Written Answers of 16 March 2001

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Air Pollution (Leeds)
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his written answer of 5 March 2001,Official Report, column 53W, on air pollution in Leeds, if he will give comparable information for other monitoring stations located in the Leeds, Central constituency. [153232]

  Mr. Hill
  DETR has one monitoring station within the Leeds, Central constituency and data have been reported in the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions' written answer of 5 March 2001,Official Report, column 53W. The dates when levels of air pollution were recorded as High or Very High at the monitoring stations in the Leeds, Central constituency and operated by the city council are as follows:

  New Market St. (Corn Exchange)—permanent location from 23 September 1997 measuring carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and particles (PM10):

  1997

  29 October

  30 October

  31 October

  6 November

  13 November

  1 December

  2 December

  1998

  7 November

  17 November

  18 November

  19 November

  1 December

  7 December

  8 December

  1999

  Nil days

  2000

  Nil days

  'Mobile sites', measuring sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and particles (PM10) have been deployed as follows:

  1999

  Cross Green—30 April to 6 October—12 August

  York Road sitel—20 April to 7 July—nil days

  2000

  Elland Road—13 January to 27 April—nil days

  Shannon Street—27 April to 1 August—nil days

  York Road site2–3 August to 12 January 2001—nil days

  Note:
  With the exception of high sulphur dioxide at Cross Green on 12 August 1999, all other days reported were attributable to particles (PM10).

  Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what changes there have been in the membership of the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment since June 1999. [153247]

  Mr. Meacher
  There have been no changes to the membership of ACRE from that agreed at the end of the appointment process in June 1999. The current membership of ACRE was announced on 18 June 1999. One member, Professor Philip Mullineaux, was abroad at the time and could not be contacted and was therefore appointed formally in September. The membership of ACRE, including Professor Mullineaux, was announced again at the time of the Committee's first meeting on 16 September 1999.

  Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions at what level below 1990 levels are carbon dioxide emission levels. [153391]

  Mr. Meacher
  Emissions of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas, fell by 7 per cent. between 1990 and 1998. 1999 emissions of carbon dioxide are provisionally estimated to be 7.5 per cent. lower than in 1990. The 1999 UK air emission estimates for greenhouse gases and other pollutants are due to be published on 28 March 2001.

  Certification Fraud (Seamen)
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what steps he is taking to prevent unqualified and fraudulently qualified seamen from sailing ships into UK waters; [153587]

  (2) what steps he has taken (a) to guarantee the proper official certification of serving officers on merchant ships using waters around the coast of the UK and (b) to prevent the sale or exchange of qualifications for seamen. [153589]

  Mr. Hill
  As a signatory to the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) inspects at least 25 per cent. of non-UK ships visiting our ports. An important part of any Port State Control inspection is the scrutiny of the qualifications of the ship's personnel to ensure that the qualifications are genuine and valid. Where there is any concern, the holder is questioned to determine the propriety of the qualification. Where appropriate, prosecutions for fraud have been pursued in close co-operation with the police. The MCA inspects UK ships in a similar manner as under Port State Control. No ship is permitted to sail from any UK port without correctly qualified seafarers.

  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what recent discussions he has had with(a) his counterparts in other maritime countries and (b) the International Maritime Organisation to prevent the practice of exchanging (i) qualifications and (ii) certification of seamen for money; [153588]
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  (2) what discussions he has had with the International Transport Workers Federation and the Seafarers International Research Institute about certification fraud among senior officers of merchant shipping vessels; [153591]

  (3) what discussions he has had with the International Transport Workers Federation and the Seafarers International Research Institute about recent research on forged and fraudulently obtained seamen's certificates.[153590]

  Mr. Hill
  After discussions between my Officials, the International Transport Workers Federation and officials in other maritime administrations, the United Kingdom co-sponsored a paper concerning fraudulent certification that was discussed at the Maritime Safety Committee meeting of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in 1999. The IMO subsequently commissioned a Research Project by the Seafarers International Research Centre in Cardiff. The UK contributed £5,000 towards the project and participated in the research.

  The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions also contributed funding to the project. A summary Report will be put forward for consideration by the Maritime Safety Committee at its meeting in May 2001 and the full Report will be considered by an expert sub-committee in January 2002.

  Boating (Scotland)
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with the Scottish Parliament and the Scotland Office over plans to increase access to water for non-powered craft in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [153684]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  I have seen the Scottish Executive's consultation paper on the draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill and we will observe its progress with interest. So far as access to water for non-powered craft in England and Wales is concerned, my officials have held discussions with a number of interested parties following which we recently let a contract led by the University of Brighton to establish the facts about participation.

  Woodland
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he is taking to provide additional protection to sites of ancient woodland under the sites of special scientific interest system. [153679]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  The provisions of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 which give greater protection to sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs) came into force on 30 January 2001. The Act gives English Nature power to tackle neglect of sites and to make management agreements to help fund positive management. It also introduced increased penalties and a general offence of damage to the features of an SSSI. English Nature is also considering whether further sites should be notified as SSSIs.

  National Air Traffic Services
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he has required the bidders for NATS to include in their plan for the New Scottish Centre the capability to run the total Scottish Flight Information Region and the Oceanic Centre operation; [153919]

  (2) when Phase 2 of the New Scottish Centre will go ahead in order to meet the 'O' date; [153918]

  (3) what criteria he will use to evaluate NATS' strategic partner's plan for the New Scottish Centre to determine whether it is satisfactory. [153917]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  [holding answer 15 March 2001]: Bidders are required to submit plans covering all NATS' major capital projects in the most integrated and efficient manner. The NSC, as part of the two centre strategy endorsed by the Government, is expected to have the capacity to service the Scottish FIR, the Oceanic region and provide a significant contingency in the case of catastrophic failure of NERC/LATCC.

  The two phase strategy for the NSC was announced by the Minister for Transport in April 1999. Phase 1 included development of detailed design of the building and systems, as well as software development, with Phase 2 containing the implementation of these designs, and bringing the centre into operation. This strategy was modified in February 2000, following the signing of an agreement between the systems supplier Lockheed Martin and NATS, and the retendering of the building design and construction contracts. This approach is expected to save over £100 million in comparison with the original PFI proposals for the New Scottish Centre.

  Site preparation for the NSC has already started. Detailed design of the building is being carried out by Gibb Ltd., and NATS expects to appoint the main construction contractor by the end of 2001. On the systems side, software design is continuing.

  The operational date for the NSC is largely a matter for the Strategic Partner—it will be obliged under the Strategic Partnership to bring the NSC into service by a given date, but may choose to do so before then.

  The Government will be carefully scrutinising the bidder's complete investment plans as well as their proposals for the New Scottish Centre (NSC) in particular. This will involve a careful analysis of their strategies for safety management; procurement and financing; software integration; capacity planning; contingency capability for NERC; introduction of new controller tools; transition planning; and the overall impact on the mode of operations and controller interface and training.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to make an announcement about the preferred bidder for the NATS PPP. [153944]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  [holding answer 15 March 2001]: An announcement will be made when we have completed our evaluation of the bids.

  Canals
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of the closure of the British Waterways' canal network on the leisure boating and narrow boat rental sectors; and if he will make a statement. [153820]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  [holding answer 15 March 2001]: British Waterways (BW) closed access to all its waterways located in affected and restricted areas from the beginning of the month to help limit the spread of foot and mouth disease. The closure applies where county councils have taken powers to close rights of way and prevents all non-essential use of the waterways concerned.

  The Government have established a task force chaired by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment to consider the implications of the outbreak of foot and mouth disease for the rural economy. The implications for the canal network (and other waterways) will be within the ambit of this group which will be considering whether and where it is safe to reopen rights of way, including waterways. The task force will also help those caught up in the crisis and measures to help the rural economy once the outbreak has been eradicated.

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what progress has been made towards selling the dome; and if he will make a statement; [154236]

  (2) with how many organisations he is currently discussing the sale of the millennium dome. [154234]

  Ms Armstrong
  English Partnerships have received more than a hundred informal expressions of interest for the dome and the regeneration of the Greenwich Peninsula, which they are exploring through discussions. As announced on 15 February 2001,Official Report, column 221W, the Government want openly to test the market for future uses of the dome. As part of this, English Partnerships have been asked to consider all options and mechanisms for the future use of the dome. Further details of future arrangements for taking this process forward will be announced as soon as possible.

