Written Answers of 13 March 2001

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Departmental Policies (South Shields)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Solicitor-General if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the South Shields constituency, the effects on South Shields of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [153082]

  The Solicitor-General
  In 1999, in line with national policy, the Wearside branch of the Crown Prosecution Service, in liaison with the police, South Tyneside magistrates court and the defence, introduced the Narey proposals. All defendants charged with a criminal offence where a guilty plea is anticipated now make their first appearance before South Shield magistrates court within five working days. All other cases appear in court within 48 hours. Present figures suggest that 50 per cent. of all defendants have their cases finalised far more quickly than previously was the case.

  In April 2001, Crown Prosecution Service Northumbria will be altering its structure in line with the proposals of the Glidewell review. This will enable the Crown Prosecution Service to place greater emphasis on the more serious crime cases in Newcastle Crown court. The Crown Prosecution Service, together with other agencies, also helped to draw up a protocol with social services relating to unused material which assists in expediting cases involving child witnesses. The Crown Prosecution Service also has a "fast track" procedure for persistent young offenders cases with the Crown court and youth courts. All these changes illustrate the Government's successful policy of speeding up the work of the criminal justice system.

  Since May 1997, the Crown Prosecution Service has successfully prosecuted a number of cases arising in the South Shields area. Of particular note is a "sting operation", set up by undercover police officers in South Shields, in the spring of 1998. This resulted in the recovery of thousands of pounds worth of stolen property and the convictions of 35 defendants who were sentenced to long terms of imprisonment, two of them for 11 years and 12 years respectively. In January 2000, the Crown Prosecution Service also successfully prosecuted two juveniles for the murder of a 46-year-old man in the South Shields area. Following a trial at Newcastle Crown court, they were both convicted of murder and detained during Her Majesty's pleasure.

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

  Departmental Policies (Houghton and Washington, East)
  Mr. Kemp
  To ask the Solicitor-General if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effects on Houghton and Washington, East of the Attorney-General's Department's actions since 2 May 1997. [152989]

  The Solicitor-General
  In October 1999, in line with national policy, the Wearside branch of the Crown Prosecution Service, in liaison with the police, Houghton-le-Spring magistrates court and the defence, introduced the Narey proposals. All defendants charged with a criminal offence where a guilty plea is anticipated now make their first appearance before Houghton-le-Spring magistrates court within five working days. Present figures suggest that 40 per cent. of all defendants have their cases finalised far more quickly than previously was the case.

  In April 2001, Crown Prosecution Service Northumbria will be altering its structure in line with the proposals of the Glidewell review. This will enable the Crown Prosecution Service to place greater emphasis on the more serious crime cases in Newcastle and Durham Crown courts. The Crown Prosecution Service, together with other agencies, also help to draw up a protocol with social services relating to unused material which assists in expediting cases involving child witnesses. The Crown Prosecution Service also has a procedure for "fast tracking" persistent youth offenders cases with the Crown court and youth courts. All these changes illustrate the Government's successful policy of speeding up the work of the criminal justice system.

  Since May 1997, the Crown Prosecution Service has successfully prosecuted a number of significant cases arising in the Houghton-le-Spring area. In December 1998, the Crown Prosecution Service successfully prosecuted Stephen. Urwin for the murder of an elderly occupant in his home. He was sentenced to life imprisonment. In August 1999, Colin Bainbridge abducted Laura Kane, aged 9, whom he knew, and subsequently raped and murdered her. He was found guilty at a trial at Newcastle Crown court and was sentenced to life imprisonment.

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

DEFENCE

  Defence Analytical Services Agency
  Mr. White
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what performance targets have been set for the Defence Analytical Services Agency for 2001–02. [153897]

  Mr. Spellar
  Key Targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the Defence Analytical Services Agency for Financial Year 2001–02. The targets build on the progress already made by the Agency since it formed in 1992 and are as follows:

  Delivery of customer service and quality

  The majority of the Agency's business is covered by Service Level Agreements with customers, which set out the targets for timeliness and quality of work. For parts

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  of the business where Service Level Agreements are inappropriate, project agreements are in place. The Agency is committed to continuous improvement in the range and quality of the services it provides to customers. Key Targets are:

  (a) To meet at least 95 per cent. of the timeliness and quality targets set in Service Level Agreements and project agreements.

  (b) To have at least 90 per cent. of customers saying they are at least satisfied with the timeliness, quality of work and helpfulness of staff in the annual Customer Satisfaction Survey.

  (c) In the annual Customer Satisfaction Survey, to have at least 25 per cent. of customers who received DASA services in 2000–01 and 2001–02 report an improvement in the services provided and no more than 10 per cent. report a deterioration.

  (d) To conduct a National Statistics quality review of the content and dissemination of "UK Defence Statistics" by consulting existing and potential customers inside and outside the Department, and to produce an action plan for implementing improvements in time for UKDS 2002.

  (e) To review the production and publication of armed forces medical Statistics against National Statistics quality standards, and make recommendations on how to improve their quality and scope.

  (f) To implement the approved recommendations from the review of armed forces and civilian personnel statistics conducted in 2000–01.

  Efficiency

  The Agency plans to make efficiency savings in 2001–02 as well as meeting the additional demands placed on it by new Departmental studies and initiatives.

  The Key Target is to deliver output-based efficiency gains with a value of 3 per cent. of the initial running cost allocation.

  Armed Forces Pay Review Body
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about reappointments to the Armed Forces Pay Review Body. [153898]

  Mr. Hoon
  I am pleased to announce that I have re-appointed Lord Gladwin of Clee and Professor David Greenaway each to a second three-year term. These appointments have been conducted in accordance with the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments' guidance on appointments to public bodies.

  Aircrew Retention
  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to review aircrew retention, following the publication of the 2001 report of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body and the chairman's supplementary letter. [153899]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Ministry of Defence is conducting a Comprehensive Review of Aircrew Retention to examine the reasons why aircrew leave the Services. A study team including representatives from the three Services, HM Treasury and external consultancy will be reviewing our overall need for aircrew against today's employment patterns, their career structures, the flying training system, the current structure of additional flying pay and the commercial airlines recruitment policies and financial packages. This work has now started and I expect to be able to report the outcome to the Armed Forces Pay Review Body in autumn this year.

  Shoeburyness
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what dates depleted uranium shells have been(a) tested and (b) demolished at (i) the Shoeburyness Range and (ii) adjacent mud flats/sandbanks. [149517]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 8 February 2001]: No reference can be found in Shoeburyness range records to open air firings of depleted uranium projectiles and none is believed to have taken place.

  DERA Shoeburyness took over the adjacent Foulness site from the Atomic Weapons Establishment in 1999. This site had an indoor facility, in which some small experimental DU projectiles were fired during the 1980s. The building in which the firings took place was designed to prevent any escape of particulate DU into the atmosphere. It is no longer in use and was decontaminated in 1997.

  No DU munitions have been destroyed at Shoeburyness or indeed any other DERA site.

  Between September 1999 and June 2000, small quantities of DU long rod penetrators were held temporarily in transit at Shoeburyness, having been delivered to DERA for trials to be conducted by the Eskmeals team at Kirkcudbright.

  Depleted Uranium (Dundrennan Range)
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many DU penetrators have landed on the land area of the base since test firing of DU shells at Dundrennan range began; and, of these, how many have not been located. [151846]

  Mr. Spellar
  Since test firing of depleted uranium (DU) penetrator rounds first began at Kirkcudbright in 1982, there have been 14 strikes within the range area, including 10 projectiles that struck the ground itself and four that struck the target gantry. The four striking the gantry are believed to have proceeded directly out to sea. Three of those striking the ground have been recovered intact, two are believed to have proceeded out to sea and the other five remain buried in known locations.

  The path a penetrator would take when entering the soil at high velocity is not easy to predict so, while their entry point is known with reasonable accuracy, the ultimate position of the buried penetrators is not. Recovery attempts would involve a prohibitively large area and depth to be excavated for each round, incurring exceptional cost and with little chance of success.

  As I mentioned in the Adjournment debate on 7 February 2001, we are now planning to undertake a survey using a device called an Exploranium of the areas where fragmentation of projectiles may have occurred—ie firing points, landing areas, target areas—in order to locate remaining and hitherto undetected small pieces of DU. This survey is unlikely to be able to detect the buried rounds because of their depth. The contamination caused by fragments remaining on or just below the surface is regarded by the experts as minimal. However, should any areas be found to be contaminated they will be fenced off.
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  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if test firing of DU shells at the Dundrennan range is exempt from regulation under the Ionising Radiations Regulations. [151847]

  Mr. Spellar
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave, in relation to the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999, to the Member for Ceridigion (Mr. Thomas) on 22 January 2001,Official Report, column 419W. The Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 contain some specific exemptions relating to the Ministry of Defence and military activities, but these have not been invoked in the case of DU firing. It is, moreover, our policy that, where UK statutory regulations are not applicable, we undertake by agreement with the Government Departments concerned that the principles and spirit of the regulations are to be followed, and arrangements introduced will be, so far as is reasonably practicable, at least as good as those required by legislation.

  Operational Tour Intervals
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what the average(a) length of operational tour and (b) interval between tours was for Defence Medical Services personnel in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement; [151803]

  (2) what length of tour and interval between deployments his Department assesses to be optimal for Defence Medical Services personnel; and if he will make a statement. [151800]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 7 March 2001]: Operational tour lengths for Defence Medical Service personnel can vary from one month to two years, depending on their Service and their particular speciality. For example, on average consultants deploy for one month, nurses deploy for three months while others deploy for six months. Additionally, Royal Navy personnel are considered operational when serving at sea which can last up to two years although they may not be away from the UK for the whole of this period. On average, consultants deploy up to three times a year while others will deploy about once a year. Tour intervals are not always as long as we would wish due to a shortage of manpower in some specialities. It is not possible to provide averages for each calendar year separately, without disproportionate effort, bearing in mind that many deployments span more than one calendar year.

  For all personnel, the Royal Navy aims that deployments, as opposed to normal operational tours, should be no longer than nine months and that total deployment time in any three-year period should not exceed 18 months. The Army's preferred tour interval is 24 months. The RAF seeks to maintain periods of at least 18 months between tours and to ensure that no individual is away for more than 140 days per annum or 280 days aggregated over a two-year period.

  Plastic Baton Rounds
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guidance is issued to soldiers carrying plastic baton round weapons concerning children's health and safety; how many PBRs have been fired in each of the last 10 years; and how many(a) deaths and (b) injuries have resulted. [152872]
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  Mr. Spellar
  Soldiers are trained in the use of baton guns and when deployed are issued with guidelines about their use. Plastic baton rounds may be fired, if authorised by the commander at the scene, when absolutely necessary to protect against physical violence. In all circumstances, soldiers are trained to use no more force than is absolutely necessary.

  The number of PBRs that have been fired over the last 10 years and the deaths and injuries that have resulted are set out in the table:

  Year

  PBRs fired

  Deaths

  Injuries 1

  1991

  88

  —

  10

  1992

  49

  —

  8

  1993

  26

  —

  14

  1994

  36

  —

  13

  1995

  —

  —

  7

  1996

  1,387

  —

  73

  1997

  440

  —

  25

  1998

  63

  —

  5

  1999

  1

  —

  1

  2000

  4

  —

  3

  20012

  2

  —

  0

  1 Information on injuries has been provided by the RUC.

  2 As at 28 February 2001.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many plastic baton rounds were discharged on the evening of 16 February 2001, in Lurgan, Co. Armagh; for what reason they were discharged and by members of which regiment; and what the age was of individuals targeted. [152871]

  Mr. Spellar
  On 16 February 2001 a group of around 30 stone-throwing youths attacked a patrol from the 3rd Battalion the Royal Irish Regiment as they passed the Kilwilkie Estate, Lurgan, Co. Armagh. Two plastic baton rounds were released in order that the patrol could defend themselves and effect a withdrawal from the area.

  The patrol was at the request of the RUC, following a number of telephone warnings about a device on the adjacent railway line.

  Timber
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department's annual report on timber procurement to the Committee of Green Ministers will be published. [152045]

  Dr. Moonie
  Information on the Ministry of Defence's procurement of timber will be included in the annual report from the Green Ministers Committee.

  Mines
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received concerning anti-handling devices on anti-vehicle mines; and if he will make a statement. [152601]

  Mr. Spellar
  We have received a copy of the Landmine Action report, "Alternative anti-personnel mines—The next generations". As far as we can establish we have received no other representations in the past year.
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  Anti-tank mines in service with the UK armed forces are fully compliant with our obligations under international law, including the Ottawa Convention.

  Devonport Dockyard
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to transfer work carried out at Aldermaston to Devonport dockyard. [152857]

  Mr. Spellar
  There are no plans to transfer work from Aldermaston to Devonport dockyard.

  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans there are for Trident submarines to go to Devonport dockyard for routine maintenance work. [152858]

  Mr. Spellar
  It is planned that all Vanguard Class submarine refitting and refuelling work will be undertaken at Devonport dockyard. Smaller packages of routine maintenance work will normally be carried out at the submarines' home port at the Clyde Naval Base.

  Nuclear Submarines
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to store redundant nuclear submarines in the River Tamar prior to disposal. [152860]

  Mr. Spellar
  We have no plans to store decommissioned nuclear submarines in the River Tamar prior to disposal. Such submarines have been stored safely afloat in the Dockyard at Devonport since 1991. It is the Ministry of Defence's aim to have a land storage facility in place before 2012, although it is likely that the move from afloat to land storage will need to be staged over a period of several years. Meanwhile, the current arrangement for storage afloat at Devonport will continue.

  Muslims (Services)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Muslims serve in HM forces; and what proportion of service personnel this represents. [153062]

  Mr. Spellar
  The number of Muslims serving in the armed forces is set out in the table:

  Number

  Percentage

  Naval Service1

  15

  0.04

  Army2

  130

  0.12

  RAF2

  66

  0.12

  All Services

  211

  0.10

  1 Figures are taken from "live" naval personnel data system, i.e. at the day before the date of the data request (7 March 2001).

  2 Figures are the latest available statistics as at 1 February 2001.

  Procurement Projects
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the total overspend on defence procurement projects since 1971. [153449]

  Dr. Moonie
  I will answer shortly.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Electoral Fraud
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures he proposes to introduce to combat electoral fraud in Northern Ireland. [153798]

  Dr. Reid
  Today I have laid before the House a White Paper outlining the Government's proposals to combat electoral abuse in Northern Ireland. This Government are determined to minimise opportunities for abuse, while avoiding putting obstacles in the way of people's legitimate exercise of the franchise. The White Paper sets out a comprehensive strategy to address the weaknesses in the electoral procedures that have allowed electoral fraud to take place. It is important to note that these measures will apply only to Northern Ireland, where electoral abuse is believed to be a more serious problem than elsewhere in the UK.

  The extensive consultation and investigations that we have undertaken have ensured that our proposals are practical and realistic, and will make a real difference. Several of the proposals contained within that paper will require changes to the law, and we intend to bring forward legislation at the earliest possible opportunity.

  In addition, I welcome the measures which the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland has put in place to combat fraud in future elections. The provision of enhanced training and guidance for electoral staff is under way. The Electoral Office already co-operates closely with the police in investigating suspected cases of electoral fraud, and this liaison has intensified recently in the run-up to the local elections. The processing of absent vote applications has been returned to the local electoral offices in order to allow local knowledge to inform the scrutiny of these applications.

  I am happy also to be able to announce the initiation of a research project designed to measure the true extent of electoral fraud. This research will inform our continuing efforts to stamp out electoral fraud.

  Convention on the Rights of the Child
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures have been taken since the UK ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child to ensure that practices of the police and criminal justice agencies offer the full range of protection under international law. [150596]

  Mr. Ingram
  Since the UK ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1991 legislation has been introduced and recommendations have been made further to ensure the protection of the rights of the child in the justice system. Particular highlights include: the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995, which removed the power of the juvenile court to give a custodial sentence for the care and protection of non-attendance at school; the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 1996, which reserved custodial sentences for only the most serious and/or persistent offenders; and the Criminal Justice (Children)(Northern Ireland) Order 1998, which introduced short determinate sentences, half of which is served in custody and the other half under supervision in the community. On 1 March 1999, as a result of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, the Northern Ireland Human
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  Rights Commission (NIHRC) came into existence. It has taken a keen interest in the welfare of children in the justice system, taking as one of its first investigations the impact of custody on the rights of children. The Human Rights Act 1998, which came into force on 2 October 2000, formally incorporates the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) into domestic law. On a Quinquennial basis the Government are required to submit a report to the UN's Committee on the Rights of the Child. Such reports include details of measures that exist within domestic law, practices and procedures, to ensure the rights of children who come into contact with the police and other criminal justice agencies.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he has taken to familiarise officers of the RUC with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; and what mechanisms are in place to monitor effective compliance. [150600]

  Mr. Ingram
  A recent Force Order on the provisions of the Human Rights Act 1998 highlighted other relevant International Standards, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. In drafting the Force Order the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission was consulted. No separate monitoring mechanisms are currently in place. However, consideration is being given to their introduction in line with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, when the Royal Ulster Constabulary becomes a 'delegated authority' for the purpose of that Act.

  Police Powers
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will(a) list those sections of emergency legislation where the exercise of police powers involves officers making contact with members of the public and (b) specify those areas of their powers where police have a responsibility to ascertain whether the member of the public is an adult. [150598]

  Mr. Ingram
  Such powers are currently governed by the provisions of Parts IV, V and VII of the Terrorism Act 2000, its related Schedules 5, 7, 8, 10 and 14; as well as the relevant Codes of Practice issued under the Act which stipulate an express requirement on the police to ascertain if an individual is a juvenile. For example in the Detention Code (in Northern Ireland issued under Section 99 of the Act) Section 1.7 states:"If anyone appears to be under the age of 17 then he or she shall be treated as a juvenile for the purposes of this Code in the absence of clear evidence to show that he or she is older".

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland further to his answer of 30 January 2001,Official Report, columns 135–36W, if he will list and place in the Library the guidance that has been issued to police officers governing the treatment of minors under emergency legislation, under (a) Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 rules and (b) other rules. [150595]

  Mr. Ingrain
  'Minors', i.e. children under 10 years of age, have no criminal liability in law in Northern Ireland and are therefore not subject to PACE etc. Any intervention by the police, therefore, is from a 'care and welfare' perspective as provided for by the Common Law and the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995. "Juveniles', i.e. under 17 years of age, have the same rights as adults, with such additional safeguards as are 512W
  stipulated in the various Codes of Practice issued under PACE, the Terrorism Act 2000, the Royal Ulster Constabulary manual and Force Order.

  In common with the exercise of police powers in all other areas of the United Kingdom, Royal Ulster Constabulary officers have been receiving training and guidance on the principles arising from the Human Rights Act 1998.

  The relevant legislation and Codes of Practice, except police operational documents, are available in the Library.

  Police Guidance (Young Persons)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what(a) guidance, (b) instructions, (c) training and (d) rules have been issued to the police governing treatment of traveller children and children of other ethnic minorities. [150597]

  Mr. Ingram
  There is no specific guidance issued to police officers about the treatment of traveller children and children from other minority groups. Treatment of these groups is governed by the safeguards which are in place in respect of all children in the form of the statutory Codes of Practice issued under PACE (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 and the Terrorism Act 2000, with their additional safeguards in respect of juveniles. Language difficulties are overcome with the involvement of trained interpreters. Additional training and guidance is provided on Human Rights and Equality issues.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the other written notices that have been circulated in the past five years(a) for the attention of and (b) to be communicated to officers having dealings with members of the public the responsibilities they have towards the exercise of their powers in respect of children. [150599]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Royal Ulster Constabulary operates under the Codes of Practice issued under the provisions of PACE (Northern Ireland) Order 1989, the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1996, the Terrorism Act 2000 and the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995. Other than addendum's to the Royal Ulster Constabulary manual held by each officer explaining aspects of the law, no other notices have been issued or communicated to the police in this respect.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  TB
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the Government's policy is on the proposal for a new global TB drug facility to help eradicate TB in developing countries. [153031]

  Clare Short
  The global TB drug facility will be launched on World TB day (24 March 2001), and is intended to increase the availability, affordability and quality of TB drugs. The UK Government support the aim
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  of the "STOP TB" initiative, which includes the global TB drug facility, to expand and improve strategies to control TB. The initiative promotes the wider use of existing strategies to interrupt TB transmission and improve clinical care by increasing access to effective treatment, including strengthening health systems.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will estimate the amount spent on aid in Kosovo. [152821]

  Clare Short
  Up to the end of 2000, £760 million was pledged in humanitarian and development assistance. In addition to this donors contributed £70 million to the 2000 Kosovo consolidated budget.

  UK commitments up to the end of 2000 totalled £116.25 million. In addition the UK share of the EC programme was £108 million over the same period. We have committed £15 million over the next three years for technical assistance and have contributed £6.9 million to the 2001 consolidated budget.

  Debt Relief
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which countries have agreed to adopt(a) poverty relief and (b) education programmes in order to qualify for debt relief and further aid. [152823]

  Clare Short
  All countries that access the concessional resources of the World bank and the IMF, including those that are eligible for debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative, need to produce a national poverty reduction strategy. These strategies, developed by Governments in consultation with civil society, set out policies and programmes to tackle poverty, and provide a budgetary framework for the allocation of all development resources, including the savings arising from debt relief. Improving the quality of education, and particularly action to attain the international development target of universal primary education, will be an important component of all countries' strategies.

  By the end of 2000, the following 22 countries had qualified for debt relief under the HIPC Initiative: Benin, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Niger, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

  In addition, by the end of January 2001, the following countries had had their national poverty reduction strategies accepted by the boards of the World bank and IMF as an appropriate basis for these agencies to deliver their assistance to these countries: Albania, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Chad, Georgia, Ghana, Kenya, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, and Tajikistan.

  A number of donors, including the UK, have agreed to provide development assistance to a country in support of its national poverty reduction strategy.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Active Community
  Mr. Hope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he has taken in response to the recommendations of the report of the working group on the active community, "Giving Time, Getting Involved". [153894]

  Mr. Boateng
  A table summarising what action the Government are taking to address the recommendations arising from "Giving Time, Getting Involved" has been placed in the Library.

  Refugee Integration Challenge Fund
  Mr. Hope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Home Office refugee integration challenge fund. [153895]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Home Office has allocated £500,000 for each of the next three years to a Challenge Fund which has been set up to complement the Refugee Integration Strategy launched on 2 November 2000. It seeks to promote innovative projects that address specific social needs among refugee communities, and funding is available from 2 April 2001.

  Asylum Seekers
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers were supported by local authorities under the previous support and dispersal system in the last 12 months of the system; and if he will make a statement. [153606]

  Mrs. Roche
  Information is not available in the form requested.

