Written Answers of 22 March 2001

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Vehicle Excise Duty
  Mrs. Fitzsimons
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to facilitate the reporting by the public of invalid road vehicle excise duty discs.[154445]

  Mr. Hill
  Members of the public may report apparently unlicensed vehicles seen on the public road by providing details of the vehicle concerned, together with the location and details of the keeper, if known, to the nearest Local Office of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). This information is used as a starting point for further investigation.

  Alternatively, members of the public may complete specially designed witness statements which are available from the Agency's network of Local Offices. The statement form may also be downloaded from the DVLA website. If prosecution action follows, a copy of the statement containing the witness's name is made available to the alleged offender.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much revenue was raised from motorcycle and moped vehicle excise duty in the last 12 month period for which figures are available, indicating the amount raised for each vehicle excise duty band; if he will estimate the rate of evasion, indicating the estimated number of untaxed motorcycles and mopeds used on public highways for each category; and if he will make a statement. [154721]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 20 March 2001]£40.3 million was raised in vehicle excise duty (VED) from motorcycles and mopeds in 1999–2000 in Great Britain.

  A

  B

  C

  F

  G

  H

  I

  Design capacity

  Actual number of people

  Hour

  Quarter-hour

  Hour

  Quarter-hour

  Line

  Busiest section

  Time

  capacity

  capacity

  capacity

  capacity

  Bakerloo

  Charing Cross to Piccadilly Circus

  08.45–09.00

  27,954

  6,989

  21,676

  5,419

  Central

  Bethnal Green to Liverpool Street

  08.45–09.00

  45,582

  11,395

  37,876

  9,469

  Victoria

  Victoria to Green Park

  08.45–09.00

  42,363

  10,591

  33,098

  8,274

  Waterloo and City

  Waterloo to Bank

  07.45–08.00

  14,818

  3,704

  11,854

  2,964

  Jubilee

  St. John's Wood to Baker Street

  08.45–09.00

  19,375

  4,844

  19,949

  4,987

  Northern

  Clapham North to Stockwell

  08.45–09.00

  28,258

  6,564

  29,286

  7,321

  Piccadilly

  Earl's Court to Gloucester Road

  08.30–08.45

  33,216

  8,304

  25,144

  6,286

  Circle

  Sloane Square to Victoria

  17.30–17.45

  8,958

  2,240

  8,493

  2,123

  282W
  Following a full roadside survey in 1999, it is estimated that there are around 265,000 unlicensed motorcycles and mopeds in GB. This represents a drop in the evasion level from 35 per cent. in 1994 to 25 per cent.

  The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has a number of initiatives in hand to tackle the problem of unlicensed motorcycles. The Agency is working closely with the police in targeting unlicensed motorcycles at events and rallies and conducting specific motorcycle enforcement campaigns. The introduction of automatic number plate readers later this year will make it easier to detect unlicensed motorcycles. A consultation document will be issued shortly which will seek views on the introduction of a licence disc for motorcycles which cannot be removed intact once fixed to the number plate. As well as making it easier to detect unlicensed motorcycles this proposal should also resolve the problem of the theft of motorcycle licence discs.

  London Underground
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 2 February 2001,Official Report, column 315W, on London Underground, what proportion of the maximum capacity of London Underground train carriages was reached at peak periods during January and February on a line by line basis.[154397]

  Mr. Hill
  This is an operational matter for London Underground Ltd. (LUL) who inform me that they regularly monitor train crowding which enables them to assess the level of crowding on the busiest sections of each line. The complexity of this survey means that it is not cost-effective for it to be carried out on a monthly basis. It is therefore not possible to provide the information specifically requested in the question for January and February this year as to do so would incur disproportionate costs.

  The table shows the most recent information as measured by London Underground at various times during 1999–2000. For each line it provides a snapshot of the busiest quarter-hour period on the busiest section The table shows in columns F and G the theoretical design capacity of trains as set out in the earlier answer on 2 February 2001, Official Report, column 315W, and in columns H and I the average number of people recorded by LUL in 1999–2000 as using those lines at the busiest period. However, it should be noted that in practice some trains may have a higher and some a lower crowding. This could be caused by either any unevenness in the time between consecutive trains or in the uneven distribution of customers along platforms.
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  A

  B

  C

  F

  G

  H

  I

  Design capacity

  Actual number of people

  Hour

  Quarter-hour

  Hour

  Quarter-hour

  Line

  Busiest section

  Time

  capacity

  capacity

  capacity

  capacity

  H&C

  Liverpool Street to Moorgate

  08.30–08.45

  8,958

  2,240

  8,493

  2,123

  Metropolitan

  Finchley Road to Baker Street

  08.30–08.45

  35,984

  8,991

  34,409

  8,602

  District

  Victoria to St. James's Park

  08.30–08.45

  30,380

  7,595

  27,085

  6,771

  East London Line

  Surrey Quays to Canada Water

  08.15–08.30

  6,815

  1,704

  6,521

  1,630

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 2 February 2001,Official Report, column 315W, on London Underground, what evidence his Department has obtained to show that the figures for the maximum capacity of London Underground train carriages are compatible with the health and safety of passengers.[154399]

  Mr. Hill
  The health and safety of passengers is the responsibility of London Underground and it is the Underground's top priority. I understand that the capacity of London Underground carriages is not itself considered to be a health and safety issue. However, London Underground recognises the possible safety implications of overcrowding. Access to platforms, and therefore trains, is restricted whenever necessary on safety grounds.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much money has been provided by the Government since May 1997 to London Underground; and if he will make a statement.[154450]

  Mr. Hill
  We have provided £1.9 billion of funding to London Underground since May 1997. Government funding has supported total investment in the Underground between 1997–98 and 2000–01 of some £3.4 billion.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will announce a conclusion to his negotiations with Transport for London concerning the PPP for the London Underground. [154990]

  Mr. Hill
  My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister announced last month that he had agreed to work together with the Commissioner of Transport for London, Bob Kiley, and with London Underground, on developing mutually acceptable modifications to the Public Private Partnership. Mr. Kiley has said in discussions with the Government that he seeks the unified management control of key underground operations, mainly through keeping the maintenance of track and signalling within London Underground. The 55–point plan that he is now discussing with us provides for that control within the overall structure of the PPP.