  Strategic Rail Authority
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the future role of the Strategic Rail Authority. [153907]

  Mr. Hill
  The purposes of the Strategic Rail Authority are set out in section 205 of the Transport Act 2000. The SRA published on 13 March its Strategic Plan which sets out how it will further these purposes. Copies have been placed in the House Library.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the terms of appointment of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and other board members of the Strategic Rail Authority. [153908]
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  Mr. Hill
  I have placed copies of the terms of appointment of the Chairman and other members of the Strategic Rail Authority in the Libraries of the House.

  Rail Franchises
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on progress with regard to the awarding of new rail franchises and the role being played by OPRAF.[153909]

  Mr. Hill
  The Strategic Rail Authority has taken over the functions of OPRAF. Franchise replacement is taking longer than originally anticipated in some cases but remains a priority for the Government and the Authority. The replacement process remains essential to delivering service improvements to passengers and the potential benefits are already clear in the new proposals for the Chiltern and South Central franchises.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the applicants for the Wessex Rail franchise; and when a decision is expected on the successful bidder. [153910]

  Mr. Hill
  The Strategic Rail Authority announced on 2 March that Connex Transport UK Ltd., First Group Plc, GB Railways Group Plc, Group 4 Falck Global Solutions Ltd., National Express Group Plc, SBB Laing and Stagecoach Holdings Plc had prequalified to submit proposals for the Wessex franchise. There is no set timetable for awarding this new franchise.

  Waste Recycling
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the rates of recycling of household waste achieved by local authorities in England. [154211]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 1 March 2001,Official Report, columns 722–23W, in which we referred to the publication of the "Guidance on Municipal Waste Management Strategies" containing household waste recycling rates for local authorities in England. Copies of the guidance have been deposited in the House of Commons Library and have been sent to all English local authorities.

  Telecommunication Masts
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking following responses to the consultation paper on telecommunications mast development; and if he will make a statement. [154519]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I am today announcing a series of important changes to the planning system on the siting of mobile phone masts. We will:strengthen public consultation requirements on mast proposals of 15 metres and below so that they are exactly the same as applications for planning permission;
  increase the time for authorities to deal with prior approval applications to 56 days;
  increase application fees to enable local authorities to carry out full public consultation;
  underline that school governors must be consulted on all proposals for new masts on or near a school or college;
  maintain in full an authority's ability to reject applications on amenity grounds;
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  A modem communications system brings massive benefits to people and businesses alike. Nearly 40 million people—60 per cent. of the UK population—use mobile phones. They enjoy the convenience and accessibility they provide. Parents and children feel more secure because of them. Mobile phones have saved lives—they allow the emergency services to be called immediately when they are needed. None of this could happen without the masts and other infrastructure which enable the service to be delivered.

  But people are concerned about where masts are located. It is vital that masts are designed and sited sensitively so that their environmental impact is kept to a minimum. Local people must have a better opportunity than now to have their say on proposals for mast development.

  We recognise too that there is public concern about the possibility of health effects associated with mobile phone masts. That is why the Government set up the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones (chaired by Sir William Stewart) which published its report in May last year. The report suggested that the current planning requirements for masts of 15 metres and below did not allow adequate public consultation. It further suggested that lack of consultation was a major cause of grievance in people who suffer a loss of amenity when base stations are erected.

  We therefore intend to strengthen the current public consultation requirements for masts of 15 metres and under to incorporate exactly the same requirements as for masts over that size and for other development requiring applications for planning Permission.

  To give local planning authorities more time to consult local people we shall increase the amount of time they have to determine prior approval applications for ground-based masts and those on buildings from 42 and 28 days respectively to a uniform 56 days, In addition, we shall extend the prior approval arrangements to cover antennas on roofs where the height of the antenna (including any supporting structure) would exceed 4 metres.

  Under the new arrangements, local planning authorities will be expected to make their decisions within 56 days. Authorities will still be able to turn down mast applications where they do not consider amenity aspects have been adequately addressed. If they have not made a decision within 56 days, approval will be deemed to have been granted. This discipline is needed because many authorities are failing to meet their Best Value target to determine 80 per cent. of planning applications in eight weeks and delay cannot be justified.

  In recognition of the extra demands which improved consultation will make of authorities we propose to increase the fee payable by developers for prior approval applications from £35 to £190 so that authorities have more resources to handle them.

  These changes represent a considerable strengthening of the current arrangements. We shall introduce them, and revised national planning policy guidance, at the earliest opportunity. The guidance will underline our commitment to encouraging mast and site sharing, where that represents the best environmental solution, to minimise proliferation of masts. It will also emphasise the
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  Government's view that telecommunications development must be taken forward through partnership between the operator, the local planning authority and the local community. The revised guidance will make it clear that governing bodies must be consulted on all proposals to site masts on or near schools and colleges.

  We welcome the commitments which the operators have made to develop, with other stakeholders, clear standards and procedures to deliver significantly improved consultation with local communities. For example, operators will initiate the process as early as possible by discussing optimum design and siting solutions even before applications for masts are submitted. We shall want to ensure that these commitments are implemented and followed in every case. We will underpin the arrangements with a new Code of Practice developed with the operators and representatives of local government. I intend to call in the operators shortly to discuss next steps.

  The Stewart Report concluded that
  "the balance of evidence indicates that there is no general risk to the health of people living near to base stations on the basis that exposures are expected to be small fractions of the guidelines."

  Gaps in scientific knowledge led the Group to recommend a precautionary approach to the use of mobile phone technologies, comprising a series of specific measures, until more research findings become available. We agree with this approach.

  The Government have already taken forward a range of precautionary actions in response to the Group's Report. These include:
  ensuring that all mobile phones and base stations meet the guidelines of the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) for limiting exposure to electromagnetic fields. In relation to public exposure these are tougher than the guidelines issued by the National Radiological Protection Board by a factor of five. Mobile phone operators have agreed to ensure that all existing base stations meet these guidelines. In addition, the operators have agreed that all planning applications for new development will be accompanied by a certificate of compliance with ICNIRP guidelines;
  setting up, by the Radiocommunications Agency, a national database giving details of mobile phone base stations. It is planned that the map based facility will indicate the locations, height and maximum power outputs for each fixed transmitter. This is anticipated to be ready and on-line in the next three months;
  auditing mobile phone base stations and masts to assess emissions. The audit will focus on schools with base stations. Schools were asked to register if they wanted to he included. The audits have now begun and all schools registering within the deadline set will be included. The first 11 audits indicated maximum levels of exposure a tiny fraction of the ICNIRP guidelines (eg: the highest level was approximately 1–600 of the guideline levels). The database of results has been put on the Radiocommunications Agency website: www.radio.gov.uk; and
  launching a new joint Government/industry research programme, costing around £7 million and with an independent programme management committee led by Sir William Stewart. It will carry out research into the effects of mobile phone technology on health. This will ensure that this area is kept under review and that Government and the public are kept up to date with new research findings. The call for research proposals was issued on 9 February.
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  In addition, the Department of Health has published leaflets on mobile phones, base stations and health to give people the latest information and advice. The Department for Education and Employment has also issued information to schools and local education authorities regarding mobile phones, base stations and schools. This has been published on their website: www.dfee.gov.uk/a-z/mobilephones.

  It is the Government's responsibility to decide what measures are necessary to protect public health. It remains the Government's firm view that the planning system is not the appropriate mechanism for determining health safeguards. I have outlined the measures being taken on a precautionary basis. In the Government's view, if a proposed development meets the ICNIRP guidelines it should not be necessary for a local planning authority, in processing an application, to consider the health aspects further. This view will be reiterated in our revised planning policy guidance.

  I believe that the improvements to the planning arrangements announced today meet the concerns of the Stewart Group and others about public consultation on masts and strike the right balance by giving people a better opportunity to voice their views without hindering unnecessarily the development of a modern telecommunications network. We shall continue to keep the whole area of mobile phone technologies under review in the light of further research.

  Neighbourhood Renewal
  Mr. Hendrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the neighbourhood renewal funds. [154522]

  Ms Armstrong
  I am pleased to announce that I have laid before the House the Special Grant Report that sets out the allocations and conditions for receipt of the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund.

