional £2.2 million was made available to North Wales Health Authority, over and above its financial allocation for the year, to provide enhanced patient care. The authority's basic allocation for 1998–99, at £381.3 million, represented a year-on-year cash increase of £14.2 million. This was further enhanced
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  by £4.1 million in April 1998 to address waiting list issues, and £2.6 million in November for dealing with winter pressures.

  Between annual counts taken in September 1997 and September 1999, the number of directly employed NHS nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff in the area of the North Wales Health Authority increased by 267.4 in full-time equivalent terms. Over the same period, medical and dental staff increased by 29.8.

  Health services in the Clwyd, South constituency will also have benefited from a range of important all-Wales policy initiatives which were developed between May 1997 and June 1999. These included:
  Delivering Care—Meeting Need—a comprehensive package of measures for primary and community health care (1997);
  Putting Patients First—which promoted a series of reforms for the NHS in Wales, such as the abolition of the internal market and GP fundholding, and the introduction of new structures such as Local Health Groups and Health Improvement Programmes (1998);
  Better Health, Better Wales—a strategy for improving public health (1998);
  Quality Care and Clinical Excellence—a programme for clinical effectiveness (1998);
  Reconfiguration of NHS Trusts—a programme of mergers which reduced the total number of NHS Trusts from 29 to 16 (1999).

  Forestry
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the transfer of responsibilities for forestry to the National Assembly for Wales. [150647]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Policy responsibility for Forestry Commission activities in Wales transferred to the National Assembly for Wales on 1 July 1999.

  Expenditure (Wales)
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate to he has made of the total sums projected to be spent in Wales in(a) this financial year and (b) each of the next two financial years (i) by the Welsh Assembly and (ii) through direct spending by the Government of the UK. [152092]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  It is currently estimated that total expenditure by the National Assembly for Wales will be £8,957.9 million in this financial year, £9,689.5 million in 2001–02, and £10,396.7 million in 2002–03, in resource terms.

  There are no current estimates of the total direct UK Government expenditure in Wales during these years, but historical information for aggregate identifiable government spending by country/region is published in the annual public expenditure statistical analyses, which are placed in the Library of the House.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Correspondence
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the hon. Member for Greenock
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  and Inverclyde will receive a response to his letter of 9 February, concerning the Winter Fuel Payment scheme. [152424]

  Mr. Rooker
  A reply was issued on 6 March 2001.

  Lone Parent Families
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many children in lone parent families were on Income Support in(a) London and (b) each London borough (i) in 1996 and (ii) at the latest date for which figures are available. [152198]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information is in the table.

  Number of children in lone parent families on Income Support— Greater London

  Thousand

  May 1996

  November 2000

  City of London

  0.1

  10.1

  Barking and Dagenham

  8.6

  8.9

  Barnet

  8.6

  8.4

  Bexley

  6.8

  6.5

  Brent

  14.5

  11.1

  Bromley

  6.7

  6.3

  Camden

  9.6

  8.3

  Croydon

  14.6

  12.9

  Ealing

  12.5

  11.0

  Enfield

  12.7

  11.0

  Greenwich

  13.7

  13.2

  Hackney

  17.6

  15.3

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  7.8

  7.3

  Haringey

  14.1

  14.3

  Harrow

  5.7

  5.4

  Havering

  5.9

  5.7

  Hillingdon

  7.7

  8.9

  Hounslow

  8.9

  8.2

  Islington

  12.5

  12.2

  Kensington and Chelsea

  4.3

  3.5

  Kingston upon Thames

  2.8

  3.1

  Lambeth

  19.4

  17.1

  Lewisham

  16.1

  14.0

  Merton

  6.4

  5.3

  Newham

  20.1

  19.4

  Redbridge

  7.1

  6.9

  Richmond upon Thames

  2.7

  2.5

  Southwark

  19.1

  16.3

  Sutton

  5.2

  4.0

  Tower Hamlets

  12.7

  10.7

  Waltham Forest

  13.6

  10.5

  Wandsworth

  10.4

  8.9

  Westminster

  6.5

  5.1

  Total

  335.1

  302.1

  1 Figures below 500 are subject to a high degree of sampling error.

  Notes:

  1. Lone parents are defined as single claimants with dependants who are not receiving the disability or pens oner premiums.

  2. Based on 5 per cent. sample, therefore subject to sampling error.

  3. Figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred and quoted in thousands.

  4. Children are defined as aged 0–15 years

  Ms Harman
  To ask the secretary of state for Social Security how many lone parents on Income Support there were in(a) London and (b) each London borough (i) in 1996 and (ii) at the latest date for which figures are available. [152202]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information in is the table.294W

  Number of lone parents on Income Support—Greater London

  May 1996

  November 2000

  City of London

  10.1

  10.0

  Barking and Dagenham

  4.6

  4.8

  Barnet

  5.4

  5.1

  Bexley

  4.1

  3.4

  Brent

  8.4

  6.2

  Bromley

  4.0

  3.9

  Camden

  5.9

  4.7

  Croydon

  8.0

  7.2

  Ealing

  7.1

  6.0

  Enfield

  7.3

  6.5

  Greenwich

  7.7

  7.1

  Hackney

  10.2

  8.6

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  4.7

  3.8

  Haringey

  8.4

  8.1

  Harrow

  3.1

  2.9

  Havering

  3.7

  3.2

  Hillingdon

  4.6

  4.5

  Hounslow

  5.1

  4.7

  Islington

  7.5

  6.9

  Kensington and Chelsea

  2.7

  2.2

  Kingston upon Thames

  1.7

  1.8

  Lambeth

  11.6

  9.8

  Lewisham

  9.2

  7.8

  Merton

  3.7

  2.8

  Newham

  10.7

  9.6

  Redbridge

  4.0

  3.8

  Richmond upon Thames

  1.7

  1.6

  Southwark

  11.3

  9.5

  Sutton

  2.9

  2.1

  Tower Hamlets

  6.8

  6.0

  Waltham Forest

  7.5

  5.5

  Wandsworth

  6.1

  5.0

  Westminster

  4.0

  3.1

  Total

  193.7

  168.3

  1 Figures are below 500 and are subject to a high degree of sampling error.

  Notes:

  1. Lone parents are defined as single claimants with dependants who are not receiving the disability or pensioner premiums.

  2. Based on 5 per cent. sample, therefore subject to sampling error.

  3. Figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred and quoted in thousands.

  War Veterans
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the War Pensions Agency made an assessment of the report produced by the US Institute of Medicine in 1993 entitled "Veterans at Risk—the health effects of mustard gas and lewisite". [152000]

  Mr. Bayley
  The War Pensions Agency received and considered the report in 1994.

  Cohabitation
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what definition of cohabitation his Department uses for the purpose of deciding whether a widow's pension should cease. [152027]

  Angela Eagle
  Widow's Benefit is not payable if a person is in a relationship which constitutes "living together as husband and wife". The term "living together as husband and wife" is not defined in legislation. Guidance on what points need to be considered by a Decision Maker when deciding whether a relationship between a man and a woman is the same as that of
  295W
  husband and wife is set out in Volume 3 of the Decision Makers Guide, copies of which are available in the Library, or on the internet at www.dss.gov.uk/hq/dmg/.

  Invalid Care Allowance
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he plans to take to ensure that carers who will become entitled to Invalid Care Allowance as a result of the new package of measures for carers being introduced in April are made aware of their potential entitlement and encouraged to claim Invalid Care Allowance. [152331]

  Mr. Bayley
  There are two elements of the carer package which will be implemented in April—the increase in the carer premium and the increase in the Invalid Care Allowance (ICA) earnings limit.

  The increase in the carer premium which is paid with Income Related Benefits has been publicised along with the details of benefit uprating. This will be paid automatically and additional claims will not be required.

  The earnings limit in ICA will increase to £72 a week, after allowable expenses, in April. This will enable more carers to retain their benefit while working. The change in the limit was announced last autumn and a further reminder to carers will be issued in a Press Release nearer the date of the change.

  In addition, all working carers who make claims for ICA in the six months period from 2 January 2001 to 2 July 2001 and are disallowed, regardless of the reason, are being advised of the earnings limit increase.

  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he is taking to ensure that carers who have an underlying entitlement to Invalid Care Allowance

  Average clearance time between date of receipt at the Appeals Service and date cleared expressed in weeks

  Leeds

  Cardiff

  Birmingham

  Glasgow

  Liverpool

  Salford

  Nottingham

  Newcastle

  Sutton

  1 October to 1 December 1997

  16.7

  24.5

  20.8

  20.0

  34.0

  50.5

  22.1

  16.7

  14.1

  1 January to 31 March 1998

  20.1

  26.1

  29.9

  25.6

  30.5

  38.0

  28.3

  20.9

  22.9

  1 April to 30 June 1998

  21.0

  33.6

  30.5

  30.7

  37.5

  42.7

  31.4

  25.7

  24.6

  1 July to 30 September 1998

  22.6

  35.8

  32.5

  29.8

  34.0

  37.8

  36.6

  27.4

  27.5

  1 October to 31 December 1998

  24.7

  32.4

  32.9

  32.6

  33.7

  37.1

  35.4

  26.3

  34.3

  1 January to 1 March 1999

  23.4

  33.7

  36.4

  33.8

  32.9

  35.3

  41.8

  26.4

  45.6

  1 April to 30 June 1999

  22.3

  32.3

  33.8

  36.1

  31.1

  36.3

  42.1

  25.6

  39.1

  1 July to 30 September 1999

  16.9

  30.1

  30.7

  35.7

  25.3

  31.5

  35.9

  24.3

  34.1

  1 October to 31 October 1999

  14.3

  32.0

  22.5

  31.2

  20.6

  32.8

  41.6

  18.6

  34.7

  1 November to 30 November 1999

  14.1

  33.2

  25.5

  30.8

  18.4

  35.3

  30.6

  20.8

  29.6

  1 December to 31 December 1999

  11.2

  30.5

  27.9

  32.9

  16.3

  24.8

  31.3

  18.8

  32.0

  1 January to 31 January 2000

  14.2

  29.4

  29.8

  27.6

  21.6

  20.3

  33.1

  20.0

  30.6

  1 February to 28 February 2000

  12.9

  27.6

  27.7

  28.8

  15.0

  20.5

  29.6

  18.8

  25.5

  1 March to 31 March 2000

  9.7

  24.9

  26.8

  24.5

  13.1

  28.1

  26.2

  20.1

  23.5

  1 April to 30 April 2000

  10.1

  21.4

  20.1

  24.0

  11.4

  19.7

  25.1

  16.2

  27.1

  1 May to 31 May 2000

  10.2

  27.9

  17.5

  21.8

  14.0

  18.5

  20.7

  15.2

  22.3

  1 June to 30 June 2000

  11.1

  19.1

  16.0

  20.4

  16.1

  18.2

  20.1

  18.2

  20.3

  1 July to 31 July 2000

  11.5

  21.0

  15.3

  16.7

  15.7

  18.7

  20.1

  14.5

  24.4

  1 August to 31 August 2000

  11.6

  20.3

  16.3

  17.1

  15.6

  18.7

  22.8

  12.5

  19.4

  1 September to 30 September 2000

  11.7

  21.7

  15.1

  15.1

  15.1

  17.2

  17.1

  13.3

  17.4

  Notes:

  Source: 100 per cent. download from the Appeals Service GAPS computer system.

  2. All figures are provisional and are subject to change.

  3. The statistics do not cover the period from the date the appeal was lodged at the first tier agency or from issue of decision to the date the first tier agency received it.

  4. Clearance times include appeals that took more than one hearing to reach a decision.

  I hope this information is useful.
  296W
  but who do not receive any payment due to the overlapping benefits rules are made aware that they may qualify for income support as a result of being eligible for the carer's premium. [152332]

  Mr. Bayley
  Since its inception in 1976, Invalid Care Allowance (ICA) has been subject to the overlapping benefits rules and will continue to be so.

  Customers who are entitled to ICA but have another income maintenance benefit which overlaps, are advised in the decision letter that they may be entitled to carer premium paid as part of the income related benefits, and that it could be in their interest to claim such benefits, even if recently refused.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the(a) target and (b) actual clearance times were for Disability Living Allowance appeals in each of the nine appeals service centres in each quarter from 1996 to October 1999, and monthly from November 1999 to date. [152024]

  Mr. Bayley
  The administration of Disability Living Allowance appeals is a matter for Neil Ward, Chief Executive of the Appeals Service. He will write to the right hon. Member.

  Letter from Neil Ward to Mr. Dafydd Wigley, dated 8 March 2001:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question. You asked what the (a) target and (b) actual clearance times were for disability living allowance appeals in each of the nine appeals service centres in each quarter from 1996 to October 1999, and monthly from November 1999 to date.
  There are no targets for clearance times. Information on average clearance times only is available from 1 October 1997 to 30 September 2000 and is below.

  Social Fund Payment
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the value was of Social Fund payments made in each of the last four years. [152262]

  Angela Eagle
  Social Fund expenditure is given in the Secretary of State's Annual Reports on the Social Fund. The reports are available in the Library.

  Benefit Fraud Inspectorate
  Mr. David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will publish the inspection report of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate in respect of the City of Bradford metropolitan district council. [153400]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate report was published today in respect of City of Bradford metropolitan district council and copies of the report have been placed in the Library.

  The report makes recommendations to help the authority address weaknesses and to improve the administration of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, as well as its counter fraud activities.

  Inspectors report the authority introduced the Verification Framework to improve its poor verification of claims, and early indications are that levels of verification have improved. The report also notes the authority is struggling to cope with backlogs of assessment work, and inspectors consider it is important that it not only clear arrears, but prevents them from recurring. The authority has introduced measures to resolve the backlogs but these measures need to be consolidated into one overall plan.

  Inspectors were particularly pleased with the number of high quality customer service initiatives, including good use of the Internet, the sharing of good practices with other local authorities and many good examples of joint working with the BA and other organisations.

  The authority needs to improve its administration with regard to Rent Officer referrals, notices of determination, the setting of benefit period's timescales for appeals and review boards and benefit appeals.

  Counter fraud work was reported to be good, including commendable risk analysis of local fraud. Investigations were well conducted in a sound, ordered and methodical way. The authority has a sound prosecution policy and has successfully issued administrative penalties. The authority needs to increase the use of its inspectors' powers.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is now considering the report and will be asking the Authority for its proposals in response to the findings and recommendations of the BFI.