  There are inevitably some technical issues still to be worked out but I believe that there is now a real basis for an agreement to allow the PPP competitions to proceed to a satisfactory conclusion. Discussions are being taken forward as quickly as possible so that we can get on with the PPP competitions and the massive investment which the Underground so urgently needs.

  Devon Way, Stafford
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what guidance he has given the Highways Agency(a) generally and (b) specifically relating to Devon Way, Stafford, for consultation with residents before trees that screen trunk roads are removed; [154259]

  2) how many trees the Highways Agency removed from the land between the M6 motorway and Devon Way at Stafford on 8 March and for what reasons.[154258]

  Mr. Hill
  I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Tim Matthews, to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from John Kerman to Mr. David Kidney, dated 22 March 2001:

  REMOVAL OF TREES ON M6 AT DEVON WAY
  The Transport Minister, Keith Hill, has asked Tim Matthews to reply to your two Parliamentary Questions about the removal of trees on land between the M6 and Devon Way, Stafford. I am replying in the absence of Tim Matthews.Following complaints about the condition of the trees from a local resident, site inspections showed that some of the trees were in a poor state and needed cutting down or pruning. Three trees were cut down on the 8th March and a fourth one shortly afterwards. Further works are required to this area of mature planting and these will be carried out soon.During the site visits we spoke to a number of residents who generally supported what we were doing but I am sorry that we were unable to talk to them all.I can assure you that we are only removing trees that are dead or dying on safety grounds, or pruning those which overhang adjacent gardens and are causing a nuisance. We intend to provide some new planting at this location, with low-level shrubs at the rear of the gardens graduating to woodland species closer to the motorway.There is no specific guidance for consultation in these circumstances but we do as a rule advise those likely to be affected. In this instance we were responding to the wishes of a number of local residents. I can only apologise for the fact that not everyone was happy.If you would like any additional information please contact Peter Adams at our Bi mingham office. His telephone number is 0121 678 8215.

  Nesscliffe Bypass
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the progress made to build the Nesscliffe A5 road bypass and on the anticipated completion date.[154466]

  Mr. Hill
  I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Tim Matthews, to write to my hon. Friend.
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  Letter from John Kerman to Mr. Paul Marsden, dated 22 March 2001

  PROGRESS ON A5 NESCLIFFE BYPASS
  The Transport Minister, Keith Hill, has asked Tim Matthews the Chief Executive to reply to your Parliamentary Question about progress on the A5 Nesscliffe Bypass. I am replying in the absence of Tim Matthews.Good progress is being made with the statutory procedures, which are now close to completion. The Compulsory Purchase Order has been confirmed and the legal challenge period is due to expire on 29 March 2001. We have begun the procurement process with the aim of inviting tenders in June for a Design and Build Contract. We hope to award the contract in December this year. Work should start on what we expect to be a 21 month contract in early Spring 2002. All being well, the bypass should be open to traffic in late Autumn 2003.We are confident that we will meet this programme but we do have to bear in mind the current restrictions imposed by the Foot and Mouth situation on access to the countryside. This is particularly relevant given the essential ecological surveys that must be carried out at specific times of the year. We will keep this situation under close review.If you would like any additional information please contact Stephen Edwards at our Birmingham office His telephone number is 0121 678 8360.

  A329M Closure
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what the reason was for the time taken by(a) the Environment Agency to respond to the accident and spill on the A329M on 12 March and (b) the police to clear the road; and for what reason the police closed the road for most of that day;[154278]

  (2) if he will make a statement on (a) the traffic delays caused by the closure of the A329M on 12 March and (b) the Environment Agency's role in the closure. [154277]

  Mr. Meacher
  I understand that due to the spillage of diesel fuel and a subsequent six-vehicle accident the Thames Valley police closed the A329M at 23.54 pm on 11 March and re-opened it approximately three hours later. During the intervening period. the Thames Valley police, assisted by the Environment Agency, were involved in mopping up the diesel fuel and removing the six vehicles involved in the accident, which was made more difficult at the time by severe weather conditions. At the scene of such an accident the police have a duty to ensure that the safety of the public the preservation of life, the rescue of the injured and the gathering of evidence to support the prosecution of serious traffic offences take precedence over any problems caused by traffic delay or congestion. The police are of course conscious of delays that can ensue from such accidents and they work with the Highways Agency and local radio stations to minimise disruption to traffic. Once the Thames Valley police were satisfied that it was safe to re-open the road, they did so at approximately 3.00 am on

  12 March.

  Following an initial telephone call from the Thames Valley police, Environmental Protection Officers from the Environment Agency arrived at the scene approximately 50 minutes from first notification of the incident, to find that diesel fuel was flowing from the road into the roadside drains. The Agency's officers isolated the
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  surface drains using sawdust and soil from the verges and made a request to the local authority for gulley suckers to empty the roadside drains as soon as possible. The Agency's officers checked ditches on both sides of the M4, identifying areas where these drained to the Emm Brook. After a thorough examination, the Agency officers could find no evidence to suggest that any diesel fuel had entered either the ditches or the Emm Brook.

  Car Number Plates
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his policy on flags printed on car number plates.[154312]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 19 March 2001]In March 2000 the Government announced that legislation would be introduced to allow motorists to display the GB national identifier and the European circle of stars on car number plates on a voluntary non-mandatory basis. This would enable citizens to dispense with the requirement to display a separate GB sticker when travelling in Europe. The option of a separate GB sticker remains. There are no plans to permit the display of any other symbols or flags on number plates.

  Driving Instructors
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the policy of the Government are concerning the enforcement of the provisions of Part V of the Road Traffic Act 1988 which requires driving instructors teaching for money to hold an approved driving instructors' certificate; and under what circumstances exceptions are made to this policy. [154735]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 20 March 2001]The universal practice is for the Driving Standards Agency to use the Vehicle Inspectorate to investigate alleged cases of illegal driving instruction on its behalf. The inspectorate, in liaison with the agency, is responsible for pursuing prosecutions.

  Departmental Policies (Stourbridge)
  Ms Shipley
  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(a) Stourbridge and (b) the metropolitan borough of Dudley the effects on the area of his Department's (i) local government and (ii) transport policies and actions since 2 May 1997.[154731]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 20 March 2001]The principal funding that this Department have provided to Dudley metropolitan borough in which Stourbridge falls since 2 May 1997 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 Stourbridge. It is for the local authority to decide where within its boundary these resources are applied.