  The NRF will provide £900 million to certain local authorities over the next three years to enable them to improve services in their most deprived areas, including contributing to the achievement of Government PSA targets to narrow the gap between deprived areas and the rest of the country. It is both acceptable, and strongly desirable where service quality is at risk or requires improvement, that NRF funding should be devoted to mainstream services, such as schools, provided that the funding benefits the most deprived areas. The grant can be used to support services provided not only by the local authority, but also by organisations that are members of the local strategic partnership (where one exists) and by others.

  Joint Nature Conservation Committee
  Mr. Dobbin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made with the review of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee announced in July. [154636]

  Mr. Meacher
  We have published today the report of the first stage of the financial, management and policy of the JNCC, and have placed copies in the House Libraries. I am inviting interested parties, including the devolved 752W
  administrations and the respective country conservation agencies to offer their considered views on the report within three months.

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action is being taken by(a) the regional development agencies and (b) the Countryside Agency to help combat foot and mouth disease. [154210]

  Mr. Meacher
  The primary responsibility for measures to combat foot and mouth disease rests with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The regional development agencies and the Countryside Agency, together with other organisations, have been developing their ideas for actions they can take to help to respond to the wider consequences. They are represented on and are contributing their ideas to the task force on the economic effects of the disease which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has asked me to chair.

PRIME MINISTER

  Ministerial Code of Conduct
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will amend the Ministerial Code of Conduct to cover the letting of rented accommodation to civil servants. [153783]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 15 March 2001]: No. Paragraph 1 of the Ministerial Code makes it clear that Ministers must ensure that no conflict arises, or appears to arise, between their public duties and their private interests.

  The right hon. Member for Hartlepool
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Prime Minister for what reason he accepted the resignation of the former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. [153969]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Stone (Mr. Cash) on 24 January 2001,Official Report, column 915.

  Environmental Policy
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of his environmental speech presented to the WWF conference at Chatham House on 6 March; and what steps he is taking to allow the public access to the contents of his speech. [154192]

  The Prime Minister
  I have today placed a copy in the Library of the House. It is also available on the No.10 website.

  Parliamentary Pay and Allowances
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Prime Minister when he will publish the Review Body on Senior Salaries report on parliamentary pay and allowances. [154520]

  The Prime Minister
  The Government are publishing the Review Body on Senior Salaries report of parliamentary pay and allowances today. I am grateful to Sir Michael Perry and members of the SSRB for their work and the Government have noted their recommendations.

  This will be a matter for decision by Parliament.

  Foot and Mouth Taskforce
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will set out the(a) terms of reference and (b) membership and (c) programme of the taskforce set up to consider the impact of foot and mouth disease on rural areas; when the taskforce is to report; if he will publish the findings of the taskforce; and if he will make a statement. [154212]

  The Prime Minister
  I have asked my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment to chair a taskforce with the following terms of reference:To consider the implications of the outbreak of foot and mouth disease for the rural economy, both immediately and in the longer term and to report to the Prime Minster on appropriate measures.

  In particular to:

  (a) identify the problems that the FMD outbreak is causing for the wider rural economy;

  (b) draw up specific guidance for public and businesses in accordance with veterinary advice;

  (c) identify any initiatives—e.g. from the Rural White Paper—whose implementation might be brought forward to help those caught up in the crisis;

  (d) identify potential new actions which would help to kick-start the rural economy again once the outbreak had been eradicated.

  The taskforce include representatives (including Ministers) of the following organisations:

  Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

  Department of Trade and Industry

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  Department for Culture, Media and Sport

  Treasury

  No. 10

  English Tourism Council

  Countryside Agency

  British Hospitality Association

  National Trust

  Federation of Small Businesses

  National Farmers Union

  Country Landowners Association

  South West Regional Development Agency

  Newcastle University

  Local Government Association

  National Federation of Women's Institutes

  The Rural Group of the Bishops of the Church of England

  Countryside Alliance

  Scottish Executive

  The Wales Office

  Northern Ireland Executive

  Forestry Commission.

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  The first meeting of the taskforce took place on Wednesday 14 March and it will meet again early next week. I have asked for the specific guidance to the public and businesses on access to the countryside to be prepared by the weekend, and for a report on immediate initiatives to help those caught up in the crisis as soon as possible next week. The task force will meet regularly.

DEFENCE

  Shoeburyness
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what(a) munitions and (b) delivery systems associated with nuclear warfare have been demolished at (i) the Shoeburyness Sands and (ii) adjacent mud flats/sand banks. [149518]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 8 February 2001]: Rocket motors from the Polaris missile were destroyed at Shoeburyness Sands during the 1990s. Conventional high explosives from nuclear weapon systems have been and continue to be disposed of in the demilitarisation facilities of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency range at Shoeburyness. The level of radiation from the explosives disposed of in this fashion is minute and does not constitute a hazard to the environment or to public health.

  Type 45s
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria were used in deciding to accept BAE System's bid for the Type-45s. [150523]

  Mr. Hoon
  I assume that this question refers to the contract recently placed in keeping with the existing procurement strategy for the Demonstration and First of Class Manufacture (DFM) Phase of the Type 45.

  In November 1999, BAE Systems was nominated as the Prime Contractor for the Type 45 Programme following the end of the tri-national Horizon Programme. BAE Systems was nominated because of the previous involvement of GEC Marconi in the Horizon International Joint Venture Company, so it could make maximum re-use of the outputs of the Horizon definition work, and they demonstrated an ability to resource the programme to achieve the timeliness in partnership with the IPT. A competition to select the Type 45 Prime Contractor risked delaying the ISD by at least six months and probably longer.

  The criteria under which BAE Systems was contracted in December 2000 for the DFM Phase are to deliver the first three Type 45 Destroyers, on schedule and to time. The DFM contract has a successive incentive arrangement encompassing all Prime Contractor work, including the ship build elements, in accordance with the existing competitive Procurement Strategy.

  Pipework Insulation
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what standard of heat insulation is specified for pipework in PFI projects in his Department. [151658]
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  Dr. Moonie
  In the Private Finance Initiative projects we set the services and performance levels we require. These requirements are recorded as the key outputs in PFI contracts. We deliberately avoid specifying how contractors should meet our requirements, or the nature of the assets they should use in doing so. Like other companies, PFI contractors do of course need to meet statutory requirements.

  Mines
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the anti-vehicle mines held by the UK, including mine type, the quantities of stocks held anti-handling devices and fuse types. [152600]

  Mr. Spellar
  The UK currently holds five different types of anti-tank mines. These are:

  MK 7/4 and MK 7/7

  Barmine—L9s, L17s and L18s

  L3A1—Lightweight non-metallic

  L35A1—Shielder Vehicle Launched Scatterable Mine System

  AT2—Anti-Tank sub-munition delivered by Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS)

  Only the AT2 anti-tank mine has an anti-handling device.

  None of the anti-tank mines held in the UK stockpile contravene the Ottawa Convention.

  I am withholding the quantities of stocks held and fuse types in accordance with exemption 1, (a) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  RAF Northolt
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many aircraft movements there were in each of the last 10 years from RAF Northolt. [153568]

  Mr. Spellar
  A movement is defined as either a take-off or landing. According to available records, the number of aircraft movements, both military and civil, at RAF Northolt for the years in question are:

  Year

  Number of aircraft movements

  2000

  12,587

  1999

  13,476

  1998

  13,571

  1997

  15,181

  1996

  15,726

  1995

  14,467

  1994

  12,744

  1993

  12,960

  1992

  14,501

  1991

  13,800

  1990

  14,700

  Note:

  Figures prior to 1997 do not include flights for which landing fees were waived.

  International Criminal Court
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations from the armed forces he has had regarding the proposed International Criminal Court; if he will place in the Library reports setting these out; and if he will make a statement. [153845]
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  Mr. Hoon
  None. The priority of the Ministry of Defence in the drafting of the International Criminal Court Bill and its passage through Parliament has been to ensure that members of the armed forces are fully protected from malicious or ill-founded prosecution by the ICC. The armed forces have been closely involved in the consultation process. I am confident that the Bill before Parliament provides all necessary protection.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what regulations govern the payment of council tax by members of HM Forces serving(a) at home and (b) overseas; and if he will place them in the Library. [154071]

  Mr. Spellar
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the then Minister of State for the Armed Forces, my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, North (Mr. Henderson) on 23 July 1999,Official Report, column 695W. I also refer the hon. Member to the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (Chapter 14) and the Armed Forces' Pay Review Body Thirtieth Report 2001 (page 28), copies of which are available from the Library of the House.