  The numbers of asylum seekers being supported by local authorities in London when the previous support arrangements began to be phased out (end of March 2000) is available from the Association of London Government (ALG). Information for the week ending 31 March 2000 shows that 20,5501 single adult asylum seekers, 11,7451 asylum seeker families and 3,5201 unaccompanied asylum seeking children were being supported by local authorities in London.

  Information on asylum seekers supported by local authorities outside London is not available.
  1 Rounded to the nearest five

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have been housed in each local authority area under the new support and dispersal arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [153607]

  Mrs. Roche
  The information requested is not currently available.

  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for asylum from claimants originating from Afghanistan have been determined in each of the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [152881]
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  Mrs. Roche
  The available information on the number of asylum applications from nationals of Afghanistan that have had an initial decision is provided in the table.

  Month

  Number of initial decisions1,2,3

  February 2000

  n/a

  March 2000

  n/a

  April 2000

  135

  May 2000

  135

  June 2000

  130

  July 2000

  135

  August 2000

  220

  September 2000

  220

  October 20004,5

  365

  November 20055

  510

  December 20055

  545

  January 20015

  1,020

  1 Figures rounded to the nearest five

  2 Information is for initial determination decisions, excluding the outcome of appeals or other subsequent decision

  3 Provisional figures

  4 From October 2000, the source data on decision changed. The nationality breakdown is therefore not directly comparable with previous months

  5 Decisions may include some cases decided under the backlog criteria

  This information is published monthly on the Department's website at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds.index.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his Department's long-term plans are for the detention of asylum seekers in England and Wales. [152819]

  Mrs. Roche
  The 1998 White Paper "Fairer, Faster, Firmer—A Modern Approach to Immigration and Asylum" identified the need to increase the immigration detention estate in order to meet the challenge of increased removal targets of both immigration offenders and failed asylum applicants.

  In order to meet these commitments, a new, 900-bed, dedicated immigration detention centre is under construction at Yarl's Wood in Bedfordshire with a 550-bed centre at Harmondsworth near Heathrow similarly well advanced. Both should become available by the end of this year. A further facility in Kent is currently at the planning stage.

  The Government remain committed to decreasing the use of Prison Service accommodation for immigration detainees while recognising that there will always be a need to utilise such facilities in the minority of cases where a higher level of security is required.

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many contracts have been entered into by NASS to provide housing for asylum seekers; how many bed spaces have been provided; and in which areas of the country. [152880]

  Mrs. Roche
  The number of contracts entered into by the National Asylum Support Service is 17 of which seven (including Northern Ireland) are with local authorities and 10 in the private sector.
  516W
  The numbers of bedspaces provided by region are:

  Region

  Number of bedspaces provided

  East Midlands

  1,631

  East of England

  280

  Greater London

  586

  Kent and Sussex

  305

  North East

  6,118

  North West

  6,551

  Northern Ireland

  113

  Scotland

  6,103

  South Central

  67

  South West

  604

  Wales

  290

  West Midlands

  4,026

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  7,616

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers are held in prisons; and if he will make a statement. [152877]

  Mrs. Roche
  The most recent information relates to persons detained under Immigration Act 1988 powers as at 31 January 2001. At this date 920 persons were recorded as being detained in Prison Service establishments.

  Currently, it is not possible to identify those persons detained in prison who have claimed asylum at some point.

  Prisoners (Employment)
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were(a) employed in prison workshops and (b) in other employment, expressed as a percentage of the prison population, in each year from 1995 to present; and if he will make a statement. [153608]

  Mr. Boateng
  The table sets out the number of prisoners employed in prison workshops, expressed as a percentage of the average prison population for the year from 1995 to the most recently available data.

  Statistics on the numbers of prisoners in other employment for the period requested are not readily available in the Prison Service. However, information produced in May 2000 on the number of prisoners employed outside workshops in adult male training prisons, showed a total of 8,205 prisoners were employed on work activities such as kitchens, gardens, agricultural business, prison maintenance and cleaning.

  Year

  Number of Prisoners Employed in Workshops

  As a percentage of Average Annual Prison Population

  1995–96

  8,844

  17.14

  1996–97

  7,601

  13.41

  1997–98

  7,615

  12.16

  1998–99

  9,699

  14.94

  1999– 2000

  9,527

  14.70

  Prisoner Treatment Programmes
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners completed
  517W
  (a) an offending behaviour programme and (b) a sex offenders treatment programme in each year since 1996 to present; and if he will make a statement. [153605]

  Mr. Boateng
  The number of prisoners completing an offender behaviour programme can be found in the table.

  Year

  Number of accredited offending bahaviour programme completions in the Prison Service

  1996–97

  1,373

  1997–98

  2,240

  1998–99

  3,132

  1999–2000

  4,669

  1 April 2000 to 31 January 20011

  4,034

  1 The most recent date for which statistics are available

  The number of prisoners completing a Sex Offender Treatment Programme (SOTP) can be found in the table.

  Year

  Number of accredited SOTP completions in the Prison Service

  1996–97

  663

  1997–98

  671

  1998–99

  456

  1999–2000

  588

  1 April 2000 to 31 January 20011

  332

  1 The most recent date for which statistics are available

  The figures for 1996 to 2000 do not represent the gross number of offending behaviour completions by the Prison Service during those years. Each establishment is audited annually on the quality of programme delivery and their number of completions adjusted in line with the score that they are awarded. However, the figures for completions during the present financial year have not yet been adjusted in this way.

  Prison Televisions
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his policy on the availability of televisions in prisoners' cells. [152878]

  Mr. Boateng
  Access to in-cell television is an earnable and forfeitable privilege within the Incentives and Earned Privileges Scheme, which is intended to motivate prisoners to good behaviour, and to participate in work and constructive activity. Where the technology is available, in-cell television is being used increasingly to provide information to prisoners on developments within the prison, including education courses, visits times, work availability and canteen facilities.

  Prisoners with in-cell television pay a weekly charge of £1 per set, and the scheme is broadly self-financing, with the costs of televisions and their replacements, warranties and wall brackets being met from the charge on prisoners.

  Prisoner Restraint
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions in 2001 prison inmates, taken to hospital for medical treatment, have been shackled while in hospital; and if he will make a statement. [152817]
  518W
  Mr. Boateng
  No central records are maintained of the number of prisoners taken to hospital for medical treatment or the number of those who are held under restraint, and the information requested can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  The application of restraints to prisoners at hospital is determined by a risk assessment but restraints are not applied to women attending for antenatal treatment or to give birth. Once applied, restraints may be removed subject to a risk assessment, and will be removed where a healthcare professional seeks their removal because of an immediate risk to the health of the prisoner, or because the prisoner is in pain or discomfort, or because the restraints are impeding essential treatment.

  Prisoners (Ethnic Breakdown)
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the ethnic breakdown is of inmates in(a) Strangeways Prison and (b) UK prisons. [153228]

  Mr. Boateng
  The figures for all prisons in England and Wales and for Manchester prison (Strangeways) as at 31 January 2001, are provisionally recorded as follows:

  Ethnicity

  All prisons

  Manchester prison

  Asian

  Bangladeshi

  196

  0

  Indian

  641

  4

  Other

  1,099

  17

  Pakistani

  1,038

  15

  Black

  African

  1,393

  19

  Caribbean

  4,989

  24

  Other

  2,165

  72

  Chinese

  115

  0

  Not known

  46

  0

  Other

  1,447

  4

  White

  50,845

  908

  Total

  63,974

  1,063

  Prison Service Programmes
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Prison Service programmes RESPOND and RESPECT, and on plans for similar programmes in the Police Service. [153463]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Prison Service RESPOND (Race Equality for Staff and Prisoners) programme unveiled in February 1999, consists of five main strategies:Confronting racial harassment and discrimination.
  Ensuring fairness in recruitment, promotion, appraisal and selection.
  Developing and supporting minority ethnic staff.
  Ensuring equal opportunities for minority ethnic prisoners.
  Recruiting minority ethnic staff.

  The RESPOND programme enjoys the support of the Prison Service trade unions and staff associations, and £3 million was earmarked to take it forward over the first three years.
  519W
  A key element of the RESPOND programme is the development of RESPECT (Racial Equality for Staff), a national minority ethnic staff support network aiming to eliminate racism in the workplace. Around 1,500 delegates attended the launch of RESPECT in January 2001 at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Birmingham.

  RESPECT is able to provide support to minority ethnic staff who claim to suffer from racial harassment or discrimination. A free-phone support-line will be operational from Monday, 2 April 2001. Specially trained volunteers will offer the alleged victim a sympathetic ear and help them to identify courses of action available to them. RESPECT complements the help and support that is available through existing channels such as Prison Service Staff Care and Welfare Services, and trade unions and staff associations. RESPECT has around 900 members.

  The Home Secretary's Action Plan, published in response to the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry Report, sets out a comprehensive programme to improve community and race relations. The 70 recommendations are wide-ranging, and those which apply to the police are concerned with tackling discrimination both internally within the service and as a service provider. On 22 February the Home Secretary published the Second Annual Report on Progress against the Action Plan. The Action Plan contains elements common to the RESPECT and RESPOND programmes in the Prison Service, such as targets on the recruitment, retention and progression of minority ethnic police officers and a programme of racism awareness training within police services to be delivered to all front-line staff by the end of 2002.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason the Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant report (No. 73) has been withdrawn. [152959]

  Mrs. Roche
  Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 73) contained a technical error and has therefore been withdrawn.

  The report has been corrected and is being reprinted. It will be resubmitted as Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 77), for consideration by the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments on 13 March 2001.

  Cyclists
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cyclists were fined for riding a bicycle without lights in the UK in 2000. [152814]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Statistics for 2000 are not yet available, but the available information from the Home Office Court Proceedings database shows that there were 332 persons fined in England and Wales in 1999 for lighting and reflector offences connected with pedal cycles (Road Traffic Act 1988, section 81(2) and RVL Regs 1989).

  Information relating to Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for Ministers in the Scottish Parliament and the Northern Ireland Assembly.

  Police Numbers
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) police officers and (b) civilian staff are employed in each constabulary. [152998]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information on police and civilian numbers for 30 September 2000 can be found in Table 3 and Table 6 of the Home Office Statistical Bulletin No. 2–01, "Police Service Strength", which was published on 16 January. A copy has been placed in the Library.

  Burglary
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offences of burglary were admitted to by those serving sentences in Prison Service establishments during(a) 1999 and (b) 2000. [152885]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The number of previous offences of burglary admitted by prisoners has not been collected centrally since 1 April 1999, when the counting rules for detections changed. The new counting rules provide more precise and rigorous criteria for securing a detection, with the underlying emphasis on the successful result of a police investigation. Detections secured through 'prison visits' were omitted under the new counting rules. The total number of burglaries in England and Wales which were cleared up by the police from 'prison visits' in the year ending March 1999 was 58,898, 32 per cent. of all detections of burglaries in that year.

  Street Robberies
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many street robberies occurred in London during the six months ending 28 February. [152822]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The most recently available figures, provided by the Metropolitan police, show that there were 18,094 street robberies involving personal property in their area in the six months ending January 2001.

  Departmental Policies (South Shields)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the South Shields constituency, the effects on South Shields of his Department's polices and actions since 2 May 1997. [153084]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Home Office is working to build a safe, just and tolerant society in which the rights and responsibilities of individuals, families and communities are properly balanced, and the protection and security of the public are maintained. Detailed information on the impact of Home Office policies across the full range of responsibilities is set out in Home Office annual reports. A copy of the most recent report, Home Office Annual Report 1999–2000, is available in the Library. The next report will be published shortly. Information on recorded crime and policing is also published. 'Recorded Crime England and Wales, 12 months to September 2000' and Police Service Strength England and Wales, 30 September 2000' can be found in
  521W
  the Library. The recorded crime statistics include information on recorded crime by Basic Command Unit and Crime and Disorder Partnerships.

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

  Reduced Burglary Initiative

  South Tyneside All Saints, South Shields were awarded £60,000 under Round One of the Reducing Burglary Initiative. Interventions include: Offender based strategies, use of mobile video recording system and electronic intruder detection measures; crime prevention measures, target hardening. Community based strategies.

  Targeted Policing

  Northumbria police in partnership with Tynesdale district council, local parish councils and the Northumberland Social Services and probation service were awarded £40,000 under the Targeted Policing Initiative for a project to develop an integrated strategy to tackle crime and disorder in rural towns and remote villages. The project will tackle both localised offending and crime resulting from travelling criminals. A local multi-agency safety group will develop intelligence about offenders and identify 'hot spots'. The project will employ a range of interventions including a mobile police station and the use of Closed Circuit Television.

  CCTV

  Under Round One of the Crime Reduction Programme's CCTV Initiative, South Tyneside Community Safety Board were awarded around £121,000 for the South Tyneside District Hospital CCTV Project. The project updated and extended the CCTV coverage of South Tyneside District Hospital including the car parks and the staff residential blocks, with the aim of reducing fear of crime, car crime, criminal damage and burglary.

  Neighbourhood Warden Schemes

  South Tyneside Metropolitan borough council have been awarded £228,000 until 2002–03 for a scheme covering central and eastern Jarrow and western South Shields. The project started on 4 December 2000.

  Youth Offending Teams (YOT's)

  The local YOT is involved in a number of schemes including establishing restorative approaches and working with victims of crime and has held successful restorative conferences. 35 per cent. of reparation orders/requirements have included an element of direct reparation to victims. There is a very successful project in Biddick Hall where 22 young people involved in serious youth disorder did reparation in the same area repairing damage to a primary school, cleaning off graffiti etc. It has been very well received by local community/residents (and by parents of young people). It is too early to say definitively what the effects of these actions are on re-offending and reducing levels of youth crime. Recent police figures have however led to some concern about youth disorder. In relation to this, there has recently been a seminar funded and facilitated by Government Office for the North East, and in response to the concern the YOT will be taking appropriate action within the context of a proposed youth disorder strategy.
  522W
  More generally, all of the policies of the Home Office will impact on the residents of South Shields to a greater or lesser extent. For example:
  376 Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships have been established;
  racial harassment and racially motivated crimes have been made criminal offences by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998; the asylum backlog has been cut from 103,495 at the end of January 2000 to 66,195 by the end of December 2000:
  good progress is being made in reducing the incidence of fire deaths in England and Wales. They have dropped from 605 in 1997 to 534 in 1999.

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

  Departmental Policies (Houghton and Washington, East)
  Mr. Kemp
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effects on Houghton and Washington, East of his Department's actions since 2 May 1997. [152993]

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

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

  Targeted Policing Initiative

  Northumbria police in partnership with Tynedale district council, local parish councils and the Northumberland Social Services and probation service were awarded £40,000 under the Targeted Policing Initiative, to develop an integrated strategy to tackle crime and disorder in rural towns and remote villages. The project will tackle both localised offending and crime resulting from travelling criminals. A local multi-agency safety group will develop intelligence about offenders and identify "hot spots". The project will employ a range of interventions including a mobile police station and the use of Closed Circuit Television.

  Youth Offending Teams (YOT's)

  Houghton and Washington is covered by the Sunderland YOT. The YOT has worked closely and collaboratively with Sheffield University and KPMG as part of the evaluation of YOT pilots. This involved interviews with parents, evaluation of case files and qualitative interviews with a range of staff. The Social

  523W
  Software (YOIS) system was installed in March 2000, has been "bedded in" and is being fully utilised. The Service was involved at the national level in the Youth Justice Board commissioned work with the Trust for the Study of Adolescence to develop a parenting video to use with parents of adolescents. This built upon some of the successful work that had been undertaken in Sunderland as a pilot area for Parenting Orders

  The Service was subject to inspection through the Joint Review of Social Services, which was undertaken in 2000. The following is a direct quotation from the report:
  "The Service has been established with extensive multi-agency co-operation and involvement. This extends beyond the expected contributing agencies to include others, such as the Fire Service and the HAZ (Health Action Zone), which have also been involved in securing resources to achieve the objectives of the Service with regard to specific themes. The local authority and partner agencies have invested significantly in the successful establishment of the Service."

  Voice verification is currently being piloted and is being used with bail and remand cases and those subject to community cases. All Pathway projects have been fully developed and have begun to demonstrate their effectiveness. Projects have offered workshops at various conferences and have opened their doors to sharing practice. A partnership has been developed with Gateshead YOT and the Kolvin Regional Forensic Unit to pilot and to evaluate a 10-session cognitive-behavioural programme for young people who offend.

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

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

  Departmental Policies (Hemsworth and Wakefield)
  Mr. Trickett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly to the locations as possible, the effects of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997 on(a) Hemsworth constituency and (b) Wakefield district. [153003]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Home Office is working to build a safe, just and tolerant society in which the rights and responsibilities of individuals, families and communities are properly balanced, and the protection and security of the public are maintained. Detailed information on the impact of Home Office policies across the full range of responsibilities is set out in Home Office Annual Reports. A copy of the most recent report, Home Office Annual Report 1999–2000, is available in the Library. The next report will be published shortly. Information on recorded crime and policing is also published. "Recorded Crime England and Wales, 12 months to September 2000" and "Police Service Strength England and Wales, 30 September 2000" can be found in 524W
  the Library. The recorded crime statistics include information on recorded crime by Basic Command Unit and Crime and Disorder Partnerships.

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

  Reducing Burglary Initiative:

  West Yorkshire police in partnership with Wakefield Metropolitan district council, were awarded around £12,000 under Round Two of the Reducing Burglary Initiative for a scheme covering City Estate, Wakefield.

  Targeted Policing Initiative:

  West Yorkshire police were awarded £488,000 under the Targeted Policing Initiative to roll-out across the force the lessons they have learned from a project run in Killingbeck (Leeds) on tackling domestic violence, and to apply those lessons to other forms of hate crime including racist and homophobic incidents. The project involves a graded response that includes working with both victims and offenders.

  Closed Circuit Television (CCTV):

  Wakefield District Community Safety Partnership were awarded £274,000 for the Castleford CCTV Initiative under Round One of the Crime Reduction Programme's CCTV Initiative. The project covers Castleford town centre, and aims to combat vehicle crime, shoplifting and criminal damage.

  Wakefield District Community Safety Partnership have submitted two bids, to a total capital of £542,000 under the second round of the CCTV Initiative. Both bids are currently under consideration.

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

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

  Citizenship
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will assess the desirability of amending the British Nationality Act 1981 to ensure that those born outside the United Kingdom to contract supplemented officers working overseas are eligible for full British citizenship. [153386]

  Mrs. Roche
  I have no reason to question the present arrangements.

  Police (North-west)
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he has introduced to increase the recruitment of police officers in Greater Manchester; what the cost of these measures was; and what evaluation has been made of their success. [152809]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 9 March 20011: The Crime Fighting Fund (CFF) will enable police forces to recruit 9,000 additional officers over and above the number previously planned in the three years to 2002–03. Under the CFF, Greater Manchester police have been allocated a total of 588 extra recruits.

  According to the latest information provided by Greater Manchester police, the force now expects to recruit 147 CFF recruits this financial year. CFF grant payments made to Greater Manchester police so far this financial year total £1,388,171. CFF grant payments to forces are paid on the basis of anticipated recruitment of CFF officers. Variations in actual recruitment may affect total amounts due to individual forces, any overpayment may be reclaimed or offset against future payments.

  The CFF is successfully helping Greater Manchester police to recruit officers over and above the force's previous plans.

  To help forces meet their recruitment targets, the first ever National Recruitment Campaign was launched on 30 August. To 4 March 2001 over 121,000 responses had been received to the campaign advertisements. These had generated over 25,500 Expressions of Interest (EOIs) to forces, 1,598 of which had been passed to Greater Manchester police. The total expected campaign spend in 2000–01 is £6.98 million excluding value added tax. The costs of the campaign cannot be broken down by individual police force as media for the campaign have been bought nationally.

  The campaign has been very successful in generating inquiries and Expressions of Interest. Responsibility for processing EOIs rests with forces. Forces are being asked to report on the outcome of the EOIs with a view to assessing the effectiveness of the campaign.

  For an indication of the expected impact of these measures and of the force's local recruitment activity on force strength, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to her on 9 March 2001, Official Report, column 387W.

  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many members of the Metropolitan police had previously served as police officers in the north-west region in each year since 1990. [152812]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 9 March 2001]:I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that it is not possible to provide the information for each year since 1990. I am told, however, that a survey of serving officers indicates that there are currently 100 officers in the Metropolitan police who previously served as officers in a force in the north-west region of England.

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) on what grounds exemptions are granted for the use of dogs from non-designated breeders to be used in licensed procedures; [153272]

  (2) what steps are taken to ensure that animal experiments by commercial pet food companies comply with section 5(4) of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986; [153275]

  (3) how many exemptions were granted in (a) 1998, (b) 1999 and (c) 2000 under section 10(3)(a)of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986; [153270]

  (4) if he will make a statement on how his Department monitors the conditions in which dogs are bred and reared in non-designated breeding establishments. [153273]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  [holding answer 12 March 2001]: Dogs are primarily used in pharmaceutical research and development, or in pharmaceutical safety and efficacy evaluations. They are also used, when no other species is suitable, in the evaluation of cardiovascular and cardiorespiratory problems in humans. Such work contributes to advances in human healthcare. Dogs are also used in the development of veterinary medicines and techniques.

  The work undertaken by commercial pet food companies is for the purpose of ensuring that food products for pets are safe, effective and nutritionally complete. Most of the procedures conducted are so mild as to not require licensed authority. The procedures which come under licence are very mild. There are pet re-homing schemes in place for animals once tests have been completed.

  Under the terms of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 dogs and cats can be used only where animals of no other species are suitable. Together with primates and horses, the overall use of these species represented less than 1 per cent, of the total animals used in scientific procedures in 1999,

  The numbers of exemptions under section 10(3)(a), allowing the use of dogs and cats bred or obtained from non-designated breeding establishments in the last three years are:

  1998: 7

  1999: 7

  2000: 40

  Under section 10(3) of the Act, the non-availability of suitable animals from designated breeders is the only justification for such exemptions.

  To comply with section 5(4) of the Act, any application to use protected animals in research must be subjected to a detailed cost/benefit assessment by Home Office inspectors. The likely adverse effects on the animals concerned must be weighed against the benefit likely to accrue as a result of the proposed programme of work. Such an assessment is applied to applications made by commercial pet food companies, as to any other. Information about the cost benefit assessment is set out in the paper by the chief inspector published as part of the Animal Procedures Committee annual report for 1997.

  There is no authority under the 1986 Act to monitor conditions in non-designated breeding establishments.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Depleted Uranium
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the manufacture, assembly, testing and storage of depleted uranium ammunition is covered by(a) international environmental treaties, (b) verification and reporting under the Chemical Weapons Convention and (c) European Union and national environmental regulations; and if potentially hazardous releases or emissions have been reported to the relevant environmental and safety regulators. [150995]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 26 February 2001]: I am not aware of any international environmental treaties which cover depleted uranium ammunition. The Chemical Weapons Convention does not cover depleted uranium ammunition.