  The £55 million Dudley southern bypass was completed in 1999.
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  £million

  Nature of funding

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02'

  Revenue Support Grant2

  87.24

  97.44

  102.52

  98.35

  108.29

  Income from National non-Domestic Rates2

  68.22

  71.10

  76.84

  86.71

  84.78

  Housing Investment Programme3

  5.37

  4.41

  4.42

  10.97

  3.20

  Housing Revenue Account Subsidy

  18.68

  16.62

  15.54

  14.52

  0.00

  Capital Receipts Initiative

  1.04

  3.35

  3.42

  0.00

  0.00

  Cash Incentive Scheme

  0.05

  0.02

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Capital Challenge

  4.26

  3.37

  4.77

  0.00

  0.00

  Major Repair Allowance

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  14.05

  SRB Funding7

  5.31

  4.60

  5.29

  3.35

  18.54

  Neighbourhood Renewal4

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.76

  ERDF Funding

  2,169.315

  4,135.111

  5,557.033

  7,667.424

  3,066.129

  ERDF Funding5

  0.00

  0.00

  300.000

  268.250

  0.00

  ESF Objective 2

  648.439

  1,003.649

  1,263.193

  0.00

  0.00

  ESF Objective 25

  0.000

  192.583

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Transport Supplementary Grant

  3.75

  4.85

  6.76

  2.03

  -

  Transport Annual Capital Guideline

  3.75

  4.85

  6.76

  2.03

  -

  Transport Block Supplementary Credit Approval

  1.58

  1.82

  1.51

  3.61

  6.86

  Rural Bus Subsidy Grant6

  0.00

  0.08

  0.07

  0.09

  0.11

  Rural Bus Challenge Grant6

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.42

  -

  1 Where known

  2 The amounts of Revenue Support Grant and Income from National non-Domestic Rates shown for 1997–98 and 1998–99 are the revised amounts allocated under "The Local Government Finance Report (England) 1997–98 Amending Report 1999" and "The Local Government Finance Report (England) 1998–99 Amending Report 2000" respectively.

  3The Housing subsidy figure for 2000–01 is still provisional. The reduction in HIP resources for 2001–02 is due the introduction of the new Major Repair Allowance i.e. a new way of allocating resources for works to council stock; the table shows Dudley's indicative figure for 2001–02.

  4This is the first year of a 3-year NRF allocation to Dudley. It will be for the emerging LSP to determine how and where it should he spent.

  5 These amounts of ERDF and ESF Objective 2 grant have been identified as approved for projects within the Stourbridge district.

  6Rural bus payments were made to the WM Passenger Transport Executive, Centro for spending across the metropolitan area.

  7Details of SRB Projects.

  Dudley Foundation For The Future (1995–2002)

  The seven-year scheme aims to raise educational attainment, particularly for ethnic minorities; enhance employment and enterprise focusing on assisting small businesses and improving manufacturing excellence; improve housing and the environment and increase energy efficiency. Although generally borough-wide in approach there is some targeting, particularly in the Central Dudley and Brierley Hills areas.

  Key Outputs

  5,000 jobs created/safeguarded: 2,800 people obtaining qualifications; 530 new businesses; 4,500 new dwellings.

  Costs

  Single Regeneration Budget Total: £13.1 million Scheme Total: £43.2 million

  Wren's Nest Comprehensive Area Regeneration-Dudley (1996–2000)

  A six-year scheme from the Dudley Partnership Board. Developed from a Community Vision Conference, this scheme reflects the priorities of residents, local businesses, community organisations and public bodies. The Wren's Nest estate of almost 12,000 people is in one of the most deprived wards in Dudley. The scheme is intended to complement and extend the positive impact of Estate Action in the area. It will add value to that investment by raising skills levels, increasing the confidence and management ability of local people and promoting community safety.

  Key Outputs

  90 jobs created/safeguarded plus 17,385 construction jobs,

  820 people obtaining qualifications, 950 people obtaining jobs,

  540 dwellings improved an 170 completed.

  Costs

  Single Regeneration Budget Total: 1£0.4 million

  Scheme Total: £36.6 million
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  Impact On Employment. (1996–2000)

  A four-year scheme led by Stourbridge College, in partnership with the local ethnic minority community. The Partnership plans a range of initiative; to enhance confidence and skills within African and Caribbean communities. It will involve local employers more in promoting employment and training opportunities and targeting FE colleges to improve their response to this group by providing good practice models.

  Key Outputs

  100 qualifications gained, 140 people obtaining jobs after training and 300 residents accessing employment following advice.

  Costs

  Single Regeneration Budget Total: £175,000

  Scheme Total: £63,000

  Local Jobs For Local People (Dudley) (1998–2000)

  This six-year scheme focuses on skilling for job opportunities at Merry Hill and local industrial estates. A training centre will be established offering programmes and child care with links to job vacancies at Merry Hill. Regeneration support will be given to the industrial estates to create jobs, which will also involve the training centres. New Deal support will be in creating opportunities for clients is and involving residents who fall outside New Deal parameters

  Key Outputs

  3,100 training weeks; 300 residents accessing employment through training, 5,000 sq.m. new business/commercial floorspace.

  Costs

  Single Regeneration Budget: –1.8 million

  Scheme Total: –7 million.

  Transport Safety Review
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will complete his review of transport safety and report to the House; and if he will make a statement.[155069]

  Mr. Hill
  In my answer of 9 June 2000,Official Report, columns 424–25W, to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Cambridge (Mrs. Campbell), I explained our conclusion that it would be wrong to take a view on potentially fundamental changes to the organisation of transport safety until the outcome of Lord Cullen's inquiry into the Ladbroke Grove rail crash was known. I understand that the relevant part of the inquiry is expected to report later this year A report of the consultation and analysis undertaken by the transport safety review group was placed in the Libraries of the House last year.

  Ten-year Transport Plan
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the provision contained in the Ten-year Transport Plan for(a) a London east-west rail link, (b) the London Cross Rail scheme, (c) the Chelsea-Hackney Line, (d) the East London Line and (e) the West London Line; and if he will indicate the priority he gives to each of these projects.[155068]

  Mr. Hill
  The Ten-year Plan provides for a significant increase in transport infrastructure investment, including in enhanced rail capacity in London. Specific London rail schemes, priorities, and the resources to be allocated to them, will be decided after discussion between Government, the Strategic Rail Authority and the Mayor of London. To this end, we have set up a high-level group to ensure a co-ordinated approach to the development and taking forward of rail schemes in London.