  Mr. David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will publish the inspection report of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate in respect of the Metropolitan borough of Wirral. [153402]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate report was published today in respect of the Metropolitan borough of Wirral and copies of the report have been placed in the Library.
  298W
  The report makes recommendations to help the authority address weaknesses and to improve the administration of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, as well as its counter fraud activities.

  Inspectors found the authority had a customer orientated benefits service with strong focus on claimant's rights. Significant changes had been made to the benefits section which together with a loss of experienced staff, had caused backlogs of work. This had significantly reduced the responsiveness of the benefits service and the level of assurance the authority could give on the accuracy and validity of its benefit payments.

  The BFI reports that standards of verification for new and renewal claims was very poor. There was scope for improvement in liaison arrangements with private sector landlords.

  The report notes that counter fraud activity had taken a back seat to changes made in the benefits section. Investigation work was found to be of poor quality and insufficient to tackle the estimated level of fraud in the authority's area. The control and management of overpayment recovery was also found to be poor leading to a low recovery rate.

  Despite having a number of well-written strategic and policy documents, these had not been put into practice. Inspectors recommend the authority reviews its internal audit coverage of administration and counter fraud activities as they were found to be insufficient to give an assurance on the integrity of the benefits system.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is now considering the report and will be asking the authority for its proposals in response to the findings and recommendations of the BFI.

  Discretionary Social Fund
  Mr. David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what changes he plans to make to the discretionary social fund. [153401]

  Angela Eagle
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will be making minor changes to the discretionary social fund, with effect from 19 March 2001 and 2 April 2001, to take account of new legislation in other benefit areas being introduced on those dates. A number of other minor improvements, identified during the course of routine monitoring, will also be included in this annual amendment to directions and guidance.

  Details of the changes have been placed in the Library.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Warrington Local Education Authority
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what resources have been allocated to Warrington local education authority for provision for under fives in each year since 1997. [149486]

  Ms Hodge
  [holding answer 8 February 2001]: The table shows the amount of funding made available through the Nursery Education Grant, Childcare Grant,

  299W
  European Social Fund and the 0–5 sub-block of the Education Standard Spending Assessment to Warrington LEA since April 1998.

  £

  1998–99

  5,918,135

  1999–2000

  15,579,655

  2000–01

  6,693,733

  1 The drop in funding between 1998–99 and 1999–2000 is due to a fall in the amount of Nursery Education Grant that the authority was able to claim for new places created in local authority provision. This funding would have been compensated for by a relative increase in the funding available through Education Standard Spending in the following year

  As Warrington became a new unitary authority only from April 1998, it is not possible to provide data for the 1997–98 financial year.

  From September 1998, all four-year-olds have been able to access a free, part-time, early education place. By April 2001, all three-year-olds in Warrington will also have access to a free early education place. Up to December 2000 Warrington Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership reported the creation of 1,327 new child care places.

  Wildcat Corporation
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 13 February 2001,Official Report, column 95W, what the origins were of the private funds used to make payments to the Wildcat Corporation to provide consultancy services to his Department; what the amount of each payment was; and on what terms the payments were made. [150957]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 26 February 2001]: The employer-led New Deal Task Force has been working in partnership with the Wildcat Corporation to develop a demand-led strategy. To date a total of £175,000 has been received from employers and paid to Wildcat to test this innovative approach. Funding came from companies within the financial sector in this country who had seen the results that the Wildcat Corporation had achieved in the US and who were keen to see the same methods applied in this country.

  Departmental Policies (Clwyd, South)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  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 Clwyd, South constituency, the effects on Clwyd, South of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [151910]

  Mr. Wills
  Outlined are details of the effects of a range of the Department's policies on the Clwyd, South constituency. The Welsh Assembly will be able to provide details of education policies.
  300W
  Modern Apprenticeships.

  Since 2 May 1997, we know of 444 starts on Modern Apprenticeships in the Clwyd, South constituency (as at 30 November 2000). Broken down by financial year these are:

  Financial year

  Foundation modern apprenticeships1

  Advanced modern apprenticeships2

  Total

  1997–98

  1

  106

  107

  1998–99

  60

  130

  190

  1999–2000

  49

  39

  88

  2000–013

  38

  21

  59

  Total

  148

  296

  444

  1 Foundation Modern Apprenticeships, formerly known as National Traineeships, were introduced nationally in September 1997.

  2 Advanced Modem Apprenticeships, formerly known as Modern Apprenticeships, were introduced nationally in September 1995.

  3 To date.

  Notes:

  1. The Trainee Database System (TDS), from which these data are taken, is less complete than Management Information Supplied to the Department by Training and Enterprise Councils (TECs) (around 95 per cent.).

  2. In addition, the postcode information on the TDS, from which parliamentary constituency data are compiled, are 95 per cent. complete.

  3. TEC Management Information does not provide information at parliamentary constituency level.

  Source:

  WBTYP trainee database

  New Deal for Young People

  In the Clwyd, South constituency, 562 young people have joined the New Deal to end December 2000. 292 have found jobs, 239 of which are sustained.

  Labour market statistics

  The working age employment rate in Denbighshire unitary authority in autumn 2000 was 72.7 per cent. below the UK rate of 74.7 per cent. The rate in autumn 1997 was 72.2 per cent.

  The claimant unemployment rate has fallen from 9.5 per cent. in January 1997 to 5.4 per cent. in January 2001 in the Clwyd, South constituency.

  Employment zone

  The North West Wales Employment Zone began operating in May 2000. The zone covers 5,236 square kilometres of North West Wales including areas of Anglesey, Gwynedd, Conwy and Denbighshire.

  From May until December 2000, 881 people started on the Employment Zone. Of these people 36 had entered employment in December.

  Timber
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much certified timber has been purchased by his Department over the past six months; and what proportion of total timber purchases this represents. [152144]

  Mr. Wills
  The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  SATs
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the average cost of a SATs test per pupil tested(a) nationally and (b) in East Sussex. [151853]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 6 March 2001]: The average cost of a National Curriculum assessment test per pupil per subject nationally in 2000 was £5.30. This covers the costs of developing, printing and distributing test papers across Key Stages 1–3; and costs of external marking and data collection for tests at Key Stage 2 and 3. The figure excludes the cost of supply cover for teachers

  Central Government support to capital investment in London schools 1996–97 to 2000–01

  £000

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Total

  Barking

  3,812

  1,376

  3,163

  3,537

  5,501

  17,389

  Barnet

  3,055

  1,763

  5,417

  3,894

  10,695

  24,824

  Bexley

  1,789

  4,299

  6,304

  6,598

  9,169

  28,159

  Brent

  194

  889

  3,047

  3,316

  8,353

  15,799

  Bromley

  1,614

  1,400

  2,591

  3,776

  8,921

  18,302

  Camden

  350

  623

  1,859

  2,497

  5,331

  10,660

  City of London

  37

  1

  1

  40

  73

  152

  Croydon

  2,380

  2,697

  5,483

  6,643

  11,257

  28,460

  Ealing

  719

  5,164

  9,515

  7,042

  10,019

  32,459

  Enfield

  7,350

  8,807

  7,210

  7,459

  9,611

  40,437

  Greenwich

  1,658

  4,394

  5,310

  4,444

  6,554

  22,360

  Hackney

  993

  2,369

  3,615

  4,170

  5,940

  17,087

  Hammersmith

  1,088

  1,443

  3,219

  3,837

  3,764

  13,351

  Haringey

  2,713

  4,729

  7,291

  6,202

  8,519

  29,454

  Harrow

  3,529

  1,739

  2,240

  3,885

  6,087

  17,480

  Havering

  291

  1,012

  2,021

  2,355

  7,521

  13,200

  Hillingdon

  3,879

  2,828

  4,573

  5,361

  10,734

  27,375

  Hounslow

  3,104

  3,786

  4,489

  3,791

  7,287

  22,457

  Islington

  250

  869

  2,443

  2,760

  7,306

  13,628

  Kensington and Chelsea

  581

  471

  1,253

  829

  2,158

  5,292

  Kingston upon Thames

  1,023

  4,060

  4,483

  5,772

  6,680

  22,018

  Lambeth

  761

  1,662

  4,281

  3,121

  6,371

  16,196

  Lewisham

  2,804

  4,614

  6,690

  5,084

  8,373

  27,565

  Merton

  345

  583

  1,987

  3,291

  5,888

  12,094

  Newham

  4,435

  3,631

  6,770

  10,611

  14,940

  40,387

  Redbridge

  9,876

  9,374

  5,008

  5,201

  11,637

  41,096

  Richmond

  221

  628

  2,876

  3,595

  6,110

  13,430

  Southwark

  593

  2,501

  2,251

  2,986

  8,268

  16,599

  Sutton

  4,174

  5,691

  5,269

  4,673

  9,572

  29,379

  Tower Hamlets

  11,169

  7,963

  5,789

  4,330

  6,662

  35,913

  Waltham Forest

  2,451

  1,838

  2,798

  4,640

  7,392

  19,119

  Wandsworth

  1,182

  861

  1,897

  3,476

  6,980

  14,396

  Westminster

  1,206

  1,741

  2,126

  1,572

  4,454

  11,099

  London Total

  79,626

  95,806

  133,269

  140,788

  248,127

  697,616

  Central Government support for private finance initiative investment in London schools 1997–98 to 2000–01

  £000

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Total

  Lewisham

  4,000

  —

  —

  —

  4,000

  Enfield

  —

  16,000

  —

  —

  16,000

  Hillingdon

  —

  19,000

  —

  —

  19,000

  Westminster

  —

  25,000

  —

  —

  25,000

  Brent

  —

  —

  23,000

  —

  23,000

  Haringey

  —

  —

  62,500

  —

  62,500

  Lambeth

  —

  —

  11,500

  —

  11,500

  Tower Hamlets

  —

  —

  68,500

  —

  68,500

  Waltham Forest

  —

  —

  18,500

  —

  18,500

  Brent

  —

  —

  —

  9,000

  9,000

  4,000

  60,000

  184,000

  9,000

  257,000

  302W
  administering the national curriculum tests, audit costs and the administration costs incurred by schools.

  It is not possible to identify costs below national level.

  Capital Investment (Primary Schools)
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much capital investment there has been in primary schools since 1996 in(a) London and (b) each London borough. [152194]

  Jacqui Smith
  This information is not readily available. The following tables show the total central Government support to capital investment in all schools made in London and each London borough since 1996–97.

  Infant Classes
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many children there were in infant classes with over 30 children(a) in 1996 and (b) at the latest date for which figures are available in (i) each London borough and (ii) London. [152197]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The information requested is shown in the table.

  Class size data were published in a Statistical Bulletin "Class Sizes and Pupil Teacher Ratios in England 2000" on 20 December 2000, copies of which are available from the Library, or alternatively can be accessed from the

  303W
  Department for Education and Employment statistical website: www.dfee.gov.uk/statistics. Figures from this release show that in September 2000, there were just 30,000 infants in classes of over 30 compared with 485,000 in January 1998. Just 2 per cent. of infants are now in such classes compared with 29 per cent. in January 1998.

  Number of pupils in infant classes over 30

  January 1996

  January 2000

  September 2000

  London

  47,752

  22,110

  3,642

  Inner London

  6,004

  2,766

  757

  Camden

  127

  93

  93

  City of London

  0

  0

  0

  Hackney

  413

  93

  95

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  313

  93

  0

  Haringey

  566

  124

  32

  Islington

  443

  162

  159

  Kensington and Chelsea

  62

  62

  31

  Lambeth

  381

  249

  63

  Lewisham

  567

  344

  64

  Newham

  734

  503

  0

  Southwark

  707

  409

  31

  Tower Hamlets

  349

  35

  31

  Wandsworth

  1,118

  568

  1158

  Westminster

  224

  31

  0

  Outer London

  41,748

  19,344

  2,885

  Barking and Dagenham

  734

  284

  31

  Barnet

  730

  217

  62

  Bexley

  3,984

  1,135

  379

  Brent

  786

  515

  0

  Bromley

  5,121

  2,139

  188

  Croydon

  3,497

  1,065

  93

  Ealing

  2,499

  968

  124

  Enfield

  3,621

  1,782

  382

  Greenwich

  470

  406

  0

  Harrow

  1,929

  746

  224

  Havering

  2,439

  1,804

  604

  Hillingdon

  1,378

  317

  0

  Hounslow

  2,354

  1,051

  296

  Kingston upon Thames

  3,430

  1,935

  62

  Merton

  1,958

  1,469

  0

  Redbridge

  3,307

  1,342

  196

  Richmond upon Thames

  1,414

  888

  282

  Sutton

  1,077

  680

  31

  Waltham Forest

  1,020

  601

  31

  1 Less than 95 per cent. of expected returns were received from these Local Education Authorities

  Pupil Literacy
  Mr. Tony Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of pupils gained the expected level of literacy in(a) 1997 and (b) 2000. [152497]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  In the 2000 Key Stage 2 tests, 75 per cent. of 11-year-olds achieved the expected standard for their age in English, an increase of 12 percentage points since 1997. The 2000 results are clear evidence of the success of the National Literacy Strategy.

  City Academies
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the names and location of city academies(a) established to date and (b) in the process of being established together with, for each city academy, (i) the private sector investors, (ii) the
  304W
  total private sector financial contribution, (iii) the total public expenditure contribution and (iv) the total number of pupils in attendance and the admission limit. [152502]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  To date we have announced City Academy partnerships in Brent, Lambeth, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Haringey and Hillingdon. Further announcements will be made shortly. Private and voluntary sector sponsors announced to date are Frank Lowe of the Lowe Group of Advertising Agencies and Octagon sports management, Barry Townsley, of stockbrokers Insinger Townsley, BT, Marconi, Amey plc, the Church of England and the Grieg Trust. These partnerships are developing detailed project plans to establish City Academies. The total public sector and private and voluntary sector financial contributions, and the total number of pupils and the admission limits will depend on the plans developed for each City Academy

  Free School Meals
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many and what percentage of pupils are eligible for free school meals in each English local education authority. [152503]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The numbers of full-time pupils of up to maximum compulsory school age 'known to be eligible for free school meals' and expressed as a percentage of all full-time pupils of that age group in mainstream, maintained schools in each English local education authority are shown in the table. The data are as collected by the Department's Annual Schools' Census.