  Within the European Union civil uses of nuclear materials are regulated under the Euratom Treaty and subsidiary legislation. The Government's position is that the Euratom Treaty does not apply to military activities. The Radioactive Substances Act 1993 makes provision for the regulation of radioactive substances. The licensing provisions of the Act are applied to companies involved in the manufacture and assembly of depleted uranium ammunition and permits have been issued covering a number of such premises. Premises occupied on behalf of the Crown for the purposes of the armed forces or the Ministry of Defence are exempt from the provisions of the Act. However, the Environment, Agency does regulate these premises by administrative rather than statutory means.

  Apart from the small amount of contained firing at Foulness and Aldermaston, test firing of depleted uranium has been concentrated on two sites. One site at Eskmeals in Cumbria has not been used since 1995. The Environment Agency believes from environmental monitoring reports it has seen that there have not been any potentially hazardous releases or emissions of depleted uranium to the environment from this site. The other site is at Dundrennan in Kirkudbright, Scotland from which shells are fired into the Solway Firth. A long-term environmental monitoring programme on the effects of depleted uranium test firing has been in place in Kirkudbright since 1983. In 1993, W. S. Atkins Ltd. was commissioned to produce an independent environmental impact assessment for Kirkudbright. The report concluded that the firing programme produced a negligible effect on the local environment.

  Buses
  Mr. Best
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on progress towards upgrading buses. [152949]

  Mr. Hill
  Our Ten Year Transport Plan sets out the broad agenda for improving the quality of bus services and securing passenger growth. We are underpinning this with new powers under the Transport Act 2000, now largely in force, and with additional funding through local transport plans, increased support for rural buses, a new 528W
  urban bus challenge scheme to improve services in deprived areas and, most recently, enhanced fuel duty rebate following the Budget. In addition, regulations under the Disability Discrimination Act now require new buses and coaches used on local and scheduled services to be accessible to disabled people, including wheelchair users. We will be monitoring these initiatives to ensure that they deliver the necessary quantity and quality improvements for bus users.

  EU Environment Council
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the outcome was of the Environment Council held in Brussels on 8 March; what the Government's voting record was at the Council; and if he will make a statement. [153134]

  Mr. Meacher
  I represented the UK at the Environment Council in Brussels on 8 March, accompanied by Sam Galbraith, Scottish Executive Minister for the Environment, Sport and Culture. The UK, along with other member states, except Germany who abstained, voted in favour of the common position on the proposed Directive on motorcycle emissions. The Council adopted three sets of conclusions.

  The Presidency proposed a compromise text on a Directive to limit emissions from motorcycles in two stages, 2003 and 2006. In supporting the proposed text on tighter limits from 2003, providing between 60 and 70 per cent. reduction in hydrocarbons and 30 to 60 per cent. reduction in carbon monoxide, member states accepted my amendment to extend the deadline for "enduro" bikes to assist the small UK manufacturers in adapting to the new limits. Germany proposed binding limits for 2006 to be agreed now, in advance of the Commission's proposed limits due by the end of 2002, which will be based on a new test cycle currently under development. The UK, along with the majority of member states, agreed to accept Germany's proposed limit values for 2006 as indicative non-binding limits only and the Council achieved a Common Position, with German abstention, that meets both our environmental and our manufacturers' needs.

  Short Council conclusions on climate change were agreed reaffirming the EU's commitment to reaching agreement on the Kyoto Protocol at the resumed COP6. Following a presentation by the Commission of a Communication preparing for the World Summit on Sustainable Development (Rio+10) in 2002, Council conclusions were agreed listing strategic objectives for the Summit. Council conclusions were also reached on a Communication reviewing future Bathing Water policy. These will guide the Commission in preparing its proposal for a revised Directive.

  A public policy debate was held on the Sixth Environment Action Programme, which will set out the EU's environmental priorities for the next 20 years, primarily climate change, nature and biodiversity, environment and health and sustainable management of natural resources and waste. It was clear from the debate that there was a general wish to make the Programme more specific by adding some key objectives and

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  deadlines, although, since the proposal has only recently been published, there were not many concrete suggestions. Delegations also generally wish to see a short, clear programme. The negotiations on this dossier will proceed throughout the remainder of the Swedish Presidency with the aim to reach Common Position at the June Council.

  A policy debate was also held on a White Paper on a future EU Chemicals Strategy. This proposes a new framework for risk assessment and management of both existing and new chemicals. It follows an initiative launched by the UK under its Presidency in 1998. Member states expressed broad support of the Commission objectives. The next stage will be detailed consideration of the practicalities of how these objectives can be met. The Presidency aim to complete Council Conclusions in June to direct the Commission in developing proposals for an effective and workable system.

  The Commission and Presidency updated the Council on progress on an EU Sustainable Development Strategy. The Commission presented their Green Paper on Integrated Product Policy, which seeks to address the environmental impact of products at all stages of their life-cycle. The Presidency gave progress reports on a number of current legislative proposals expected to reach common position at the June or October 2001 Environment Councils. The Commission reported on progress in drafting a new proposal on the traceability and labelling of GMOs. The Council also had an informal discussion on climate change at the end of the day's business.

  Lewes-Polegate Railway Line
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much departmental money was spent(a) from 1 January 1989 to 30 April 1997 and (b) from 1 May 1997 to 31 December 2000 in connection with the Lewes-Polegate railway line. [153434]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 12 March 2001]: This information is not available in the form requested.

  Between 1 January 1989 and 25 May 1996, passenger rail services on the Lewes-Polegate railway line were operated by the British Railways Board, to which the following amounts of central Government grant were paid in 1988–89 to 1996–97.

  Number of households that require new heating systems including boiler

  Number of households that required repairs to existing heating systems

  Scheme manager

  Fitted and invoiced

  Order with installer

  Repairs completed and invoiced (of which require replacement boiler)

  Those awaiting repair1

  Those awaiting replacement boiler1

  Eaga (Lot1)

  736

  891

  1,439 (469)

  739

  458

  Eaga(Lot 3)

  2,161

  3,639

  2,912(1,117)

  1,845

  1,102

  Eaga (Lot 4)

  1,092

  3,216

  2,265 (811)

  1,107

  808

  Eastern (Lot 2)

  1,956

  3,952

  1,358 (459)

  1,986

  4,879

  1 Due to the one to six week delay between the comoletion of the work and the issue of invoices by contractors it is likely that work has already been completed in some of these house holds.

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  Central Government grants

  Cash prices £ million

  1988–89

  551

  1989–90

  479

  1990–91

  637

  1991–92

  902

  1992–93

  1,194

  1993–94

  926

  1994–95

  1,783

  1995–96

  1,650

  1996–97

  1,257

  Between 26 May 1996 and 31 December 2000, passenger rail services on the Lewes-Polegate railway line were operated by Connex South Central, to which the following amounts of franchise support were paid by the Franchising Director in 1996–97 to 1999–2000.

  Franchise support

  Cash prices £ million

  1996–97

  76

  1997–98

  76

  1998–99

  58

  1999–2000

  50

  Franchise support for Connex South Central is the Franchising Director's contribution to the company's total expenditure on the provision of all its passenger services. The company is responsible for the detailed allocation of that expenditure between services on particular railway lines.

  Home Energy Efficiency Scheme
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many people in each of the four areas of England established for the purpose of administering the home energy efficiency scheme(a) have had new boilers fitted and (b) have had boilers repaired since June 2000; and how many are currently waiting for (i) boiler repairs and (ii) new boilers. [153472]

  Mr. Meacher
  (holding answer 12 March 2001]: The table sets out the number of households that have had work completed and those where orders have been placed:
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  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how the Government ensures that the cost of work carried out by contractors under the home energy efficiency scheme does not exceed the price which would be charged by local contractors registered with CORGI; [153532]

  (2) how the Government are ensuring that grants paid to contractors for work under the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme does not exceed the value of the work done. [153533]

  Mr. Meacher
  Scheme managers are contractually required to appoint insulation and heating sub-contractors following the requirements set out under the UK's Public Procurement Regulations. In the case of heating contractors, I understand that both scheme managers advertised widely in the trade press and wrote to all CORGI registered gas heating engineers inviting them to tender. The scheme managers were required to accept those tenders that were the lowest in price and technically compliant.

  The scheme is designed so that independent surveyors visit householders and advise the measures to be installed. Orders are then placed with the sub-contractors for the package of measures to be installed in each home. The scheme managers operate monitoring systems to ensure work orders are correctly carried out to the relevant specifications.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what date and by what means tenders were invited for the management of grant payments under the home energy efficiency scheme towards the cost of heating systems; how many tenders were received; and on what criteria contracts were awarded. [153530]

  Mr. Meacher
  The scheme manager contracts were awarded in accordance with UK Public Procurement Regulations. An advertisement was placed in the Official Journal of the European Community and written tenders were invited on 29 October 1999.

  Six compliant bids were received. These were assessed by a tender panel, which included external representatives. The panel unanimously recommended the award of contracts to the Eaga Partnership Ltd, and Eastern HEES Ltd. on the basis of providing the lowest priced, technically compliant bids.

  The contract with Eaga Partnership includes a stepped clawback provision, whereby up to 75 per cent. of any profit in a given financial year is returned to the Department. Eastern HEES Ltd. is a not-for-profit company who are committed to refunding to the Department all surpluses that occur.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those contractors authorised to carry out installations of new boilers under the home energy efficiency scheme in each of the four areas of England established for the purpose of administering the scheme. [153445]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 12 March 2001]: The following is a list of heating contractors authorised to carry out installations of new boilers under the home
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  energy efficiency scheme in England. There are variations in the coverage of each installer, some are national, while others provide a regional service.

  Heating contractors—Eaga Partnership Ltd. (North East, North West, London, West Midlands, South East, South West regions)

  Amadeus Insulation Ltd.

  Ashley and McDonough (Huyton) Ltd.

  Concept Heating Systems

  Dawsetway Ltd.

  Domestic and General Insulation Ltd.

  Domestic Gas Services

  Downs (Insulation and Electrical) Ltd.

  Everwarm Services Ltd.

  Excelsior Insulation Services Ltd.

  Fenhams Contracts

  F. J. Jones Heating Engineers Ltd.

  Gas Services

  Gascare Central Heating Ltd.

  Gascare 1A Autoheat Ltd.

  Gilwood Engineering Services Ltd.

  Home Energy Efficiency Ltd.

  Huyton Plumbing and Heating Ltd.

  Interglow

  J. and L. National Energy Saver Ltd.

  Kershaw Contracting Services Ltd.

  Kingsleigh Holdings Ltd.

  Lionheart Heating Services

  N. W. Heating Maintenance

  P. H. Jones Plumbing and Heating Ltd.

  P J. Shankster

  Plumbing and Gas Services Ltd.

  Premier Services

  PTC Construction Group Ltd.

  Quake Energy

  Quality Heating Services Ltd.

  Simpson and Gregg Ltd.

  S. J. White (Engineers) Ltd.

  Taverner (UK) Ltd.

  Vale Heating and Plumbing

  Viscount Insulations and Security

  W. H. Joce and Sons

  WTS (Holdings) Ltd.Heating contractors—Eastern HEES Ltd. (Eastern region)

  British Gas Services

  Dewsbury Civil Engineering Ltd.

  East Coast Gas Services

  Eastern Contracting Ltd.

  Energy Efficiency Centre Ltd.

  Jeakins Weir Ltd.

  Kershaws Contracting Services

  L. and W. Insulation Ltd.

  Maclean and Nutall

  N. W. Heating Maintenance

  Perry Electrical Ltd.

  P. H. Jones Ltd.

  Paul Brant Plumbing and Heating

  Rhiengold

  Rule and Parker

  Shore Energy Ltd.

  Sun Realm Heating Company Ltd.

  Thorpete Associates

  Swift Services

  Trolhurst

  Viscount Home Insulation

  Yorkshire Plumbing and Heating Services Ltd.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what tendering processes were undertaken prior to the appointment of the
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  Eaga Partnership to administer the scheme for grant payments towards the cost of new central heating boilers for vulnerable people. [153529]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Eaga Partnership Ltd. was awarded the contract to manage the home energy efficiency scheme in the Northern, West and South of England from the start of the new scheme on 1 June 2000. Prior to this date no grants for heating measures were available under the scheme that had run since 1991. Instead only a single main insulation measure was available.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the estimated cost to public funds in 2000–01 is of the Government's advertising of the UK home energy efficiency scheme. [153471]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 12 March 2001]: The responsibility for marketing the home energy efficiency scheme in England rests with the scheme managers, Eaga Partnership Ltd. and Eastern HEES Ltd. The costs for this activity are included within their overall contract price. The scheme managers report that a total of £3.05 million will be spent on advertising the scheme in this financial year, including the cost of the Warm Front Team campaign.

  Energy efficiency is a devolved area. It is therefore the responsibility for the respective Parliament and Assemblies to comment on the situation in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

  East

  North-east and north-west

  London and south-east

  South-west and west-midlands

  Total value of heating and insulation work (£)

  6,088,350

  10,474,401

  3,940,122

  5,543,556

  Total value of security work (£)

  117,919

  387,084

  91,431

  173,717

  Total value of HEES work (£)

  6,206,269

  10,861,485

  4,031,553

  5,717,273

  Number of households treated

  16,945

  29,594

  12,426

  17,346

  Number of households waiting for work to be carried out

  118,386

  117,946

  19,250

  112,662

  Total value of work waiting to be carried out (£)

  18,500,000

  116,820,086

  16,687,893

  111,905,199

  1Due to the one to six week delay between the completion of the work and the issue of invoices by contractors it is likely that work has already been completed in some of these households

  Departmental Policies (South Shields)
  Dr. David Clark
  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 South Shields constituency, the effects on South Shields of his Department's polices and actions since 2 May 1997. [153090]

  £ million

  Nature of funding

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–021

  Revenue Support Grant

  67.806

  71.803

  77.809

  76.875

  81.201

  Income from National Non-Domestic Rates

  34.132

  35.529

  38.344

  43.029

  41.716

  Housing Investment Programme

  3.203

  3.652

  3.693

  10.809

  23.284

  Housing Revenue Account Subsidy

  17.224

  15.952

  15.527

  15.741

  3—

  Capital Receipts Initiative

  0.896

  3.128

  3.065

  n/a

  3—

  Loan Charges Defective Housing

  0.062

  0.062

  0.062

  0.062

  0.062

  SRB funding

  41.857

  46.382

  48.448

  47.941

  46.983

  Neighbourhood Renewal Funding

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  2.692

  ERDF funding

  0.386

  0.522

  0.828

  0.671

  3—

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  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the television advertising campaign for Warm Front commenced in the Meridian television area; how many advertising slots are involved; and what the cost is to(a) public funds and (b) agents acting on the Government's behalf. [153446]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 12 March 2001]: The television advertising campaign for the Warm Front Team is being piloted in the Meridian area for four weeks from 23 February to 23 March. The campaign is intended to stimulate interest in an area where there is a low take-up of home energy efficiency scheme (HEES) grants. 85 advertising spots are planned for off peak times, when the target audience is most likely to be watching television. The cost of the television slots is around £80,000, with the advertisements themselves costing some £95,000 to produce. The HEES Scheme Managers are responsible for the quantity and type of advertising used, with the cost included within the overall contract price paid by the Department.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what has been the total value of work carried out in 2000–01 by contractors in each of the four areas of England established for the purpose of administering the home energy efficiency scheme. [153444]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 12 March 2001]: The total value of work carried out since June 2000 by contractors in each of the four areas of England established for the purposes of administering the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme is set out in the table:

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The principal kinds of funding that this Department has provided to South Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council in 1997 to 2002 are shown in the table. These include grants and borrowing approvals for revenue and capital expenditure.

  It is not possible to determine how much of this money has been spent on South Shields. It is for the local authority to decide where within its boundary these resources are applied.
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  £ million

  Nature of funding

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–021

  Transport Supplementary Grant

  0.409

  0.254

  0.536

  0

  0

  Transport Annual Capital Guideline

  0.409

  0.254

  0

  0

  0

  Transport Block Supplementary Credit Approval

  0.880

  0.880

  1.400

  1.876

  3.171

  Rural Bus Challenge Grant

  0

  51.255

  50.361

  50.560

  3—

  Rural Bus Subsidy Grant

  0

  50.054

  50.059

  50.082

  3—

  Capital Challenge

  0.788

  1.222

  0.990

  0

  0

  (Supplementary Credit and Basic Credit Approvals)

  60.399

  61.118

  60.0001

  0

  0

  1 £ million (where known)

  2 This figure does not include the Major Repairs Allowance allocated to the authority which amounts to £11.071 million

  3 Not known

  4 1997–98 SRB figure includes Round 3 funding for "South Shields Challenge"

  1998–99 SRB figure includes Round 4 funding for "People, Employment and Pride"

  1999–2000 SRB figure includes Round 5 funding for "Extending the South Shields Challenge"

  2000–01 SRB figure includes Round 6 funding for "Jobs and Community"

  5 Figures quoted are the full amounts given to the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive of whom the authority is a partner

  6 Tyne and Wear Fire Brigade also received Capital Challenge funding. This was spent on the training centre at Barmston Mere, Washington, although the whole of Tyne and Wear benefited from the investment

  East Coast Main Line
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to announce a decision on the franchise for the east coast main line; when the pause in the franchise process announced on 14 February by the Strategic Rail Authority will be ended; and if the guidance given to the SRA includes a new alignment for the east coast main line. [153196]

  Mr. Hill
  The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) announced on 2 March that they were lifting the pause they imposed on the replacement process for the East Coast Main Line (ECML) franchise. A decision will be announced in due course. No guidance has been given to the SRA on a new alignment for the ECML.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what the estimated costs of track renewal on the east coast main line are under the franchise bids by(a) GNER and (b) Virgin; [R] [153625]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the employment implications of the GNER bid for renewal of the east coast main line franchise. [R] [153624]

  Mr. Hill
  Details of the bids put forward by GNER and Virgin for the replacement of the East Coast Main Line franchise are commercially confidential.

  Main Sewers
  Mr. Andy King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many parliamentary constituencies in England and Wales have constituents who have unadopted main sewers; [R] [153708]

  (2) how many households in England and Wales have unadopted main sewers. [R] [153709]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  There is currently no reliable information on the extent of private (unadopted) sewers. My Department, as part of a review of private sewers and drains, is preparing a research contract to assess the likely numbers and condition of these sewers.

  Environmental Impact Assessments
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the reasons for which an environment statement is required for the Slapton to Streetgate road. [153192]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  An environmental statement is required for any development listed in Schedule 1 or in the case of developments listed in Schedule 2 where it is likely to have significant effects on the environment by virtue of facts such as size, nature and location, of the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999. In this case it is for Devon county council to determine whether the work they propose to undertake requires an Environmental Statement. The Secretary of State can be called upon to give a Direction on the need for and/or scope of any EIA and it would be inappropriate for me to comment further on this case.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will make a statement about the criteria used in deciding whether to apply environment impact regulations; and how many times they have been invoked in the last year in the consideration of planning applications; [153190]

  (2) under what circumstances an environment statement is required prior to approval of planning applications. [153191]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999 give effect to the requirements of Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment. The Regulations apply to categories of projects specified in Schedules 1 and 2 of the Regulations. For development listed in Schedule 1 of the Regulations environmental impact assessment is always required before planning permission may be granted. For development listed in Schedule 2, an assessment is required if the development is likely to have significant effects on the environment by virtue of factors such as its nature, size or location.

  Local planning authorities are required to screen all planning applications for projects that fall within a class

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  of development listed in Schedule 2 of the Regulations to identify development requiring EIA. In doing so they have to take account of prescribed selection criteria relating to the characteristics, location and potential impact of the development.

  An environmental statement is required in support of every planning application which is subject to EIA. It is estimated that approximately 300 applications have been subject to EIA in the last year.

  Grant Distribution
  Mr. Walter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how his plans for a revised grant distribution system will meet the needs of authorities which have urban and rural characteristics. [153078]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Last September's local government finance Green Paper consulted on options for making the current grant distribution system for local authorities fairer. A White Paper will be published later this year setting out our decisions on the way forward.

  Any reforms to the revised grant distribution system will first be discussed with local government. Like the present grant distribution system, it would be expected to take account of a wide range of factors, including the needs of authorities with different characteristics.

  Concessionary Bus Fares
  Mr. Walter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will take steps to reduce the financial pressure on local authorities resulting from the implementation of the Government's policy on concessionary bus fares. [153053]

  Mr. Hill
  Our estimate of the overall extra annual cost to local authorities in England of the statutory minimum requirement for local authority concessionary fares introduced in the Transport Act 2000 is £54 million. The Local Government Finance Settlement 2001–02 takes account of this additional cost.

  Grant System
  Mr. Walter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how the reform of the local government grant system will take account of the services provided by district authorities which have urban and rural characteristics. [153079]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Last September's local government finance Green Paper consulted on options for making the current grant distribution system for local authorities fairer. A White Paper will be published later this year setting out our decisions on the way forward.

  Any reforms to the revised grant distribution system will first be discussed with local government. Like the present grant distribution system, it would be expected to take account of a range of factors, including services provided by authorities in urban and rural areas.

  Mr. Walter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he 538W
  has to introduce a local government grant system based predominantly on populations. [153051]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Last September's local government finance Green Paper consulted on options for making the current grant distribution system for all local authorities fairer. A White Paper will be published later this year setting out our decisions on the way forward.

  The existing formulae for distributing revenue grant are based predominantly on local authority population figures including relevant client groups (such as schoolchildren or elderly people). Were we to decide to continue to distribute grant by formula, this would continue to be the case.

  As with the present system, such a formula could be modified to take other factors into account. However, the overall aim of any change would be to have a system that is more transparent and comprehensible as well as fairer, than that at present.

  Mr. Walter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures he is taking to ensure an equitable distribution of Government grant to district councils. [153052]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Last September's local government finance Green Paper consulted on options for making the current grant distribution system for all local authorities fairer. A White Paper will be published later this year setting out our decisions on the way forward.

  Public Service Agreements
  Mr. Walter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reason district councils have been excluded from the local public service agreements pilot scheme; and what plans he has to include such councils in public service agreement schemes. [153050]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The local PSA pilot was taken forward with top-tier authorities rather than district councils because the majority of the national PSA targets that relate to local authority services relate to the services of top-tier authorities. But we will consider how we might involve district councils in the future. The Local Government Association are working with a group of district councils on how the PSA approach might be applied to districts, and we will consider any proposals they make.

  Strategic Rail Authority
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects the Strategic Rail Authority to publish its strategic agenda. [153749]

  Mr. Hill
  The Strategic Rail Authority has published its strategic agenda today. Copies have been placed in the House Libraries.