  West Midlands Regional Development Agency
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the performance of the West Midlands Regional Development Agency.[153631]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  All the RDA's, including Advantage West Midlands, have made good progress. Advantage West Midlands (AWM) has engaged with all sectors of the local economy to produce a strategy for the region and has agreed with key partners the 60 main actions required to take it forward.

  AWM has achieved significant successes. So far this financial year (to February), some 28 companies from abroad have invested in the west midlands, creating 2,100 jobs and safeguarding a further 745. Marconi is moving to a site at Ansty near Coventry and jobs are beginning to emerge at BMW at Hams Hall near Birmingham. AWM has introduced a Regional Venture Capital Fund, the first RDA to do so. It is progressing innovation issues with a very good team of regional partners. It has very clearly defined the region's priority business sectors and is increasingly dovetailing all its activities to support them: the food and drink sector is an excellent example.
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  In addition, AWM has led the creation of six Regeneration Zones which will focus resources on the areas of greatest need and opportunity—including for the first time, a Rural Regeneration Zone encompassing the Marches.

  It has successfully led two emergency Task Forces set up at the behest of the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to address crises which have arisen in the region's automotive and ceramics industries. Key recommendations involve the creation of three high-technology corridors along the region's main feeder routes.

  Central Railway
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what consultations have taken place since 1 January between his Department and(a) regional development agencies and (b) regional assemblies about the Central Railway project;[154847]

  (2) what meetings have taken place since 1 January between Ministers in his Department and representatives of Central Railway.[154848]

  Mr. Hill
  None.

  Lettings
  Mr. Paul Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to announce the pilot projects to test choice-based lettings approaches; and if he will make a statement.[155394]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I am pleased to announce that 27 local authority-led pilot projects have today been selected to test different lettings approaches.

  The pilots are designed to give new and existing social tenants in England greater choice over their housing and to give local authorities and Registered Social Landlords the opportunity to test new ways of doing that, while continuing to meet housing need.

  This is the best way to meet the long-term housing requirements of those who need social housing. The challenge for pilot authorities is to find better ways of responding to need while offering choice, in different housing markets, and across different authorities. We will draw on the pilots to develop a body of good practice for all social landlords.

  I am delighted that we received over 90 bids for pilot status. I was particularly encouraged by the readiness of local authorities and RSLs to work together to deliver a choice-based approach. Many bids involved a partnership approach, bringing together some or all of the RSLs operating in the area, and in some cases private landlords as well, to offer as wide a choice as possible to new and existing tenants.

  I have been very impressed by the quality of the bids submitted. I have therefore decided to make available a further £2 million, in addition to the £11 million announced at the time of the Spending Review to fund the pilot scheme, in order to support as many good quality projects as possible.
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  The list of successful lead authorities is set out in the list.

  I am also delighted to announce that £3.5 million over two years has been allocated under Round 3 of the Capital Modernisation Fund. This additional money will be used to fund Information Technology development to support choice-based lettings approaches and to promote mobility across the social housing sector.

  Successful bids—lead authorities

  Bath and North East Somerset borough council

  Blackburn with Darwen borough council

  Bolton metropolitan borough council

  Bradford metropolitan borough council

  Brighton and Hove borough council

  Camden council

  Coventry metropolitan borough council

  Croydon council

  Derby city council

  Ealing council

  Eastbourne borough council

  Hammersmith and Fulham council

  Harborough district council

  Haringey council

  Herefordshire district council

  Kennet district council

  Lewisham council

  Manchester city council

  Mansfield district council

  Medway district council

  New Forest district council

  Newham council

  Restormel borough council

  Sandwell metropolitan district council

  Sheffield metropolitan borough council

  Stockport metropolitan borough council

  Sunderland metropolitan borough council.

  Regional Planning Guidance
  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to make an announcement about regional planning guidance for the south-east.[155395]

  Mr. Raynsford
  On 18 December last year we published draft revised Regional Planning Guidance for the south-east. This put the urban renaissance and protection of the countryside at the heart of the revised regional strategy. It put forward a housing strategy that took no more land than assumed by the regional planning body. We re-consulted on the proposed housing distribution and after careful consideration of all the representations we are today issuing Regional Planning Guidance for the South East (RPG9).

  In the light of the divergent views expressed on the individual county figures and in the absence of any consistent regional rationale to justify a new distribution, the proposed distribution has not been changed. We acknowledge the concerns expressed during the public consultation but would emphasise that in line with our
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  new 'plan, monitor and manage' approach, the scale and distribution of
  housing will be subject to review within the next five years in response to monitoring and other information. We do not believe in fixed 20-year housing targets.

  The RPG9 document is being distributed to local authorities, Regional Planning Bodies, Regional Development Agencies and others who participated at the Public Examination held in 1999. Copies have also been placed in the Libraries of the House and made available to MPs from the Region. Further copies can be obtained from the Stationery Office at a cost of £.

  Standards Board
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made in establishing the Standards Board for England under the Local Government Act 2000; and if he will make a statement.[155447]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Last month, I appointed Tony Holland as the first chair of the Standards Board for England. I have today appointed Patricia Hughes as Deputy Chair, and John Bowers, Alan Doig, Margaret Pratt, Paul Sabapathy and Roger Taylor as members of the Board. I am in the process of making two further appointments from representatives of local authority elected members and hope to be able to announce these in the near future.

  The appointments will provide the Standards Board with a range of expertise and skills from around the country, which will be crucial to the success of its future work. The members will bring wide experience of local government and the public and private sectors to the work of the Board. They will equip the Standards Board with the lay, legal, academic and audit expertise it will need as it faces up to the challenge of the new ethical framework and ensuring the highest standards of conduct in local government.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Ethiopia
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has for providing development assistance to Ethiopia; and if she will make a statement.[155072]

  Clare Short
  Since the signature by Ethiopia and Eritrea of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement in June 2000, we have been reviewing our development relationship with Ethiopia. As part of this process, we held a seminar to discuss papers commissioned from academia and civil society to help update our understanding of current politics, governance and civil society; the economy; poverty; and food security.