  Mainstream, maintained schools in England—January 2000

  Full-time pupils of up to maximum compulsory school age known to be eligible for a free school meal

  Local education authority

  Number

  Percentage1

  Barking and Dagenham

  7,230

  27.9

  Barnet

  7,480

  18.0

  Barnsley

  8,450

  26.6

  Bath and North East Somerset

  2,500

  10.8

  Bedfordshire

  6,630

  12.0

  Bexley

  5,400

  15.2

  Birmingham

  55,900

  34.6

  Blackburn with Darwen

  6,850

  28.7

  Blackpool

  4,960

  25.4

  Bolton

  8,130

  18.9

  Bournemouth

  2,270

  11.6

  Bracknell Forest

  1,010

  7.4

  Bradford

  21,310

  27.8

  Brent

  9,580

  28.8

  Brighton and Hove

  5,880

  21.5

  Bristol, City of

  10,950

  23.5

  Bromley

  5,880

  14.2

  Buckinghamshire

  4,350

  6.7

  Bury

  4,520

  16.0

  Calderdale

  5,860

  18.6

  Cambridgeshire

  7,030

  9.8

  Camden

  7,780

  39.7

  Cheshire

  12,840

  13.2

  City of London

  80

  36.9

  Cornwall

  9,770

  14.7

  Coventry

  9,340

  20.8

  Croydon

  10,400

  22.9

  Cumbria

  11,100

  15.8

  Darlington

  2,910

  19.6

  Derby

  7,750

  22.6

  Derbyshire

  14,150

  13.5

  Devon

  10,670

  11.9

  Doncaster

  10,440

  22.8

  Dorset

  3,350

  6.7

  305W

  Mainstream, maintained schools in England—January 2000

  Full-time pupils of up to maximum compulsory school age known to be eligible for a free school meal

  Local education authority

  Number

  Percentage1

  Dudley

  7,780

  16.6

  Durham

  15,100

  21.2

  Ealing

  10,850

  29.3

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  5,120

  11.3

  East Sussex

  9,300

  15.4

  Enfield

  10,220

  24.2

  Essex

  22,620

  12.3

  Gateshead

  7,050

  26.1

  Gloucestershire

  7,730

  9.8

  Greenwich

  12,130

  39.1

  Hackney

  11,270

  46.5

  Halton

  5,600

  28.1

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  6,390

  43.0

  Hampshire

  14,270

  8.3

  Haringey

  12,840

  42.9

  Harrow

  3,940

  14.2

  Hartlepool

  4,480

  29.3

  Havering

  4,470

  12.8

  Herefordshire

  1,750

  7.6

  Hertfordshire

  14,660

  9.8

  Hillingdon

  5,160

  15.1

  Hounslow

  7,620

  24.9

  Isle of Wight

  3,510

  19.8

  Isles of Scilly

  10

  5.2

  Islington

  10,310

  45.4

  Kensington and Chelsea

  3,910

  39.7

  Kent

  25,250

  13.3

  Kingston upon Hull, City of

  11,700

  29.8

  Kingston upon Thames

  1,540

  9.0

  Kirklees

  12,300

  20.8

  Knowsley

  12,250

  46.8

  Lambeth

  10,910

  43.8

  Lancashire

  29,560

  17.3

  Leeds

  22,290

  21.7

  Leicester

  10,990

  24.9

  Leicestershire

  7,120

  8.2

  Lewisham

  11,740

  37.4

  Lincolnshire

  7,330

  8.1

  Liverpool

  29,080

  41.5

  Luton

  7,280

  25.3

  Manchester

  29,570

  45.4

  Medway

  5,590

  13.6

  Merton

  3,890

  19.3

  Middlesbrough

  7,810

  34.9

  Milton Keynes

  4,380

  14.6

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  11,550

  32.3

  Newham

  19,310

  43.9

  Norfolk

  15,090

  14.5

  North East Lincolnshire

  6,330

  24.0

  North Lincolnshire

  3,640

  15.0

  North Somerset

  2,560

  10.1

  North Tyneside

  6,330

  23.0

  North Yorkshire

  7,360

  9.2

  Northamptonshire

  11,300

  11.9

  Northumberland

  6,520

  14.6

  Nottingham

  14,320

  39.2

  Nottinghamshire

  16,920

  15.8

  Oldham

  9,860

  25.3

  Oxfordshire

  7,590

  10.1

  Peterborough

  5,930

  22.3

  Plymouth

  7,320

  20.2

  Poole

  1,530

  8.5

  Portsmouth

  4,520

  17.8

  Reading

  2,400

  16.1

  Redbridge

  6,620

  18.4

  Redcar and Cleveland

  6,560

  27.8

  Richmond upon Thames

  2,530

  13.8

  Rochdale

  9,170

  27.2

  Rotherham

  8,810

  21.7

  Rutland

  260

  5.5

  Salford

  10,130

  29.2

  Sandwell

  12,330

  26.3

  Sefton

  9,780

  22.8

  306W

  Mainstream, maintained schools in England—January 2000

  Full-time pupils of up to maximum compulsory school age known to be eligible for a free school meal

  Local education authority

  Number

  Percentage1

  Sheffield

  16,420

  23.9

  Shropshire

  3,830

  10.2

  Slough

  3,080

  18.6

  Solihull

  4,610

  13.4

  Somerset

  7,150

  10.7

  South Gloucestershire

  3,220

  8.7

  South Tyneside

  6,840

  29.0

  Southampton

  6,510

  22.1

  Southend-on-Sea

  4,370

  19.0

  Southwark

  14,470

  45.6

  St. Helens

  6,020

  22.2

  Staffordshire

  14,580

  12.1

  Stockport

  6,070

  14.7

  Stockton-on-Tees

  6,900

  23.5

  Stoke-on-Trent

  10,350

  27.9

  Suffolk

  11,750

  13.1

  Sunderland

  13,550

  30.4

  Surrey

  10,140

  8.1

  Sutton

  3,010

  12.2

  Swindon

  3,410

  12.0

  Tameside

  7,570

  21.3

  Telford and the Wrekin

  5,350

  22.4

  Thurrock

  3,620

  17.3

  Torbay

  3,480

  20.4

  Tower Hamlets

  20,970

  62.6

  Trafford

  6,350

  19.3

  Wakefield

  9,640

  20.3

  Walsall

  9,010

  20.9

  Waltham Forest

  9,860

  30.9

  Wandsworth

  7,920

  31.7

  Warrington

  3,650

  12.2

  Warwickshire

  7,070

  10.0

  West Berkshire

  1,390

  6.6

  West Sussex

  8,520

  8.9

  Westminster

  6,380

  39.6

  Wigan

  8,210

  17.2

  Wiltshire

  5,130

  8.5

  Windsor and Maidenhead

  1,170

  7.0

  Wirral

  15,240

  31.1

  Wokingham

  960

  4.5

  Wolverhampton

  8,820

  24.1

  Worcestershire

  7,510

  10.1

  York

  2,650

  11.7

  1 Numbers of full-time pupils of up to maximum compulsory school age 'known to be eligible for free school meals' expressed as a percentage of all full-time pupils of that age group

  Source:

  DfEE Annual Schools' Census, January 2000

  Ex-GM Schools Funding
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list those former grant-maintained schools which(a) have and (b) do not have protected funding. [151239]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  All former grant-maintained schools have protected levels of funding per pupil, which were raised by 2.5 per cent. in 2000–01 and again for 2001–02. Those schools whose formula budgets are lower than their protected levels of funding receive transitional funding, which is supported by a grant from the Department. The names of schools which are and are not in receipt of transitional funding in 2000–01 are listed in a table, copies of which have been placed in the Library.

  Departmental Policies (Worcester)
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  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 Worcester parliamentary constituency, the effect of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997 on this constituency. [151860]

  Mr. Wills
  The information requested has been placed in the Libraries.

  Departmental Policies (Ilford, North)
  Ms Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what initiatives embarked upon since May 1997 have benefited IIford, North; and if he will make a statement. [152035]

  Mr. Wills
  The information requested has been placed in the Libraries.

  Specialist Schools
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list, for each English local education authority, how many(a) applications have been received for specialist school status and (b) which schools are designated as specialist schools, with the date of designation, the specialism, the percentage of children eligible for free school meals, the percentage of children with five or more GCSE grades A-C, the status of the school, the admissions policy of the school and if the school is designated as a Beacon School. [152478]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The information on(a) the number of specialist school applications received since 1994 is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The information requested in section (b) with the exception of data on Free School Meals is contained in tables, copies of which have been placed in the Library. Information on the percentage of children known to be eligible for Free School Meals in individual schools is regarded as confidential and not published centrally by the Department.

  £ million

  Provision for three-year programme for 1999–2002

  Budgeted provision for 1999–20001

  Actual expenditure for 1999–2000

  Budgeted provision for 2000–011

  Reducing Burglary

  59.88

  13.8

  2.067

  19.83

  Locks for the over-60s

  8

  0

  0

  5.15

  Summer Schemes

  1.5

  0

  0

  1.5

  Prostitution—What Works

  0.5

  0

  0

  0.5

  Targeted Policing

  32.45

  6

  0.509

  12.45

  'On Track'

  31

  0.5

  0.169

  12.5

  Innovation Fund

  9

  0

  0

  9

  Vehicle Crime Publicity

  8

  0

  0

  8

  Treatment of Offenders

  20.8

  5.3

  2.298

  8

  Drug Arrest Referrals

  20

  2

  0.306

  9

  Schools Intervention

  12

  4

  0.205

  6

  Violence Against Women

  7

  0

  0.090

  5

  Vehicle Crime

  6

  0

  0

  4

  Youth Inclusion

  5.5

  0

  0

  2.75

  Sentencing Practices

  4.65

  0.675

  0.332

  0.575

  Neighbourhood Wardens

  4.5

  0

  0

  1.5

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the detention centres being used for holding asylum seekers. [152678]

  Mrs. Roche
  Immigration detainees, including those people who have sought asylum, are currently accommodated in the following dedicated immigration detention and reception centres:

  Campsfield House

  Tinsley House

  Harmondsworth

  Oakington Reception Centre.

  Dedicated Prison Service facilities are also utilised at:

  Rochester

  Lindholme

  Haslar.

  As a short-term measure, until additional dedicated immigration detention centres come on line later this year, immigration detainees are being accommodated in the following Prison Service establishments:

  Belmarsh

  Liverpool

  Holme House

  High Down

  Wandsworth

  Winchester

  Bullingdon

  Lincoln

  Cardiff

  Elmley.

  Crime Reduction Fund
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list each initiative to date in each year since the start of the Crime Reduction Fund indicating(a) the current amount budgeted in each year to date, (b) the initial amount budgeted in each year to date and (c) the total expended in each year of the initiative to date; and if he will make a statement. [151624]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Announced annual provision and expenditure on the Crime Reduction Programme are as follows:
  309W

  £ million

  Provision for three-year programme for 1999–2002

  Budgeted provision for 1999–20001

  Actual expenditure for 1999–2000

  Budgeted provision for 2000–011

  Design Against Crime

  3

  0.5

  0.589

  1.5

  Arson Control Forum

  0.165

  0

  0

  0.165

  Offenders Index

  0.150

  0.075

  0.075

  0.075

  Suzy Lamplugh Trust

  0.455

  0

  0

  0.205

  CCTV Initiative2

  150

  20

  0.005

  60

  Total3

  384.55

  52.85

  6.645

  167.7

  1The voted provision for 1999–2000 and 2001–01—as published in the Home Office Annual Report for 2000—was £60 million and £160 million respectively. The figures in the table differ from those in the report because they reflect updated profiles of planned expenditure

  2 Provision comes from the Capital Modernisation Fund

  3 The total figure excludes central and regional programme support costs, which are not allocated to particular initiatives.

  Note:

  The third year of the programme (2001–02) is covered by Spending Review 2000

  The table shows actual expenditure for the first year of the programme (1999–2000) and the budgeted provision for the second year (2000–01). Although not reflected in these expenditure figures, over £250 million has now been committed to over 1,100 projects under all programme initiatives and further bids are under consideration. Action is continuing to expedite the allocation of the remaining funds and implementation of projects through the Crime Reduction Directors and other measures in support of partnerships.

  Criminal Investigations
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many criminal investigations are current where the crime in question was committed more than five years ago. [151760]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information requested is not available.

  The National Crime Faculty at the Bramshill Police Staff College has a Serious Crime Analysis Section which collates details of both solved and unsolved serious crime in the United Kingdom (mainly murders, rapes and abductions). The crimes are recorded on a database, and the details of new crimes are searched against the existing crimes on the database to look for commonalties. This ensures that unsolved crimes are at least being reviewed regularly. Currently, there are 418 crimes committed before 31 December 1995 on the database. In the same way, crime scene stains on the National DNA Database are regularly compared against new suspect samples as they are loaded onto the system.

  Examples of old cases where advances in DNA technology have recently resulted in convictions include the murder of Louise Sellars in 1995, whose killer was convicted after DNA was obtained from a cigarette butt, and the murder of Mary Gregson, which had occurred in 1977.

  The Association of Chief Police Officers issued Major Incident Room Standardised Adminstrative Procedures (MIRSAP) guidelines in April 2000. These gave guidance on the review process in relation to murder investigations, and where appropriate, other major crime inquiries. Each undetected murder is reviewed after 28 days and thereafter at least once every two years. Each force therefore has its own policy for dealing with reviews based on these guidelines, including cold case reviews.

  Police (Cardboard Cut-outs)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police forces have used cardboard cut-outs of police officers and police cars as an aid to crime fighting. [149461]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  This information is not collected centrally by the Home Office. I understand that mock-ups are used on a limited basis in some crime prevention initiatives, but that mock-up vehicles at the roadside have not been judged practical by the Association of Chief Police Officers Road Policing Committee.

  The police have a wide range of equipment to ensure speed limits are rigorously enforced. The Vehicles (Crime) Bill, now proceeding through Parliament provides for a new funding mechanism for speed and red-light cameras. Better investment in this area of road safety will ensure even greater compliance with speed limits and will therefore contribute directly to the prevention of deaths on the road.

  London Crime
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many reported crimes there were in(a) each London borough and (b) London as a whole in each category in (i) 1996 and (ii) the latest year for which figures are available. [152207]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The available information, for the calendar years 1996 and 2000, has been provided by the Metropolitan police, and is given in the tables. The 1996 figures may differ from the previously published overall and offence group totals because they have been compiled using a new computer system (CRIS) which interprets historical data differently from the previous system.