  Service Pensions
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the review of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme and the Joint MOD/DSS Compensation Review. [154523]

  Mr. Hoon
  I am pleased to announce that the emerging findings of these reviews are being published today for public consultation. I appreciate that both reviews are taking longer than originally intended, but they have raised complicated issues and I am determined that we should find the right package of benefits appropriate for our Armed Forces in modern society.

  The review teams have carried out detailed analysis of the current arrangements and the options for modernisation. They have set out options in each area, working closely with the Services personnel staff. The next stage in the review process is to seek the views of individual Service personnel, ex-Service and Widows organisations and the general public. This will include wide circulation of material describing the proposed changes, both in hard copy and on a range of websites. We will also be going out to interested organisations to explain our proposals, answer any questions and seek views. Because of the complexity of the proposals I have allowed over four months for consultation. After this time we will publish a summary of the responses and consider how to take the package forward in the light of them.

  Copies of the consultation documents will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses and will also be available on the MOD website. The Joint Compensation Review consultation document will also be available on the DSS War Pensions Agency website.

  Offshore Patrol Vessels
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to replace the Island Class offshore patrol vessels. [154524]
  757W
  Dr. Moonie
  I am pleased to announce that following a thorough tender evaluation, Vosper Thornycroft (UK) Ltd. have been selected as preferred bidder to provide an offshore patrol capability under a lease arrangement to replace the five existing Island Class Offshore Patrol Vessels employed on patrol and fishery protection duties on behalf of MAFF. Subject to satisfactory conclusion of negotiations, we plan to be able to place the associated contract with Vosper Thornycroft (UK) Ltd. in April 2001.

  War Veterans
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will assess the desirability and cost of introducing regular four yearly health checks on war veterans with war wounds, for the purpose of ensuring that they receive the correct pension entitlement. [153382]

  Mr. Bayley
  I have been asked to reply.

  The period for which a war disablement pension is awarded represents the length of time over which it is judged that the assessed level of service-related disablement will remain stable. Lengths of awards are based on individual case-specific facts, taking account of the nature and natural history of the disabling condition and any planned treatment.

  Regardless of the length of any award, if at any time the war pensioner believes that their pensioned condition has deteriorated, he or she may request a review of the award and the assessed level of their service-related disablement, by the Secretary of State for Social Security.

  These provisions are regarded as appropriate to ensure that war pensioners receive War Pensions at rates appropriate to their service-related disablements.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Fishing Vessel Licences
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to change the capacity penalty arrangements applying to the transfer and aggregation of fishing vessel licences; and if he will make a statement. [154475]

  Mr. Morley
  The operation of fishing vessel licensing arrangements has been recently reviewed by a joint industry/departmental working group and a copy of the group's report is being placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  The working group has recommended that the existing capacity penalty arrangements should be maintained for the time being but that the penalty relating to the uprating of an existing engine, or to an increase in power following its replacement, should be based on the increase in the vessel's capacity rather than its overall capacity. The Fisheries Departments in the UK agree and arrangements are being made to notify the owners of licensed fishing vessels.

  As of today a 20 per cent. capacity penalty will operate for the uprating or replacement of an existing vessel engine provided the resulting increase in engine power does not exceed 35 per cent. This penalty will be reduced
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  to 10 per cent. where an engine is uprated or replaced before 31 December 2001. However, except in the case of pelagic vessels, where vessel capacity units (VCUs) are taken from vessels under 18 metres in overall length and aggregated onto licensed vessels measuring 18 metres or more in overall length, the capacity penalty will be 30 per cent. Provision will also be made for the splitting of fishing vessel licences for the purpose of engine power adjustments.

  The Fisheries Departments, in conjunction with the European Commission, are also prepared to consider, on a case-by-case basis, waiving capacity penalties and compliance with tonnage rules for vessel improvements which relate exclusively to improved safety and which will not result in an increase in a vessel's fishing effort. Under EU legislation member states may apply for an increase in tonnage; objectives under their relevant Multi Annual Guidance Programme to take account of increases in vessel capacity resulting exclusively from safety improvements. Advantage is now being taken of that facility.

  In the longer term the Fisheries Departments in the UK wish to simplify the present capacity regime and, with the exception of engine power adjustments, plan to return to a situation where a single penalty applies. The present capacity penalties will therefore end on 31 March 2003 and be replaced on 1 April 2003 by a single penalty which will also apply to tonnage and engine power as well as vessel capacity units. Since two years' notice of these changes is being given, no provision will be made for so called pipeline cases. The views of the fishing industry and other interests are being sought on the level at which the capacity penalty should be fixed and whether this should apply to both licence transfers and aggregations or to aggregations alone.

HEALTH

  Prescriptions and Optical Vouchers
  Mr. Benton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase charges in the NHS and the value of optical vouchers; and if he will make a statement. [154513]

  Mr. Milburn
  We shall lay before the House regulations to increase National Health Service charges in England from 1 April 2001. There will be a cash increase in the charge of 10 pence (1.67 per cent.) from £6.00 to £6.10 for each quantity of a drug or appliance dispensed.

  The cost of prescription prepayment certificates will rise to £31.90 for a four month certificate and £87.60 for an annual certificate. These offer savings for those needing more than five items in four months or 14 in one year.

  Prescription charges are expected to raise some £414 million for the NHS in 2001–02.
  759W
  Charges for elastic stockings and tights, wigs and most fabric supports supplied through the Hospital Service will be increased similarly.

  The maximum patient charge for a single course of dental treatment begun on or after 1 April 2001 will increase from £354 to £360. Only about one in every 1,000 courses of treatment will attract the new maximum charge.

  We have restricted the prescription charge increase to the same cash amount as the previous two years and the other increases are in line with this percentage increase.

  Optical voucher values will increase overall by 2.5 per cent. to help children, people on low income and certain people with complex sight problems with the cost of spectacles or contact lenses.

  NHS Charges and optical voucher values in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are a matter for the Devolved Administrations.

  Details of the revised charges have been placed in the Library.

  Abattoirs
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) red meat abattoirs and (b) poultry abattoirs were in operation on (i) 1 May 1997, (ii) 31 December 1998, (iii) 31 December 1999 and (iv) 31 December 2000; and how many were designated (A) small, (B) medium and (C) large on each date. [151816]

  Ms Stuart
  Abattoirs producing meat for sale for human consumption must be licensed in order to operate. They are classified as either full or low throughput. There is no separate classification for medium-sized abattoirs.

  Red meat abattoirs

  England

  Scotland

  Wales

  Northern Ireland

  Year

  Licensed

  Revoked

  Licensed

  Revoked

  Licensed

  Revoked

  Licensed

  Revoked

  1991

  593

  1—

  49

  1—

  55

  1—

  16

  1—

  1992

  540

  1—

  53

  1—

  54

  1—

  15

  1—

  1993

  434

  1—

  53

  1—

  40

  1—

  15

  1—

  1994

  424

  1—

  48

  1—

  40

  1—

  15

  1—

  1995

  402

  21

  48

  1—

  36

  1—

  14

  1—

  1996

  384

  22

  49

  1—

  37

  1—

  14

  1—

  1997

  375

  16

  48

  1—

  35

  2

  14

  0

  1998

  360

  14

  43

  4

  34

  1

  14

  1

  1999

  339

  20

  44

  1

  34

  1

  15

  0

  2000

  316

  23

  44

  1

  35

  0

  16

  0

  Poultry meat abattoirs

  England

  Scotland

  Wales

  Northern Ireland

  Year

  Licensed

  Revoked

  Licensed

  Revoked

  Licensed

  Revoked

  Licensed

  Revoked

  1991

  98

  1—

  7

  1—

  5

  1—

  9

  1—

  1992

  93

  1—

  8

  1—

  5

  1—

  11

  1—

  1993

  98

  1—

  9

  1—

  4

  1—

  9

  1—

  1994

  137

  1—

  8

  1—

  10

  1—

  9

  1—

  1995

  144

  1—

  8

  1—

  11

  1—

  10

  1—

  760W
  The table details the number of full and low throughput red meat and poultry meat abattoirs licensed on 1 May 1997, 31 December 1998, 31 December 1999 and 31 December 2000.