  Last November I visited Addis Ababa and discussed these issues with I prime Minister Meles Zenawi. We informed him that we intended to focus as a first priority on food security, and undertook to consider whether we could contribute to the development of the private sector in Ethiopia.
  293W
  Effective support to help reduce poverty in Ethiopia will depend on continuing peace and stability and the full and speedy implementation of the Peace Agreement signed in Algiers last December We have been encouraged by recent progress. We have supported the peace process through the UN Mission to Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) with a contribution of £535,000 for an emergency survey of mines and unexploded ordnance undertaken by the UN Mines Advisory Service. We are also supporting UNMEE through our assessed contribution to peacekeeping operations.

  The overall objective of our assistance will be to support the Government of Ethiopia's Poverty Reduction Strategy. In food security, we will work for long-term sustainable improvements and reduced vulnerability to cyclical drought. We will support the provision of financial assistance through the World Bank, IMF and European Commission. We will also provide technical assistance to strengthen the World Bank's work with the Government on the 2001 Public Expenditure Review and on Food Security, and plan to do so on the Poverty Reduction Strategy process. We are also considering technical support in food security and education to the European Commission.

  We also envisage providing support for Food Security (including rural roads). In the private sector we will explore options for facilitating Ethiopia's effective engagement in international markets and ways in which the enabling environment for private investment can be improved. We plan to help strengthen district level road maintenance capacity. We are investigating how to support the Government's poverty monitoring capacity. Other possible areas of intervention include improved governance and support for a more effective civil society.

  The implications of HIV/AIDS for Ethiopia's development will be considered throughout the programme. We plan to support the International Partnership Against AIDS in Africa, which is sponsored by UNAIDS.

  We will continue to provide direct humanitarian relief and food aid where there is a clear need and where we are well placed to help.

  On current plans we expect to spend up to £30 million over the next three years: these figures are indicative and subject to adjustment in the light of developments.

DEFENCE

  Army (Scotland)
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the(a) establishment strength, (b) actual strength and (c) level of undermanning in percentage terms of establishment against actual strength was for the(i) Highlanders, (ii) Black Watch, (iii) Royal Scots, (iv) Royal Highland Fusiliers, (v) King's Own Scottish Borderers. (vi) Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, (vii) Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and (viii) Scots Guards on 1 March in each year from 1995 to 2001; what initiatives are under way in Scotland to address issues of recruitment and retention; and if he will make a statement.[154086]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 20 March 2001]The information requested is as follows.
  294W

  Establishment

  Trained strength

  Percentage ±

  Highlanders

  1995

  597

  703

  17.6

  1996

  597

  648

  8.5

  1997

  659

  616

  –6.5

  1998

  658

  583

  -11.4

  1999

  658

  507

  -22.9

  2000

  658

  500

  -24

  2001

  608

  494

  -18.8

  Black Watch

  1995

  597

  591

  -1

  1996

  597

  555

  -7

  1997

  597

  514

  -14

  1998

  597

  539

  -9.7

  1999

  597

  511

  -14.4

  2000

  703

  508

  -27.7

  2001

  670

  566

  -15.5

  Royal Scots

  1995

  597

  543

  -9

  1996

  663

  562

  -15.2

  1997

  663

  495

  -25.3

  1998

  663

  508

  -23.4

  1999

  663

  471

  -29

  2000

  597

  470

  -21.3

  2001

  608

  515

  -15.3

  Royal Highland Fusiliers

  1995

  703

  743

  5.7

  1996

  703

  617

  -12.2

  1997

  703

  595

  -15.4

  1998

  703

  621

  -11.7

  1999

  703

  581

  -17.4

  2000

  597

  626

  4.9

  2001

  607

  532

  -12.4

  King's Own Scottish Borderers

  1995

  597

  594

  -0.5

  1996

  597

  575

  -3.7

  1997

  597

  546

  -8.5

  1998

  597

  567

  -5

  1999

  597

  507

  -15

  2000

  597

  549

  -8

  2001

  638

  585

  -8.3

  Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

  1995

  597

  598

  0.2

  1996

  597

  523

  -12.4

  1997

  597

  557

  -6.7

  1998

  597

  593

  -0.7

  1999

  597

  601

  0.7

  2000

  597

  598

  0.2

  2001

  609

  591

  -3

  Royal Scots Dragoon Guards

  1995

  411

  414

  0.7

  1996

  411

  373

  9.2

  1997

  411

  386

  -6.1

  1998

  411

  372

  -9.5

  1999

  411

  372

  -9.5

  2000

  411

  403

  -1.9

  2001

  499

  415

  -17

  Scots Guards

  1995

  597

  693

  16

  1996

  597

  566

  -5.2

  1997

  597

  529

  -11.4

  1998

  597

  520

  -13

  1999

  597

  531

  -11

  2000

  597

  558

  -6.5

  2001

  609

  643

  5.6

  Note:

  The figures are at 1 January each year
  295W
  A revision of the Army's recruitment management structure has brought together the field Army, the Territorial Army and the Army Training and Recruiting Agency's resources and expertise to run coherent recruiting campaigns in each of the UK regions, including Scotland. This co-ordinates local and national recruiting activities to best effect. Specifically in Scotland, the Army has recently awarded a trial one-year contract to a commercial consultancy company who will undertake on the ground recruiting activities, in partnership with the existing recruiting organisation, bringing commercial expertise into this area and utilising the company's wide-ranging contacts and database. The company intends to introduce an innovative programme of promotional and marketing activity, highlighting the wide range of career opportunities that the Army provides. Final selection of recruits will, however, remain firmly with the Army.

  Army retention is being tackled as a high priority. Our aim is to maintain good levels of retention through policies that genuinely reflect the priorities of our people and their families, both generally and those on deployment. A raft of measures has already been introduced, including acceptance of the latest pay award, and these appear to be having an impact on retention. These measures are not confined to Scotland, but apply throughout the Army in the UK and overseas.

  Racial Discrimination
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures have been taken against those(a) responsible for racial harassment of Ian Bannister and(b) responsible for setting up a photoshoot with soldiers dressed in Klu Klux Klan regalia and the officers commanding these soldiers.[154067]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Army has no record of any claim of racial harassment from Ian Bannister. The Royal Military Police are, however, currently undertaking an investigation to examine the circumstances behind the incident with the photograph.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what instructions have been issued to the 2nd Parachute Regiment concerning members posing for photographs with Nazi regalia.[154066]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Army is committed, through the Chief of the General Staff's Equal Opportunities Directive, to eradicating all forms of discrimination by developing policies, practices, and procedures within the framework of the law which do not tolerate harassment or discrimination of any kind. This policy is reiterated in Commanding Officer's Equal Opportunities Policy Statements and Action Plans.