  It should be noted that there was a change in counting rules for recorded crime on 1 April 1998. This expanded the coverage of offences, changed the basis of counting more towards one crime per victim, and introduced the new category of drugs offences. Previously drugs trafficking was the only drugs offence recorded in these statistics, and it was included in the "Other" category. Also, the outer boundary of the Metropolitan police area changed on 1 April 2000, so as to be coterminous with the boundary of the Greater London area. These changes mean that recorded crime statistics for these two years are not directly comparable.
  311W

  Calendar year 1996

  Major category description (pre-April 1998)

  Borough

  Violence against the person

  Sexual offences

  Robbery

  Burglary and going equipped

  Theft and handling

  Fraud and forgery

  Criminal damage

  Other notifiable offences

  Grand total

  Barking and Dagenham

  693

  170

  238

  3,192

  6,077

  439

  3,713

  129

  14,651

  Barnet

  957

  152

  516

  4,955

  10,312

  913

  4,508

  158

  22,471

  Bexley

  856

  136

  183

  4,191

  6,992

  624

  3,459

  177

  16,618

  Brent

  1,611

  210

  2,043

  5,185

  9,324

  1,360

  4,473

  265

  24,471

  Bromley

  897

  147

  391

  4,624

  10,689

  791

  4,766

  191

  22,496

  Broxbourne1

  60

  6

  16

  581

  1,052

  29

  431

  7

  2,182

  Camden

  1,691

  256

  1,271

  6,020

  18,509

  1,857

  5,714

  586

  35,904

  Croydon

  1,899

  332

  936

  6,480

  12,618

  1,354

  6,002

  245

  29,868

  Ealing

  2,092

  236

  1,059

  5,530

  11,506

  1,677

  5,937

  293

  28,330

  Elmbridge1

  137

  35

  19

  762

  1,612

  116

  915

  19

  3,615

  Enfield

  964

  145

  603

  6,224

  11,211

  790

  4,440

  119

  24,496

  Epping Forest1

  247

  25

  29

  811

  1,744

  121

  988

  32

  3,997

  Epsom and Ewell1

  251

  40

  39

  1,209

  1,768

  165

  1,315

  35

  4,822

  Greenwich

  1,920

  355

  643

  5,678

  11,182

  1,339

  6,173

  354

  27,644

  Hackney

  1,868

  331

  2,108

  5,862

  12,254

  1,034

  4,628

  379

  28,464

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  1,105

  140

  852

  3,840

  10,268

  786

  3,659

  206

  20,876

  Haringey

  1,434

  252

  1,918

  5,922

  11,258

  1,422

  4,621

  285

  27,112

  Harrow

  791

  101

  357

  3,202

  6,349

  775

  3,389

  97

  15,061

  Havering

  604

  93

  121

  2,924

  7,848

  648

  3,495

  141

  15,874

  Heathrow

  30

  7

  3

  68

  3,870

  748

  261

  942

  5,929

  Hertsmere1

  259

  76

  39

  1,124

  3,022

  332

  1,590

  52

  6,494

  Hillingdon

  1,618

  240

  277

  5,223

  9,325

  741

  5,392

  141

  22,957

  Hounslow

  1,162

  178

  380

  3,999

  9,315

  1,934

  4,281

  261

  21,510

  Islington

  2,122

  212

  1,170

  5,187

  12,587

  884

  5,027

  463

  27,652

  Kensington and Chelsea

  920

  116

  864

  4,052

  15,330

  1,290

  2,865

  223

  25,660

  Kingston upon Thames

  604

  117

  137

  2,299

  6,055

  568

  2,539

  109

  12,428

  Lambeth

  2,700

  340

  2,733

  8,594

  15,541

  1,558

  6,296

  558

  38,318

  Lewisham

  1,418

  269

  1,371

  6,213

  11,211

  1,169

  5,187

  362

  27,200

  Merton

  747

  75

  217

  2,973

  6,580

  744

  3,509

  145

  14,990

  Newham

  1,327

  247

  1,147

  5,750

  11,713

  1,015

  5,038

  234

  26,471

  Redbridge

  652

  115

  381

  3,410

  7,520

  881

  3,150

  167

  18,478

  Reigate and Banstead1

  78

  14

  24

  476

  794

  60

  430

  16

  1,892

  Richmond upon Thames

  515

  77

  128

  3,281

  6,420

  561

  2,631

  95

  13,708

  Southwark

  3,054

  384

  1,706

  7,261

  16,462

  2,432

  7,188

  682

  39,169

  Spelthorne1

  328

  74

  41

  1,046

  3,354

  255

  1,567

  40

  6,705

  Squads2

  —

  —

  —

  3

  47

  82

  7

  29

  168

  Sutton

  653

  119

  130

  2,304

  5,218

  434

  2,864

  84

  11,806

  Tower Hamlets

  1,137

  175

  803

  4,460

  10,962

  755

  4,300

  284

  22,876

  Waltham Forest

  1,116

  144

  744

  4,808

  8,442

  1,008

  3,830

  176

  20,268

  Wandsworth

  1,437

  212

  1,025

  5,240

  14,106

  1,424

  5,364

  321

  28,129

  Welwyn and Hatfield1

  —

  —

  4

  18

  36

  1

  11

  —

  70

  Westminster

  1,776

  280

  2,083

  7,890

  39,024

  2,616

  5,066

  593

  59,328

  Total

  43,930

  6,633

  28,749

  162,871

  379,527

  37,730

  151,019

  9,695

  820,154

  1 Areas outside Greater London policed by the Metropolitan police

  2 'Squads' refers to crimes that were reported by Specialist Operations groups such as the flying squad

  Calendar year 2000

  Major category

  Borough

  Violence against the person

  Sexual offences

  Robbery

  Burglary

  Theft and handling

  Fraud or forgery

  Criminal damage

  Drugs

  Other notifiable offences

  Total

  Barking and Dagenham

  3,596

  203

  679

  2,058

  6,894

  2,202

  3,871

  403

  175

  20,081

  Barnet

  4,654

  251

  1,011

  4,190

  11,451

  3,311

  5,078

  495

  315

  30,756

  Bexley

  3,291

  165

  370

  2,734

  7,862

  1,234

  4,700

  411

  204

  20,971

  Brent

  5,693

  370

  1,900

  4,534

  10,486

  4,502

  4,335

  832

  328

  32,980

  Bromley

  3,554

  174

  644

  3,346

  10,633

  1,541

  5,771

  452

  216

  26,331

  Camden

  5,316

  357

  1,814

  5,184

  24,051

  3,602

  4,725

  1,433

  351

  46,833

  Croydon

  6,250

  354

  1,516

  4,073

  13,017

  3,273

  6,680

  708

  262

  36,133

  Ealing

  6,465

  354

  1,597

  4,787

  14,962

  3,554

  6,453

  873

  386

  39,431

  Enfield

  4,750

  238

  1,225

  4,376

  10,510

  3,049

  3,836

  607

  309

  28,900

  Greenwich

  6,417

  358

  480

  3,138

  10,638

  1,405

  5,191

  968

  258

  28,853

  Hackney

  6,383

  364

  2,361

  4,443

  16,175

  2,463

  4,759

  992

  372

  38,312

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  4,341

  219

  851

  2,997

  12,980

  1,715

  3,617

  712

  309

  27,741

  Haringey

  5,223

  467

  2,373

  4,363

  12,741

  2,213

  4,662

  1,105

  370

  33,517

  Harrow

  2,431

  153

  603

  2,815

  5,943

  1,793

  2,790

  460

  191

  17,179

  Havering

  2,838

  175

  358

  2,341

  7,973

  1,719

  3,356

  462

  156

  19,378

  312W 313W

  Calendar year 2000

  Major category

  Borough

  Violence against the person

  Sexual offences

  Robbery

  Burglary

  Theft and handling

  Fraud or forgery

  Criminal damage

  Drugs

  Other notifiable offences

  Total

  Heathrow Airport

  326

  30

  10

  54

  4,428

  607

  173

  37

  982

  6,647

  Hillingdon

  3,924

  224

  485

  4,264

  10,685

  1,761

  5,048

  398

  251

  27,040

  Hounslow

  5,407

  234

  680

  3,646

  11,586

  2,431

  5,112

  554

  243

  29,893

  Islington

  5,336

  297

  1,530

  4,319

  16,347

  2,963

  4,615

  864

  375

  36,646

  Kensington and Chelsea

  3,416

  155

  882

  3,477

  16,865

  3,190

  2,466

  571

  290

  31,312

  Kingston upon Thames

  2,363

  123

  227

  1,365

  5,337

  1,432

  2,589

  485

  147

  14,068

  Lambeth

  8,055

  553

  4,498

  6,118

  19,988

  4,278

  6,713

  1,456

  429

  52,088

  Lewisham

  5,269

  418

  1,541

  3,624

  10,196

  1,915

  4,690

  686

  280

  28,619

  Merton

  2,957

  123

  387

  1,716

  5,689

  1,642

  3,553

  248

  156

  16,471

  Newham

  7,483

  342

  2,091

  3,470

  15,046

  3,345

  6,455

  605

  401

  39,238

  Redbridge

  3,752

  205

  817

  3,036

  10,527

  3,118

  3,659

  378

  231

  25,723

  Richmond Upon Thames

  1,959

  94

  201

  2,311

  5,755

  1,017

  2,970

  252

  154

  14,713

  Squads

  6

  5

  —

  —

  32

  517

  2

  1

  37

  600

  Southwark

  7,289

  431

  2,180

  4,379

  15,050

  3,870

  5,279

  1,443

  419

  40,340

  Sutton

  2,102

  106

  262

  1,463

  5,167

  1,102

  3,477

  299

  121

  14,099

  Tower Hamlets

  5,850

  371

  1,731

  3,648

  14,803

  3,088

  4,704

  987

  385

  35,567

  Waltham Forest

  4,842

  241

  1,186

  3,257

  9,131

  2,917

  3,495

  541

  261

  25,871

  Wandsworth

  4,921

  271

  1,322

  4,155

  14,907

  4,109

  4,614

  661

  255

  35,215

  Westminster

  8,660

  529

  2,341

  5,350

  53,538

  7,402

  5,277

  2,723

  880

  86,700

  Total

  155,119

  8,954

  40,153

  115,031

  421,393

  88,280

  144,715

  24,102

  10,499

  1,008,246

  Malicious Communications Act
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions prosecutions have been brought against persons or companies under the Malicious Communications Act 1988 for communications distributed in respect of commercial purposes. [151414]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Number of persons or companies prosecuted under the Malicious Communications Act 1988 for communications distributed for commercial purposes are not separately identified on the Home Office's Court Proceedings and Cautions Database.

  Involuntary Manslaughter
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to bring forward legislation on involuntary manslaughter. [152670]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Government published their proposals for the reform of the law on involuntary manslaughter in May 2000. Among the proposals was the creation of an offence of corporate killing to hold undertakings to account for serious wrongdoing. We are considering in detail the responses to the consultation exercise and will publish our final proposals shortly. We will legislate as soon as Parliamentary time allows.

  Driver Prosecutions
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to ensure that drivers prosecuted as a result of crashes in which there has been a fatality are tried in a Crown court. [151416]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Drivers who cause a fatality by grossly negligent driving, dangerous driving or careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs must currently be tried in the Crown court. If convicted of manslaughter they are liable to a maximum penalty of life imprisonment; the other relevant offences carry a314W
  maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment. Where a vehicle is taken without the owner's consent and causes a fatality the driver must also be tried in the Crown court and is liable, if convicted, to a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment.

  There is currently no offence which reflects a fatality occurring as a result of careless driving. In these circumstances the driver would be charged with the summary-only offence of careless driving which attracts a level 4 fine (currently £2,500).

  The Government are aware of concerns about the powers of the court to deal with fatalities that occur on the roads. Accordingly, the Transport Research Laboratory has carried out research on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions into the way in which "bad" driving cases proceed through the criminal justice system. The report is due to be published in the near future. We will then be in a better position to judge whether any changes in this area of law and its operation are necessary.

  Magistrates Courts
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list, for each of the last five years for which figures are available, the results of trials in magistrates courts, including cases that were withdrawn or dismissed. [152691]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information covering the period 1994 to 1999, showing the number of defendants prosecuted at magistrates courts by type of offence and result is published in Table 6.3 of "Criminal Statistics England and Wales 1999" (Cm 5001).

  A copy is available in the Library.

  Homicides
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) murders and

  315W
  (b) other homicides were committed in England and Wales, broken down by specific offence, in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [152748]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The available information relates to initially recorded offences of homicide (murder, manslaughter and infanticide) in England and Wales and is given in the table. Those offences subsequently decided at court to be murder, manslaughter and infanticide are

  Convicted of homicide2

  Year

  Offences initially recorded as homicide1

  Total

  Murder

  Section 2 manslaughter

  Other manslaughter

  Infanticide

  1990

  661

  443

  186

  70

  183

  4

  1991

  725

  502

  197

  76

  224

  5

  1992

  681

  504

  215

  78

  205

  6

  1993

  675

  501

  224

  62

  210

  5

  1994

  727

  491

  228

  69

  191

  3

  1995

  753

  553

  272

  54

  224

  3

  1996

  679

  530

  258

  50

  218

  4

  1997

  735

  499

  247

  46

  203

  3

  1997–98

  731

  506

  228

  47

  227

  4

  1998–99

  745

  490

  241

  38

  204

  7

  1999–2000

  761

  232

  121

  13

  98

  —

  1 A separate offence is recorded for each victim of homicide, so that in an incident in which several people are killed, the number of homicides counted is the total number of persons killed.

  2 As at 11 September 2000; figures are subject to revision as cases are dealt with by the police and by the courts, or as further information becomes available.

  The initially recorded figure includes all homicides because when an offence is discovered and recorded by the police, it is not generally known whether an offence of murder, manslaughter or infanticide has been committed.

  Press Releases
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many press releases were issued by his Department in the financial years(a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99 and (d) 1999–2000; how many have been issued in the current financial year; and what his estimate is of the total number for the current financial year. [149247]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 8 February 2001]: The information for my Department is as follows:

  Year

  Home Office

  Prison Service

  Forensic Science Service

  Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons

  Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation

  1996–97

  411

  78

  —

  —

  —

  1997–98

  399

  89

  16

  —

  —

  1998–99

  512

  93

  13

  —

  —

  1999–2000

  417

  78

  9

  11

  1

  Current financial year to 6 March 2001

  Number

  Home Office

  402

  Prison Service

  93

  Inspectorates

  31

  It is difficult to estimate the total number of press releases likely to be issued by the end of this financial year but on current projections we would anticipate it to be in excess of 400 for the Home Office, 110 for the Prison Service and 35 on behalf of the Inspectorates.
  316W
  also shown. The latest figures are an unreliable guide as in a large number of cases court proceedings were still pending as at 11 September 2000 when recording was closed for publication purposes. The outcome may result in some offences being reclassified when final data are available.