  Red meat abattoirs

  Poultry meat abattoirs

  Full throughput

  Low throughput

  Full throughput

  Low throughput

  1 May 1997

  England

  200

  181

  92

  51

  Scotland

  151

  19

  Wales

  137

  113

  Northern Ireland

  14

  0

  11

  4

  31 December 1998

  England

  198

  162

  83

  48

  Scotland

  37

  7

  7

  4

  Wales

  14

  20

  4

  9

  Northern Ireland

  14

  0

  11

  4

  31 December 1999

  England

  194

  145

  75

  44

  Scotland

  36

  8

  8

  3

  Wales

  15

  20

  4

  7

  Northern Ireland

  15

  0

  12

  3

  31 December 2000

  England

  186

  130

  70

  41

  Scotland

  36

  8

  7

  4

  Wales

  15

  20

  5

  5

  Northern Ireland

  15

  1

  10

  2

  1 As at 1 June 1997. Information on throughput category not readily available.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many abattoirs there were, and how many closed, in each of the last 10 years. [151826]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 1 March 2001]: The tables give the number of licensed red meat and licensed poultry meat abattoirs in the United Kingdom from 1991 to 2000, and the number of licenses revoked in each year where this information is available.
  761W

  Poultry meat abattoirs

  England

  Scotland

  Wales

  Northern Ireland

  Year

  Licensed

  Revoked

  Licensed

  Revoked

  Licensed

  Revoked

  Licensed

  Revoked

  1996

  144

  1—

  10

  1—

  13

  1—

  17

  1—

  1997

  131

  9

  10

  1—

  15

  0

  15

  2

  1998

  131

  6

  11

  2

  14

  2

  15

  0

  1999

  119

  8

  11

  1

  12

  2

  15

  0

  2000

  111

  4

  11

  1

  10

  2

  12

  3

  1 Information is not available for these years.

  Departmental Business (Overseas Visits)
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many visits abroad have been made by him and his Ministers on departmental business(a) since 1 May 1997 and (b) in the last 12 months. [149154]

  Ms Stuart
  Since 1 May 1997 there have been 49 visits abroad on departmental business made by the Secretary of State for Health or one of his Ministers. Of those 49 visits, 12 were made within the last 12 months.

  Christchurch Health Centre
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 5 March 2001,Official Report, column 111W, on Christchurch Health Centre, on what date negotiations commenced for the release of the restrictions on the lease of the Christchurch Health Centre; what deadline has been set for the conclusion of these negotiations; and for what reason the responsibility for such negotiations is not being left to the assignee of the lease. [153551]

  Ms Stuart
  Negotiations for the release of the lease restrictions commenced in January of this year. No deadline has currently been set as the speed of progress on the negotiations will depend on the landlords.

  To enable the premises to be satisfactorily marketed competitively on the open market it is necessary for prospective purchasers to have certainty on the terms of the lease. It has been advised, therefore, that the terms for a release of the lease restrictions be agreed before remarketing commences.

  Aspartame
  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the health effects of the use of aspartame in food; and if he will make a statement. [153905]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 15 March 2001]: Neither the Food Standards Agency (FSA) nor the Department has commissioned research into the health effects of aspartame in food. Aspartame (E951) has been approved in the United Kingdom since 1983 and full independent reviews of its safety have been carried out by the European Commission Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) and in the UK the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT).

  The Food Advisory Committee—one of the independent expert committees which advises the FSA—recently discussed aspartame in view of the concerns expressed by some consumers about its safety. The Committee noted that many papers on aspartame have
  762W
  been published in the scientific literature since the last full reviews. It asked the FSA to assess this additional literature and decide whether further detailed evaluation was warranted. If so, the SCF should be asked to conduct a formal review of the new data. The FSA is completing its assessment and will be writing shortly to the SCF.

  NHS Appointments Commission
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the independent appointments commission for NHS boards will(a) be established and (b) take responsibility for appointments. [154161]

  Ms Stuart
  Regulations for the National Health Service Appointments Commission have been laid before Parliament and will come into force on 1 April 2001. The Commission will be operational from that date and will be responsible for all chair and non-executive appointments to NHS trusts, health authorities and primary care trusts.

  Avon Ambulance Service
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the most recent statistical evidence on the response times of the Avon Ambulance Service; and if he will provide corresponding information for(a) one year and (b) two years ago. [154215]

  Ms Stuart
  The quality of service standards for the Avon Ambulance National Health Service Trust from 1997–98 to 30 September 1999 was to respond to 50 per cent. of emergency calls within eight minutes and to 95 per cent. within 14 minutes. For urgent patient journeys the ambulance should arrive not more than 15 minutes after the agreed time in 95 per cent. of cases. The following table contains information about the percentage of responses against these targets for Avon Ambulance NHS Trust from 1997–98 to 30 September 1999.

  Percentage

  Emergency call response

  Urgent patient journeys

  Year

  Within eight minutes1

  Within 14 minutes2

  Arrival not more than 15 minutes late3

  1997–98

  54.2

  90.6

  73.0

  1998–99

  53.5

  92.2

  71.7

  1999 to 30 September

  53.6

  90.9

  466.9

  1 Target 50 per cent.

  2 Target 95 per cent.

  3 Target 95 per cent.

  4 For full year

  Source:

  Form KA34

  Department of Health, Statistics Division SD2B
  763W
  Following a review of standards in 1996 ambulance services were required to introduce systems to prioritise emergency calls. The new prioritisation procedures require that all emergency calls are classified as either immediately life threatening, Category A, or other emergency calls, Category B/C. A new standard was introduced which requires that, by the year 2001, ambulance services reach 75 per cent. of Category A calls within eight minutes. For Category B/C calls and urgent patient journeys the previous standards continue to apply. Avon Ambulance NHS Trust moved to the new system from 1 October 1999 and the following table contains information about the percentage of responses against these targets from 1 October 1999 to 31 March 2000.

  Percentage

  1 October 1999 to 31 March 2000

  Category A emergency calls response.

  Within eight minutes1

  51.3

  Within 14 minutes2

  88.3

  Category B/C emergency call response

  Within eight minutes3

  51.4

  Within 14 minute4

  88.0

  Urgent patient journeys

  Arrival not more than 15 minutes late5

  666.9

  1 Target 75 per cent.

  2 Target 50 per cent.

  3 Target 50 per cent.

  4 Target 95 per cent.

  5 Target 95 per cent.

  6 For full year

  Source:

  Form KA34

  Department of Health, Statistics Division SD2B

  Further details about the performance of Avon Ambulance NHS Trust and all other ambulance trusts are contained in the Department of Health Statistical Bulletin "Ambulance Services, England 1999–2000". A copy is available in the Library and also available at www.doh.gov.uk/public/sb0014.htm.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Parliamentary Pensions
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the President of the Council when the SSRB report on parliamentary pensions is to be published; and if she will make a statement. [154518]

  Mrs. Beckett
  As decided in the last Parliament, the Senior Salaries Review Body (SSRB) now carries out regular reviews of the Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund (PCPF), generally timed to coincide with the triennial valuations of the PCPF by the Government Actuary. The SSRB has published its report today, and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House. Copies are also available in the Vote Office. I am most grateful to the Review Body for their thoughtful and thorough report.
  764W
  The SSRB has made eight recommendations:
  (1) that the lump sum death in service payment be increased from three times annual basic salary to four times annual basic salary and that the increased cost of around 0.4 per cent. be borne by the Exchequer;
  (2) that the rules should be amended to remove the provision for curtailing the pension of a widow/widower of a deceased Member on remarriage or cohabitation. Any consequential increase in the contribution rate should be borne by the Exchequer;
  (3) that the service in the Scottish Parliament, National Assembly for Wales and the Northern Ireland Assembly, other than such service concurrent with service at Westminster, should count towards the qualifying period for an early retirement pension;
  (4) that the Trustees of the PCPF should explore with the managers of the MEPs' pension scheme and the Trustees of the pension schemes for Members of the devolved assemblies the merits of establishing a Parliamentary Transfer Club;
  (5) that the rules of the scheme should be revised in respect of benefits for children to ensure that all dependent children receive equality of treatment;
  (6) equality proofing of the PCPF rules to ensure that there is no systemic discrimination;
  (7) that an exception to the abatement rules should be made for former Members of the House of Commons in receipt of a pension as an MP who become paid office holders in the House of Lords. This exception to abatement should not extend to any part of the pension earned as a paid office holder in the Commons.
  (8) that the Trustees should canvas the views of Members of the PCPF on the issue of survivor pensions for unmarried partners.