  Demolition Control (Conservation Areas)
  Ms Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what
  539W
  progress he has made reviewing the control of demolition in conservation areas following the House of Lords judgment in the Shimizu case. [153750]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Shimizu judgment had the effect of weakening controls over partial demolition of unlisted buildings in conservation areas. We share the concern that the character of conservation areas could be adversely affected as a result. Following a consultation exercise last year we therefore propose to require submission of a planning application where in a conservation area it is proposed to demolish any boundary wall, gate, fence and other means of enclosure, and a chimney or porch on a dwellinghouse. This will give local planning authorities the opportunity to consider the impact that such works are likely to have on a conservation area. We shall bring forward the necessary amendments to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 in due course.

  This measure is designed to address the direct effects of the Shimizu judgment. We are currently considering the recommendation in English Heritage's report 'Power of Place' for removal of a wide range of permitted development rights in conservation areas.

  Referendums
  Mr. Paul Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to lay before Parliament draft regulations governing the conduct of referendums to be held under part II of the Local Government Act 2000. [153751]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  I have today laid before Parliament a draft of the Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (England) Regulations 2001.

  It is now for the House to consider this draft. To assist the House, I have placed in the Library and the Vote Office copies of draft proposed guidance to English local authorities on the holding of referendums in accordance with these Regulations.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Mobile Phones
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the comments his Department made to the Department of Health on that Department's leaflet `Mobile Phones and Health' before publication. [153257]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 12 March 2001]: The Department made a number of comments on various versions of the leaflet while they were in the drafting stage. Our view was that the leaflet should explain in clear language the health advice and precautionary approach recommended by the Export Group chaired by Sir William Stewart. The text of the leaflets was discussed widely with a number of Government Departments which had an interest. The final version was agreed by all and signed off by the Chief Medical Officers.

  Fuel Poverty
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many jobs he estimates have been created by the fuel poverty initiatives introduced by the energy companies. [153454]
  540W
  Mr. Hain
  The Government welcome the involvement of energy companies in tackling fuel poverty. Company schemes cover a variety of initiatives—special tariffs for low-income customers, advice on debt management, benefit checks and measures to improve the energy efficiency of people's homes. These schemes will improve referral networks and support the Government's programme for improving the energy efficiency of the housing stock, especially for the fuel poor. Some of this activity will result in the creation of new jobs, however, most of these initiatives are in the early stages of their operation and it is therefore not possible to separately identify, and quantify, the number of new jobs created as a direct result of these schemes.

  Collieries (Operating Aid)
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what criteria the independent panel uses to decide which collieries will receive operating aid. [153457]

  Mr. Hain
  Under the UK Coal Operating Aid Scheme, as approved by the European Commission on 15 November 2000, applications for aid are considered under eight criteria. The full text of the Scheme is available on the DTI website at www.dti.gov.uk/support/coal.htm, but the criteria include: degression of costs must be demonstrated by the production unit; the level of subsidy must not cause the delivered price to undercut third country coal of an equivalent quality sold on equivalent terms; the coal covered by the application must be used for electricity generation or industrial purposes; no single undertaking will be eligible for more than £75 million.

  Applications which satisfy these criteria will be submitted to the European Commission for approval. It is not for the Import Parity Price (IPP) Panel to decide which collieries will receive operating aid. However, the panel will advise my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on the IPP in respect of contracts related to an application for subsidy. This advice will help my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to ensure that the level of subsidy paid does not cause the delivered price of coal to undercut third country coal of an equivalent quality sold on equivalent terms. The panel's response to consultation on its methodology for advising on the IPP is also available on the internet at www dti.gov.uk/support/coal.htm.

  Electricity and Gas (Competition)
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if electricity and gas customers have accurate information on which to make decisions which allow them to benefit from competition in the market. [153455]

  Mr. Hain
  Accurate information on the competitive domestic energy market is widely available. The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) publishes fact-sheets on gas, electricity and dual-fuel prices, which consumers can obtain from a freephone number—0800 88 77 77. Ofgem also produces more detailed price information and information on customer complaints, which is available from its website.
  541W
  In January, Ofgem introduced website links to internet price comparison companies, which enable consumers more easily to decide which supplier is offering the tariff best suited to their needs. Ofgem has a voluntary code that includes stipulations on accuracy of data and independence to which companies must sign up before being linked to its website. Two companies, which customers can also contact by telephone, have so far met these criteria.

  Energywatch, the Gas and Electricity Consumer Council, is developing a matrix of information on suppliers' standards of service, which will complement the price information. It will also raise awareness of customers' options and rights in the competitive market as part of its programme of fostering confident, assertive consumers.

  Consumers without internet access are able to access websites via libraries and advice centres.

  Gas Network
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many households in the UK do not have access to the gas network; and what initiatives he plans to encourage companies to extend it. [153456]

  Mr. Hain
  Approximately 5 million households in GB do not have access to the gas network.

  The legislative position is that under the Gas Act 1986 (as amended) a Gas Transporter only has a duty to connect premises 23 meters from the gas mains. The same Act gives Ofgem a duty to ensure that all reasonable requests for gas through pipes are met, providing this can be done economically.

  The Gas Act 1995 provided three ways a household can be connected to the mains. First, a consumer can go to one of the many competing Gas Transporters. Secondly, the Gas Transporter can apply to Ofgem to use a system of supplemental charges where the cost of making the gas connection is recovered over a period of typically 20 years by means of an additional charge on each unit of gas. Thirdly, the consumer can purchase the pipes and hire a specialist company to lay them for him—the so called "self-lay" system.

  The Government are aware that many households which are not currently connected to the mains would like to be and, in the coming months, they will be working with Ofgem and the industry to ensure that the gas network provides the widest viable coverage.

  Departmental Policies (South Shields)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the South Shields constituency, the effects on South Shields of his Department's polices and actions since 2 May 1997. [153083]

  Mr. Caborn
  It is not possible to quantify the direct effect of all the Department's policies and actions. However, we do hold statistical information on the programmes administered by the Department and the expected effects of that funding in the South Shields constituency are set out.542W

  Nature of funding

  Number of companies

  Amount offered

  Jobs created

  Jobs safeguarded

  1997–98

  Regional Selective Assistance

  5

  485,000

  68

  82

  Enterprise Grants

  0

  0

  0

  0

  SMART

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1998–99

  Regional Selective Assistance

  2

  42,000

  10

  0

  Enterprise Grants

  0

  0

  0

  0

  SMART

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1999–2000

  Regional Selective Assistance

  3

  131,000

  54

  2

  Enterprise Grants

  0

  0

  0

  0

  SMART

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2000–01

  Regional Selective Assistance

  2

  610,000

  169

  80

  Enterprise Grants

  1

  19,500

  0

  17

  SMART

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Colombia
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the export credit guaranties given to UK firms trading with Colombia for each of the last five years. [153118]

  Mr. Caborn
  [holding answer 9 March 2001]: The information is as follows:

  year

  company

  Details

  Value of ECGD cover £ million

  1996

  International Gas Apparatus Ltd.

  Gas pressure reducing and metering stations

  5.5

  1997

  British Aerospace

  Two Airbus A3202

  22.5

  1998

  None

  None

  0

  1999

  None

  None

  0

  2000

  None

  None

  0

  Industrial Gas Prices
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will made a statement on the change in industrial gas prices over the past six months; and what steps he is taking to help the UK's heavy industry deal with this change. [148302]

  Mr. Hain
  I apologise for the delay in replying but I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to his question, number 148300, on 6 February 2001,Official Report, columns 464–65W. The delay was caused by an administrative error.

  Footwear Industry
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the future of the footwear industry in(a) the UK and (b) Norwich. [152824]

  Ms Hewitt
  Although UK footwear manufacturers supply only 10 per cent. of the UK market, the industry features some world-renowned brands and overall remains
  543W
  buoyant. Despite the weak euro, exports continue to rise and currently account for 54 per cent. of UK production. I hope that these positive trends in exporting can continue.

  In Norwich, two leading footwear manufacturers have taken part in a DTI-supported project which included supply chain management. A manufacturer has also made a substantial investment in new machinery. Another company is the world's leading manufacturer of ballet and dancing shoes. I remain confident that through strategic planning such companies have the best chance of remaining internationally competitive and leading in the market sectors or niches in which they operate.

  Departmental Policies (Houghton and Washington, East)
  Mr. Kemp
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effects on Houghton and Washington, East of his Department's actions since 2 May 1997. [152990]

  Mr. Caborn
  It is not possible to quantify the direct effect of all the Department's policies and actions. However, we do hold statistical information on the programmes administered by the Department and the expected effects of that funding in the Houghton and Washington, East constituency are set out in the table.

  Nature of funding

  Number of companies

  Amount offered (£)

  Jobs created

  Jobs safeguarded

  1997–98

  Regional Selective Assistance

  15

  1,080,000

  373

  1

  Enterprise Grants

  0

  0

  0

  0

  SMART

  1

  45,000

  1—

  1—

  1998–99

  Regional Selective Assistance

  25

  2,984,000

  683

  70

  Enterprise Grants

  0

  0

  0

  0

  SMART

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1999–2000

  Regional Selective Assistance

  21

  2,238,000

  480

  15

  Enterprise Grants

  0

  0

  0

  0

  SMART

  0

  178,400

  5

  33

  2000–01

  Regional Selective Assistance

  4

  4,606,000

  242

  3,500

  Enterprise Grants

  6

  185,250

  30

  0

  SMART

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1 Not known

  Departmental Policies (Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East)
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effect on the Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East constituency of his Department's policies and action since 2 May 1997. [153285]

  Mr. Caborn
  [holding answer 12 March 2001]: It is not possible to quantify the direct effect of all the Department's policies and actions. However, we do hold statistical information on the programmes administered by
  544W
  the Department and the expected effects of that funding in the Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East constituency are set out.

  Nature of funding

  Number of companies

  Amount offered (£)

  Jobs created

  Jobs safeguarded

  1997–98

  Regional Selective Assistance

  13

  1,308,000

  340

  0

  Enterprise Grants

  0

  0

  0

  0

  SMART

  1

  176,721

  1—

  1—

  1998–99

  Regional Selective Assistance

  9

  1,378,000

  476

  0

  Enterprise Grants

  0

  0

  0

  0

  SMART

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1999–2000

  Regional Selective Assistance

  8

  665,000

  163

  26

  Enterprise Grants

  0

  0

  0

  0

  SMART

  2

  90,000

  4

  0

  2000–01

  Regional Selective Assistance

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Enterprise Grants

  4

  43,435

  15

  0

  SMART

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1Not known

  Promotional Campaigns
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the television, newspaper and radio advertising and other promotional campaigns conducted by(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) its departmental public bodies, in each of the past five years, showing for each the expenditure incurred by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [153413]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 12 March 2001]: (a) Departmental television, radio and newspaper advertising through COI was as follows:

  £ ex VAT

  Period/Job title

  TV

  Radio

  Press

  1996–97

  Queens Awards

  —

  17,457.00

  75,407.00

  Export Licence

  Announcements

  —

  —

  4,214.00

  Import Licence

  Announcements

  —

  —

  57,603.00

  Biotechnology Means

  Business

  —

  —

  110,543.00

  Business Links

  —

  460,240.00

  868,119.00

  Miscellaneous

  —

  —

  74,446.00

  Total

  —

  477,697.00

  1,190,332.00

  1997–98

  Languages for Export

  —

  —

  21,175.00

  Import Licence

  Announcements

  —

  —

  57,057.00

  Export Licence

  Announcements

  —

  —

  6,113.00

  Business Links

  —

  —

  1,258,319.00

  It for All

  —

  320,319.00

  420,541.00

  Queens Awards

  —

  —

  66,258.00

  Miscellaneous

  —

  —

  157,770.00

  Total

  —

  320,319.00

  1,987,233.00

  545W

  £ ex. VAT

  Period/Job title

  TV

  Radio

  Press

  1998–99

  Queens Awards

  —

  —

  110,765.00

  Firework Safety

  —

  —

  49,800.00

  Import Licence

  Announcements

  —

  —

  47,889.00

  Export Licence

  Announcements

  —

  —

  7,208.00

  Working Time

  Regulations

  —

  —

  599,995.00

  Business Links

  —

  —

  432,585.00

  Carbon Monoxide

  —

  37,702.00

  —

  Trade UK

  —

  —

  7,068.00

  IT For All

  —

  98,911.00

  —

  National Minimum

  Wage

  —

  —

  752,765.00

  Total

  —

  136,613.00

  2,008,075.00

  1999–2000

  Export Awareness

  —

  —

  19,049.00

  National Minimum

  Wage

  15,250.00

  177,940.00

  15,476.00

  Import Licence

  Announcements

  —

  —

  57,356.00

  Export Licence

  Announcements

  —

  —

  14,080.00

  Information Society

  Initiative

  —

  —

  439,757.00

  Miners Compensation

  Ad

  —

  —

  149,939.00

  Queens Awards

  —

  —

  47,884.00

  Metrication

  —

  —

  19,311.00

  Carbon Monoxide

  —

  64,226.00

  —

  Export USA

  —

  —

  2,436.00

  Foresight

  —

  —

  61,900.00

  Miscellaneous

  —

  —

  14,839.00

  Total

  15,250.00

  242,166.00

  842,027.00

  2000–01

  National Minimum

  Wage (Youth)

  —

  260,024.00

  284,165.00

  Import Licence

  announcements

  —

  —

  15,364.00

  Export Licence

  announcements

  —

  —

  10,418.00

  Small Business

  Services

  —

  —

  100,552.00

  Distance Selling

  —

  —

  16,366.00

  Minimum Wage (Autumn)

  1,919,559.00

  306,790.00

  679,388.00

  Miners Compensation

  Ad

  —

  —

  134,674.00

  Smart Awards

  —

  —

  138,128.00

  UK Online for Business

  —

  225,230.00

  763,436.00

  Miscellaneous

  —

  —

  4,606.00

  Total1

  1,919,559.00

  792,044.00

  2,147,097.00

  1 To 31 January 2001

  Information on other Departmental promotional campaigns is not held centrally and could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

  Since its establishment in May 1999, British Trade International, which brings together international trade and investment support previously led by the DTI and FCO, has made the following expenditure on Trade Partners UK advertising:

  Year

  Amount £

  1999–2000

  0

  2000–01

  1,586,000

  546W
  (b) Agency expenditure

  Newspaper advertising/promotions for Companies House for the last five years

  Year

  Amount £

  1996–97

  255,246

  1997–98

  245,316

  1998–99

  282,500

  1999–2000

  391,012

  2000–011

  381,584

  1 To date

  Newspaper advertising and promotions for the Patent Office for the past five years

  Year

  Amount £

  1995–96

  1,963

  1996–97

  1,719

  1997–98

  8,908

  1998–99

  12,364

  1999–2000

  2,951

  Total

  28,175

  Note:

  Expenditure to date for current financial year is £5,116

  The Small Business Service has spent £111,899 on directory advertising since its inception on 1 April 2000.

  The Employment Tribunal Service, the Insolvency Service, and the National Weights and Measures Laboratory have not incurred any expenditure on television, newspaper or radio advertising or on any other promotional campaigns during the last five years.

  (c) Information on advertising and other promotional campaigns by NDPBs is not held centrally and could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

  Paid Holiday (Wansbeck)
  Mr. Denis Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many workers in Wansbeck have gained an entitlement to four weeks paid holiday. [153139]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  There are no data currently available at constituency level concerning the number of workers who have gained an entitlement to four weeks paid holiday. However, 3.1 million workers have benefited nationally from the introduction of the entitlement to paid leave.

  Post Offices
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations he has made to Post Office Counters Ltd. about the impact of the network re-invention programme on the number and location of post offices. [152834]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  [holding answer 9 March 2001]: The size of the post office network and precise location of post offices is an operational matter for the Post Office, taking account of the formal requirement to maintain the rural network and to prevent any avoidable closures of rural offices and of the Postal Services Commission's advice on accessibility of public post offices.

  Universal Banking Services
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what calculation has been made of the cost of the introduction of a magnetic card for the payment of benefits and pensions from sub-post offices. [R] [153604]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  It is too early to say what the setting up and running costs of the Post Office Card Account element of Universal Banking Services will be.

  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what payment per transaction will be made to sub-post offices for payments of benefit and pensions by a magnetic card. [R] [153599]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The development of Universal Banking Services are at an early stage (they are not due to come on stream until 2003). Payment arrangements will be subject detailed to contractual negotiations between the Government and the Post Office.

  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his estimate is of the reduction of fraud through the introduction of a magnetic card for the payment of benefits and pensions. [R] [153602]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  By making payments directly into bank accounts, the Government expect to achieve savings of around £100 million in current Instrument of Payment fraud.

  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what incentives the Government will give to individuals to encourage the utilisation of Universal Banking Services by benefit and pension recipients; and what is their cost. [R] [153600]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  It is the Government's intention to identify and deploy effective incentives to encourage the utilisation of Universal Banking Services by benefit and pension recipients. The concept of Universal Banking Services are at an early stage (they are not due to come on stream until 2003) and a lot of detailed work will be necessary before decisions can be taken on what form that incentives structure might take.

  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on progress in the discussions with the banking sector on the creation of the Universal Banking Services. [R] [153601]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  Discussions with the banks are at an advanced stage. I hope that they will be resolved shortly.

  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his Department's estimate is of the annual running cost of the Universal Banking Services and the percentage division of this cost between Government and the banking sector. [R] [153603]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  It is too early to say what the setting up and running costs of the Post Office Card Account element of Universal Banking Services will be; or what might be the percentage division of costs between the Government and the banking sector. The banks have agreed in principle to make a contribution but the precise figures are subject to commercial negotiations which we expect to be resolved shortly.

  Bank Notes
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he took to ensure that all post offices were informed of the date when old £20 notes ceased to be legal tender; and what publicity material was supplied to them. [152863]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  This is an operational matter for the Post Office. I understand that the Post Office informed post office outlets of the date when old £20 notes ceased to be legal tender principally by issuing articles in a monthly internal publication sent to all front-line staff. The first of these articles appeared at the end of August 2000. In addition, a national helpline is available to front-line staff should they require further assistance.

  Youth Parliament
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will meet members of the UK Youth Parliament to discuss their manifesto proposals in relation to the minimum wage and other issues. [152964]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  I will be pleased to meet members of the UK Youth Parliament provided, of course, that a mutually convenient date can be found.

  Miners
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what decision he has made in respect of the pension entitlement of ex-miners dismissed during the 1984–85 miners' strike; and if he will make a statement. [153236]

  Mr. Hain
  My Department issued a consultative document in May last year which elicited some starkly conflicting views, and highlighted a range of difficult moral, legal and equity questions. As a result of the complexity of the issues raised it is taking time to reach a decision on the way forward. None the less, the Government wish to see a just outcome to resolve this long standing matter. Having spoken to those involved, I do recognise the strong feelings there are about an early resolution.

  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many medical assessment procedures were conducted on average each week in respect of the miners' compensation claims for chest diseases for(a) January to March 2000, (b) April to June 2000, (c) July to September 2000 and (d) October to December 2000 and the individual weekly totals from 1 January to date. [153379]

  Mr. Hain
  A breakdown of the number of medical assessments is available only from June 2000 onwards.

  Between January and June 2000, Healthcall, the company contracted to undertake the Medical Assessment Process, completed a total of 1,163 MAP assessments.

  The average weekly number of MAPs between July and September 2000 is 276. Between October and December 2000 (excluding the two-week Christmas holiday period), an average of 371 MAPs were undertaken.
  549W
  The individual weekly totals from 1 January 2001 to date are as follows:

  Week ending

  Number of MAPs

  7 January

  340

  14 January

  497

  21 January

  455

  28 January

  570

  4 February

  417

  11 February

  655

  18 February

  559

  25 February

  515

  4 March

  645

  The total number of MAPs undertaken to date is 13,218.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Arms Sales (Morocco)
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his Department followed the European Code of Conduct on arms sales, Criterion 4, when granting the export licence for artillery spare parts to Morocco. [149615]

  Mr. Wilson
  The export licence application for artillery spare parts to Morocco and the subsequent appeal were judged against the EU Code of Conduct, as are all export licence applications considered by this Department. It is of course the Department of Trade and Industry which co-ordinates the export licence application process and actually grants licences.

  "Your Britain, Your Europe"
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 5 March 2001,Official Report, column 96W, what date has been set for a roadshow visit; what political parties he will meet; what advice he has sought and received on marketing the roadshow among (a) young people and (b) people whose nationality is not British; in what publications he will advertise; what the budget breakdown is for this initiative; and if he will ensure the use of flags and emblems that underline the inclusive nature of the European message. [153241]

  Mr. Vaz
  Due to diary pressures we have now had to cancel this visit.

  Kashmir
  Ms Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last held discussions with the US Government on Kashmir. [153159]

  Mr. Wilson
  Ministers and officials regularly discuss Kashmir and other regional issues with their US counterparts.

  Ms Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last held discussions with the(a) Pakistan and (b) Indian Governments regarding (i) human rights violations in and (ii) self-determination for the people of Kashmir; and what plans he has for further discussions. [153158]
  550W
  Mr. Wilson
  The Foreign Secretary most recently met his Indian counterpart, Jaswant Singh, in London in November. They discussed a range of issues, including Kashmir and human rights. Officials in our High Commission in lslarrnbad also regularly discuss Kashmir with the Pakistani Government. We will continue to urge both Governments to build on the recent positive developments in Kashmir and return to dialogue to find a solution to this issue. We also believe any solution must involve, and reflect the view of, the people of Kashmir.

  Ms Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further action he intends to take regarding the provision of independent human rights observers in Kashmir. [153161]

  Mr. Wilson
  FCO Ministers have consistently urged the Indian Government to allow access to Kashmir for human rights organisations, including Amnesty International, and for UN human rights Rapporteurs. We will continue to impress upon them the benefits of transparency and importance of investigating abuses.

  Foot and Mouth (KwaZulu-Natal)
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the British Government have received from the(a) South African Government and (b) British High Commission South Africa regarding the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in KwaZulu-Natal last year. [153357]

  Mr. Wilson
  The British High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate-General in Durban were informed of the outbreak of FMD in KwaZulu-Natal last year, and received briefing from the South African Ministry of Agriculture and Land Affairs.

  The South African Government made no formal representations to us, either here or in Pretoria.

  Saudi Arabia
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent meetings have been held with human rights groups in Saudi Arabia by British representatives in Jeddah; and if he will make a statement. [153505]

  Mr. Wilson
  There are currently no non-governmental human rights groups in Saudi Arabia. At UNHCR 56 a Saudi representative announced Saudi Arabia's intention to establish governmental and non-governmental human rights committees. From discussions between the British Embassy in Riyadh and the Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, we understand that details of the governmental committee are being finalised. Progress to establish a non-governmental committee has been slower.

  We will continue to raise this issue with the Saudi authorities as part of our dialogue with them on human rights.