  Armed Forces Pension Scheme
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the review of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme will be published; what the cause of the delay has been; if the review will consider the use of retrospective legislation as a remedy for the perceived injustices; and if he will make a statement.1154047]

  Mr. Hoon
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Eastwood (Mr. Murphy) on 16 March 2001, Official Report, column 756W. The review has taken longer than expected
  296W
  mainly because of knock-on effects from delays to the Joint MOD/DSS Compensation Review which proved more complicated than anticipated. Consistent with the long-standing public sector pension policy, there are no plans to introduce changes to the Armed Forces Pension Scheme retrospectively.

  Saville Inquiry
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 17 February 2000,Official Report, column 648W, if he will list the private companies identified as purchasers of 10 rifles required by the Saville inquiry; and what efforts have been made to secure the co-operation of these companies with the inquiry.[154132]

  Mr. Hoon
  The police investigation announced in my answer of 17 February 2000, Official Report, column 648W, has established that, of the rifles required by the Bloody Sunday Inquiry, 19 were sold to private companies. These companies were Alvis Logistics, A. F. Budge and Co. Ltd. and R. E. Trem and Co. Ltd. Every effort has been made to secure the companies' co-operation in consultation with the Bloody Sunday Inquiry.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 17 February 2000,Official Report, column 648W, what the conclusion was of the MOD police inquiry regarding destruction of evidence pertinent to the Saville inquiry; and what actions have been taken against those responsible. [154131]

  Mr. Hoon
  The report of the investigation by West Mercia and Ministry of Defence Police into the unauthorised destruction of rifles will be sent to Ministers shortly. When the report has been considered its conclusions and any proposed follow-up action will be made public where it is appropriate to do so. The Bloody Sunday Inquiry has been kept fully informed.

  Nuclear Weapon Accident Response Exercises
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the names, dates and locations of nuclear weapons convoy exercises in 2001.[153727]

  Mr. Spellar
  The following nuclear weapon accident response exercises are scheduled to be held during 2001:

  Month

  Name

  Location

  May

  NW Convoy Group Standardisation

  Lincolnshire

  June

  Exercise Bowline

  Coulport

  July

  RAF Station NAR team Standardisation1

  Wiltshire

  September

  MOD Police Nuclear Weapon Convoy

  Standardisation

  To be confirmed

  October

  RAF Station NAR team Standardisation1

  Suffolk

  November

  RAF Station NAR team Standardisation1

  Oxfordshire

  November

  Exercise Senator

  Bedfordshire

  1RAF Station Nuclear Accident Response (NAR) teams provide immediate response forces for the air transportation of nuclear weapons

  Low Flying (Wind Farms)
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made on the likely effects of siting wind turbines in tactical training areas.[155605]
  297W
  Dr. Moonie
  In principle the Ministry of Defence has no objection to wind farms. The UK has three specially designated Tactical Training Areas (TTA) that are available for authorised military Operational Low Flying (OLF) training. The three TTAs are located in central Wales (LFA7T), north Scotland (LFA14T) and the border region of northern England/southern Scotland (LFA20T). Within these areas military fast jet and Hercules aircraft may operate at heights between 250 ft and 100 ft. In addition, Units make use of these specifically surveyed areas to conduct specialised night training.

  Flying down to 100 ft is also authorised over the Electronic Warfare Tactics Range (EWTR), LFA13. The EWTR is a RAF facility made available to other NATO countries on a repayment basis, or under other special arrangements. It is located in the north of England, at Spadeadam, and partially overlays LFA20T, the northern England/southern Scotland TTA. In addition to tactical radar avoidance training, the airspace associated with use of the EWTR is made available for test and evaluation flying, specialised night training and some operational low flying training. Low flying within LFA13 is associated almost entirely with operation of the EWTR.

  Conclusions of a study conducted by the RAF Signals Engineering Establishment into the Effects of Wind Generators on Radar Performance were that wind turbines cause interference to primary surveillance radar and harm the ability to detect and track aircraft flying over wind farms. Moreover, the presence of a ulit constructions of significant size would be highly dangerous to aircraft flying down to 100 ft.

  In the interests of flight safety, the safety of aircrew and members of the public, it is vital that any hazards to low flying aircraft are minimised . Any extraneous distractions or possible reduction in external support capabilities, such as that provided by ground radar, can have a deleterious effect upon aircraft safety, and thus the safety of aircrew as well as those on the ground.

  It is, therefore, MOD opinion that obstacles in excess of 100 ft in height, unlit by night and with the ability to cause interference to radar, have the potential to create an acute safety hazard to aircraft engaged in operational low flying training, tactical radar avoidance training, specialised night flying and test and evaluation flying, however, each case has to be considered on its merit.

  Promotional Campaigns
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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 statement [153408]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 12 March 2001]This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Iam therefore unable to provide a substantive answer in accordance with Exemption 9 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  However, a breakdown of the Ministry of Defence's public relations' expenditure is published in the annual Departmental Performance Report. broken down into
  298W
  categories of RN, Army, RAF and civilian recruitment, public relations, marketing and business support services, Chief of public relations, sales promotion, scholarships and National Employers' Liaison Committee.

  Service Personnel (Compensation)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what negotiations are taking place between his Department and the Treasury over compensation payments for service personnel killed and disabled during service with the armed forces; and if he will make a statement.[154046]

  Mr. Spellar
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 21 March 2001,Official Report, column 209W. The proposals contained in the Joint Compensation Review Consultation Document have been fully discussed with Her Majesty's Treasury.

  MOD Police
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the statutory basis of the Ministry of Defence Police (Discipline) Regulations 1985 is; and if they mirror those of the Home Department forces.[154409]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 19 March 2001]. The Ministry of Defence Police (Discipline) Regulations 1985, came into operation on 20 February 1986 following an agreement between the Defence Council and the Police Complaints Authority of the same date. Following the coming into force of the Ministry of Defence Police Act 1987 a further agreement between the Secretary of State for Defence and the Police Complaints Authority was signed on 23 June 1988, which resulted in the Ministry of Defence Police (Discipline) (Amendment) Regulations 1988. These agreements, made in accordance with section 96(1) of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, introduced force discipline regulations corresponding to those established by Part IX of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 for Home Department police forces. They also build on the provisions of section 1(4) and section 4 of the MOD Police Act 1987, and the Ministry of Defence Police (Representation at Disciplinary Proceedings) Regulations 1988 (SI 1099/1988) made under it.