  As required by section 2 of the Parliamentary and other Pensions Act 1987 I shall consult about the changes to the scheme with the Trustees of the PCPF and with other interested parties. As is customary, the Government will hold a debate on an amendable motion. This will give the House a chance to consider this report and the draft regulations implementing the SSRB recommendations, also the associated report of the Government Actuary, which will, I understand, be published shortly.

  It will be helpful for the House to know that the Government are proposing to accept all these recommendations except for recommendation 2. The cessation of widow(er) pension on remarriage or cohabitation is a common provision of public service pension schemes and is a provision which is generally only removed at member cost.

  In relation to recommendation 8, the Government would expect the costs associated with any extension of survivor pensions to unmarried partners to be borne by the members of the PCPF, and not by the Exchequer.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  People's Peerages
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Council how many(a) applicants for a people's peerage and (b) candidates invited for interview were formerly hereditary peers sitting in the House of Lords. [151661]

  Mrs. Beckett
  This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost and in breach of the Appointments Commission's undertakings to treat all personal information in individual applications in strict confidence.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Metropolitan Police Force
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had with the Mayor of London about the recruitment of police officers for the Metropolitan Police Force. [152683]

  Mr. Straw
  I met the Mayor of London on 4 October and 13 December 2000. Recruitment to the Metropolitan Police Service was among the matters discussed on each occasion, and it has been on a number of less formal occasions when I have met the Mayor.

  Royal Parks Police
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to take the Royal Parks Police into the Metropolitan Police Service; and if he will make a statement. [153460]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Royal Parks Constabulary is a non-Home Office police force; the sponsor Department with responsibility for this Constabulary is the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). The recent review of the Royal Parks Constabulary recommended that the Constabulary should either become a ring-fenced division of the Metropolitan Police Service or that funds should be provided to allow proper management, accountability and policing by the Royal Parks Constabulary. The recommendation is currently being considered at official level with the Royal Parks Agency and the DCMS.

  Lancashire Police Force
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the latest data available to his Department in relation to the Lancashire police force on the numbers of police officers who(a) are on the establishment of the force, (b) are on sick leave, (c) are undertaking light duties and (d) represent a full complement of officers for the force. [153711]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I understand from the Chief Constable that Lancashire Constabulary does not maintain a target establishment of officers for the force. I am told that on 13 March, 153 officers were on sick leave. On 28 February, the latest date for which information is available from the force, 158 officers were on restricted/recuperative duties. These figures are for actual persons and are not full-time equivalent numbers.

  I also understand that on 13 March Lancashire Constabulary had 3,261 full-time equivalent police officers.

  Policy Pay
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list in respect of police constables(a) average earnings on 1 April 1997, (b) average earnings on 1 April 2001, (c) the percentage annual pay increase for each of the last five years and (d) the percentage pay increase between 1 April 1997 and 1 April 2001. [153199]
  766W
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 14 March 2001]: The Survey of Pay, Hours and Length of Service, conducted annually by statisticians from the Office of Manpower Economics for the Police Negotiating Board (PNB), provides figures on the average earnings of police constables, including pay, allowances and overtime. The November 1997 survey showed that the average earnings of a police constable in the United Kingdom were £516.28 per week (or £26,933 per annum). The most recent data available are from the PNB survey undertaken in November 1999 and this showed that the average earnings of a police constable were £550.03 per week (equivalent to £28,693 per annum).

  The PNB makes recommendations to the Home Secretary on all matters concerning police pay and allowances. Police pay is increased every September through a pay award based on the median percentage of the Manpower Index for non-manual workers, a formula introduced in 1994. In 1996 and 1997 the increase was 3.5 per cent; in 1998, 4.0 per cent; in 1999, 3.6 per cent. and in 2000, 3.0 per cent. The pay scale for constables at 1 April 1997, the current pay scale and the percentage increases are detailed in the table (the length of the pay scale was reduced in September 1997).

  Annual salary (£) from:

  Pay point

  1 September 1996

  1 September 2000

  Percentage pay increase

  Constable:

  On commencing service

  1

  14,916

  17,133

  14.86

  2

  16,197

  19,170

  18.36

  On completion of initial training

  3

  17,295

  20,304

  17.40

  On completion of two years" satisfactory service

  4

  17,679

  20,841

  17.89

  5

  18,147

  21,567

  18.85

  6

  18,777

  22,257

  18.53

  7

  19,380

  22,983

  18.59

  8

  20,013

  23,649

  18.17

  9

  20,589

  24,246

  17.76

  10

  21,111

  25,035

  18.59

  11

  21,795

  25,953

  19.08

  12

  22,593

  27,114

  20.01

  13

  23,607

  —

  —

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what estimate he has made of the cost of detaining all new asylum applicants in secure conditions for(a) the period covering initial decisions and appeals and (b) the period following refusal of asylum and removal in the current financial year; [153823]

  (2) how many additional places in secure conditions he estimates would be needed to detain all new asylum applicants awaiting initial decisions and appeals. [153824]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 15 March 2001]: The answer to these questions depends on a number of variables, in particular the number of asylum applicants and the length of time taken to complete the process to removal. Based on forecast asylum intakes, and detention

  767W
  of up to six months, the cost could be more than £2 billion in start-up costs and annual running costs of over £1 billion. It is estimated that a further 32,000 detention spaces would be required. This would equate to a further 64 detention centres each with 500 beds. None of the costs quoted take account of the management overheads of running this size of detention estate. No estimate has been made of the cost of detaining asylum applicants in the period between refusal of asylum and removal.

  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the practical difficulties of returning failed asylum seekers to(a) Iran, (b) Iraq, (c) Somalia, (d) Sri Lanka and (e) Afghanistan. [153829]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 15 March 2001]: For all nationalities there are the practical difficulties of locating those who have absconded.

  There are also the practical difficulties of arranging flights, the handling of last minute representations and legal challenges.

  Many asylum seekers arrive without a valid passport. In order to effect their return it is necessary to obtain a passport or other travel document from their national authorities. This can be a lengthy and difficult process as it is often necessary to provide detailed evidence of the applicant's identity and nationality before a travel document can be issued.

  We are not currently seeking to return failed asylum seekers where country conditions are not conducive. In addition returns to three of these countries (Iraq, Somalia and Afghanistan) are complicated by the absence of direct international flights from the United Kingdom to those countries. Thus removals to those countries require the agreement of third party states to enable transit through their territory. We are currently investigating the potential for reaching such agreements with appropriate states. For some nationalities we are unable to effect removals without having first obtained a travel document from that country's Embassy or High Commission.

  Hunting Bill
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if it is his policy that members of the Government should not brief in favour of particular options within the Hunting Bill. [154241]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Government are neutral on the issue of hunting with dogs. Individual members of the Government are free to express their own views on the three options in the Hunting Bill.

  Bajram Zeqiri
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the implications for Government policy of the decision of the Court of Appeal in the case of Bajram Zeqiri. [153993]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Court of Appeal allowed this appeal challenging the Government's decision to maintain the certificates issued under Section 2 of the Asylum and 768W
  Immigration Act 1996 to return Kosovar Albanian asylum applicants to Germany under the Dublin Convention. The appeal was allowed on the basis of an assertion by the Court that the applicants had formed a legitimate expectation that their claims for asylum would be substantively determined in the United Kingdom. The Government are considering whether to petition the House of Lords for leave to appeal against the judgment.