  Sri Lanka
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions with(a) the LTTE and (b) other Tamil groups in Sri Lanka have been undertaken by British representatives during the last year. [153595]
  551W
  Mr. Wilson
  Staff in our High Commission in Colombo regularly meet representatives from all communities in Sri Lanka, including the Tamil community. Foreign Office representatives have met the LTTE's Political Adviser in London to get across important messages about the need for the LTTE to stay engaged in the peace process. We have made clear to all concerned that we fully support Norway's efforts to facilitate peace talks, and that Britain stands ready to help, if asked.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent contact he has had with the Norwegian Government concerning the peace process in Sri Lanka; and what contribution the United Kingdom Government have made to this. [153596]

  Mr. Wilson
  We remain in regular contact with the Norwegian Government. I met Norwegian State Secretary Raymond Johansen on 13 February 2001, and we continue contacts at official level. We fully support Norway's efforts to facilitate peace talks between the Sri Lankan Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). This offers the best chance of peace. We remain in contact with the parties to the conflict and have made it clear to them that Britain stands ready to help, if asked.

  Proscribed Organisations
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations were held between his Department and the Home Department in drawing up proposals for including organisations in the Terrorism Act 2000 (Proscribed Organisations) (Amendment) Order 2001. [153504]

  Mr. Battle
  Close consultations were held at official and ministerial level.

  Pelindaba Treaty
  Ms Ryan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the United Kingdom intends to ratify its signature of protocols I and II of the African nuclear weapons' free zone treaty, the treaty of Pelindaba. [153913]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Foreign Secretary signed the UK's Instrument of Ratification of protocols I and II to the treaty of Pelindaba on 27 February 2001. The Instrument has been sent to our Embassy in Addis Ababa for deposit with the Organisation of African Unity. I will arrange for a copy of the Instrument, together with the Declaration made on deposit of the Instrument, to be placed in the Library of the House.

TREASURY

  Minimum Wage (Amber Valley)
  Judy Mallaber
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many(a) male and (b) female workers in Amber Valley are receiving the national minimum wage; [153496]

  (2) what is his estimate of how many workers in Amber Valley will benefit from the forthcoming uprating of the national minimum wage. [153497]
  552W
  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 Judy Mallaber, dated 13 March 2001:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent questions about the number of people in Amber Valley who are receiving the national minimum wage (NMW) and the number who will benefit from the uprating of the NMW (153496, 153497). I am replying in his absence.
  The Office for National Statistics has published estimates of the number of jobs paid at less than specific hourly pay thresholds for all workers in the United Kingdom for Spring 2000, disaggregated by gender. These estimates are based on an improved methodology using data from the New Earnings Survey (NES) and Labour Force Survey (LFS). This methodology provides the best estimates for the number of jobs in the UK paid below low hourly rate thresholds. These estimates are posted on the National Statistics website at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/nsbase/themes/labour—lowpay—table s.asp
  The new methodology has been developed to overcome the deficiencies inherent in the two surveys, the NES and LFS, in measuring low pay. Estimates based on this methodology are not available for the area requested.

  Family Credit
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many claimants of Family Credit there were in(a) Newcastle City and (b) Newcastle upon Tyne, Central in 1997; what the average benefit for a (i) full-time and (ii) part-time worker was; how many claimants of Working Families Tax Credit there are; and what the average benefit was for a (1) full-time and (2) part-time worker. [153036]

  Dawn Primarolo
  At May 1997 there were an estimated 4.2 thousand families receiving Family Credit (FC) in the Newcastle upon Tyne local authority and 1.2 thousand in the Newcastle upon Tyne, Central constituency.

  For estimates of the number of families receiving the Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) at August 2000, I refer my hon. Friend to my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Lancaster and Wyre (Mr. Dawson) on 22 January 2001, Official Report, column 425W.

  There is no single definition of what comprises full-time work. The table shows the estimated average value of FC awards in May 1997, and of WFTC awards at August 2000, to families in the north-east region in each band of hours worked. There are too few cases in the 5 per cent. sample used for these analyses to yield reliable separate estimates for Newcastle City and Newcastle upon Tyne, Central.

  Families in the north-east region receiving Family Credit at May 1997, and Working Families Tax Credit at August 2000, by band of hours normally worked by the main earner: number and average weekly values of the awards

  Hours normally worked per week by main earner

  Families receiving Family Credit at May 1997 (thousand)

  Average weekly value of award (£)

  Families receiving Working Families Tax Credit at August 2000 (thousand)

  Average weekly value of award (£)

  16 less than 20

  13.5

  69

  16.0

  92

  20 less than 24

  5.8

  65

  8.3

  87

  24 less than 30

  3.9

  58

  4.6

  80

  30 less than 36

  5.7

  64

  9.3

  78

  553W

  Families in the north-east region receiving Family Credit at May 1997, and Working Families Tax Credit at August 2000, by band of hours normally worked by the main earner: number and average weekly values of the awards

  Hours normally worked per week by main earner

  Families receiving Family Credit at May 1997 (thousand)

  Average weekly value of award (£)

  Families receiving Working Families Tax Credit at August 2000 (thousand)

  Average weekly value of award (£)

  36 less than 40

  8.4

  40

  15.3

  57

  40 and over

  8.7

  52

  12.3

  64

  All cases

  45.9

  58

  65.8

  75

  Note:

  Estimates based on 5 per cent. sample of awards, and therefore subject to sampling error.

  Departmental Policies (South Shields)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the South Shields constituency, the effects on South Shields of his Department's polices and actions since 2 May 1997. [153088]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  South Shields, along with the rest of the United Kingdom, is benefiting from the long-term action we have taken to build economic stability and secure high and stable levels of growth and employment. Since the General Election, claimant unemployment in the constituency has fallen by 825, or 19 per cent. youth unemployment is down by 73 per cent. and long-term unemployment has fallen by 50 per cent.

  Macro-economic stability is being complemented at the micro-economic level by the Government's policies to ease the transition from welfare into work and to make work pay. To the end of December 2000, the New Deal for 18 to 24 year olds had helped 2020 young people in South Shields constituency gain valuable skills and experience—900 (45 per cent.) of whom had moved into employment. The Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC), introduced in October 1999, is helping to make work pay for low and middle income families. In August 2000, 2,200 families in South Shields constituency were benefiting from WFTC.

  The Government are also committed to policies which enable pensioners to share in the country's rising prosperity. All pensioners, including 16,400 in South Shields, will receive an above-inflation increase in the basic state pension from April 2001. Single pensioners will receive an extra £5 a week, and couples will receive an extra £8 a week. All pensioners aged 75 or over have also been entitled to a free TV licence since November 2000—including around 10,600 in South Shields.

  Net Cash Requirement
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the difference between the central Government net cash requirement forecast for 2000–01 in the pre-Budget report and the equivalent figure in the Financial Statement and Budget report (HC 279). [153389]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Table C20 of the Financial Statement and Budget Report (FSBR) for March 2001 shows that the central Government net cash requirement 554W
  (CGNCR) is forecast to be a repayment of £34.3 billion in 2000–01. This compares with the pre-Budget report forecast of the CGNCR of a repayment of £28.1 billion in 2000–01. The difference in these forecasts largely reflect differences in the forecasts of net borrowing, which are fully explained in Tables C6, C8 and C12 and paragraphs C26 to C57 of the FSBR.

  Departmental Policies (Jarrow)
  Mr. Hepburn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out, with statistical information, relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effects on Jarrow of his Department's actions since 2 May 1997. [153544]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Jarrow, along with the rest of the United Kingdom, is benefiting from the long-term action we have taken to build economic stability and secure high and stable levels of growth and employment. Since the General Election, claimant unemployment in the constituency has fallen by 736, or 22 per cent., youth unemployment is down by 75 per cent., and long-term unemployment has fallen by 63 per cent.

  Macro-economic stability is being complemented at the micro-economic level by the Government's policies to ease the transition from welfare into work and to make work pay. To the end of December 2000, the New Deal for 18 to 24-year-olds had helped 1,544 young people in Jarrow constituency gain valuable skills and experience—728 (47 per cent.) of whom had moved into employment. The Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC), introduced in October 1999, is helping to make work pay for low and middle income families. In August 2000, 1,900 families in Jarrow constituency were benefiting from WFTC.

  The Government are also committed to policies which enable pensioners to share in the country's rising prosperity. All pensioners, including 15,600 in Jarrow, will receive an above-inflation increase in the basic state pension from April 2001. Single pensioners will receive an extra £5 a week, and couples will receive an extra £8 a week. All pensioners aged 75 or over have also been entitled to free TV licence since November 2000—including around 9,900 in Jarrow.

  Departmental Policies (Don Valley)
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to Don Valley constituency, the effects on Doncaster of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [153527]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Don Valley, along with the rest of the United Kingdom, is benefiting from the long-term action we have taken to build economic stability and secure high and stable levels of growth and employment. Since the General Election, claimant unemployment in the constituency has fallen by 1,427, or 48 per cent., youth unemployment is down by 86 per cent., and long-term unemployment has fallen by 80 per cent.

  Macro-economic stability is being complemented at the micro-economic level by the Government's policies to ease the transition from welfare into work and to make work pay. To the end of December 2000, the New Deal for 18 to 24-year-olds had helped 1,164 young people in

  555W
  Don Valley constituency gain valuable skills and experience—577 (50 per cent.) of whom had moved into employment. The Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC), introduced in October 1999, is helping to make work pay for low and middle income families. In August 2000, 2,200 families in Don Valley constituency were benefiting from WFTC.

  The Government are also committed to policies which enable pensioners to share in the country's rising prosperity. All pensioners, including 16,000 in Don Valley, will receive an above-inflation increase in the basic state pension from April 2001. Single pensioners will receive an extra £5 a week, and couples will receive an extra £8 a week. All pensioners aged 75 or over have also been entitled to free TV licence since November 2000—including around 9,700 in Don Valley.

  Bank Notes
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of the number of old £20 notes which were not returned to banks before they ceased to be legal tender; [152864]

  (2) on what basis £20 notes which are no longer legal tender can be exchanged for new ones; and if he will make a statement. [152879]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Legal tender status was withdrawn from the old style £20 notes on 28 February 2001. After this date, most banks will continue to accept these notes and, as with all genuine Bank of England notes which are no longer legal tender, they will remain payable at the Bank of England for all time, at face value.

  Imports (Israel)
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 6 March 2001,Official Report, column 156W, if (a) Ahava cosmetics since 11 August 2000, (b) dates since 31 October 2000, (c) carpets from Barkan since 17 August 2000, (d) wines since 13 November 2000 and (e) other items, as listed, since 20 November 2000 have been imported from Israel. [153097]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The following number of Customs declarations have been made since the dates in question:

  (a) Cosmetics: 5

  (b) Dates: 71

  (c) Carpets from Barkan: 9

  (d) Wines: none

  (e) Other items: None for brandy and liqueurs; three for pencils; 35 for plastic household items; 77 for key blanks and locks; none for electric products; and 13 for other bath and skincare products.

  Some of these products may be exported prior to Customs clearance. Further verification inquiries will be initiated as appropriate.

  Budget
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on(a) the expected impact of the 2001 Budget and (b) the combined impact of the 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000 Budget measures on (i) women and (ii) men. [152856]
  556W
  Dawn Primarolo
  By October 2001, as a result of personal tax and benefit measures:on average women will be £85 a year better off and men will be £80 a year better off from Budget 2001, compared with an indexed Budget 2000 base;
  on average women will be £440 a year better off and men will be £225 a year better off from measures introduced over the Parliament as a whole, compared with an indexed 1997 base. For households, the average gain will be £590 a year.

  In addition, families with children will gain from the maternity package announced in Budget 2001, including raising maternity pay to £100 a week and extending it from 18 weeks to 26 weeks by April 2003. As a result of these reforms:
  All 360,000 mothers getting maternity pay a year will gain up to £1,200 extra;
  maternity pay, together with the extra £10 in the Children's Tax Credit for families with children under one, will mean up to £2,200 extra in the first year for families with a new baby;
  most women who worked beforehand will be guaranteed a minimum income of £200 a week for up to six months after the birth;
  over 350,000 working fathers could be entitled to two weeks paid paternity leave after a birth, at the same flat rate as maternity pay; adoptive parents will be able to take paid leave at the same flat rate and for the same period as maternity pay, when adopting a child.

WALES

  Forestry
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has for additional transfer of responsibilities for forestry to the National Assembly of Wales. [150648]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Government and the National Assembly for Wales are currently considering the transfer of financial responsibility for the Forestry Commission in Wales to the National Assembly.

  Policy and Strategy Units
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when his policy unit was established; which of its reports are placed in the public domain; how many departmental or non-departmental special advisers participate in its work; how many regular(a) non-departmental and (b) departmental staff participate in its work; and how many of these work for the unit on a full-time basis. [150374]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Wales Office does not have a separate policy unit. Three policy branches advise respectively on: Social Affairs Policy (five policy staff); Economic Affairs Policy (four policy staff); and Finance, Administration, Reserved and Constitutional Policy (three policy staff).

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Job Vacancies
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received on the accuracy of the figures relating to the official total of vacancies held by Jobcentres. [151841]
  557W
  Ms Jowell
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Clare Dodgson to Mr. Frank Field, dated 13 March 2001:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked Leigh Lewis to reply to your question, concerning representations he has received on the accuracy of the figures relating to the official total of vacancies held by Jobcentres. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to Mr Lewis as Chief Executive of the Agency. I am replying on Mr Lewis' behalf.
  In answer to your question, I am not aware of any representations to the Secretary of State for Education and Employment regarding the accuracy of the figures relating to the official total of vacancies held by Jobcentres. That said, I am willing to discuss any issues you may have on vacancies held by Jobcentres.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Regeneration Initiatives
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the criteria for assessing applications for financial support for economic and physical regeneration initiatives for funds administered by his Department; and what account they take of the variation in(a) the availability of previously developed land and buildings and (b) other considerations of environmental capacity. [152341]

  Mr. Wills
  The Department for Education and Employment does not fund economic and physical regeneration initiatives.

  School Closures (Foot and Mouth)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if he will list the schools in(a) Cumbria, (b) Devon and (c) Northumberland which have been closed on account of the foot and mouth outbreak; [152761]

  (2) what advice he gives local education authorities on school closures on account of the foot and mouth outbreak; [152749]

  (3) what advice is being given to parents on whether children should be withheld from school on account of the foot and mouth outbreak. [152762]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 9 March 2001]: As at Thursday 8 March, only five schools in Cumbria, three in Devon, and none in Northumberland were still closed because of a local outbreak of foot and mouth disease. The following schools in these areas had earlier been closed at some point during the last two weeks, but most have since reopened:

  Cumbria

  Blackford Church of England Primary School; Hayton Church of England Primary School; Kirkoswald Church of England Primary School; Lochinvar Secondary School, Longtown; Longtown Infant School; Longtown Junior School; and Yanwath Primary School.

  Devon

  Black Torrington Church of England Primary School; Boasley Cross Primary School; Bradford Primary School; Highampton Primary School; Shebbear Primary School; and Widecombe-in-the-Moor Primary School.
  558W
  Northumberland

  Belsay First School; Greenhead Church of England First School; Hugh Joicey Church of England First School, Ford; and Stamfordham First School.

  My Department has advised local education authorities that, provided sensible precautions are observed and hygiene measures taken, adults and young people living in areas where restrictions are in place following confirmation of foot and mouth disease locally should normally be able to continue to travel to school, and that schools should endeavour to open and provide a full curriculum—or failing that at least to provide care for children to enable parents to go to work. The full advice on these and other aspects is available to all schools, parents and others on the Department's website, and has been sent to all Chief Education Officers in England, and to other education-interest groups.

  Employment and Social Policy Council
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the outcome was of the Employment and Social Policy Council held in Brussels on 6 March; if he will set out the Government's voting records at the Council; and if he will make a statement. [152826]

  Ms Jowell
  Along with the Under-Secretary of State for Social Security, my hon. Friend the Member for Wallasey (Angela Eagle), I represented the UK at the Employment and Social Policy Council held in Brussels on 6 March.

  This was a busy Council with the Standing Committee on Employment also meeting in the margins. Council and Committee business focused on preparations for the forthcoming European Council in Stockholm on 23–24 March. The Commission presented its synthesis report, which will inform the social/employment dimension of Stockholm, together with their Scoreboard on the implementation of the Social Agenda and their Communication on New Labour Markets. Ministers also noted the inputs from the Employment Committee and the Social Protection Committee in the discussion on the preparations for Stockholm. The UK emphasised the importance of remaining focused on the priorities agreed at Lisbon, working towards creating choice and mobility in a dynamic and flexible labour market and, with Commission support, pressed for concrete outcomes at Stockholm: particularly in terms of basic skills, the skills and mobility taskforce, action on the gender pay gap, women entrepreneurs and a European employment target for older workers.

  The Council held an open debate on the sustainability of pensions systems and agreed that the Social Protection Committee would prepare a report for the European Council in Göteberg on 15–16 June. The Presidency reported on the agreement with the European Parliament for a series of amendments to regulation 1408/71 which co-ordinates social security for migrant workers moving within the EU.

  The Presidency formally reported on the recent series of informal Ministerial meetings held in Sweden, at Luleå, Norrköping and Malmö.
  559W
  Under any other business, the Commission raised the recent ILO measures against Burma concerning forced labour and the ratification of ILO Convention no 182 on the worst forms of Child Labour. No substantive discussion was necessary on these items. There was a brief discussion of the Commission's proposals for evaluating the European Employment Strategy, with the Presidency agreeing to remit the issue to the Employment Committee.

  No votes were taken.

  Children's Fund
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if school-based counselling services for children will be established as part of the Children's Fund. [152948]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Children's Fund will enable local partnerships to implement strategies for preventive services to ensure that children and young people at risk of social exclusion get the best start in life.

  Children's Fund proposals will be built from the bottom up, responding to local needs. Our guidance makes it clear that mentoring and counselling services may be part of these strategies both within and outside the school environment.

  New Deal
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the progress of the New Deal, specifying the number of businesses that have participated to date. [153126]

  Ms Jowell
  Over 83,000 employers have so far signed New Deal Employer Agreements. Together with many others across the country, these employers have helped 274,000 young people, 62,000 people aged over 25 and 75,000 lone parents find work through the New Deals.

  Computers in Reach
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment for what reason the LS1 postcode was not included in the Computers Within Reach pilot scheme. [153222]

  Mr. Wills
  The Computers in Reach scheme is a cash-limited pilot scheme that is currently in its first phase. In order to ensure that there was not undue demand in the chosen localities it was agreed that the pilots needed both clear boundaries and be limited to certain areas in light of the number of potential customers and the supply available in that area.

  In the case of Leeds the reasons for omitting the LS1 postcode included:
  That it is the Central Business District of Leeds with fewer residential areas within it;
  The area contains a number of town houses and flats and would have a very low percentage of the target group we were aiming at; and
  If it were included it might have caused another postcode area with more of our target customers to be omitted.

  Sibsey School
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he received the request for approval of the transfer of land adjoining Sibsey School from Lincolnshire county council to the school's foundation trustees; and if he will agree to the transfer. [153359]

  Jacqui Smith
  There has been no application from Lincolnshire county council to the Secretary of State regarding the transfer of land to the Foundation Trustees of Sibsey Free Primary School. Section 77 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 requires local authorities to obtain the Secretary of State's consent before they can sell any playing field used by a school in the last 10 years. I understand that the land in question was previously agricultural land and has not yet been used as school playing field. Therefore, Lincolnshire county council does not need the Secretary of State's consent to transfer it to the School's Foundation Trustees.

  Ferndown Leisure Centre
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make it his policy for the grant approved by his Department for 2000–01 towards the proposed public-private partnership at Ferndown leisure centre to be carried forward to 2001–02. [153507]

  Jacqui Smith
  Officers of Dorset county council have been in contact with my Department concerning the delays to the public-private partnership to improve the sports facilities at Ferndown leisure centre for the benefit of Ferndown Upper School. A re-phasing of the project has been agreed.

  Departmental Policies (Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East)
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effect on the Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East constituency of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [153287]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 12 March 2001]: The information requested has been placed in the Libraries.

  Departmental Policies (Constituency Information)
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will set out with statistical information relating as directly as possible to each of the local authorities in the former county of Berkshire, the effects on each authority of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997, with particular reference to schools. [152854]

  Mr. Kemp
  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 constituency, the effects on Houghton and Washington, East of his Department's actions since 2 May 1997. [152987]

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

  School Clubs and Holiday Schemes
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many(a) after school club places and (b) holiday playscheme places there were (i) in 1996 and (ii) at the latest date for which figures are available in (A) London and (B) each London borough. [152200]

  All pupils under five in nursery and primary schools

  January 2000 Percentage of population

  January 1996 Percentage of population

  Number of pupils

  Nursery schools and nursery classes

  Nursery and primary schools

  Number of pupils

  Nursery schools and nursery classes

  Nursery and primary schools

  London

  122,800

  37

  62

  115,484

  35

  58

  Inner London1

  50,900

  40

  65

  —

  —

  —

  Camden

  2,270

  28

  49

  2,033

  25

  48

  Hackney

  3,860

  35

  59

  3,839

  33

  57

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  2,330

  42

  55

  2,290

  44

  58

  Haringey

  4,800

  44

  73

  4,674

  44

  75

  Islington

  3,180

  38

  67

  3,383

  37

  65

  Kensington and Chelsea

  1,480

  25

  42

  1,219

  27

  39

  Lambeth

  4,360

  34

  55

  3,489

  31

  45

  Lewisham

  4,610

  40

  67

  3,876

  37

  52

  Newham

  7,520

  57

  88

  5,854

  52

  67

  Southwark

  5,290

  44

  74

  5,125

  41

  68

  Tower Hamlets

  5,250

  50

  82

  5,092

  61

  87

  Wandsworth

  3,920

  32

  54

  4,055

  33

  56

  Westminster

  2,020

  32

  48

  1,790

  32

  45

  Outer London

  71,800

  35

  61

  —

  —

  —

  Barking and Dagenham

  3,610

  45

  78

  3,644

  46

  80

  Barnet

  4,960

  31

  58

  4,697

  31

  57

  Bexley

  3,980

  38

  72

  3,555

  25

  58

  Brent

  4,480

  34

  61

  4,666

  36

  65

  Bromley

  2,720

  5

  36

  2,578

  3

  36

  Croydon

  5,570

  30

  61

  5,036

  23

  54

  Ealing

  6,080

  45

  73

  6,279

  46

  76

  Enfield

  4,310

  25

  56

  4,099

  22

  53

  Greenwich

  4,370

  56

  72

  4,447

  50

  67

  Harrow

  2,680

  20

  48

  2,634

  19

  47

  Havering

  2,650

  16

  51

  2,495

  10

  47

  Hillingdon

  4,320

  50

  64

  3,534

  50

  52

  Hounslow

  3,960

  40

  70

  4,089

  40

  67

  Kingston upon Thames

  2,290

  38

  66

  2,408

  39

  70

  Merton

  3,530

  55

  71

  3,718

  54

  74

  Redbridge

  4,430

  40

  73

  2,937

  22

  45

  Richmond upon Thames

  1,970

  18

  42

  2,023

  21

  50

  Sutton

  1,940

  41

  43

  2,023

  40

  42

  Waltham Forest

  4,010

  46

  60

  3,868

  39

  54

  1 Includes City of London

  Brain Injury (Vocational Services)
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the(a) total Employment Service funding and (b) average funding per client was for brain injury vocational services for each region in the last 12 months. [153690]

  Ms Jowell
  The Employment Service provides a wide range of employment programmes and services for disabled people, including those with brain injuries. It is not possible to identify separately the total spent specifically on behalf of people with brain injury.
  562W
  Ms Hodge
  [holding answer 8 March 2001]: The available information is shown in the table. This includes information on out of school clubs and holiday schemes for March 1996 and March 2000.