  Offences of homicide initially recorded by the police and the outcome of those subsequently decided at court:

  Dr. Ali Dizaei
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the(a) most serious and (b) least serious discipline matter is for which Dr. Ali Dizaei has been warned of action. [152387]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis considers that it could potentially be prejudicial to reveal in this, or in any other case, the details of alleged misconduct before any decision has been taken to institute disciplinary proceedings.

  Superintendent Dizaei himself has been informed of the nature of the allegations against him.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in relation to the investigation of Dr. Ali Dizaei, how many of those interviewed are(a) white and (b) non-white. [152393]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that a total of 185 persons have been interviewed and statements taken:(a) 144 were white and (b) 41 were non-white.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what the requirements of suspicion are for a section 8 warrant; [152392]

  (2) which papers of Dr. Ali Dizaei relating to his position as legal adviser to members of the National Black Police Association in cases relating to possible unfair treatment by an employing police service have been (a) seen and (b) taken by the police; who authorised such action; and what protocols have governed the confidentiality of the documents; [152390]

  (3) what warrants have been (a) applied for, (b) refused and (c) executed in relation to the investigation of Dr. Ali Dizaei, indicating the dates and the authority signing each warrant. [152391]
  317W
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  In order to obtain a warrant under section 8 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 to enter and search premises, a constable must satisfy a Justice of the Peace that there are reasonable grounds for believing:

  (a) that a serious arrestable offence has been committed; and

  (b) that there is material on premises specified in the application which is likely to be of substantial value (whether by itself or together with other material) to the investigation of the offence; and

  (c) that the material is likely to be relevant evidence; and

  (d) that it does not consist of or include items subject to legal privilege, excluded material or special procedure material; and

  (e) that any of the following conditions applies.

  The conditions referred to in (e) above are:

  (a) that it is not practicable to communicate with any person entitled to grant entry to the premises;

  (b) that it is practicable to communicate with a person entitled to grant entry to the premises but it is not practicable to communicate with any person entitled to grant access to the evidence;

  (c) that entry to the premises will not be granted unless a warrant is produced;

  (d) that the purpose of the search may be frustrated or seriously prejudiced unless a constable arriving at the premises can secure immediate entry to them.

  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that 14 warrants were applied for. Of these, 12 were issued at Bow street magistrates court on 15 January 2001 by District Judge Mr. Workman, one was issued at Horseferry road magistrates court on 20 January 2001 by District Judge Mr. Pratt, and one was issued at Bow street magistrates court, on 8 February 2001 by District Judge Mr. Evans. No warrants were refused. 13 warrants were executed with one warrant returned to Bow street magistrates court unexecuted.

  Dr. Dizaei's home address and office at Kensington police station were both searched and papers, computer and discs were seized. The offices of the Black Police Association were not searched. The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that no matters subject to legal privilege or other matters relating to Dr. Dizaei's position as legal adviser to the National Black Police Association have been taken by police.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criminal offences were alleged against Dr. Ali Dizaei; and if he has been arrested. [152394]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me Superintendent Dizaei has been served with notices outlining criminal allegations against him. These include attempting to pervert the course of justice, deception, pecuniary advantage and fraud. Superintendent Dizaei has not been arrested.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who is responsible for the investigation into Dr. Ali Dizaei. [152395]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that the allegations into misconduct are being investigated by Commander Hayman, Director of the Directorate of Professional Standards of the Metropolitan Police Service; and criminal allegations are being investigated by Detective 318W
  Superintendent Norman, Head of Intelligence in the Directorate of Professional Standards of the Metropolitan Police Service.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many officers have been working on the surveillance and investigation into the case of Dr. Ali Dizaei. [152386]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me eight police officers have been employed on the investigation during the year 2000. However the surveillance operation would have involved an additional 13 police officers. Since January 2001, when Superintendent Dizaei was suspended, a further 21 officers have been engaged in the investigation. It is anticipated that half those police officers will resume other investigations after Easter 2001.

  Jill Dando Murder Inquiry
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many officers have been working on the Jill Dando murder. [152385]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that the number of officers engaged in the investigation of the Jill Dando murder has fluctuated according to the progress of the investigation and the particular demands at the time. I refer the hon. Member to the answers given on 15 July 1999,Official Report, column 319W, 2 November 1999, Official Report, column 114W and 21 March 2000, Official Report, column 484W. There is no record of the overall number of police officers who have been involved in the case from the start of the investigation.

  A total of 10 officers are currently involved in the preparation of the court case. In addition, two officers have been dedicated to assisting witnesses and dealing with the publicity surrounding the trial.

  Conviction Rates
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions there were(a) in each police force area and (b) in total in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [152371]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information taken from the Home Office's Court Proceedings Database showing the number of persons convicted in(a) each police force area and (b) in total during 1999 is given in the table.

  Offenders convicted1 by offence type and police force area, England and Wales 1999

  Offence type

  Police force

  Indictable offences

  Summary non-motoring offences

  Summary motoring offences

  Total all offences

  Avon and Somerset

  7,531

  10,921

  18,467

  36,919

  Bedfordshire

  2,905

  3,967

  6,054

  12,926

  Cambridgeshire

  3,689

  1,573

  7,027

  12,289

  Cheshire

  6,641

  6,607

  11,098

  24,346

  City of London

  581

  1,753

  4,122

  6,456

  Cleveland

  5,742

  6,646

  5,185

  17,573

  Cumbria

  3,662

  4,971

  7,337

  15,970

  Derbyshire

  4,701

  6,559

  12,187

  23,447

  Devon and Cornwall

  6,930

  10,178

  13,908

  31,016

  Dorset

  3,572

  4,259

  5,486

  13,317

  Durham

  4,329

  3,805

  6,763

  14,897

  319W

  Offenders convicted1 by offence type and police force area, England and Wales 1999

  Offence type

  Police force

  Indictable offences

  Summary non-motoring offences

  Summary motoring offences

  Total all offences

  Essex

  7,062

  16,198

  20,691

  43,951

  Gloucestershire

  2,901

  3,700

  6,036

  12,637

  Greater Manchester

  22,360

  27,307

  54,835

  104,502

  Hampshire

  11,068

  14,631

  22,577

  48,276

  Hertfordshire

  3,331

  7,324

  10,203

  20,858

  Humberside

  6,327

  8,736

  9,056

  24,119

  Kent

  8,817

  4,653

  11,445

  24,915

  Lancashire

  12,044

  13,495

  21,249

  46,788

  Leicestershire

  5,561

  8,509

  14,245

  28,315

  Lincolnshire

  3,682

  5,355

  10,589

  19,626

  Merseyside

  11,200

  11,552

  13,499

  36,251

  Metropolitan Police

  51,538

  79,401

  63,387

  194,326

  Norfolk

  4,293

  4,410

  7,627

  16,330

  North Yorkshire

  4,558

  5,037

  7,317

  16,912

  Northamptonshire

  3,969

  5,705

  6,614

  16,288

  Northumbria

  12,712

  16,629

  16,375

  45,716

  Nottinghamshire

  7,747

  10,160

  8,504

  26,411

  South Yorkshire

  10,459

  9,846

  15,564

  35,869

  Staffordshire

  5,535

  4,040

  19,987

  29,562

  Suffolk

  3,362

  4,337

  7,202

  14,901

  Surrey

  2,687

  3,018

  8,766

  14,471

  Sussex

  6,693

  8,732

  12,241

  27,666

  Thames Valley

  8,020

  6,217

  26,307

  40,544

  Warwickshire

  2,216

  3,193

  7,316

  12,725

  West Mercia

  5,814

  6,519

  11,727

  24,060

  West Midlands

  21,835

  27,071

  33,391

  82,297

  West Yorkshire

  19,976

  22,176

  34,916

  77,068

  Wiltshire

  2,983

  4,190

  11,579

  18,752

  England

  319,033

  403,380

  590,879

  1,313,292

  Dyfed Powys

  3,527

  4,828

  5,428

  13,783

  Gwent

  4,482

  6,279

  12,662

  23,423

  North Wales

  4,325

  5,266

  6,524

  16,115

  South Wales

  10,628

  13,857

  17,363

  41,848

  Wales

  22,962

  30,230

  41,977

  95,169

  England and Wales

  341,995

  433,610

  632,856

  1,408,461

  1 Data in this table are based on a person's principal offence as persons may be convicted of more than one offence.

  Clear-up Rates
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the crime clear-up rate was(a) in each police force area and (b) in total in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [152372]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information, which has been published in "Criminal Statistics England and Wales 1999", is given in the table. It should be noted that the basis for the collection of clear-ups changed on 1 April 1999, and consequently no direct comparison should be made between these figures and those for previous years. The major changes were in respect of offences "taken into consideration", with only those offences of which the police were previously aware now being counted, and clear-ups resulting from admissions of prisoners serving a sentence for another offence no longer being counted.

  Recorded crime: clear-up rate by police force area England and Wales—year ending March 2000

  Police force area

  Percentages

  Avon and Somerset

  22

  Bedfordshire

  25

  Cambridgeshire

  25

  Cheshire

  31

  Cleveland

  22

  Cumbria

  39

  320W

  Recorded crime: clear-up rate by police force area England and Wales— ending March 2000

  Police force area

  Percentages

  Derbyshire

  28

  Devon and Cornwall

  35

  Dorset

  26

  Durham

  32

  Essex

  30

  Gloucestershire

  31

  Greater Manchester

  23

  Hampshire

  32

  Hertfordshire

  27

  Humberside

  19

  Kent

  33

  Lancashire

  29

  Leicestershire

  30

  Lincolnshire

  28

  London, City of

  32

  Merseyside

  26

  Metropolitan Police

  16

  Norfolk

  30

  Northamptonshire

  33

  Northumbria

  31

  North Yorkshire

  31

  Nottinghamshire

  21

  South Yorkshire

  25

  Staffordshire

  22

  Suffolk

  36

  Surrey

  32

  Sussex

  25

  Thames Valley

  20

  Warwickshire

  22

  West Mercia

  29

  West Midlands

  27

  West Yorkshire

  25

  Wiltshire

  33

  Dyfed-Powys

  65

  Gwent

  53

  North Wales

  36

  South Wales

  31

  England and Wales

  25

  Child Abuse
  Ms Shipley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if a representative of the Government will participate in the Second World Congress on the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children to be held in Japan in December; and what preparations Her Majesty's Government are making in advance of the Congress. [152101]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Government attach particular importance to the Second World Congress and will be represented at ministerial or official level. I understand, however, that formal invitations to the World Congress have not yet been issued. The Home Office, Department of Health and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have preparations for the Congress in hand, which will include publication of a National Plan for Safeguarding Children from Commercial Sexual Exploitation.

  Ms Shipley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to launch a national public information campaign to heighten awareness of child abuse in the UK. [152099]

  Mr. Hutton
  I have been asked to reply.
  321W
  We are committed to improving safeguards for children and have taken firm action to help and protect the most vulnerable children in our society. This commitment is evidenced by the wide ranging programme of new child protection legislation that we have enacted and our ground breaking £885 million Quality Protects Programme to transform the management and delivery of children's social services. In addition, we welcome the work that is done by the voluntary sector to heighten awareness of child abuse in the United Kingdom.

  The recently reissued "Working Together to Safeguard Children" guidance raises awareness of child abuse among all those with child protection responsibilities, and gives them the framework they need to improve safeguards for children.

  We have no current plans for a national public information campaign to heighten awareness of child abuse.

  Sexual Offences
  Ms Shipley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to take forward the Sexual Offences Review following the end of the consultation period in March. [152100]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  We have to date received over 650 responses to the publication "Setting the Boundaries" which set out the recommendations of the Sex Offences Review to Government. Over the coming months we will be considering in detail each of the 62 recommendations contained in Volume 1 of "Setting the Boundaries" in the light of those responses.

  Following this we intend to bring forward proposals for legislation as soon as parliamentary time allows.

  Timber
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his Department's annual report on timber procurement to the Committee of Green Ministers will be published. [152105]

  Mr. Straw
  The key information on the Department's procurement of timber will be published in the Green Ministers' Annual Report.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much certified timber has been purchased by his Department over the past six months; and what proportion of total timber purchases this represents. [152145]

  Mr. Straw
  The Home Office does not have a system in place to provide data on the proportion of certified timber purchased.

  The inter-departmental working group on timber is working to develop a common reporting template, which will form the basis of future reporting on timber procurement.

  Lay Visitors
  Ms Ward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of(a) lay visitors to police
  322W
  stations and (b) members of lay observers' panels in England and Wales were aged (i) under 30, (ii) between 30 and 40, (iii) between 40 and 50, (iv) between 50 and 60 and (v) over 60 years in each of the past five years. [152592]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information is not collected centrally about the proportion of lay visitors within each given category.

  As at 1 March 2001 there are no lay observers under 30 years of age. 2 per cent. are aged between 30 and 40; 8 per cent. between 40 and 50; 25 per cent. between 50 and 60; and the remaining 65 per cent. are over 60 years of age. Historical data about the composition of the lay observers panels are not kept and it is not possible to provide information in respect of the years 1997 to 2000.

  Ms Ward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what proportion of places on schemes for lay visitors to visit police stations are not filled; [152590]

  (2) what the (a) gender and (b) ethnic breakdown was of lay visitors to police stations in England and Wales in each of the last five years. [152591]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  This information is not collected centrally. Updated Home Office guidance to police authorities on the organisation and operation of lay visiting schemes will be issued shortly and strengthened administrative arrangements should enable better monitoring and record keeping.

  Lay Observers
  Ms Ward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what proportion of places on lay observers' panels are not filled; [152593]

  (2) what the (a) gender and (b) ethnic breakdown is for members of lay observers' panels in England and Wales in each of the past five years. [152594]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  As at 1 March 2001 the eight Lay Observers Panels covering all of England and Wales had a total of 169 members. There were also 12 vacancies.

  The membership comprises 122 males and 47 females. 10 Lay Observers are from the minority ethnic communities. Of these eight are of Afro/Caribbean background and the remaining two are Asian.

  Historical data about the composition of the Lay Observers Panels are not kept and it is not possible to provide information in respect of the years 1997 to 2000.