  The Court of Appeal found in favour of the Government regarding their powers to review and maintain such certification decisions. It also found that the Dublin Convention conferred rights upon member states' rather than upon individuals. This case related to decisions made before 25 March 1999 under provisions of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 which have subsequently been repealed. Its effect is limited to a small number of cases. For these reasons the judgment does not affect the general policy of the Government regarding the transfer of asylum seekers to safe third countries under the Dublin Convention; nor does the judgment affect the operation of Section 11 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.

  Immigration (Carrier Penalties)
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 5 March 2001,Official Report, column 37W, under which circumstances the civil penalty provisions of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 are pursued against the operator of a hired vehicle used by persons seeking to enter the United Kingdom clandestinely. [154244]

  Mrs. Roche
  The civil penalty provisions of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (the 1999 Act) are pursued against the operators of hired vehicles, be they the owners, hirers or drivers of vehicles found to have carried clandestine entrants if the operators fail to establish a defence as set out in Section 34 of the 1999 Act. Section 34 (2) of the 1999 Act allows for a defence of duress and Section 34 (3) provides for a defence that the operator did not know or suspect the carriage of a clandestine entrant, had an effective system for preventing the carriage of clandestine entrants (having regard to the code of practice issued in accordance with Section 33 of the legislation) and that on the occasion in question the effective system was operated properly.

  Working Group on Football Disorder
  Mr. Ivan Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Working Group on Football Disorder will submit its findings and recommendations. [154521]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  We have today published the Working Group's report and a copy has been placed in the Library. It contains over 50 recommendations aimed at improving the image of English football, the behaviour of its followers and the role of football in promoting social inclusion. A targeted action plan is included. The report stresses that the need to improve communication and develop productive partnerships will be crucial to enhancing the game's reputation and maximising its vast potential to help deliver an inclusive and tolerant society.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Factortame Litigation
  Mr. David Taylor
  To ask the Solicitor-General if he will make a statement on the role of the Treasury Solicitor's Department in the Factortame litigation. [154271]

  The Solicitor-General
  [pursuant to his reply, 15 March 2001, c. 705W]: Further to the figures quoted, I can confirm that the total sum of damages for the two trials concerned was £54.9 million of which £24.7 million was interest.

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

  The Solicitor-General
  [pursuant to his reply, 5 March 2001, c.47W]: A fuller breakdown of cases is as follows:

  Since April 1996 when Operation Care commenced. Merseyside police have submitted cases relating to 181 suspects to the Crown Prosecution Service.

  The CPS advised prosecution of 59 suspects; of whom 42 have been finalised, 20 pleaded guilty, seven were convicted after trial, three were acquitted, three were stayed, three were discontinued, one was cautioned, one was abandoned and four died before the proceedings were concluded. Of the remaining 17 to be finalised, 16 are pending and one is awaiting committal.

  The CPS advised police not to proceed with cases against a further 101 suspects, 90 because of insufficient evidence and 11 because the public interest was not satisfied. The police are carrying out further inquiries into another 21 cases.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Public Trust Office
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what progress has been made with the proposed reforms to the workings of the Public Trust Office. [154037]

  Jane Kennedy
  I refer my hon. Friend to the written answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Doncaster, Central (Ms Winterton) on 21 December 2000,Official Report, column 272W.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what consultations are being undertaken on reforms of the Public Trust Office. [154038]

  Jane Kennedy
  Since the publication of the Quinquennial Review of the Public Trust Office in November 1999 there has been extensive consultation with staff, stakeholders and clients on reform of the Office. We will continue to consult on the way that the Public Guardianship Office provides services to clients when it takes over the mental health functions from the Public Trust Office on 1 April.

  Electronic Conveyancing
  Mr. Beard
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he will publish proposals for the introduction of electronic conveyancing. [154637]

  Mr. Lock
  My Department has today published a consultation paper "Electronic Conveyancing: A draft order under section 8 of the Electronic Communications Act 2000". This consultation paper has been produced in association with HM Land Registry and the Law Commission. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

CABINET OFFICE

  Ministerial Visits (Peterborough)
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will list the Cabinet Office Ministers in her Department who visited any of the constituencies which are in the Peterborough Unitary authority area between 1 January 2000 and 14 February 2001, indicating in each case(a)the date of the visit, (b) the constituencies included in the visit and (c) if the local hon. Member met the Minister. [151036]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  No Cabinet Office Ministers visited the constituencies in the Peterborough Unitary area between 1 January 2000 and 14 February 2001.

  Departmental IT Projects
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will list (1) the IT projects currently undertaken in her Department; and if she will state the(a) expected completion date and (b) cost of each project; [151504]

  (2) the IT projects her Department plans to undertake in the next year; and if she will state in each case the (a) expected date of commencement and completion and (b) cost. [151468]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  [pursuant to his reply, 26 February 2001, c. 495-96W]: IT projects currently being undertaken by the Cabinet Office are as follows:

  Ukonline.gov.uk citizen portal
  In July 2000 the Cabinet Office awarded a contract to BT (British Telecommunications plc) to build and operate the Ukonline.gov.uk citizen portal, for one year (until July 2001). This initial development phase is expected to cost around £10 million, of which around £4 million has been spent so far. We are currently considering the longer-term arrangements for operating the site.

  Government Gateway
  In October 2000 the Cabinet Office began working with a group of suppliers including Microsoft and Cable and Wireless to deliver the initial phase of the Government Gateway. The initial phase of delivery will be complete by June 2001 and will have cost around £18 million.

  Knowledge Network
  The cost to the Government of the new Knowledge Network system has been £3.6 million (GRP) to date.

  The initial development phase of both the ukonline.gov.uk citizen portal and the Government Gateway projects will continue into the next financial

  771W
  year, ending in July and June 2001 respectively. Both projects are part of the long-term strategy for delivering electronic government, and the Cabinet Office has applied for CMF funding to enable both projects to continue beyond these dates. The value of this work will depend upon which aspects of each project are selected for development during the next phase.

  The Knowledge Network project, which is expected to be completed in August 2002, is expected to cost up to £15 million.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Oftel
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects Oftel to publish its review on the pricing of conditional access; and if he will make a statement. [154242]

  Ms Hewitt
  I expect Oftel to announce shortly publication of its review of the conditional access pricing guidelines with respect to public service broadcasters.

  Japanese Overseas Reprocessing Committee
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what communications he has received from the Japanese Overseas Reprocessing Committee since the beginning of November 2000; and if he will place copies in the Library. [153198]

  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 14 March 2001]: No such communications have been received.

  Hinduja Brothers
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) on what date his Department was informed of intelligence reports relating to the Hinduja brothers referred to in paragraph 8.4 of the report of the Hammond Inquiry; [154232]

  (2) on what date intelligence briefings relating to the Hinduja brothers were first made available to him. [153437]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 12 March 2001]: It is not the practice, and has not been the practice of successive Governments, to comment on intelligence matters.

  Hyundai
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with Hyundai representatives on the market prospects for semi-conductor manufacturing. [153614]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 16 March 2001]: The Government are in regular contact with Hyundai on a range of issues, including the market prospects for semi-conductor manufacturing.

  Departmental Advertising
  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
  772W
  (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
  [pursuant to the reply, 13 March 2001, c. 544–46W]:

  The following information was omitted from the answer.

  Radiocommunications Authority promotional campaigns were as follows:

  Year

  £

  1996–97

  184,380.62

  1997–98

  361,358.70

  1998–99

  545,719.32

  1999–2000

  486,761.36

  2000–01

  493,312.62

TREASURY

  Deaths Abroad
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many British people died each year abroad in each of the past 10 years. [153796]

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

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Frank Field, dated 16 March 2001:

  As Registrar General for England and Wales, I have been asked to reply to your recent question on the number of deaths of British subjects abroad in each of the past ten years (153796).

  This infomation is not available. Some deaths of British subjects abroad are registered at Consulates or High Commissions or by HM Forces. Returns of these events are made to the Registrar General for England and Wales. In other cases, deaths are registered in the country where they occurred, where that is a legal duty, and there is no legal obligation to notify Registration Services in England and Wales.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will reply to the letter dated 7 February from the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan regarding his constituent Mr. R. Foreman. [154240]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I have already done so.