  The MDP discipline regulations mirrored those of the Home Departments forces until the Home Department forces regulations changed in April 1999. The proposals in clause 32 of the present Armed Forces Bill are designed to enable parity to be restored.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department's police officers subject to(a) complaints and (b) disciplinary procedures are investigated under (i) procedures made by statute and (ii) with punishments and appeals procedures set out in legislation.[154407]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 19 March 2001]The Ministry of Defence Police complaints and discipline regulations were introduced following an agreement between the Defence Council and the Police Complaints Authority on 20 February 1986. Following the introduction of the Ministry of Defence Police Act 1987, a further agreement between the Secretary of State for Defence and the Police Complaints Authority was signed on 23 June 1988. These agreements, made in accordance with section 96(1) of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984,
  299W
  introduced complaints and discipline regulations corresponding to those established by or by virtue of Part IX of Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 for Home Department police forces. They also build on the provisions of section 1(4) and section 4 of the MOD Police Act 1987 and the Ministry of Defence Police (Representation at Disciplinary Proceedings) Regulation 1988 (SI 1099/1988) made under it.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what grounds the Armed Forces Bill Committee was told on 7 March that a complaint against a Ministry of Defence police officer would be processed by the Police Complaints Authority through exactly the same complaints procedure as with the Metropolitan police and that the arrangements would be absolutely identical.[154406]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 19 March 2001]The Ministry of Defence Police complaints regulations are comparable to those of the Home Department police forces. A complaint against an MOD police officer in England and Wales for instance would be dealt with in exactly the same way as a complaint against a member of the Metropolitan Police Service or any other Home Office police force.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what grounds he stated to the Armed Forces Bill Committee on 7 March that in the case of a complaint against his Department's police an MDP officer(a) would be subject to the responsibility of the chief constable of the area in question with whom he had made an agreement and (b) that police officer would be subject and accountable in precisely the same way as a police officer in the Metropolitan area.[1544101

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 19 March 2001]Under the proposed modest extensions to the Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) jurisdiction contained within the Armed Forces Bill, MDP officers seconded to or providing mutual aid to Home Department police forces would be subject to the control and direction of the chief officer of the receiving force. Complaints against MDP officers on secondment or providing mutual aid to Home Department police forces would be dealt with in exactly the same way as a complaint against a member of the Metropolitan Police Service or any other Home Department police force.

  Porton Down
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 5 March 2001,Official Report, columns 19–20W, on Porton Down, if staff from his Department have held other meetings with the Medical Research Council regarding advice on an independent epidemiological study for Porton Down volunteers since 14 November 2000; and on what dates each of these meetings took place.[154785]

  Dr. Moonie
  No other meetings have taken place.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many studies have been undertaken since 1971 by the chemical defence establishment at Porton Down to establish the annual totals of service
  300W
  volunteers who have taken part in experiments at the establishment; and on what dates each of these studies were completed.[154784]

  Dr. Moonie
  No such formal studies have been undertaken. However, since 1995 the annual reports of the Independent Chemical and Biological Defence Ethics Committee have included the numbers of volunteers who have participated in the Service Programme during the report year. These reports are usually produced in the following April-May

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 5 March 2001, Official Report, column 19–20W, on Porton Down, what plans his Department has to take on more staff in the Gulf veterans illnesses unit to deal with issues relating to Porton Down volunteers.[154786]

  Dr. Moonie
  We plan to take on a further member of staff, probably a Higher Executive Officer (Grade C2), to deal with Porton Down Volunteers issues.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has requested the Medical Research Council to consult the Operation Antler team of Wiltshire police regarding its advice on an independent epidemiological study for service personnel who took part in experiments at the chemical defence establishment at Porton Down.[154768]

  Dr. Moonie
  No.

  US Military Personnel (Compensation)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will send a team of his staff to the United States to evaluate the system under which the US Government provide compensation to former military personnel who have developed illnesses as a result of taking part in chemical warfare experiments.[154793]

  Dr. Moonie
  I have no plans to do so. The Ministry of Defence has a Liaison Officer in Washington D.C. who can gather information on US arrangements for paying compensation to veterans who participated in trials in the US, should there be a need to do so.

  Depleted Uranium (Dundrennan Range)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the damage done to the depleted uranium monitoring rig located offshore at the testing range at Dundrennan.[154199]

  Dr. Moonie
  The test rig housing the depleted uranium samples was damaged during winter storms. The most likely cause of this damage were the chains securing the buoys marking the rig which impacted repeatedly with the main body of the rig during unexpectedly high sea states. In all some 20.76kg of depleted uranium, the equivalent of four projectiles, were lost and, if not recovered, it is expected that the material will oxidise and disperse in exactly the same way as rounds fired into the Solway Firth from the Kirkcudbright range. The ongoing comprehensive environmental monitoring programme continues to confirm no uranium above naturally occurring background levels.

  Royal Logistics Corps
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the rates of pay are for Royal Logistics Corps(a) drivers, (b) supply specialists, (c) ammunition technicians and (d) chefs; and what plans he has to increase the rates of pay for those employed on explosive ordnance disposal. [154582]