  Crown Court Trials
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the results of trials in the Crown court where the defendant made a plea of not guilty to all counts, for each of the last five years for which figures are available. [152692]

  Mr. Lock
  I have been asked to reply.

  Figures showing the results of trials where the defendant made a plea of not guilty to all counts are set out in the table.

  323W

  Results of trials in the Crown court where the defendant pleaded not guilty to all counts

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  Acquitted

  Discharged by judge

  6,232

  6,844

  8,404

  8,800

  9,563

  Directed acquittal

  2,469

  2,455

  2,517

  2,490

  2,404

  Jury acquittal

  5,466

  5,812

  5,815

  5,663

  5,588

  Total acquittals

  14,167

  15,111

  16,736

  16,953

  17,555

  Convicted

  Changed plea to guilty

  212

  143

  157

  126

  115

  Unanimous verdict

  7,944

  7,908

  7,482

  7,029

  6,714

  1 dissentient

  827

  826

  727

  777

  696

  2 dissentients

  1,274

  1,282

  1,202

  1,157

  1,195

  Total convictions

  10,257

  10,159

  9,568

  9,089

  8,720

HEALTH

  Correspondence
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the letter of 13 December 1999, acknowledged on 16 December 1999 (Ref. POH(2)5303/85) faxed to his Department on 20 November 2000, on the subject of midwives' pay. [150565]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 15 February 2001]: A reply to the hon. Member's letter was sent on 2 March 2001.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the hon. Member for Ludlow's letters of 27 July 2000, 11 November 2000 and 6 December 2000. [150870]

  Department of Health Vacanies Survey—Three month vacancies1 for Radiographers, within National Health Service trusts, for each health authority area, as at 31 March 2000

  Total radiographers

  Diagnostic radiographers

  Therapeutic radiographers

  England

  430

  330

  100

  Northern and Yorkshire

  20

  2—

  20

  Bradford HA

  0

  0

  0

  Calderdale and Kirklees HA

  0

  0

  0

  County Durham HA

  0

  0

  0

  East Riding HA

  10

  0

  10

  Gateshead and South Tyneside HA

  2—

  2—

  0

  Leeds HA

  10

  0

  10

  Newcastle and North Tyneside HA

  2—

  0

  2—

  North Cumbria HA

  0

  0

  0

  North Yorkshire HA

  0

  0

  0

  Northumberland HA

  2—

  0

  2—

  Sunderland HA

  0

  0

  0

  Tees HA

  0

  0

  0

  Wakefield HA

  2—

  2—

  0

  Trent

  30

  20

  10

  Barnsley HA

  0

  0

  0

  Doncaster HA

  2—

  0

  2—

  Leicestershire HA

  10

  2—

  2—

  Lincolnshire HA

  0

  0

  0

  North Derbyshire HA

  2—

  2—

  0

  North Nottinghamshire HA

  0

  0

  0

  324W
  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 26 February 2001]: A reply to the hon. Member's letter was sent on 5 March 2001.

  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the letters from the hon. Member for Broxbourne of 4 December 2000, 3 January 2001, 1 February 2001 Ind 1 March 2001, relating to her constituent, Mrs. M. Childs of Hoddesdon. [152746]

  Mr. Hutton
  I replied to the hon. Member's letter of 4 December 2000 in 22 January 2001.

  Tinnitus
  Ms Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what support his Department is giving to the establishment of a UK tinnitus research centre; and if he will make a statement. [152151]

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to set up a tinnitus research centre. [152157]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department was asked for advice concerning sources of support for a tinnitus research unit in July 2000. Given the emphasis of the proposal on identifying neuronal and molecular changes and translation research the Department advised that the researchers involved should approach the Medical Research Council (MRC) with this proposal. The MRC is the main Government agency for research into the causes of and treatments for disease and it receives its funding via the Department of Trade and Industry.

  Radiographers
  Ms Shipley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many vacancies there are for radiographers in each health authority. [152499]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is shown in the table.
  325W

  Department of Health Vacanies Survey—Three month vacancies1 for Radiographers, within National Health Service trusts, for each health authority area, as at 31 March 2000

  Total radiographers

  Diagnostic radiographers

  Therapeutic radiographers

  Nottingham HA

  10

  10

  2—

  Rotherham HA

  2—

  2—

  0

  Sheffield HA

  2—

  2—

  0

  South Humber HA

  2—

  2—

  0

  Southern Derbyshire HA

  2—

  2—

  2—

  West Midlands

  40

  30

  10

  Birmingham HA

  20

  10

  2—

  Coventry HA

  2—

  2—

  0

  Dudley HA

  2—

  2—

  0

  Herefordshire HA

  0

  0

  0

  North Staffordshire HA

  2—

  2—

  0

  Sandwell HA

  0

  0

  0

  Shropshire HA

  10

  2—

  2—

  Solihull HA

  0

  0

  0

  South Staffordshire HA

  0

  0

  0

  Walsall HA

  0

  0

  0

  Warwickshire HA

  2—

  2—

  0

  Wolverhampton HA

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Worcestershire HA

  0

  0

  0

  North West

  40

  40

  2—

  Bury and Rochdale HA

  2—

  2—

  0

  East Lancashire HA

  0

  0

  0

  Liverpool HA

  10

  10

  0

  Manchester HA

  10

  10

  0

  Morecambe Bay HA

  0

  0

  0

  North Cheshire HA

  2—

  2—

  0

  North West Lancashire HA

  2—

  2—

  0

  Salford and Trafford HA

  0

  0

  0

  Sefton HA

  0

  0

  0

  South Cheshire HA

  0

  0

  0

  South Lancashire HA

  0

  0

  0

  St. Helens and Knowsley HA

  2—

  2—

  0

  Stockport HA

  0

  0

  0

  West Pennine HA

  2—

  2—

  0

  Wigan and Bolton HA

  0

  0

  0

  Wirral HA

  10

  10

  2—

  Eastern

  50

  40

  20

  Bedfordshire HA

  0

  0

  0

  Cambridge HA

  20

  10

  10

  East and North Hertfordshire HA

  10

  10

  0

  Norfolk HA

  10

  10

  2—

  North Essex HA

  2—

  2—

  0

  South Essex HA

  0

  0

  0

  Suffolk HA

  10

  2—

  2—

  West Hertfordshire HA

  10

  2—

  2—

  London

  130

  100

  30

  Barking and Havering HA

  10

  2—

  2—

  Barnet HA

  10

  10

  0

  Bexley and Greenwich HA

  2—

  2—

  0

  Brent and Harrow HA

  2—

  2—

  0

  Bromley HA

  0

  0

  0

  Camden and Islington HA

  20

  10

  10

  Croydon HA

  10

  10

  0

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow HA

  10

  10

  2—

  East London and The City HA

  10

  10

  2—

  Enfield and Haringey HA

  2—

  0

  2—

  Hillingdon HA

  2—

  2—

  0

  Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster HA

  20

  10

  10

  Kingston and Richmond HA

  10

  10

  0

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham HA

  10

  10

  10

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth HA

  10

  10

  0

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest HA

  10

  10

  0

  South East

  90

  70

  20

  Berkshire HA

  10

  2—

  2—

  Buckinghamshire HA

  2—

  2—

  0

  East Kent HA

  2—

  2—

  0

  East Surrey HA

  0

  0

  0

  East Sussex, Brighton and Hove HA

  2—

  2—

  0

  Isle Of Wight HA

  2—

  2—

  0

  North and Mid Hampshire HA

  10

  10

  0

  326W

  327W

  Department of Health Vacanies Survey—Three month vacanies1 for Radiographers, within National Health Service trusts, for each health authority area, as at 31 March 2000

  Total radiographers

  Diagnostic radiographers

  Therapeutic radiographers

  Northamptonshire HA

  0

  0

  0

  Oxfordshire HA

  2—

  2—

  0

  Portsmouth and South East Hampshire HA

  10

  2—

  2—

  Southampton and South West Hampshire HA

  10

  10

  2—

  West Kent HA

  20

  20

  10

  West Surrey HA

  20

  20

  0

  West Sussex HA

  10

  10

  0

  South West

  30

  30

  2—

  Avon HA

  10

  10

  0

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly HA

  0

  0

  0

  Dorset HA

  2—

  2—

  0

  Gloucestershire HA

  2—

  2—

  0

  North and East Devon HA

  2—

  2—

  0

  Somerset HA

  0

  0

  0

  South and West Devon HA

  10

  10

  2—

  Wiltshire HA

  2—

  2—

  0

  1 Posts that had been vacant for three months or more as at 31 March of each year

  2 Denotes less than 5 or greater than zero

  Notes:

  1. Figures are whole-time equivalents rounded to the nearest 10

  2. Due to rounding totals may not equal the sum of component parts

  Source:

  Department of Health 2000 Vacancies survey

  Paediatric Pathologists
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many specialist paediatric pathologists are employed by each health authority; and how many specialist paediatric pathologist posts are vacant in each authority. [151945]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 6 March 2001]: The information requested is not held centrally.

  Body and Organ Disposal
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give guidance to health authorities on the disposal of bodies and organs in the health service. [152425]

  Mr. Denham
  Following the publication of the Royal Liverpool Children's Inquiry Report, the Retained Organs Commission has been established to oversee the cataloguing and return of organs and tissue retained at post mortem. Guidance will be issued to National Health Service trusts shortly which will enable them to begin to provide information to relatives once the Commission has validated their information systems.

  Air Quality
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department's total spend has been in the last three years on research into the health impact of outdoor air quality. [152541]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Department has contributed around £1.4 million to research on the health impact of outdoor air pollution over the last three years.

  The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR), Air and Environment Quality Division have also contributed around £25 million to research on air pollution over the past three years. Other Divisions
  328W
  within DETR, as well as other Government Departments, have also contributed to air pollution research programmes.

  Asthma
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths were caused by traffic-related air pollution in the last year for which figures are available; and, of those, how many were related to(a) asthma and (b) other respiratory disease. [152543]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Department's Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP) published a report "Quantification of the Effects of Air Pollution on Health in the United Kingdom" in 1998 that included estimates of the number of people affected by the effects of air pollution each year. One of the pollutants studied in the report was particulate matter (PM10), a major pollutant related to traffic. The report concluded that 8,100 people in 1995 were likely to have their deaths brought forward as a result of exposure to this pollutant. Levels of particles have fallen since 1995 and not all particulate matter is derived from traffic so this will be an overestimate of current effects.

  The above calculations relate to deaths from all causes. COMEAP did not recommend separate calculations for different causes of death.

  New Lymington Hospital
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria will be used to determine whether the New Lymington hospital project proceeds as a wholly publicly funded or a PFI project. [151383]

  Mr. Denham
  Before a decision on the funding of a new hospital can be made we must determine which approach presents the best option for the local community. We must consider whether a scheme would be better value for the National Health Service and the taxpayer
  329W
  under private finance initiative than it would be under the equivalent publicly funded alternative . Support for the scheme from key local stakeholders and the ability of local health authorities and those that commission services to meet the overall cost of that scheme would also be key factors.

  A project board has been established to oversee the process of reviewing the service and funding options for the new hospital.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Athletics Facility (Pickett's Lock)
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what timetable he envisages for the completion by autumn 2004 of a new international athletics facility at Pickett's Lock. [152518]

  Kate Hoey
  [holding answer 6 March 2001]: The Lee Valley Athletics Centre is timetabled to be ready in good time for the 2005 World Athletics Championships.

  Athletics Championships (Funding)
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he last met representatives of Manchester 2002 Ltd. to discuss the funding of the Commonwealth Games 2002. [152517]

  Kate Hoey
  [holding answer 6 March 2001]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not had any meetings with Manchester 2002 Ltd. specifically to discuss funding. My right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office heads the Government's liaison with Manchester 2002 Ltd., the organisers of the Games. He is in regular contact on a wide range of issues. I have met the Chairman of Manchester 2002 to discuss sporting aspects of the Commonwealth Games.

  Wembley Project
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much money the Government have contributed to the new Wembley project through(a) Sport England or (b) National Lottery money. [152511]

  Kate Hoey
  [holding answer 6 March 2001]: No exchequer funding has been committed to Wembley National Stadium Ltd. Sport England have awarded £120 million from the Lottery Sports Fund to the stadium project. Wembley National Stadium Ltd. and the Football Association have agreed to return £20 million of the lottery funding following the removal of the obligations to stage athletics events.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what role Ministers played in the appointment of the Wembley board. [152631]

  Kate Hoey
  [holding answer 6 March 2001]: None; the Wembley National Stadium Ltd. board comprises 12 non-executive directors, seven of whom are nominated by the Football Association with the remaining five nominated by the English National Stadium Trust.
  330W
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions his Department has had, with which organisations, about the re-opening of Wembley Stadium for future major sporting events. [152512]

  Kate Hoey
  [holding answer 6 March 2001]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I met Sir Rodney Walker on 10 January and 1 February and on each occasion received a progress report from him on the redevelopment of Wembley Stadium.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if his Department was consulted in relation to financial payments being made to the new Chairman of the Wembley Holding Company; and if he will make a statement. [152510]

  Kate Hoey
  [holding answer 6 March 2001]: My Department was not consulted about payments to the new Chairman of Wembley National Stadium Ltd.

  Television Licences
  Mr. Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when regulations will be laid to bring into effect the television licence fee increases due to come into force on 1 April. [153351]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  On 26 October 2000,Official Report, columns 176–77W, the Government announced that, from 1 April 2001, the fee for a colour television licence would increase from £104 to £109 and the black and white licence fee would rise from £34.50 to £36.50. I have today laid before the House the regulations necessary to bring these fees into force.

PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMISSION

  National Audit Office
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission if the Commission has appointed new auditors for the National Audit Office. [152876]

  Mr. Sheldon
  Yes. The Commission has appointed the firm of BKR Haines Watts. The appointment will be for a fixed term of three years from 1 April 2001. The appointment is renewable for a further two years at the discretion of the Commission.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  People's Peerages
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Council how many meetings of the Appointments Commission have been held since its establishment; and how may of these were used to interview applicants for a people's peerage. [151660]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I understand that the Appointments Commission has held 10 formal full meetings since its establishment in May 2000. Interviews have not taken place at formal full meetings of the Commission.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Council, pursuant to her answer of 28 February 2001,Official Report, column 714W, on people's peers, for what

  331W
  reason the provision of information including the first part of the post codes of applications would breach the requirement to treat applications in confidence. [152277]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I have nothing to add to my answer of 28 February.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Council if she will list(a) the publications and (b) the costs of the advertisements soliciting applications for a people's peerage and the responses generated by each title. [152501]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The Appointments Commission decided to use other methods than newspaper advertising for publicising its work and soliciting applications. It set up an easily accessible website and produced 15,000 information packs, many of which were distributed to organisations and individuals who might be interested in making a nomination, at a cost of approximately £25,000. It also undertook four regional roadshows, at a cost of about £12,000. There were just over 3,000 applications by the deadline of 17 November.