  Public Service Agreements
  Mr. Ian Stewart
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the technical notes underpinning the public service agreements will be published. [154635]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  All main Departments have published technical notes on their websites. A link to all the sites can be found at http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/sr2000/psa/technote.html. I am placing a copy of all the technical notes in the Libraries of both Houses.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Earnings Disregards
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will review the rates of earnings disregard for(a) Income Support and (b) Housing Benefit. [152953]

  Mr. Bayley
  The existing £15 a week higher earnings disregard in Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit will be increased to £20 a week from 9 April 2001.

  Income Support
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 6 March 2001,Official Report, column 168W, on Income Support, if he will estimate (a) the number of children in all families, (b) the number of lone parent families and (c) the number of children in lone parent families on Income Support for one year or more. [154231]

  Mr. Bayley
  As at November 2000 it is estimated that there were 1.67 million children living in households which had been in receipt of Income Support for one year or more, of which 1.26 million were children of lone parents. At this date it is estimated that there were 687,800 lone parent households which had been on Income Support for one year or more.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will reply to the letter dated 29 December 2000 from the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan regarding his constituent Mrs. M. Innes. [154239]

  Angela Eagle
  A reply has been issued today.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Sierra Leone (Select Committee Report)
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs at what time and on what date the deputy head of the Foreign Office's news department first saw a version of the draft Foreign Affairs Committee report on Sierra Leone supplied by the hon. Member for Dundee, West (Mr. Ross). [154128]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  The then Deputy Head of the FCO News Department answered this question two years ago in his evidence to the Committee on Standards and Privileges (Eighth Report of Session 1998–99).

  The allegations recently published by Mr. Nicholas Jones contradict nothing that was said at the time. From my first answer on this issue, on 23 February 1999, Official Report, column 259W, I made it clear that we had responded to leaks by others to the press, that the FCO had received a copy of the final Report at 0800 on 9 February, and that subsequently the press were briefed orally on my initial reaction. There is therefore nothing to add to the evidence provided to the Standards and Privileges Committee or to my answers to Parliamentary Questions at the time.
  774W
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) at what time on what date(a) the Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign Office, (b) the head of the Foreign Office's news department and (c) the head of the Foreign Office's Africa department (Equatorial) were first briefed on the contents of the draft Foreign Affairs Committee report on Sierra Leone supplied by the hon. Member for Dundee, West (Mr. Ross); [154129]

  (2) what duties he was carrying out, and where, at 8 am on 9 February 1999; and where he took the telephone call from BBC journalist, Nicholas Jones, that morning; [154002]

  (3) if (a) his special advisers and (b) John Williams spoke to the hon. Member for Dundee, West (Mr. Ross) concerning the Foreign Affairs Committee report on Sierra Leone in the week prior to 9 February 1999; [153998]

  (4) when his office first prepared a briefing on the Foreign Affairs Select Committee report on Sierra Leone published on 9 February 1999; who was involved in writing the briefing; and if he will place a copy in the Library; [154027]

  (5) what telephone conversations (a) he and (b) his Office had with journalists (i) before and (ii) after 10 am on 9 February 1999; [154000]

  (6) if he saw a Foreign Office summary briefing on the Foreign Affairs Committee report on Sierra Leone before 8 am on 9 February 1999; [154028]

  (7) from where and at what time he placed the telephone call on 9 February 1999 to the BBC journalist, Nick Jones, asking him to return his call; [154001]

  (8) at what time on 9 February 1999 (a) he, (b) his special advisers, (c) the Permanent Secretary, (d) the head of the news department and (e) the deputy head of the news department received a copy of the Foreign Affairs Committee report on Sierra Leone; [153997]

  (9) if lines for use for briefing the press regarding the Foreign Affairs Committee report on Sierra Leone were prepared before 8 am on 9 February 1999; [154025]

  (10) if a draft press statement was prepared before 8 am on 9 February 1999 based on the content of the Foreign Affairs Committee report on Sierra Leone; [153999]

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he instructed the Foreign Office spokesman on his Department's response to The Guardian prior to its report of 12 March concerning his statements to Parliament relating to his Department's advance knowledge of Select Committee reports; [153957]

  (2) at what time and on what date he spoke to Nicholas Jones about the Foreign Affairs Committee's Second report of Session 1998–99 on Sierra Leone. [153956]

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if a spokesman from his Department telephoned Mr. Nicholas Jones of the BBC shortly after 6.30 am on 9 February 1999 to discuss the Foreign Affairs Committee's Second report of Session 1998–99 on Sierra Leone; [153955]
  775W
  (2) at what time he telephoned Mr. Nicholas Jones of the BBC on 9 February 1999 to discuss the Foreign Affairs Committee's Second report of Session 1998–99 on Sierra Leone; [153958]

  (3) when he first read the Foreign Affairs Committee's Second report of Session 1998–99 on Sierra Leone. [153968]

  (4) when John Williams of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office first read the Foreign Affairs Committee's Second report of Session 1998–99 on Sierra Leone. [153959]

  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the statements by the BBC's lobby correspondent concerning his use of a leaked draft of the Foreign Affairs Committee report on Sierra Leone. [154148]

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) to whom his officials spoke about the Foreign Affairs Committee report on Sierra Leone before 10 am on 9 February 1999; [153986]

  (2) if he will publish a list of Ministers and officials who spoke to Mr. Nicholas Jones of the BBC before 10 am on 9 February 1999; [153990]

  (3) on what date and at what time he first (a) received and (b) read a copy of the Foreign Affairs Committee report on Sierra Leone; [153988]

  (4) to whom he spoke on the telephone between 6 am and 10 am on 9 February 1999; [153987]

  (5) if he will publish a list of Ministers and officials who saw leaked documents relating to the Foreign Affairs Committee inquiry into Sierra Leone in 1998–99; [153991]

  (6) how many copies of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee report on Sierra Leone were collected by his officials on 9 February 1999, at what time and from where. [153989]
  776W
  Mr. Robin Cook
  I refer right hon. and hon. Members to my reply to the right hon. Member for Horsham (Mr. Maude) on 16 March 2001,Official Report, column 773W.

  President Mugabe
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has discussed the visit of President Mugabe to France with the French Ambassador. [154016]

  Mr. Wilson
  No, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not spoken to the French Ambassador. The French Government are well aware of our deep concerns at the situation in Zimbabwe.

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whom the Minister of State met and what was discussed during his recent visit to Zimbabwe. [154015]

  Mr. Wilson
  I have not visited Zimbabwe since my appointment as Minister of State.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement regarding President Mbeki's policy towards Zimbabwe. [154017]

  Mr. Wilson
  I discussed our concerns over Zimbabwe with South Africa's Deputy Foreign Minister on 6 March. We welcome President Mbeki's expressed intention to meet President Mugabe soon to discuss the situation in Zimbabwe.

  The hon. Member for Leicester, East
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the hon. Member for Leicester, East on the contents of the report of the Committee on Standards and Privileges relating to his conduct. [154070]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  I first saw the report when it was published on 12 March. I first discussed it with my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz) on the latter's return from Cyprus late on 14 March.

  Balkans Theatre: Strike Aircraft Commitment
  Balkans Theatre: Strike Aircraft Commitment
  Fishery Protection Vessels: Replacement
  Fishery Protection Vessels: Replacement
  Fishing Vessel Licence Transfer and Aggregation Capacity Penalties
  Fishing Vessel Licence Transfer and Aggregation Capacity Penalties
  Miss Zainas Hussain Nazir Hammad
  Miss Zainas Hussain Nazir Hammad
  Prison Overcrowding
  Prison Overcrowding
  Freedom of Information Act 2000: Implementation
  Freedom of Information Act 2000: Implementation
  Football Disorder: Working Group Report
  Football Disorder: Working Group Report
  Electronic Conveyancing
  Electronic Conveyancing
  Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
  Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
  Millennium Dome: Sale of Contents
  Millennium Dome: Sale of Contents
  NMEC: Liquidation
  NMEC: Liquidation
  Parliamentary Pay and Allowances: Review Body Report
  Parliamentary Pay and Allowances: Review Body Report
  Broadband Services and Optical Wireless Technology
  Broadband Services and Optical Wireless Technology
  UK/Eurozone Trade
  UK/Eurozone Trade
  Anglo-Georgian Trade
  Anglo-Georgian Trade