  The responsibility for day care provision transferred from the Department of Health to the Department for Education and Employment in March 1998.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Chardon LL
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the Government were first informed of the length of official testing of Chardon LL in France. [144374]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: Concerns about the procedures for the DUS testing of maize in France were first aroused by the content of agenda papers for a Community Plant Variety Office Administrative Council meeting. The papers were first

  563W
  received in MAFF on 6 October. Subsequent exchanges between MAFF and French officials were initially inconclusive but in view of the potential implications the concerns were drawn to the attention of Ministers on 30 October. The issue was then immediately placed in the public domain via a PQ and press release on 31 October.

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many of the samples taken from seed offered for sale and tested for purity between 1 May and 31 October were tested for the presence of GM varieties. [144344]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: The EU seeds directives do not at present lay down any standards for levels of GM seeds in conventional seed varieties. The legal powers to undertake GM monitoring and enforcement activities on seed imports rests with the DETR.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what provisions are made in relation to GMOs in the UKROFS organic standard; and what plans he has to review these provisions. [153235]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The Standards for Organic Food Production set by the UK Register of Organic Food Standards prohibit the use of genetically modified organisms, or their derivatives, in all production stages.

  There are no current plans for the review of these provisions, which reflect the requirements of Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 (as amended).

  BSE Inquiry
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the cost was of the preparation and production of the Government's interim response to the report of the BSE inquiry, Cm 5049; and to whom it was distributed. [151596]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The Government's interim response to the report of the BSE inquiry was prepared with contributions from Ministers and officials in many Government Departments in Whitehall and the devolved Administrations. Providing a figure for the costs of this work would be possible only at disproportionate cost. The production and distribution costs of the response are estimate at about £11,000.

  The response was distributed to a very wide range of organisations. More than 500 copies were sent to organisations representing consumers, health and welfare organisations, food producers and manufacturers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, agricultural interests, environmental interests, scientific and research bodies and Government advisory committees.

  The full list of those consulted was distributed with the response under cover of an official letter dated 9 February 2001, a copy of which is available in the Libraries of the House.

  Animal Health (Intensive Farming)
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the impact on animal health of intensive farming. [151827]
  564W
  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 1 March 2001]: All sectors of the livestock industry can experience animal health problems and whatever systems of production are employed, livestock are susceptible to notifiable diseases.

  My right hon. Friend the Minister has indicated that once the present outbreak of foot and mouth disease has been eradicated, this and other issues will be reviewed.

  Foot and Mouth
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what sources of information he used to reach an understanding of the natural history of the foot and mouth disease virus. [152414]

  Ms Quin
  The Ministry has access to the world reference laboratory and world experts at the Institute for Animal Health at Pirbright, Surrey. There is also a significant body of knowledge available in published scientific papers.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to pay higher compensation rates for pedigree livestock destroyed under foot and mouth control orders. [152417]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 6 March 2001]: Compensation for animals destroyed to control foot and mouth disease is paid at the full market value of the animal immediately before it became affected with disease, or immediately before slaughter in all other cases. Animals are subject to an independent valuation prior to slaughter. This will take into account whether an animal's pedigree status or any other factor has a bearing on its value.

  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice his Department has given to zoos about the foot and mouth disease outbreak and the future of rare and endangered species. [152522]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 6 March 2001]: The Ministry has prepared advice with the Zoological Federation and its veterinary advisers for zoos, wildlife parks, city farms and similar establishments.

  This advice has been posted on MAFF's website www.maff.gov.uk. It provides basic information on how the disease is spread and explains what can be done to reduce the risk of disease spreading to animals contained on these sites. For example, zoos should prevent contact between the public and animals and ensure that no waste food is fed to the animals. Disinfection procedures should be introduced or improved for staff, visitors and for any vehicles that enter compounds containing susceptible animals.

  We have not provided specific advice on rare or endangered species.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when compensation payments to farmers for the slaughter of animals will start to be made. [152610]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 6 March 2001]: Arrangements are in place to ensure that compensation claims will be processed and paid immediately.
  565W
  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the risk assessment for the spread of foot and mouth disease on herds of wild deer will be published. [152686]

  Ms Quin
  Farmed deer are covered under the Animal Health Act 1981 and the Foot and Mouth Disease Order 1983 as ruminating animals, and are susceptible to foot and mouth disease.

  An initial veterinary assessment indicates the risk of wild deer spreading the disease is low. As more information becomes available about the epidemiology of disease in the areas where there are wild deer, the risk assessment will be updated. The final risk assessment will be published soon.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what plans he has to help farmers who will lose income as a consequence of not being able to move cattle before the 30 month period; [153189]

  (2) if he will make compensation payments to farmers who have incurred financial loss because of the outbreak of foot and mouth on neighbouring land. [152611]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answers 6 and 12 March 2001]: Compensation is payable for the market value of animals slaughtered to control foot and mouth disease. It is not payable for the consequential losses caused by foot and mouth controls, for example when movement restrictions cause animals to become ineligible for the human consumption market. There are no plans to make such payments in response to the current outbreak, but the situation will be kept under review.

  Irish Veterinary Regime
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will discuss with his counterparts in the Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture and the Minister of Agriculture of the Irish Republic about creating a single veterinary regime for the whole island of Ireland. [151879]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 5 March 2001]: Officials in the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland already enjoy close links with their counterparts in the Republic of Ireland. In addition, the Good Friday Agreement commits both jurisdictions to formalising those links. There have been preliminary discussions at ministerial level. Officials in Belfast and Dublin are working to develop a common approach to animal health issues on the island of Ireland and to even closer co-operation in dealing with matters of common concern.

  Compulsory Slaughter
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list(a) farmed animals, (b) other organisms and (c) commodities in respect of which compensation is not payable to growers or owners in the case of compulsory slaughter; and if he will make a statement. [152326]

  Ms Quin
  Compensation is paid for any animal slaughtered or any thing seized (whether animate or inanimate) under the Animal Health Act 1981 in respect 566W
  of the control of animal disease. Compensation is not payable for the consequential losses, for example caused by movement restrictions.

  Compensation is not paid when the destruction of stock is imposed as part of an official exercise to eradicate a fish disease.

  Compensation is not normally paid to growers or owners in the case of compulsory destruction under the Plant Health Act 1967 of plant or plant products which are, or are suspected of being, infected with a quarantine plant pest.

  Swine Fever
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the causes of the recent classical swine fever outbreak. [152770]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 8 March 2001]: Extensive tracings were made of personnel, pigs, livestock, feed and other agricultural vehicles onto and off all 16 infected premises. Investigations to date support the initial findings that the second infected premises was the index case and that pigs there were exposed to CSF virus in early June 2000.

  The most likely source is thought to be an infected pork product, since back-tracing failed to reveal any evidence of infection and no other local source was detected. Subsequent spread was caused by commercial pig movements or by lateral spread.

  Organic Farming
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what systems are in place for the monitoring and evaluation of the schemes for converting to organic farming funded by the Government, with particular regard to the effect on yields. [153164]

  Mr. Morley
  An evaluation of the Organic Farming Scheme, which will contribute to the interim evaluation of the English Rural Development Programme, will begin in the summer of 2001. The study will aim to provide a comprehensive evaluation of MAFF's policies relating to conversion to organic production, including the rationale for such intervention and the effectiveness and efficiency achieved in meeting policy objectives. However, achieving particular yields either by farm or in total is not one of the objectives of the scheme.

  Farm Product Prices
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make statement on trends in(a) farm gate and (b) retail prices of farm products over the last five years. [152298]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 5 March 2001]: Farm gate prices as measured by the index of producer prices for agricultural products declined 26.3 per cent. over the five years to December 2000. Retail food prices increased 3.9 per cent. over the five years to January 2001 compared with an increase of 13.9 per cent. for all items RPI. Agricultural commodities account for a relatively small proportion of the retail price of food, with most of the costs accounted for by processing and distribution.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the total operations and running costs were of the millennium dome for 2000.
  [147728]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 30 January 2001]: The figure provided by the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) is subject to the Company's necessary external audit scrutiny. That work will begin shortly and will inform the content of the Company's Annual Report and Financial Statements for the period 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2000. The report and statements will be published in due course. NMEC has advised that total operating or running costs for the millennium dome in the calendar year 2000 was £145.5 million.

  Athletics Championships (Funding)
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the difference between cost and funds secured to date for staging Manchester 2002. [152516]

  Kate Hoey
  [holding answer 6 March 2001]: My right hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Cabinet Office is responsible for co-ordinating Government involvement with the Commonwealth Games. Manchester 2002 Ltd. is raising income from a combination of sponsorship, television rights, merchandising and ticket sales to meet the estimated operating costs of £62 million of the Games. To date, they have attracted £18 million.

  When bidding to stage the Games, Manchester city council undertook to underwrite the Games and that commitment remains.

  Sports Clubs (Taxation)
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture. Media and Sport what discussions he has had (1) with sports clubs concerning a more favourable regime with regard to(a) business rates and (b) VAT; [151832]

  (2) with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions on business rates and their impact on sports clubs; [151834]

  (3) with the Treasury on VAT and its impact on sports clubs. [151833]

  Kate Hoey
  [holding answer 1 March 2001]: In the course of this year and last, I have held a number of meetings with ministerial colleagues and representatives from across the sports sector including the Central Council of Physical Recreation to discuss the general issue of the taxation burden facing community amateur sports clubs. I have also received a number of representations directly from voluntary sports clubs. As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced, the Government will consult in the coming months on the best way for tax relief to help community amateur sports clubs.

  Apsley House
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent representations 568W
  he has received in concerning proposals to change the ownership of Apsley House; and if he will make a statement. [153431]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 12 March 2001]: I have not received any recent representations about changing the ownership of Apsley House, which is Crown property and will remain so. As I announced last year, I am reviewing the management arrangements for Apsley House and the Wellington Museum, but have yet to reach a final decision on those.

  Seaside Resorts
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he has taken to help rejuvenate English seaside tourist resorts in the last three years. [152883]

  Janet Anderson
  The regeneration of traditional resorts was identified as one of the key action points in "Tomorrow's Tourism", the Government's tourism strategy—published in 1999. The strategy set out a model regeneration plan and the Government, together with the English Tourism Council (ETC), have been working with regional and local authorities and the British Resorts Association to encourage the adoption of the model plan and the sharing of best practice. Resort regeneration has been extensively discussed at Ministerial Tourism Summits and the ETC have set up a Resorts Task Force, which has recently published its report "Sea Changes" which sets out a blueprint for seaside resort regeneration.

  New assistance has been provided for many resorts through the new Structural Funds (Objective 2) and Assisted Areas maps. The Single Regeneration Budget has recently made £172 million available to coastal areas and £30 million has been provided from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund to benefit a number of major resorts, including Southport. National Lottery funding continues to assist numerous seaside resorts.

  English seaside resorts have also benefited from actions to improve bathing water quality, with 95 per cent. now meeting EU directives and a number of coastal/resort transport schemes are progressing in line with the Government's transport strategy.

  Cultural Property
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the 1970 UNESCO convention on the means of prohibiting and preventing the illicit import, export and transfer of ownership of cultural property. [153912]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Following the recommendation in the report of the Ministerial Advisory Panel on the Illicit Trade chaired by Professor Norman Palmer, published in December, and after further consultations within Government, I am pleased to announce that the Government have taken the decision to accede to this convention once the normal Parliamentary and other formalities have been completed. We do so on the basis that no fresh legislative commitment is required and we intend to enter reservations on the basis of those outlined in Professor Palmer's Report.

  Televised Sporting Events
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what his policy is on keeping important national sporting events free to TV viewers. [153032]

  Janet Anderson
  The Government believe that all television licence holders should have free access (on the BBC, the ITV Network or Channel 4) to those sporting occasions which have true national resonance. These events are listed under Part IV of the Broadcasting Act 1996.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Queen's Counsel
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he accepts the findings of the Office of Fair Trading concerning the Queen's Counsel system; and if he will make a statement. [153598]

  Mr. Lock
  The report by the Director General of the Office of Fair Trading, on competition in the market for professional services, raises a number of complex issues which need to be considered. The Government will issue a consultation paper inviting comments.

  Restrictive Practices
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the recommendations of the Office of Fair Trading report on restrictive practices in the legal profession; and if he will make a statement. [153597]

  Mr. Lock
  As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry stated to the House on 8 March 2001,Official Report, columns 458–59, the Government recognise the complexity of the issues raised by the Director of the Office of Fair Trading and will therefore issue a formal consultation paper addressing those issues and inviting comments.

  Departmental Policies (Houghton and Washington, East)
  Mr. Kemp
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effects on Houghton and Washington, East of the Lord Chancellor's Department's actions since 2 May 1997. [152988]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Lord Chancellor's Department is responsible for the administration of the courts and for legal services. We have taken steps to improve the management and effectiveness of the services we provide and to meet customer needs, including working closely with other agencies to provide a fair, swift and effective system of justice, improve the availability of affordable and good quality legal services and to improve the lives of children and help build and sustain strong families.

  In particular, the Sunderland Community Legal Service Partnership (CLSP), which covers Houghton and Washington, East constituency, is one of 165 CLS Partnerships throughout England and Wales.
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  A wide range of organisations have come together to form the CLSP including Sunderland city council, the Legal Services Commission, local solicitors, Wearside Money Advice Unit, the University of Sunderland, the Family Mediation Service, the Benefits Agency, Shirley Row Advice and Resource Project and Washington CAB.

  Within Houghton and Washington the Legal Services Commission has awarded contracts to solicitors with a total value in excess of £327,000. The contracts cover a range of categories, including family, debt and employment.

  In addition, Wearside Money Advice Unit has a contract form the Commission to provide debt advice. Although based in Sunderland, they offer a service across the whole of Wearside. The contract is worth £41,514.

  All of these organisations hold the Quality Mark at Specialist level. In addition a further eight organisations have expressed an interest in obtaining the Quality Mark.

  The Magistrates' Courts Committees (MCCs) of Northumberland, Newcastle, Gateshead, South Tyneside, North Tyneside and Sunderland amalgamated to form the Northumbria MCC on 1 April 2000.

  Departmental Policies (South Shields)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the South Shields constituency, the effects on South Shields of her Department's polices and actions since 2 May 1997. [153089]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Lord Chancellor's Department is responsible for the administration of the courts and for legal services. We have taken steps to improve the management and effectiveness of the services we provide and to meet customer needs, including working closely with other agencies to provide a fair, swift and effective system of justice, improve the availability of affordable and good quality legal services and to improve the lives of children and help build and sustain strong families.

  In particular over £750,000 in capital expenditure was allocated for the construction of the magistrates court in South Shields which opened in 1997.

  South Shields constituency will be covered by the South Tyneside Community Legal Service Partnership. Discussions are taking place between the Legal Services Commission and South Tyneside MBC with a view to staging a launch seminar at the end of March or beginning of April 2001. There are already 165 Community Legal Service Partnerships throughout England and Wales.

  Within South Shields solicitors firms have been awarded contracts whose total value amounts to over £770,000. The contracts cover a range of categories, including family, debt and employment. In addition South Tyneside CAB has also been awarded a contract worth £64,905 to provide debt and welfare benefits advice. Their main office is within South Shields.

  All of the above organisations hold the Quality Mark at the specialist level. A further 11 organisations based in South Shields have expressed an interest in obtaining the Quality Mark.
  571W
  The Magistrates Courts Committees (MCCs) of: Northumberland, Newcastle, Gateshead, South Tyneside, North Tyneside and Sunderland, amalgamated to form the Northumbria MCC on 1 April 2000.

  Land Registry
  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the key performance targets for HM Land Registry Executive Agency are for 2001–02. [153931]

  Jane Kennedy
  The table contains the key performance targets the Lord Chancellor has set for HM Land Registry for 2001–02.

  Key performance indicator and targets 2001–02

  Indicator

  Target 2000–01

  Target 2001–02

  "Service First" Standards Speed

  Percentage of office copies and official search applications to be processed within two working days

  98

  98

  Percentage of office copies and official search applications to be processed within three working days

  100

  100

  Percentage of customers who are very satisfied/satisfied with the speed of service of office copies and official search applications

  —

  192

  Percentage of registrations to be processed within 25 working days

  80

  80

  Percentage of customers who are very satisfied/satisfied with the speed of service of registrations

  —

  1 90

  Accuracy

  Percentage of registrations processed free of any error

  98.5

  98.5

  Percentage of customers very satisfied/satisfied with the accuracy of registrations

  190

  190

  Overall Satisfaction

  Percentage of customers who, overall, very satisfied/satisfied with the full range of services provided by the Land Registry

  —

  192

  Financial

  Percentage return on average capital employed

  6

  6

  Efficiency2

  Cost per unit in real terms

  £25.09

  £23.95

  Cost per unit in cash terms

  £30.87

  £29.97

  Delivery of Electronic Services

  Percentage electronic delivery of all of the Land Registry's services

  —

  40

  Percentage of titles in the land register capable of electronic delivery

  96

  97

  Number of scanned pages of filed documents (millions)

  11

  28

  Number of scanned Land Charges registrations, Writs and Orders in Bankruptcy (millions)

  —

  7

  1 Better than

  2 Based on GDP deflator issued by HM Treasury on 8 November 2000 (baseline: 1992–93). These are milestones towards the HM Treasury-agreed cost per unit target for 2004–05 of £21.43 (real terms) and £29.11 (cash terms).

  Note:

  Further details of HMLR's targets are published in its Business Plan

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Timber
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if his Department's annual report on timber procurement to the Committee of Green Ministers will be published. [152109]

  Mr. Bayley
  The Department will be publishing its first annual report on sustainable development and the environment later this year and it will contain information on timber procurement. The Green Ministers' annual report will also report on this subject.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much certified timber has been purchased by his Department over the past six months; and what proportion of total timber purchases this represents. [152116]

  Mr. Bayley
  The Department does not yet have a system in place to provide data on the proportion of certified timber purchased over the past six months.

  The Department occupies serviced accommodation provided by Trillium. It is the policy of the Department and Trillium to increase the proportion of timber used from certified sustainable sources. The company that supplies timber for maintenance on the estate only accepts claims of environmental sustainability if they are backed by independent inspection.

  Trillium is developing an Environmental Management System. In future this will provide the Department with data on timber procurement.

  Departmental Policies (Hemsworth and Wakefield)
  Mr. Trickett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly to the locations as possible, the effects of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997 on(a) Hemsworth constituency and (b) Wakefield district. [153002]

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

  These goals are being pursued nationwide and our achievements are set out in our annual "Opportunity for all" reports. Our second report, "Opportunity for all—One year on: making a difference" (CM4865, September 2000), sets out what progress has been made in the past year, as well as highlighting what more needs to be done. Nationwide statistical information is necessarily more complete than constituency level data, but the following provides a comparative guide to the effect of the Department's policies and actions in Hemsworth constituency and the Wakefield Metropolitan Authority area since May 1997.
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  Measures in our five Budgets so far will lift over 1.2 million children out of poverty. These include record increases to Child Benefit, the introduction of the Working Families Tax Credit, increases in income-related benefits, the minimum wage and tax changes.

  Child Benefit will be worth £15.50 a week for the eldest child and £10.35 a week for other children from April 2001: nationally about 7 million families receive Child Benefit, in Hemsworth 11,382 families benefit and in the Wakefield Metropolitan Authority area 40,427 families benefit.

  We now have the lowest unemployment rate in 25 years. The New Deals have helped lone parents, the young unemployed, the long-term unemployed, the over-50s and partners of the unemployed to move from benefit into work. In the period since May 1997 the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance nationally has reduced from 1,562,400 to 1,044,900; in Hemsworth the number has reduced from 2,700, to 1,700, and in the Wakefield Metropolitan Authority area from 9,400 to 5,800. Since May 1997 the number of lone parents who claim Income Support has decreased from 1,013,500 to 894,100 nationally; in Hemsworth the number has decreased from 1,800 to 1,500 and in the Wakefield Metropolitan Authority area from 5,900 to 5,200.

  Older people are disproportionately affected by fuel poverty. So we have introduced Winter Fuel Payments to help with their heaviest fuel bill. This winter, the payment is £200 for households who qualify. Over 17,000 older people in Hemsworth have received a Winter Fuel Payment for this winter. Information on the number of Winter Fuel Payments received is not available by local authority area.

  To demonstrate our commitment to combating pensioner poverty, this year we will spend £4.5 billion extra in real terms on pensioners. Some 15,600 pensioners in Hemsworth and 54,400 in the Wakefield Metropolitan Authority area will benefit from the substantial increases in the basic State Pension this April and next; this year's increase is £5 a week for single pensioners and £8 for couples. In addition we have introduced free TV licences for the over-75s of whom we estimate there are about 5,900 in Hemsworth and 19,200 in the Wakefield Metropolitan Authority area. 2,500 pensioner families in Hemsworth and 10,400 in the Wakefield Metropolitan Authority area are receiving the Minimum Income Guarantee, which we introduced in April 1999 to help our poorest pensioners. From April they will be at least £15 a week, or £800 a year, better off in real terms as a result of Government measures since 1997.

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

  Departmental Policies (Houghton and Washington, East)
  Mr. Kemp
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set out, with statistical information 574W
  relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effects on Houghton and Washington, East of his Department's actions since 2 May 1997. [152994]

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

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

  Measures in our five Budgets so far will lift over 1.2 million children out of poverty. These include record increases to Child Benefit, the introduction of the Working Families Tax Credit, increases in income-related benefits, the minimum wage and tax changes.

  Child benefit will be worth £15.50 a week for the eldest child and £10.35 a week for other children from April 2001; nationally about 7 million families receive child benefit, and in Houghton and Washington, East 11,480 families benefit.

  We now have the lowest unemployment rate in 25 years. The New Deals have helped lone parents, the young unemployed, the long-term unemployed, the over-50s and partners of the unemployed to move from benefit into work. In the period since May 1997 the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance nationally has reduced from 1,562,400 to 1,044,900; in Houghton and Washington, East the number has reduced from 2,600 to 2,100. Since May 1997 the number of lone parents who claim Income Support has decreased from 1,013,500 to 894,100 nationally and in Houghton and Washington, East from 2,100 to 1,800.