TREASURY

  Unemployment (London)
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the percentage was of the workforce in(a) London and (b) each London borough which was unemployed (i) in 1996 and (ii) at the latest date for which figures are available; [152199]

  (2) how many people were (a) unemployed and
  (b) unemployed for over two years in (i) London and (ii) each London borough (A) in 1996 and (B) at the latest date for which figures are available. [152201]

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

  Letter from John Pullinger to Ms Harriet Harman, dated 8 March 2001:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent questions about the percentage of the workforce that is unemployed in London and unemployment figures for London and London Boroughs. (152199, 152201). I am replying in his absence.

  Table 2: Number of ILO unemployed in Grater London by borouth

  Thousands1

  Average December 1995 to November 1996

  Average December 1999 to November 2000

  All unemployed

  Unemployed for more than 2 years

  All unemployed

  Unemployed for more than 2 years

  Greater London

  403

  106

  262

  40

  Barking and Dagenham

  9

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Barnet

  16

  2—

  11

  2—

  Bexley

  10

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Brent

  15

  2—

  15

  2—

  Bromley

  10

  2—

  7

  2—

  Camden

  12

  2—

  7

  2—

  Croydon

  17

  2—

  9

  2—

  Ealing

  16

  2—

  11

  2—

  Enfield

  11

  2—

  9

  2—

  332W
  The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is the main source of labour market data on individuals used by National Statistics. The tables below show the International Labour Organisation (ILO) unemployment rates and the number of people unemployed in Greater London and by Borough. Both tables show the averages of December 1995 to No November 1996-to represent 1996-and December 1999 to November 2000-to provide the latest available annual average.
  The measure of unemployment derived from the LFS is defined on a consistent and internationally recognised basis set out by the ILO. It counts as unemployed people who are (a) without a paid job, (b) available to start work within the next two weeks and (c) have either looked for work in the last four weeks or are waiting to start a job already obtained.

  Table 1: ILO unemployment rates for people in Greater London by Borough

  Percentage1

  Average December 1995 to November 1996

  Average December 1999 to November 2000

  Greater London

  11.3

  7.2

  Barking and Dagenham

  11.7

  2—

  Barnet

  10.0

  6.3

  Bexley

  8.7

  2—

  Brent

  12.3

  11.4

  Bromley

  6.5

  4.5

  Camden

  11.9

  8.1

  Croydon

  9.7

  5.2

  Ealing

  11.0

  7.7

  Enfield

  8.1

  6.4

  Greenwich

  13.9

  9.6

  Hackney

  22.1

  15.2

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  11.6

  2—

  Haringey

  13.4

  10.9

  Harrow

  8.0

  5.3

  Havering

  8.0

  2—

  Hillingdon

  5.6

  4.5

  Hounslow

  12.3

  2—

  Islington

  14.7

  2—

  Kensington and Chelsea

  9.9

  9.8

  Kingston upon Thames

  2—

  2—

  Lambeth

  18.3

  8.7

  Lewisham

  15.5

  5.5

  Merton

  2—

  2—

  Newham

  20.2

  16.4

  Redbridge

  8.7

  7.3

  Richmond upon Thames

  2—

  2—

  Southwark

  22.6

  12.9

  Sutton

  6.3

  2—

  Tower Hamlets

  19.3

  12.3

  Waltham Forest

  11.8

  7.3

  Wandsworth

  9.7

  4.6

  Westminster

  13.9

  7.6

  1 Not seasonally adjusted

  2 Figure too small for reliable estimate

  Source:

  ONS Labour Force Survey
  333W

  Table 2: Number of ILO unemployed in Greater London by borough

  Thousands 1

  Average December 1995 to November 1996

  Average December 1999 to November 2000

  All unemployed

  Unemployed for more than 2 years

  All unemployed

  Unemployed for more than 2 years

  Greenwich

  14

  2—

  10

  2—

  Hackney

  17

  7

  13

  2—

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  10

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Haringey

  13

  2—

  12

  2—

  Harrow

  9

  2—

  6

  Havering

  10

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Hillingdon

  7

  2—

  6

  2—

  Hounslow

  12

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Islington

  13

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Kensington and Chelsea

  8

  2—

  8

  2—

  Kingston upon Thames

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Lambeth

  28

  7

  12

  2—

  Lewisham

  20

  2—

  7

  2—

  Merton

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Newham

  19

  2—

  15

  2—

  Redbridge

  10

  2—

  8

  2—

  Richmond upon Thames

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Southwark

  23

  8

  15

  2—

  Sutton

  6

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Tower Hamlets

  14

  2—

  10

  2—

  Waltham Forest

  13

  2—

  9

  2—

  Wandsworth

  14

  2—

  7

  2—

  Westminster

  14

  2—

  9

  2—

  1 Not seasonally adjusted

  2 Figure too small for reliable estimate

  Source:

  ONS Labour Force Survey

  Pay (London)
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average pay was in London(a) in 1996 and (b) at the latest date for which figures are available. [152203]

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

  Letter from Karen Dunnell to Ms Harriet Harman, dated 8 March 2001:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question on average pay in London (152203). I am replying in his absence.
  The NES shows that in London, the average weekly pay was £455.5 in 1996 and £529.8 in 2000, the latest date for which figures are available. The figures provided are for full-time employees on adult rates of pay, whose pay for the survey period was not affected by absence.
  The New Earnings Survey (NES), carried out in April of each year, is the most comprehensive source of earnings information in Great Britain. However, it underestimates the number of low pay jobs since it does not provide a comprehensive picture of the lower end of the earnings distribution.

  Jobs (London)
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many jobs there were(a) in 1996 and (b) at the latest date for which figures are available in (i) London and (ii) each London borough. [152193]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
  334W
  Letter from Len Cook to Ms Harriet Harman, dated 8 March 2001:
  As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question on the number of jobs in the economy in London and each London borough in 1996 and at the latest date for which figures are available.
  The Annual Employment Survey (AES) gives an estimate of the number of employee jobs in September of each year. Estimates for 1996 and 1998 (the latest year for which comparable figures are available) may be obtained from the NOMIS database in the House of Commons Library.

  Children (London)
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many children aged under 16 years there are in(a) London and (b) each London borough. [152195]

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

  Letter from Karen Dunnell to Ms Harriet Hanman, dated 8 March 2001:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question concerning the number of children in London (152195). I am replying in his absence.
  An electronic copy of the data that you require can be found at the Office for National Statistics website: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/ nsbase/downloads/theme—population/PE2POPEsts99book.pdf
  A paper copy of the data can be found in Table 8 in the ONS volume 'Population Estimates, Mid-1999, England and Wales' (Series PE No.2; ISBN 1 85774 381 4). This publication is in the House of Commons library.

  Financial Services Authority
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to include(a) term assurance, (b) mortgage protection and (c) clinical illness cover within the remit of the FSA. [152950]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Companies that provide these forms of insurance in the UK are prudentially regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

  Duty Free
  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will publish the findings of the post implementation review of the duty free successor regime for intra-EU journeys; and if he will make a statement. [153212]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Sales of duty-free alcohol and tobacco on intra-EU journeys, for passengers to take away, were abolished from 1 July 1999. On 24 October 2000 I announced that a post implementation review of the successor regime would take place. Customs have completed that review and copies of the findings have now been placed in the House Libraries.

  The review focused on how well the successor regime was working and what further technical improvements could be made. The report makes a number of deregulatory recommendations, which I support. The administrative and operational simplifications to the system will make the regime easier for Customs and the trade to administer.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Mr. McCabe
  To ask the Solicitor-General in what ways the additional funding recently announced for the Crown Prosecution Service will affect the funding of local offices. [151421]

  The Solicitor-General
  The additional finding for the Crown Prosecution Service, from the Spending Review settlement and the Criminal Justice Reserve represents a significant increase in the resources available to the CPS's 42 Areas in 2001–02. On average the local offices will receive an additional 19 per cent. from April as well as benefiting from the central CPS initiatives on which the remaining extra money will be spent. Areas will be able to recruit up to 500 more front-line lawyers, caseworkers and administrative staff. There will be more training so staff will be better equipped and they will have modern IT facilities to do the job. The additional resources mean that the CPS will be able to deal with more cases, improve its performance and deliver key initiatives including informing victims about prosecution decisions.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Solicitor-General if he will make a statement on the impact of his plans to fund the Crown Prosecution Service on reducing the length of time for bringing prosecutions. [151422]
  336W
  The Solicitor-General
  The increase in funding for the CPS from April of 23 per cent. in real terms is likely to have a substantial effect on the time taken to bring prosecutions. In particular more resources will be focused:towards the delivery of Youth court targets;
  in attendance at an increased number of Early First Hearings and Early Administrative Hearings in the magistrates courts;
  on better administrative support at the Crown court;
  and in the wider deployment of Higher Court Advocates to improve the throughput of Crown court cases.

  Additional resources from the Treasury's Capital Modernisation Fund are being used to assist in the establishment of Criminal Justice Units. A Performance Improvement Programme fund aimed principally at improving individual Area performance concerning quality and timeliness has been established.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Solicitor-General what assessment he has made of the Crown Prosecution Service's performance in giving advice on criminal charges to the police. [151423]

  The Solicitor-General
  A thematic report on the provision of advice to the police by Her Majesty's Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) was published in September 1998 and concluded that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) provides good quality written advice. There is also no ongoing programme of Area inspections, each of which covers the issue. I consider each report prepared by the Inspectorate.

  Apart from this, the Attorney-General and I regularly see CPS files which enables us to assess the performance of the CPS in giving advice on criminal charges to the police. Often, the files contain good quality and timely case specific advice as well as tackling wider issues such as explaining general prosecution policies. I have also been impressed on my frequent visits to CPS offices by the involvement of CPS lawyers at the pre-charge stages of police investigations, often in large and complex cases.

  Treasury Solicitor's Department
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Solicitor-General what plans he has to review the work of the Treasury Solicitor's Department. [153211]

  The Solicitor-General
  I am pleased to announce that, in accordance with the Government's commitment that all agencies should be reviewed regularly, a review of the work of the Treasury Solicitor's Department is now being launched. The review, which will be conducted in accordance with the Cabinet Office Guidance published in January 2000, will be in two stages: first to assess the Department's performance as an agency and to consider whether agency status is the right organisational model and second to assess the scope for improving performance. The review will be supervised by a Steering group chaired by Mr. George Staple and conducted by Sir Quentin Thomas.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Hill Farming
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to increase the incomes of hill farmers; and if he will make a statement. [151395]

  Ms Quin
  Hill farmers benefit from the full range of CAP support payments, including agrimonetary compensation. Later this month they will receive payments of Hill Farm Allowance totalling almost £44 million. They also have access to the ERDP whose funding will build up steadily over the next few years.

  Agrimonetary Compensation
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on agrimonetary compensation. [151397]

  Ms Quin
  Last week this Government announced that they intend to draw down £171 million in agrimonetary compensation for the beef, sheep and dairy sectors, including all of the £156 million in optional compensation. These funds have become available as a result of movements in the euro/sterling exchange rate during 2000.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much agrimonetary compensation was provided in each year since 1997 for each sector; and, for each figure, how much was funded by(a) Her Majesty's Treasury and (b) the EU. [150334]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 13 February 2001]: The figures are set out in the table . The 2001 figures include the compensation announced on 27 February which is subject to Commission approval.

  £million

  Year eligible

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  Total

  Beef

  EU1

  72.5

  48

  62

  44

  46

  272.5

  UK

  —

  —

  —

  —

  21

  21

  Total

  72.5

  48

  62

  44

  67

  293.5

  Sheep

  EU1

  12.5

  —

  32

  32

  22.5

  99.0

  UK

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2.5

  2.5

  Total

  12.5

  —

  32

  32

  25

  101.5

  Arable

  EU1

  —

  —

  170

  74

  28

  272

  UK

  —

  —

  —

  17

  —

  17

  Total

  —

  —

  170

  91

  28

  289

  Dairy

  EU1

  —

  —

  —

  11

  39.5

  50.5

  UK

  —

  —

  —

  11

  39.5

  50.5

  Total

  —

  —

  —

  22

  79

  101

  All sectors

  EU1

  85

  48

  264

  161

  136

  694

  UK

  —

  —

  —

  28

  63

  91

  Total

  85

  48

  264

  189

  199

  785

  1 EU figures include UK Exchequer contribution of around 71 per cent.

  Note:

  Agrimonetary compensation paid/to be paid.

  Agricultural Imports
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on agricultural imports from France. [151398]

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on recent trends in food imports from France. [151401]

  Organic Farming
  Mrs. Betty Williams
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received concerning an organic stewardship scheme. [151400]

  Mr. Morley
  As my hon. Friend will know, the Agriculture Committee has recommended that the Government devise proposals for such a scheme. I have also received representations to that effect from within the organic sector.

  Animal Welfare
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his policy priorities with regard to animal welfare. [151402]

  Mr. Morley
  One of MAFF's objectives is to ensure that farmed animals and fish are protected by high welfare standards and do not suffer unnecessary pain or distress. Our policy priority is to negotiate for high welfare standards on an EU-wide basis.

  BSE
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he has taken to ensure that scientific advice to Ministers relating to BSE is placed in the public domain. [151403]

  Ms Quin
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Wirral, South (Mr. Chapman) on 1 February 2001,Official Report, column 290W.

  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what investment he has made into research for a diagnostic test for BSE. [151410]

  Ms Quin
  Since 1992 my Department has spent £17.7 million on research projects on producing diagnostic tests for TSEs. This includes work on background science which may lead to the development of a new test, collaborative work in which the approaches of scientists overseas are being further developed and evaluated, and the production and collection of tissues from animals infected with TSEs for use by researchers who are developing diagnostic tests.
  339W
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many(a) contracts have been let, (b) different contractors have been let contracts and (c) contracts have been withdrawn by the Government for the disposal of rendered specified risk material and over-30-months scheme material. [152070]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 5 March 2001]: Four contracts have been let to three contractors (Fibrogen Ltd., Prosper de Mulder Ltd. and Shanks Chemical Services Ltd. (two)) to burn meat and bone meal (MBM) arising from the rendering of material, including SRM from the OTMS. None have been withdrawn.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the total UK stocks of rendered specified risk material and over-thirty-months scheme material were on(a) 1 May 1997, (b) 1 January 1998, (c) 1 January 1999, (d) 1 January 2000 and (e) 1 January 2001; and how much was disposed of, and by what method, in the years (i) 1998, (ii) 1999, and (iii) 2000. [152068]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 5 March 2001]: The total UK stocks of rendered OTMS material (which includes SRM from over thirty month cattle) on the dates in question were as follows:

  £ million

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  UK

  EU

  UK

  EU

  UK

  EU

  UK

  EU

  UK slaughter programmes:

  BSE suspected/confirmed cases compensation

  5

  0

  3

  0

  2

  0

  1

  0

  Calf slaughter scheme

  51

  0

  53

  0

  51

  0

  10

  —

  OTMS

  205

  469

  86

  202

  79

  185

  79.5

  185.5

  Selective cull1

  0

  0

  115

  0

  19

  0

  1

  0

  Total excluding1

  261

  469

  142

  202

  132

  185

  90.5

  185.5

  Additional EU compensation:

  Suckler cow premium

  31

  46

  3

  4

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Beef special premium

  17

  26

  -3

  -4

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Beef marketing payment

  23

  35

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Veal marketing payment

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Promotion

  0

  0

  1

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  71

  107

  1

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Gross total excluding1

  332

  576

  143

  204

  132

  185

  90.5

  185.5

  1 Not possible to provide the EU/UK split in given time

  Note:

  Final figures for 2000–2001 not available

  EU Enlargement
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with his counterparts in central and eastern Europe concerning the effect of enlargement of the European Union on agriculture. [151404]

  Ms Quin
  Over the past 12 months, my ministerial colleagues and I have held discussions with our counterparts from Poland, Hungary, the Czech and Slovak Republics, Latvia, Bulgaria and Romania. Further meetings are planned.
  340W

  Tonnes

  Year

  MBM

  Tallow

  1 May 1997

  198,173

  115,026

  1 January 1998

  297,098

  159,457

  1 January 1999

  372,369

  190,955

  1 January 2000

  450,815

  205,821

  1 January 2001

  444,480

  214,615

  Rendered OTMS material is disposed of only by incineration at authorised premises. The totals incinerated for the years in question are as follows:

  Tonnes

  Year

  MBM

  Tallow

  1998

  15,640

  15,896

  1999

  15,165

  28,187

  2000

  84,455

  37,607

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much money has been paid to date by(a) the EU and (b) the UK Government to farmers as compensation for BSE; and if he will make a statement. [152164]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 5 March 2001]: The information is provided in the table.

  Dairy Supply Chain
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the work of the dairy supply chain working group. [151405]

  Ms Quin
  My right hon. Friend the Minister set up the Milk Task Force in November last year to look at ways of improving efficiency and co-operation within the dairy supply chain. We have asked the Task Force to report with recommendations by the end of March.

  Fish Stocks (Conservation)
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the
  341W
  effectiveness of the fish stock conservation measures required under the European Union's common fisheries policy. [151406]

  Mr. Morley
  Under the Common Fisheries Policy a range of measures are available to assist with fish stock conservation: the annual setting of Total Allowance Catches for the main commercial stocks based on the best available science; technical conservation measures on mesh sizes and gear selectivity to improve protection for juvenile fish; constraints on fleet capacity and effort; and, more recently, stock recovery plans, including closed areas at spawning time, for stocks at risk of collapse. Taken together these measures can, when properly enforced, make an effective contribution to stock conservation.

  Livestock Products (Exports)
  Dr. Palmer
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the value of livestock products exported to the European Union was in the last financial year. [151407]

  Ms Quin
  Overseas Trade Statistics show that between April 1999 and March 2000 the total value of livestock products exported to the European Union was £1,250 million.

  Beef Exports
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress his Department has made in promoting British beef in export markets. [151408]

  Ms Quin
  We have been actively engaged in raising the profile of British beef at a number of Food Shows in Europe, during Ministerial visits to a number of countries, by making representations to third countries' Ambassadors to get import bans lifted. This is a part of an ongoing strategy to raise the profile of British beef.

  Fruit and Vegetables
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what total tonnage of fruit and vegetables was destroyed under EU regulations in 2000. [151409]

  Ms Quin
  Provisional figures show that just over 1,300,000 tonnes of fruit and vegetables were withdrawn from the EU market in 2000. Some 10,000 tonnes were withdrawn in the UK, 10 per cent. of which was used for animal feed distributed free.

  CAP (Dairy Regime)
  Mr. Russell Brown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has for the reform of the dairy regime of the common agricultural policy. [151411]

  Ms Quin
  We will continue to seek an orderly end to the milk quota system which unfairly constrains our producers.

  Organophosphates
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent research he has commissioned into the effects of organophosphates in farming. [151412]

  Mr. Morley
  A database of Government funded OP research generally since 1995 has been prepared and is available on-line to the public at www.csl.gov.uk/ops (passwords are 'public' then 'access'.).

  Farm Woodlands
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to promote farm woodlands in the Yorkshire and Humber area. [151413]

  Mr. Morley
  There are a number of initiatives in the area to promote farm woodlands, including grants under the England Rural Development Programme (ERDP) for new woodlands and for short rotation coppice. The latter, for example, is planned to provide supplies for the UK's first wood fuelled electricity plant at Eggborough. Further details are in the ERDP, Appendix for Yorkshire and the Humber Region, published by MAFF in October 2000.

  Farmers' Administrative Load
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the increase in paperwork issued by his Department to farmers since 1990; and what steps he is taking to reduce the administrative load on farmers. [149076]

  Ms Quin
  No official estimate has been made of the increase in the level of paperwork since 1990 and the burden depends on the nature and size of individual enterprises. Furthermore, the number, scope and type of schemes have changed to meet new needs and priorities, and continue to do so.

  The Department is committed to reducing paperwork. All forms issued by the Department are reviewed for need and content at least once every three years. In many cases this is done in consultation with industry. All new forms require ministerial approval, and are trialled with users before being issued.

  Implementation of the Red Tape Review recommendations, made in response to concerns identified by farmers themselves, have already achieved reductions worth £3 million as well as reduced time spent on form filling. Further savings, for example, through the introduction of electronic forms and co-ordinated inspections are well under way. We continue to work both at home and in Brussels to secure further regulatory reform where possible consistent with the need to protect public and animal health, the environment and taxpayers money.

  Over-30-months Scheme
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the effects
  343W
  of his decision to lift the weight limit in respect of Over-30-months Scheme payments. [150989]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  Removal of the weight limit on payments under the Over-30-months Scheme delivered a key measure in the Government's Action Plan For Farming. It has provided important financial relief for UK beef and dairy farmers.

  000 tonnes

  Beet sugar production

  Sugar consumption

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Austria

  466

  477

  387

  326

  310

  309

  Belgium/Luxembourg

  794

  1,091

  917

  519

  521

  544

  Denmark

  531

  553

  504

  237

  238

  245

  Finland

  120

  166

  153

  192

  210

  223

  France

  4,266

  4,522

  4,270

  2,161

  2,166

  2,177

  Germany

  4,016

  4,380

  4,341

  2,706

  2,711

  2,752

  Greece

  199

  232

  367

  320

  310

  306

  Ireland

  219

  216

  219

  134

  136

  135

  Italy

  1,596

  1,705

  1,544

  1,481

  1,475

  1,411

  Netherlands

  825

  1,117

  1,061

  623

  622

  642

  Portugal

  66

  76

  57

  330

  332

  327

  Spain

  1,149

  1,097

  1,075

  1,211

  1,240

  1,268

  Sweden

  399

  430

  412

  323

  378

  375

  UK

  1,442

  1,546

  1,300

  2,076

  2,124

  2,187

  Total EU 15

  16,088

  17,608

  16,607

  12,639

  12,773

  12,901

  Notes:

  1. Production includes over-quota production but excludes all sugar made from EU-grown or imported cane and molasses.

  2. Beet sugar production figures for 2000–01 are estimates.

  3. Breakdown between consumption of beet and cane sugar not available.

  Source:

  European Commission (February 2001)

  England Rural Development Plan
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his oral statement of 1 February 2001,Official Report, column 518, on ERDP funding, on what basis the figure of £300 million was calculated. [150988]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The £300 million was calculated on the basis of matching the estimated receipts from modulation in England.

  Composting
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what powers he has to regulate the use in compost of(a) cooked crab waste, (b) cooked shell fish and fish waste, (c) uncooked shell fish and fish waste, (d) cooked meat waste, (e) uncooked meat waste, (f) mixed cooked catering waste, (g) mixed uncooked catering waste and (h) domestic kitchen waste for use on (i) grazing and (ii) growing land. [151740]

  Ms Quin
  The use of those materials listed in the question which contain products of animal origin (including fish and crustaceans) is regulated by the Animal By-Products Order 1999 which is enforced by local authorities.

  In addition, the recovery and disposal of waste are subject to control under the Framework Directive on waste. Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 requires that waste is recovered or disposed of in

  Beet Sugar
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the(a) production and (b) consumption of beet sugar was in each EU country in each of the last three years. [150986]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  Beet sugar production for the years 1998–99 to 2000–01, and sugar consumption for the years 1997–98 to 1999–2000, for each member state, are as follows.

  accordance with the conditions of a waste management licence, or within the terms of an exemption, and in a way which does not cause pollution of the environment or harm to human health. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions is responsible for the Directive and the Act and the Environment Agency is responsible for enforcement.

  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Environment, Transport and the Regions regarding the Government's Waste Strategy, with regard to composting and the implications of the Animal By-products Order 1999. [151744]

  Ms Quin
  No such discussions have taken place. However, officials of the two Departments are in regular contact over the relationship between the Animal By-Products Order 1999 and environmental controls. On 31 January 2001, this Department issued a guidance note on the disposal of animal by-products and catering waste. The note was prepared in liaison with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and other interests. It explains that, in general, the composting of such material is not a permitted disposal route.

  Pig Industry
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received concerning the impact on marketing and sale of British pork
  345W
  products of the decision by the Advertising Standards Agency to ban Meat and Livestock Commission newspaper advertisements for the British pig industry. [151669]

  Ms Quin
  No representations on this specific issue have been received, although there has been general comment on the Advertising Standards Authority's ruling in this case.

  Abattoir Closures
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what his estimate is of the number of abattoirs closed since 1984; and what the effects of these closures are on the average kill and throughput at surviving abattoirs and the average journey time to slaughter of animals. [151873]

  Ms Quin
  The information available relates to England. The numbers of abattoirs in 1984 and 2000, together with the total numbers of animals slaughtered in those years is as follows:

  Number of abattoirs1

  Slaughtering2 (Thousand)

  1984

  860

  Cattle

  32,934

  Sheep

  11,207

  Pigs

  12,929

  2000

  316

  Cattle

  3,41,476

  Sheep

  11,485

  Pigs

  10,645

  1Source: Food Standards Agency

  2 Source: MAFF Slaughterhouse survey

  3 Excludes cattle slaughtered under the OTMS and the Selective Cull

  4 Provisional

  Information on average journey times is not collected.

  GM Crops
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will publish the report his Department has completed on the review of separation distances for GM field trials. [151540]
  346W
  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 1 March 2001]: The only report produced in connection with the separation distance review was that by the National Institute of Agricultural Botany setting out the available scientific evidence. This was deposited in the House Library last August and is available on the Ministry website at www.maff.gov.uk.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the National Institute of Agricultural Botany report presented to his Department as part of their review on separation distances has been peer-reviewed. [151541]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 1 March 2001]: This is being done.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will publish the report received from the Canadian authorities on the causes of the Advanta seed contamination last year; and if the Government have used the information in the report to reach conclusions in its review of separation distances. [151542]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 1 March 2001]: The Canadian authorities have yet to publish their report on this matter. When they do, we will consider very carefully any information the report contains of relevance to the separation distances applied here for GM trials.

  Farm Inputs
  Mr. Dobbin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to promote cost-effective utilisation of farm inputs. [151393]

  Ms Quin
  My right hon. Friend the Minister announced on 23 November the setting up of a Government/industry task force to examine the scope for increasing the effective use of farm inputs and reducing input costs. This is one of several task force initiatives which we have taken in partnership with farming and food interests. The inputs task force published an interim report in late January. Its work is now focused on the issue of market transparency and differences in business practice and regulatory frameworks. The task force expects to report in late March.

  Juvenile Girls in Prison Custody
  Juvenile Girls in Prison Custody
  Asylum and Immigration Detainees
  Asylum and Immigration Detainees
  Arkady Gaydamak
  Arkady Gaydamak
  Treasury Solicitor's Department: Review
  Treasury Solicitor's Department: Review
  China: EU Position
  China: EU Position
  Treaty of Nice: Articles Subject to Unanimity
  Treaty of Nice: Articles Subject to Unanimity
  China: One-child Policy
  China: One-child Policy
  Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration: Public Access
  Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration: Public Access
  Legacy ple and the Millennium Dome
  Legacy ple and the Millennium Dome
  NMEC Chief Executive: Meetings with Ministers
  NMEC Chief Executive: Meetings with Ministers
  Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
  Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
  Northern Ireland Committee for the Administration of Justice: Funding
  Northern Ireland Committee for the Administration of Justice: Funding
  Strategic Communications Unit
  Strategic Communications Unit
  Broadband Networks
  Broadband Networks
  Slaughterhouses: Inspection of Animals and Animal Carcasses
  Slaughterhouses: Inspection of Animals and Animal Carcasses
  Sheep Dip Exposure Study
  Sheep Dip Exposure Study
  CJD and Blood Donations
  CJD and Blood Donations
  Inherited Conditions: Free Drug Prescription
  Inherited Conditions: Free Drug Prescription
  War Widow's Pension
  War Widow's Pension
  Depleted Uranium
  Depleted Uranium
  Gulf Veterans: Blood Tests
  Gulf Veterans: Blood Tests
  House of Lords Reform
  House of Lords Reform
  Jubilee Line Delays
  Jubilee Line Delays
  Foot-and-Mouth: Latest Developments
  Foot-and-Mouth: Latest Developments
  Scottish Executive: Expenditure Allocation
  Scottish Executive: Expenditure Allocation