  Older people are disproportionately affected by fuel poverty, so we have introduced Winter Fuel Payments to help with their heaviest fuel bill. This winter, the payment is £200 for households who qualify. Over 16,000 older people in Houghton and Washington, East have received a Winter Fuel Payment for this winter.

  To demonstrate our commitment to combating pensioner poverty, this year we will spend £4.5 billion extra in real terms on pensioners. Some 14,800 pensioners in Houghton and Washington, East will benefit from the substantial increases in the basic State pension this April and next; this year's increase is £5 a week for single pensioners and £8 for couples. In addition we have introduced free TV licences for the over-75s of whom we estimate there are about 5,400 in Houghton and Washington, East. 3,500 pensioner families in Houghton and Washington, East are receiving the Minimum Income Guarantee, which we introduced in April 1999 to help our

  575W
  poorest pensioners. From April they will be at least £15 a week, or £800 a year, better off in real terms as a result of Government measures since 1997.

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

  Departmental Policies (South Shields)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the South Shields constituency, the effects on South Shields of his Department's polices and actions since 2 May 1997. [153087]

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

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

  Measures in our five Budgets so far will lift over 1.2 million children out of poverty. These include record increases to Child Benefit, the introduction of the Working Families Tax Credit, increases in income-related benefits, the minimum wage and tax changes.

  Child Benefit will be worth £15.50 a week for the eldest child and £10.35 a week for other children from April 2001: nationally about seven million families receive child benefit, and in South Shields 10,358 families benefit.

  We now have the lowest unemployment rate in 25 years. The New Deals have helped lone parents, the young unemployed, the long-term unemployed, the over-50s and partners of the unemployed to move from benefit into work. In the period since May 1997 the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance nationally has reduced from 1,562,400 to 1,044,900; in South Shields the number has reduced from 4,700, to 3,600. Since May 1997 the number of lone parents who claim Income Support has decreased from 1,013,500 to 894,100 nationally; in South Shields the number has increased from 2,000 to 2,100.

  Older people are disproportionately affected by fuel poverty. So we have introduced Winter Fuel Payments to help with their heaviest fuel bill. This winter, the payment
  576W
  is £200 for households who qualify. Over 17,000 older people in South Shields have received a Winter Fuel Payment for this winter.

  To demonstrate our commitment to combating pensioner poverty, this year we will spend £4.5 billion extra in real terms on pensioners. Some 16,400 pensioners in South Shields will benefit from the substantial increases in the basic State pension this April and next; this year's increase is £5 a week for single pensioners and £8 for couples. In addition we have introduced free TV licences for the over-75s of whom we estimate there are about 6,300 in South Shields. 3,700 pensioner families in South Shields are receiving the Minimum Income Guarantee, which we introduced in April 1999 to help our poorest pensioners. From April they will be at least £15 a week, or £800 a year, better off in real terms as a result of Government measures since 1997.

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

  Attendance Allowance
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people receive(a) higher and (b) lower rate Attendance Allowance. [152903]

  Mr. Bayley
  The latest available information, which relates to 31 August 2000, is that about 577,300 people were receiving the higher rate of Attendance Allowance, and about 693,200 were receiving the lower rate.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many recipients of Disability Living Allowance higher mobility component qualify because they are both blind and deaf. [152902]

  Mr. Bayley
  The latest information, which relates to 31 August 2000, is that 382 people with both at least 80 per cent. disablement from loss of hearing and 100 per cent. disablement from loss of sight were receiving the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance.

  Discrete figures for deaf-blind recipients with lower levels of disability are not available. However, their entitlement is dependent not on their impairments themselves but on their resulting care and mobility needs, so full account is taken of combined disabilities. In total, almost 79,000 people with either blindness or deafness as their principal disabling condition were receiving Disability Living Allowance on the above date, including over 7,000 on the higher rate mobility component.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many Disability Living Allowance awards there are to(a) disabled people in general and (b) deaf people in particular; and how many of these were granted at (i) initial application and (ii) review or appeal, in (1) England, (2) Wales, (3) Scotland and (4) Northern Ireland. [152901]
  577W
  Mr. Bayley
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.

  Current awards of Disability Living Allowance broken down by country

  Disability

  England

  Wales

  Scotland

  All disabilities

  1,742,600

  177,200

  240,500

  Deafness1

  20,700

  1,400

  2,100

  1 Main disabling condition

  Notes:

  1. Information on how many current awards of Disability Living Allowance were originally made on initial claim and how many review or appeal is not available

  2. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is responsible for social security in Northern Ireland

  Source:

  DSS Information Centre: 5 per cent. data

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will provide a breakdown of current Disability Living Allowance awards for which deafness is the main disabling condition by(a) the rate of each component and (b) age. [152900]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information is in the table.

  Current Disability Living Allowance awards for which deafness is the main disabling condition, broken down by age and rate of each component

  Type of award

  All ages

  0–15

  16–39

  40–59

  Age 60 and over

  All rates of care

  21,900

  8,700

  7,100

  4,700

  1,500

  Higher rate care

  900

  600

  1200

  1100

  1100

  Middle rate care

  15,100

  7,600

  4,500

  2,400

  700

  Lower rate care

  5,900

  500

  2,500

  2,200

  700

  All rates of mobility

  12,900

  5,200

  3,900

  2,400

  1,300

  Higher rate mobility

  1,500

  1200

  1300

  1300

  600

  Lower rate mobility

  11,400

  5,100

  3,600

  2,000

  700

  1 Number too small to be statistically reliable

  Notes:

  1. Figures relate to 31 August 2000

  2. Figures do not sum due to rounding

  Source:

  DSS Information Centre: 5 per cent. data

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will provide a breakdown of Disability Living Allowance awards for which deafness is the main disabling condition by(a) age and (b) type of award, including (i) care only component, (ii) mobility only component and (iii) combined care and mobility components. [152899]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information is in the table.

  Current Disability Living Allowance awards where deafness is the main disabling condition, broken down by age and type of award

  Age

  Type of award

  All ages

  0–15

  16–39

  40–59

  60 and over

  All awards

  24,100

  9,000

  7,900

  5,200

  2,000

  Care only

  11,300

  3,800

  4,000

  2,800

  700

  Mobility only

  2,200

  4001

  900

  500

  500

  Care and mobility

  10,600

  4,900

  3,100

  1,900

  800

  1 Number too small to be statistically reliable

  Notes:

  1. Figures relate to 31 August 2000

  2. Figures do not sum due to rounding

  Source:

  DSS Information Centre: 5 per cent. data.
  578W
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many Disability Living Allowance recipients there are and how many there were in each of the last seven years, whose main disabling condition is deafness. [152898]

  Mr. Bayley
  The latest available information, which relates to 31 August 2000, is that about 2,160,300 people were receiving Disability Living Allowance. Figures for recipients whose main disabling condition is deafness are in the table.

  Disability Living Allowance recipients w hose main disabling condition is deafness

  Year

  Recipients

  1994

  10,100

  1995

  11,800

  1996

  13,900

  1997

  16,700

  1998

  20,400

  1999

  22,900

  2000

  24,100

  Note:

  Figures relate to 31 August each year.

  Source:

  DSS Information Centre, 5 per cent. data.

  Mrs. B. E. Jones
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the appeal by Mrs. B. E. Jones of Verwood, Dorset against refusal of Disability Living Allowance will be heard; and if he will make a statement. [153040]

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

  Letter from Neil Ward to Mr. Christopher Chope, dated 12 March 2001:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked, me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question. You asked when the appeal of Mrs B. E. Jones of Verwood, Dorset against refusal of disability living allowance would be heard.
  I can tell you that Mrs Jones' appeal against refusal of disability living allowance has been listed for hearing at 10.00am, Tuesday 20th March 2001, at Bournemouth.
  The Appeals Service received the appeal for submission for Mrs Jones on 27 September 2000. On 19 October Mrs Jones sent the Benefits Agency (BA) some further evidence. The evidence was considered by a decision maker in the BA but the decision was not changed.
  On 5 March, Mrs Jones was informed that her appeal hearing was scheduled for hearing at 10.00am on 20 March at the Bournemouth venue.
  On 6 March, the representative phoned saying that Mrs Jones knew the doctor. Rather than postponing her case we have changed the doctor assigned to the session so that Mrs Jones' hearing could proceed.
  There was some delay in arranging the hearing for Mrs Jones and I would be grateful if you would pass on my apologies to Mrs Jones for this. We have been working hard in the Appeals Service to reduce the time it takes to bring appellants' cases to hearing. For the most part we have been successful and we are on track to meet the target set by the Secretary of State to arrange hearings within 14 weeks of the date the appeal is received in the Appeals Service.
  That said, the time taken to arrange an appeal is dependent on a number of factors. This includes the number of appeals waiting for a hearing, the number of members required to sit at the hearing,

  579W
  whether further evidence is required that would assist the tribunal in reaching its decision, the availability of the venue and the suitability of the type of hearing.

  I hope this information is helpful.

  Statistics (Newcastle)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many Jobseeker's Allowance claimants there are in (i) Newcastle and (ii) Newcastle upon Tyne, Central; how many there were in May 1997; and how many such claimants were continuous claimants of more than two years. [153034]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is in the table.

  Jobseeker's Allowance recipients in Newcastle upon Tyne, Central constituency and Newcastle upon Tyne metropolitan authority area by duration—May 1997 and August 2000

  Thousand

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  Central PC

  LA district

  May 1997

  All cases

  3.6

  12.3

  Duration two years or more

  0.9

  3.4

  August 2000

  All cases

  3.0

  8.5

  Duration two years or more

  0.7

  2.2

  Notes:

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

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

  3. Figures include cases receiving Income-based or Contribution-based JSA and those receiving no benefit and signing for National Insurance Credits only.

  4. As JSA was only introduced in October 1996 the duration figures for May 1997 include those on Unemployment Benefit or Income Support for the unemployed prior to October 1996.

  Source:

  Jobseeker's Allowance Quarterly Statistical Enquiries, May 1997 and August 2000

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners receiving the State Pension there are in(a) Newcastle and (b) Newcastle upon Tyne, Central; how many there were in May 1997; and how many of these were aged over 75 years. [153035]

  Mr. Rooker
  We will increase basic State Pension from April 2001 by £5 for a single person and £8 per couple. This is at an overall cost of £1.3 billion and will benefit over 10 million British pensioners. Among them 14,700 reside in the constituency of Newcastle upon Tyne, Central.

  Estimate of retirement pensioners in receipt of State Pension resident in Great Britain, Newcastle and Newcastle upon Tyne, Central constituency as at 31 March 2000

  Number of all pensioners in receipt of State Retirement Pension

  75 and under

  Over 75

  Great Britain

  10,150,400

  6,351,600

  3,798,800

  Newcastle upon Tyne, Central

  14,700

  8,200

  6,400

  580W

  Estimate of retirement pensioners in receipt of State Pension resident in Great Britain, Newcastle and Newcastle upon Tyne, Central constituency as at 31 March 2000

  Number of all pensioners in receipt of State Retirement Pension

  75 and under

  Over 75

  Newcastle upon Tyne, East and Wallsend

  14,100

  8,700

  5,400

  Newcastle upon Tyne, North

  17,700

  11,800

  6,000

  Notes:

  1. The figures quoted are rounded to the nearest hundred.

  2. Cases are allocated to each parliamentary constituency by matching the postcode against the 2000 version 1 of the Postcode Directory supplied by ONS.

  3. Great Britain data exclude overseas and Channel Islands pensioners.

  Source:

  Based on a 5 per cent. sample taken from the Pension Strategy Computer system at 31 March 2000

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many lone parents on Income Support there are in(a) Newcastle and (b) Newcastle upon Tyne, Central; and how many there were in May 1997. [153055]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information is in the table.

  Number of lone parents on Income Support

  Thousand

  Area

  May 1997

  November 2000

  Newcastle upon Tyne City Council

  6.8

  5.9

  Newcastle upon Tyne, Central constituency

  1.6

  1.5

  Notes:

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

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

  3. Lone Parents are single parents aged under 60 and not receiving the disability premium.

  4. Cases are allocated to each parliamentary constituency/local authority by matching the postcode against the relevant (i.e. 1997 and 2000 versions 1 or 2) of the ONS Postcode Directory. Parliamentary constituency boundaries are represented as at May 1997.

  Source:

  Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiries, May 1997 and November 2000.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners in(a) Newcastle and (b) Newcastle upon Tyne, Central were receiving Income Support in 1996–97; what their average benefit and average income was; how many pensioners were receiving the minimum income guarantee in 2000–01; and what their average benefit and average income was.[153037]
  581W
  Compared with when this Government came to office in 1997, the average incomes of pensioners in these constituencies have risen by around £16 weekly. Around a half of this increase can be attributed directly to help through the Minimum Income Guarantee. From this April, with the alignment of weekly Minimum Income Guarantee rates at the highest rate, no pensioner need live on less than £92.15 a week.

  Income Support pensioners average weekly income and average weekly amount of Income Support as at November 1997

  Number of claimants

  Average weekly amount of income (£)

  Average weekly amount of Income Support (£)

  Newcastle upon Tyne local authority

  11,900

  77.35

  33.44

  Newcastle upon Tyne, Central parliamentary constituency

  3,800

  74.56

  34.34

  Minimum Income Guarantee pensions average weekly income and average weekly amount of Income Support as at November 2000

  Number of claimants

  Average weekly amount of income (£)

  Average weekly amount of Income Support (£)

  Newcastle upon Tyne local authority

  11,800

  93.10

  40.29

  Newcastle upon Tyne, Central parliamentary constituency

  3,500

  88.90

  41.89

  Notes:

  1. The average weekly amounts of income quoted in the tables exclude help provided through Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

  2. Figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling error.

  3. Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred and are expressed in thousands.

  4. Parliamentary constituencies and local authorities have been allocated by matching postcodes against the relevant ONS postcode directory for each quarter, and represent constituency boundaries as at May 1997.

  5. Pensioners are defined as benefit units where the claimant and/or partner are aged 60 and over.

  6. Income is defined as all income and benefits (excluding IS), including income from partners and dependants, taken into account and disregarded for Income Support purposes.

  Source:

  Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiries, November 1997 and 2000

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the number of children in(a) Newcastle and (b) Newcastle upon Tyne, Central who were receiving Child Benefit in (i) 1997 and (ii) 2001; what the rates of benefit were; and what the average annual income from Child Benefit was in (a) 1997 and (b) 2001 for those areas. [153033]
  582W
  Angela Eagle
  The latest available information as requested is in the table.

  Number of children

  Average weekly amount per family (£)

  August 1999

  Newcastle

  52,594

  21.46

  Newcastle, Central

  16,524

  21.84

  Newcastle, East and Wallsend

  17,955

  21.40

  Newcastle, North

  18,115

  21.19

  November 2000

  Newcastle

  52,602

  22.93

  Newcastle, Central

  16,659

  23.49

  Newcastle, East and Wallsend

  17,943

  22.70

  Newcastle, North

  18,000

  22.68

  Notes:

  1. Figures are from a 100 per cent. extract of the Child Benefit Centre Computer System.

  2. Information from before 1999 is not available on this basis.

  3. The average annual income from Child Benefit is not available.

  4. Average weekly amounts are based on Child Benefit, Guardians Allowance and Child Benefit (Lone Parent). We are not able to split them into the individual components.

  5. Cases are allocated to each parliamentary constituency by matching the postcode against the relevant (ie 1999 or 2000 versions 1 or 2) of the ONS Postcode Directory. Constituency boundaries are represented as at May 1997.

  The rates of Child Benefit are as follows:
  April 1999—£14.40 eldest child and £9.60 subsequent children
  April 2000—£15.00 eldest child and £10.00 subsequent children.

HEALTH

  Waiting Times
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his plans are for reducing maximum waiting times(a) between GP referral and hospital consultant appointment and (b) between hospital consultant appointment and operation or treatment. [151959]

  Mr. Denham
  In our NHS Plan, published last year, we promised that by the end of 2005 the maximum wait for a routine out-patient appointment will be three months, compared with over six months today, and that the maximum wait for in-patient treatment will be six months, compared with 18 months today.

  NHS Beds
  Liz Blackman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his plans for increasing the number of beds in the NHS. [151960]

  Ms Stuart
  Planning guidance, issued on 15 February, requires health authorities, in partnership with councils, to consider the action required to achieve the NHS Plan objectives that there should be an extra 2,100 general and acute beds and 5,000 extra intermediate care beds by 2004. Copies of the guidance are available in the Library.

  No NHS region is to plan for a reduction in bed numbers.

  Hospital Facilities (Warrington)
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to improve hospital facilities in Warrington. [151962]

  Yvette Cooper
  A number of schemes are currently under way to help improve hospital facilities at the Warrington General Hospital. These include the purchase of the Daresbury Wing which can now provide orthopaedic surgery as well as improved ophthalmology facilities. Approval has also been given to the outline business case for a substantial redevelopment of the hospital's accident and emergency department.

  Mary O'Donnell
  Mr. Best
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will examine the handling by the NHS of the medical needs of Mrs. Mary O'Donnell, a constituent of the hon. Member for Leeds, North-West. [151963]

  Mr. Hutton
  We are aware of the circumstances surrounding Mrs. Mary O'Donnell's treatment by the National Health Service and have every sympathy with people who suffer adversely as a consequence of medical treatment. The responsibility for the handling of Mrs. O'Donnell's medical needs rests with her local clinicians and we understand that she has annual hospital appointments to monitor her progress.

  Surgical Treatments
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to enable(a) IVF treatment and (b) breast reduction operations to be made available throughout the country. [151964]

  Yvette Cooper
  We are asking the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) to produce guidance on the management of infertility to improve services and reduce the postcode lottery in this area of health care.

  Decisions whether to offer breast reduction surgery are made locally following clinical recommendations. This procedure has been proposed as a possible topic for consideration by NICE.

  Nurses
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on recent changes in the number of nurses in the NHS. [151965]

  Mr. Denham
  Latest figures (Hospital and Community Health Services Workforce Census 2000) show that the number of nurses working in the NHS has increased significantly by 6,310 (1.9 per cent. between 1999 and 2000). This represents progress towards the NHS Plan work force target of 20,000 (headcount) extra nurses and midwives by 2004 and means there are now over 17,100 more nurses since 1997.

  Ms Ward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress is being made with increasing the number of nurses working in the NHS. [151981]

  Mr. Denham
  The NHS Plan set out to increase the number of nurses and midwives by 20,000 (headcount) from 1999 to 2004. We have already made substantial progress towards this target. From 1999 to 2000, the number of nurses has increased by 6,310.

  Hospital Development (Greenwich)
  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the recent hospital development in Greenwich. [151966]

  Mr. Denham
  The new £93 million Private Finance Initiative-funded hospital at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Greenwich will be fully operational from 1 April 2001. The new hospital will provide improved quality of services and environment, and will speed the progress of modernisation for the residents of Greenwich.

  PALS
  Mr. Patrick Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when patient advocacy liaison services will be available to patients in the primary care sector. [151967]

  Ms Stuart
  Chapter 10 of the NHS Plan states that Patient Advocacy and Liaison Services (PALS) will be established in every Trust, beginning with every major hospital, by 2002. It is anticipated that Primary Care Trusts will also have PALS services available by that date. Health authorities will be working with Primary Care Groups to ensure that they make PALS services available in the run up to them reaching PCT status.

  Neurology Services
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the availability of neurology services in Barnsley and south Yorkshire. [151968]

  Yvette Cooper
  The health authorities responsible for commissioning neurology services in south Yorkshire are working collaboratively to achieve a common approach to the procurement and development of the service provided in Sheffield. The recently announced National Service Framework for long-term health conditions will focus on the needs of people with neurological conditions.

  Bedford Hospital
  Sir Nicholas Lyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received since 16 January concerning Bedford hospital. [151969]

  Mr. Denham
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received a number of representations from Members of Parliament since 16 January 2001 concerning Bedford hospital.

  Consultants (Recruitment and Retention)
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the recruitment and retention of consultants. [151970]

  Mr. Denham
  The number of consultants in the NHS has increased by 2,940 since 1997. We are committed to further increases as part of the NHS Plan—by 2004 there will be 7,500 more consultants working in the NHS. This will be helped by encouraging flexible careers and, in the short term, increasing international recruitment.

  NHS (Redbridge and Waltham Forest)
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to visit King George Hospital, Ilford, to discuss the future of the National Health Service in Redbridge and Waltham Forest. [151971]

  Mr. Denham
  Ministers have no immediate plans to visit King George Hospital, part of Redbridge Health Care NHS Trust.

  NHS Doctors
  Mr. David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress is being made in increasing the number of doctors in the NHS. [151974]

  Mr. Denham
  Since 1997, the number of doctors in the National Health Service has increased by around 6,700. and there are now 97,400 doctors working in the NHS. We are committed to further significant increases as part of the NHS Plan—by 2004 we expect there to be 7,500 more consultants and a minimum of 2,000 more general practitioners.

  Hospices (Lancashire)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to end differences in funding for children's hospices and adult hospices in Lancashire. [151975]

  Yvette Cooper
  We are extending the Carer's Special Grant and the Quality Protects Programme from three years to five and have increased funding to improve palliative care services for children—including respite breaks. We are also going to provide, through the Lottery New Opportunities Fund, access to funding for palliative care for children and adults.

  New Hospitals
  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the number of new hospitals and hospital units opened since 1 January. [151976]

  Mr. Denham
  Eight new hospital units have opened since 1 January 2001. This number will rise considerably over the coming months as the many schemes currently under way become operational.

  Modernisation Fund
  Mr. St. Aubyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the allocations from the modernisation fund to each health authority. [151977]

  Mr. Denham
  Almost £2.3 billion has been allocated to health authorities from the Modernisation Fund. These funds have laid the foundation for the Government's modernisation agenda for the National Health Service. The Modernisation Fund will cease to exist in 2001–02. It has been superseded by the funding secured as part of SR2000 and the publication of the NHS Plan.

  Health Care (Purchase)
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the volume of health care 586W
  being purchased by the NHS from private hospitals and the criteria employed in making a decision to outsource health care. [151978]

  Mr. Denham
  The most recent figures for 1999–2000 indicate that £1.41 billion or 5.0 per cent. of total NHS expenditure on hospital and community services was spent with the private sector. It is for local commissioners and providers to confirn for themselves that the services provided by the pm ate sector are of sufficiently high quality and cost-effective.

  NHS Plan (Birmingham)
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the implementation of the NHS plan in Birmingham. [151979]

  Yvette Cooper
  Birmingham health authority, working with National Health Service trusts, primary care groups. primary care trusts and the local authority, is on course to implement and resource the radical programme of change over the next 10 years as set out in the NHS Plan.

  As a result we expect to see improvements in tackling heart disease, in the delivery of cancer services and further improvements in mental health services in line with the NHS frameworks. In addition, there will be further modernisation of hospital facilities in Birmingham following my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's recent approval for a major new hospital development in South Birmingham and the development of an ambulatory care and diagnostic centre on the City Hospital site.

  Rural Hospitals
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the future of small acute general hospitals in remote rural areas. [151980]

  Mr. Denham
  The National Beds Inquiry (NBI) was set up to review long-term assumptions about the volume of general and acute health services and their implications for the whole system of care. It focused on the needs of older people and considered the scope for alternative models of care. The consultation on the NBI report demonstrated overwhelming support for "care closer to home" and the development of intermediate care services. The NHS Plan set a target of 5,000 extra intermediate care beds by 2004, some of which will be in community hospitals. In the light of the NBI report and consultation and the NHS Plan, clear policy guidance was published on 15 February. This provides tools to help health authorities to benchmark their performance against comparable authorities and to assess future requirements for beds and services to meet the needs of local people in all areas, and requires them to develop action plans as part of a wider review of services to be undertaken in the summer. The guidance (HSC 2001/03:LAC (2001)4 "Implementing the NHS Plan: Developing services following the National Beds Inquiry") is in the Library.

  Diabetes
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the treatment of diabetes. [151982]
  587W
  Mr. Denham
  The Government are developing a National Service Framework for diabetes, for publication later this year. The Framework will set clear standards for diabetes services, to improve health outcomes for people with diabetes.

  Waiting Lists (Essex)
  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the present level of waiting lists in Essex. [151983]

  Mr. Denham
  Both North Essex health authority and South Essex health authority have been making steady progress in relation to reducing waiting lists. Through the winter period, they have experienced more emergency admissions than expected but continue to reduce waiting lists.

  Waiting Times (South Swindon)
  Ms Drown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps have been taken to reduce waiting times for patients in South Swindon. [151984]

  Mr. Denham
  Since 1998 we have given substantial additional funding to Wiltshire health authority to reduce waiting lists as detailed in the table:

  Waiting list and times related funding allocated to Wiltshire

  £000

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–021

  Waiting lists included in general cash uplift

  —

  2,837

  2,837

  4,643

  Waiting list performance fund

  346

  327

  327

  2—

  Waiting list beacon

  —

  30

  —

  2—

  Waiting list addition

  3,164

  —

  —

  2—

  Waiting list booked admission programme

  —

  182

  302

  2—

  Waiting list cancer out-patient waits

  —

  25

  131

  2—

  3,510

  3,401

  3,597

  4,643

  Total

  15,151

  1Estimated pro rata share of £423 million hypothecated fund

  2Not yet known

  At the Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust this has been used to fund a variety of schemes which by the end of January this year had led to a fall of 1,334 (20.2 per cent.) in the number of patients waiting for in-patient and daycare treatment since 1 April 1996.

  Testicular Cancer
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received on the provision of health care relating to testicular cancer. [151985]

  Yvette Cooper
  Most recently, I and members of the Health Select Committee were involved with the Imperial Cancer Research Funds campaign to raise awareness of men's cancers—particularly testicular and prostate cancers.

  Patients Complaints
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he takes to ensure that patients complaints can be dealt with immediately and remedied without delay. [151986]

  Ms Stuart
  The current National Health Service complaints procedure places the emphasis on resolving complaints as quickly as possible, and at a local level. However, the procedure has been subject to a two-year evaluation which is now complete. We have made it clear in the NHS Plan that we would act on the evaluation and reform the NHS complaints procedure to make it more independent and responsive to the needs of patients. This will include setting up patient Advocacy Liaison Services and Independent Advisory Services as part of a new system for better patient and public involvement.

  Bed Blocking
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he proposes to end bed blocking in acute hospitals. [151972]

  Mr. Hutton
  We are providing new intermediate care services, which will enable patients who are ready to be discharged to move on from hospital. Additionally, further resources of £103 million have been made available this winter to enable the National Health Service and social services to expand capacity and reduce delayed discharges. This will enable the current downward trend in delayed discharges to continue.

  Private Sector Health Care
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what meetings he has held since June 2000 with private sector health care providers; and which other Government Ministers attended. [145304]

  Ms Stuart
  I hold regular meetings and visits with a variety of health care providers, including occasionally with private sector or independent health care providers.

  The table shows ministerial meetings with the private and voluntary health care sector between June 2000 and 19 February 2001.

  Minister

  Date

  Event

  Secretary of State

  31 October 2000

  Launch of the Concordat between the NHS and the private and voluntary health care sector with the Independent Healthcare Association

  Minister of State, the right hon. Member for Southampton, Itchen (Mr. Denham)

  13 September 2000

  Meeting with Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Dr. Korlipara, Chairman of Bollon District Medical Services, to discuss smart card technology

  589W

  Minister

  Date

  Event

  16 November 2000

  Attended a presentation by Shaw Homes Ltd. about public and private partnerships in Ledbury

  Minister of State, the hon. Member for Barrow and Furness (Mr. Mutton)

  25 October 2000

  Meeting with BUPA Westminster Healthcare Ltd., Idun Healthcare Ltd., Southern Cross Healthcare Ltd. And 4 Seasons Healthcare Ltd.

  26 October 2000

  Meeting with British Foundation of Care Home Proprietors, The Care Forum, Federation of Small Businesses, National Care Homes Association and Registered Nursing Home Association

  30 January 2001

  Meeting with Rescare

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health

  20 June 2000

  Meeting with Norwich Union

  13 July 2000

  Meeting with the Consumers Association

  Meeting with General Healthcare Group/BMI Healthcare

  5 September 2000

  Meeting with Macmillan Cancer Relief

  4 October 2000

  Meeting with Russell, Jones and Walker to discuss clinical negligence

  9 November2000

  Meeting with British Pregnancy Advisory Service

  24 January 2001

  Meeting with BUPA

  Child Protection
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps were taken to act upon and disseminate recommendations from case reviews under the Children Act 1989 carried out between 1990 and 1999; [147137]

  (2) how many case reviews under Part 8 of the Children Act 1989 following the death of a child from abuse or neglect were held between 1990 and 1999. [147136]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information is not collected on the numbers of case reviews that have been carried out in accordance with Chapter 8 of "Working Together to Safeguard Children" (1999). However, the lessons learned from reviews carried out under the terms of the predecessor guidance "Working Together Under the Children Act 1989", served to inform the contents of the revised guidance.

  We currently collect the numbers of case reviews notified to us from the social care Regions. From this collection, we estimate that the total number of case reviews each year is in the range of 150–180 and has remained at this level for some time.
  590W
  Figures describing Part 8 notifications to the Department of Health in the period 1990 to 1995 were published in "Lost Innocents: a follow-up study of fatal child abuse". The study quoted non-accident child death over that period as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1990–91

  55

  1991–92

  45

  1992–93

  59

  1993–94

  54

  1994–95

  54

  In addition, we are now acting to deliver on the commitment, that was specified in the new guidance, to commission and publish national overview reports, at least every two years, which will draw out key findings from case reviews and their implications for policy and practice.

  Staff Training
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what training is given to NHS staff in(a) the cleanliness of hospitals and (b) preventing infections; and if he will make a statement. [149764]

  Mr. Denham
  [licking answer 9 February 2001]: Last year, to help ensure that all National Health Service domestic and service staff receive appropriate training, we issued "Standards for environmental cleanliness in hospitals" jointly with the Infection Control Nurses' Association and the Association of Domestic Management. This is an effective audit tool that sets out how environmental cleanliness standards are maintained. It contains detailed criteria relating to the education and training of staff involved in the cleaning process, which ensure that they possess the competencies to meet agreed hygiene standards.

  All staff, including those employed by support services will receive training in prevention and control of infection. There is also a programme of on-going education for existing staff, which includes updating on policies, feedback of audit results, and identification of action needed to correct any deficiencies.

  MMR Vaccine
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Government advertising campaign to promote MMR take up will begin; and what form it will take. [151148]

  Yvette Cooper
  The. Department has drawn up a plan in consultation with Health Promotion England (HPE), who manage the immunisation campaign on the Department's behalf, to provide information to the public about Measles Mumps Rubella vaccine. The aim will be to ensure that parents and health professionals have access to scientifically accurate information about the vaccine.

  The information campaign will include leaflets and factsheets, training materials for health professionals, an information video, a TV advert, health professional seminars, an information pack and materials for the web,

  591W
  through NHSDirect.nhs.uk and immunisation.org.uk. The materials will be made available over the next few months.

  Match Funding
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which departmental programmes allow for the use of section 106 contributions from planning agreements as match funding; and if he will make a statement. [152495]

  Mr. Denham
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the Under-Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, my hon. Friend the Member for Stretford and Urmston (Ms Hughes), on 9 March 2001,Official Report, columns 361–62W.

  Hearing Aids
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) digital and (b) analogue hearing aids have been fitted under the NHS in the pilot areas for the modernisation of hearing services project since its inception. [152419]

  Mr. Hutton
  The modernising hearing aid services project has been fitting hearing aids since the first sites came on stream in September 2000. So far, the following number of hearing aids have been fitted:Digital: 1,191 digital aids fitted up to Thursday 1 March 2001
  Analogue: 2,452 analogue hearing aids supplied through the NHS Logistics Authority up to Thursday 1 March 2001.

  This number does not take account of purchases made outside of the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency contracts.

  The numbers fitted will increase a; the number of sites increase and as sites become mote experienced. The intention is to fit between 24,000 and 29,000 digital aids during the lifetime of the project, which is due to finish at the end of March 2002.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health from what date Coventry NHS trust will be included in the modernising NHS hearing aid services project. [153296]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department will study the results of the modernising National Health Service hearing aid services pilot project when it reports. The project is planned to continue until 2002.

  In line with the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) technology appraisal guidelines, health officials in Coventry are awaiting completion of the research projects. In the meantime, hospitals which fall outside the project, with the appropriate staff, training, equipment and experience, are already able to access the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency contract for digital hearing aids.

  Various manufacturers have been invited to give talks on hearing aid digital technology in Coventry and, in addition, a practical training day for staff has been arranged for May 2001.

  Defibrillators
  Mr. Borrow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what representations he has received from the 592W
  Resuscitation Council UK on the decision to adopt a four-hour course for the Defibrillators in Public Places programme; [153058]

  (2) if he will list the members of the Defibrillator Advisory Committee; [153054]

  (3) what consultation took place between his Department and the European Resuscitation Council before the decision to adopt a four-hour course for the Defibrillators in Public Places programme; and what representations his Department received from the Council. [153057]

  Yvette Cooper
  The issue of training for people designated to use defibrillators installed under the Defibrillators in Public Places initiative has been given thorough and careful consideration by the Defibrillator Advisory Committee, which has supported the adoption of a four-hour training course covering basic life support and the use of automated external defibrillator devices.

  The Defibrillator Advisory Committee is an expert external reference group which includes cardiology and resuscitation experts (including from the Resuscitation Council United Kingdom), representatives from voluntary aid societies, ambulance services, the police, and patients' interest groups.

  The Resuscitation Council UK endorses guidelines for the practice of resuscitation recommended by the European Resuscitation Council (ERC). It has not, however, adopted the ERC's suggestion of a course based on a total of eight hours' tuition, which does not form part of the ERC's formal guidelines. The ERC's guidelines themselves are published in the full understanding that they may require modification to reflect circumstances that exist in individual countries.

  The full membership of the Defibrillator Advisory Committee is as follows:
  Mr. John Nelson (Chair)—Tees, East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust
  Mrs. Eve Knight—British Cardiac Patients Association
  Mr. Chris Hulley—Assistant Chief Constable, British Transport Police
  Professor Douglas Chamberlain—Chairman, Joint Royal Colleges and Ambulance Liaison Committee
  Mr. Martin Shalley—Consultant in Accident and Emergency Medicine, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital
  Dr. Mick Colquhoun—Secretary, Resuscitation Council(UK)
  Professor Sir Charles George"Medical Director, British Heart Foundation
  Baroness Audrey Emerton—Chief Commander, St. John Ambulance
  Dr. Michael Webb—St. John Ambulance
  Dr. Gordon Paterson—Chief Medical Adviser, British Red Cross Society
  Mrs. Lesley Whitesmith—Resuscitation Training Officer
  Dr. Tom Evans—Consultant Cardiologist, Royal Free Hospital
  Mr. Gron Roberts—Essex Ambulance Service NHS Trust
  Mr. Richard Mawson—Chief Executive, Hampshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust
  Dr. Roger Boyle—National Heart Director, Department of Health
  Mr. Tom Quinn—Health Services Directorate, Department of Health
  Ms Sian Davies—National Defibrillator Project Manager, British Heart Foundation (for Department of Health)

  Blood Collection
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much each hospital in(a) London, (b) Surrey, (c) Kent and (d) Sussex paid in 1999–2000 to private taxi firms to collect blood from blood banks; what estimate has been made of the savings to these hospitals from using the free service provided; and what guidelines he plans to issue to hospitals within the emergency rider volunteers' catchment area to encourage them to take advantage of their services. (152850]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested around the cost incurred to hospitals by taxi firms to collect blood from blood banks in London, Surrey, Kent and Sussex is not held centrally. The Department does not collect information of the savings to hospitals from using free services to collect blood from blood banks.

  From 1 April 1999 the supply of blood and blood components has been covered by a National Service Agreement between National Health Service trusts and the National Blood Service (NBS). This agreement stipulates the cost of routine scheduled deliveries to trusts absorbed into the prices charged for the provision of blood and blood components. The trusts and the local blood centres agree the routine delivery schedules to a trust. The NBS uses its own vehicles, couriers or taxis to provide the ad hoc deliveries. The decision is based on cost and availability of mode of transport as the supply may be urgent. Regardless of the actual transport cost the trust is only charged £11.50.

  We have no plans to issue guidelines to hospitals within the emergency volunteers' catchment area to encourage hospitals to take advantage of their services. The NBS has a responsibility to ensure that the safety of the blood supply is not compromised. Therefore the transportation of blood, blood products and tissues is carefully controlled using the NBS transport fleet together with the specifically arranged contracts with third party suppliers. This ensures that the appropriate standard of vehicles and equipment is used, together with the appropriate training of staff, environmental controls and employment of route scheduling. The safety and security of the blood supply is paramount; therefore the use of volunteers to undertake this activity has not been actively pursued by the NBS.

  Bognor Regis Health Centre
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health who is the legal and beneficial owner of the Bognor Regis health centre. [152958]

  Ms Stuart
  The ownership of the Bognor Regis health centre rests with Sussex Weald and Downs National Health Service Trust.

  Health Benefits Administration
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the annual cost is of(a) administering the collection of health charges, including anti-fraud measures and (b) administering the health benefit scheme. [153065]

  Ms Stuart
  The cost of administering the collection of health charges in England, including anti-fraud measures, forms part of the running costs of the National Health Service and is not identified separately.
  594W
  The direct cost of administering the NHS low income scheme in England is expected to be around £3.97 million for 2000–01.

  NHS Computer Systems
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS hospital trusts have achieved level 3 EPR. [153049]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 9 March 2001]: The position at the end of December 2000 was that four acute trusts had EPR level 3 systems in place, with the figure forecast to rise to 11 by the end of the current financial year.

  Recombinant Factor 8
  Mr. Shepherd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Government intend to make Recombinant Factor 8 available to all haemophiliacs in England. [153182]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 12 March 2001]: We are continuing to give careful consideration to this issue.

  Cancer Treatment (Newcastle)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the decision was taken to replace the existing Northern Centre for Cancer Treatment at Newcastle general hospital; what recent changes in numbers of linear accelerators have been made; and how many successive business cases for replacements have been submitted since 1997. [153195]

  Mr. Denham
  The 1993 Newcastle Strategic Review strategy document did not include provision for the relocation of the Northern Centre for Cancer Treatment (NCCT) from the Newcastle general hospital site. Arising from public consultation it became apparent that, as acute services were relocated off the Newcastle general hospital site, the NCCT would become increasingly isolated from access to surgery, medicine, anaesthetics, critical care and other clinical services, Plans were therefore drawn up as part of the Freeman hospital site development control plan. Consequently, the subsequent strategic outline case (SOC) (approved in April 1998) included the reprovision of the NCCT on the Freeman hospital site.

  The SOC recognised the constraints on radiotherapy capacity in the existing NCCT (six linear accelerators in 1998) and proposed that the new NCCT should open with seven linear accelerators, moving swiftly to eight and with bunker capacity for nine.

  Since the publication of the Royal College of Radiologists' Report on Radiotherapy and of the National Health Service Cancer Plan in autumn 2000, the outline business case (OBC) has been amended to note the potential requirement to construct up to 12 linear accelerator bunkers should further capacity be required in the future. If required, this extension would have funding implications over and above that detailed in the existing OBC.

  In 2000 funding was agreed via the New Opportunities Fund (NOF) to replace two linear accelerators at NCCT. The trust also funded the upgrading of a third linear accelerator. In addition, a seventh bunker has been constructed, giving some additional capacity and

  595W
  flexibility to maintain six operational linear accelerators during installation and upgrading works. The first NOF funded machine was commissioned in December 2000 and the second machine will be operational in December 2001.

  Freeman and RVI Hospitals
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the major investment in new hospital facilities at the Freeman and RVI hospitals Newcastle was first accepted in his Department's programme; when it was decided to use PFI finance; how many business cases have subsequently been submitted; and how many health authorities had to be signed up to the business case on each occasion. [153194]

  Mr. Denham
  The Newcastle Strategic Review (NSR), as a strategy, was approved by Ministers in December 1993. In the mid-1990s the centralisation of obstetrics and gynaecology services (which had previously been fragmented) onto the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) site took place. In addition there was a £11 million public sector investment to centralise ophthalmology services also onto the RVI site. In 1995 the first of the "fast track" public capital allocations were made (which finally totalled £8.4 million) to facilitate further movement of acute services off the Newcastle general hospital site. Confirmation of the support to larger scale capital investment at RVI and Freeman to complete the implementation of the NSR was provided by the approval of the second wave strategic outline case (SOC) in April 1998, revisions to which were approved in September 1999.

  The second wave SOC envisaged most of the capital investment being provided under the Private Finance Initiative (PFI). A similar position applied in the subsequent revised SOC proposals. This was in line with practice for almost all major hospital schemes referred to the Capital Prioritisation Advisory Group.

  Complete consultation drafts (dated February 2000) of the Outline Business Cases (OBC) for the PFI construction of new facilities on the Freeman and RVI hospital sites were submitted to the Northern and Yorkshire Regional Office in spring 2000. Following the final confirmation of purchaser support these were subsequently revised and the final version of the OBC were submitted to the regional office in February 2001 and are now under assessment.

  Complete consultation drafts of the business case for the £15.3 million publicly funded enabling schemes for the NSR were submitted to the Regional Office in March 2000 and June 2000. The definitive version was submitted in October 2000 following support and approved in November 2000.

  A full business case for the PFI replacement of the existing Energy Centre at the RVI was approved in December 2000. This scheme had not been a part of the NSR SOC.
  596W
  For both the main NSR scheme and its enabling works scheme five health authorities were signed up (Newcastle and North Tyneside, Northumberland, Gateshead and South Tyneside, Sunderland and County Durham) and a further two (Tees and North Cumbria) were consulted.

  Radio/Microwave Masts and Waves
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent research he has commissioned into the health effects of radio masts and waves and microwave masts and waves. [153193]

  Yvette Cooper
  A study on the incidence of leukaemia near all 20 high power TV/FM radio transmitters in Great Britain was published in 1996 by the Small Area Health Statistics Unit (SAHSU). This study found that there was no observed excess risk of leukaemia within 2 kilometres of all the transmitter sites looked at as a group. The Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE) evaluated the results of the SAHSU study. In their statement COMARE reiterated their previous advice that there is no firm evidence of a carcinogenic hazard from exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) from TV and radio masts emissions.

  Last year a report on mobile phones and health was published by the Independent Group on Mobile Phones, chaired by Sir William Stewart. The Stewart report provided a rigorous and comprehensive assessment of existing research considered the possible effects on health of mobile phones and base stations (masts). The report concluded that the balance of evidence indicates that there is no general risk to health of people living near base stations on the basis that exposures are expected to be small fractions of guidelines. Among its conclusions the Stewart group commented that the upsurge of mobile phone technology should be matched by good quality research. We have responded by setting up a new programme jointly funded by industry. The first call for proposals was issued on 9 February.

  The Department is also continuing to provide financial support for the World Health Organisation International Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) Project which is comprehensively reviewing EMF effects, including those of radio waves.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 8 March 2001,Official Report, column 323W, on correspondence, what the reasons were for the delay in replying to the letter from the hon. Member for Northavon. [153723]

  Mr. Denham
  The delay in replying to the hon. Member's letter resulted from the original correspondence being lost within the Department. A further copy was provided by fax on 20 November, to which a reply was sent. I know that the Permanent Secretary/Chief Executive of the National Health Service has written to the hon. Member to apologise for the unacceptable delay involved in this case. New operational procedures have also been introduced in the Department to ensure that this sort of delay should not happen again.

  Defence Exports
  Defence Exports
  Transatlantic Defence Industry Co-operation
  Transatlantic Defence Industry Co-operation
  Gulf Personnel and Anthrax Immunisation
  Gulf Personnel and Anthrax Immunisation
  Lord Chancellor's Role
  Lord Chancellor's Role
  Land Registry: Performance Targets
  Land Registry: Performance Targets
  Home Office Challenge Fund
  Home Office Challenge Fund
  Nice Treaty: Enhanced Co-operation Measures
  Nice Treaty: Enhanced Co-operation Measures
  Post-war Credits
  Post-war Credits
  "Giving Time, Getting Involved"
  "Giving Time, Getting Involved"
  Employment and Social Policy Council
  Employment and Social Policy Council
  Wythenshawe Hospital Heart Transplant Unit
  Wythenshawe Hospital Heart Transplant Unit
  NHS Trusts: Financial Arrangements
  NHS Trusts: Financial Arrangements
  War Pensions
  War Pensions
  Environment Council, 8 March
  Environment Council, 8 March
  Countryside Schemes
  Countryside Schemes
  Chemicals Policy: EU White Paper
  Chemicals Policy: EU White Paper
  Motor Vehicle Traffic
  Motor Vehicle Traffic
  Common Land Legislation
  Common Land Legislation
  Referendums: Draft Guidance
  Referendums: Draft Guidance
  Demolition in Conservation Areas
  Demolition in Conservation Areas
  Sporting Events: Funding
  Sporting Events: Funding
  Royal Parks: Cars driven on Footpaths
  Royal Parks: Cars driven on Footpaths
  Cultural Property: UNESCO Convention
  Cultural Property: UNESCO Convention