  Rank

  Pay range

  Driver

  Pay range

  Supply specialist

  Pay range

  Ammunition technician

  Pay range

  Chefs

  Pte

  Lower

  £12,070.55–£16,800.95

  Lower

  £12,070.55–£16,800.95

  n/a

  —

  Lower

  £12,070.55–£16,800.95

  L Cpl

  Lower

  £15,461.40–£18,206.20

  Lower

  £15,461.40–£18,206.20

  Lower

  £15,461.40–£18,206.20

  Higher

  £18,388.70–£22,100.75

  Cpl

  Lower

  £19,812.20–£22,637.30

  Lower

  £19,812.20–£22,637.30

  Higher

  £20,575.05–£25,341.95

  Higher

  £20,575.05–£25,341.95

  Sgt

  Lower

  £22,925.65–£25,889.45

  Lower

  £22,925.65–£25,889.45

  Higher

  £25,017.10–£28,199.90

  Higher

  £25,017.10–£28,199.90

  S Sgt

  Lower

  £25,298.15–£28,904.35

  Lower

  £25,298.15–£28,904.35

  Higher

  £28,218.15–£32,109.05

  Lower

  £25,298.15–£28,904.35

  WO2

  Higher

  £30.966.60–£33.028.85

  Higher

  £30,966.60–£33,028.85

  Higher

  £30,966.60–£33,028.85

  Higher

  £30,966.60–£33,028.85

  The trade of Ammunition Technician in the Royal Logistic Corps, whose duties include explosive ordnance disposal, has been subject to the job evaluation process. All ranks in this trade at corporal and above have been assigned to the higher pay range. Those employed on explosive ordnance disposal will, in common with other trades, be eligible under Pay 2000 for the award of annual incremental pay increases subject to satisfactory performance. In addition they will receive annual pay awards as recommended by the independent Armed Forces Pay Review Body.

  Service Personnel (HIV/AIDS)
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the(a) RAF, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Army are suffering from HIV/AIDS; and if he will make a statement. [153171]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 12 March 2001]Twelve members of the armed forces are currently known to be suffering from HIV/AIDS. As one of the services has only one member known to be suffering from HIV/AIDS, a breakdown by service cannot be provided for reasons of confidentiality. No information is held on members of the armed forces who may be receiving treatment outside the Defence Medical Services.

  War Pensions
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Gulf War veterans have been deemed eligible for war pensions due to the effects of the Gulf War; and if he will make a statement. [154048]

  Mr. Bayley
  I have been asked to reply.

  At 31 January 2001, 965 awards of war disablement pension had been made to Gulf War veterans for Gulf War-related illnesses.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Trade Union Rights
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further proposals he has to introduce legislation in relation to trade union rights. [153644]
  302W
  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 20 March 2001]The rates of pay effective from 1 April 2001 for Royal Logistics Corps drivers, supply specialists, ammunition technicians and chefs are shown in the table. The rates shown are the highest and lowest points of pay scales, which are incremental.

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The Government have introduced greater rights to trade union membership and representation through the Employment Relations Act 1999 and other initiatives. This legislation needs time to bed down. We therefore have no plans to introduce further trade union legislation during this Parliament.

  Energy Prices
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he is taking with regard to energy prices. [153646]

  Mr. Hain
  The Government are taking a number of actions, both nationally and internationally, to promote competitive gas and electricity prices.

  Trade Balance
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what forecast he has made of the balance of trade in 2001–02; and if he will make a statement. [153648]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Treasury forecast for the balance of trade shows a £26.75 billion deficit in 2001, rising to £33.75 billion in 2002.

  Ilisu Dam
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will come to a decision on ECGD support for the Ilisu dam. [153650]

  Mr. Caborn
  We will not make our decision on ECGD support for the Ilisu project until both the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) have been received and fully assessed.

  We have received assurances from the commercial parties that the EIAR, which is their document, will be made publicly available before a decision is taken.

  Science
  Mr. Hopkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps are being taken to keep Britain at the forefront of scientific advances. [153651]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Government place great importance on the quality of British science. A strong science base is essential to the knowledge economy. We will increase the
  303W
  level of funding through the Science Budget by an average of 7 per cent. per year, in real terms, over the next three years. We have taken significant steps to reverse the underfunding of university scientific research infrastructure: and we will increase postgraduate student stipends by 23 per cent. in real terms. We have also, and for the first time, allocated funds for an 'e-science' initiative which will enable the development of very high speed computing for the next wave of science. The UK is a good place to do science and many international companies have R&D centres here.

  Metrication
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on metrication. [153652]

  Dr. Howells
  In compliance with metrication legislation made in 1994, four out of five trade weighing machines are now operating in metric units. We fully expect the remaining weighing machines to convert to metric.

  Chemical Industry
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on prospects for the chemical industry. [153653]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The chemicals industry has consistently outpaced the growth in the economy overall. Forecasts suggest that this pattern will continue for the foreseeable future. The industry does, however, face significant pressures on restructuring, performance and innovation to meet rapidly changing global challenges. The Government will continue to do what they can to help the industry meet those challenges.

  Sub-post Offices
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the future of the sub-post office network. [153654]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  By accepting all 24 recommendations of the Performance and Innovation Unit's (PIU) report on the future of the post office network, the Government have demonstrated their continuing commitment to maintenance of a nationwide network. We are working closely with the Post Office, the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters and other stakeholders to implement the PIU recommendations. These measures are designed to modernise and improve Post Office services and to strengthen confidence in the future of the network.

  Minimum Wage
  Mr. Ernie Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of how the increased national minimum wage will benefit people in Scotland. [153655]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  We estimate that the increase in the national minimum wage to £4.10 from 1 October 2001 will be of direct benefit to around 120,000 workers in Scotland-6.1 per cent. of all workers in Scotland.
  304W
  Between April 2000 and February 2001, Inland Revenue enforcement officers visited 363 employers in Scotland and identified around £212,000 in underpayments for workers in Scotland.

  The Low Pay Commission's third report, which the Government published on 5 March, contains a thorough assessment of the impact of the national minimum wage thus far and of the likely impact of this increase. Copies of the report have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations he has received on the implementation of the national minimum wage. [154289]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  Earlier this month the independent Low Pay Commission produced volume 1 of their third report evaluating the impact of the national minimum wage. The Commission undertook an extensive consultation exercise as part of their work. They received 150 written submissions and took oral evidence from the CBI, the TUC and a number of other organisations to supplement their written evidence. Volume 2 of the third report, which will cover issues of implementation and enforcement, is due in May.

  Industrial Clusters
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his measures to support the development of industrial clusters. [153656]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Government recognise the importance of clusters and networks and are working closely with the RDAs to identify and remove barriers to their growth and development. In the White Paper "Opportunity for All in a World of Change", published on 13 February, the Government set out their proposals to promote the growth of successful clusters by asking the RDAs to develop strategies for success for their regions, building on their existing strengths. They will do so with the assistance of a report, "Business Clusters in the UK: A First Assessment", which was also published on 13 February.

  Key aspects of clusters policy were discussed at a conference in Nottingham involving Government, RDAs and other stakeholders on 8 and 9 March.

  Government funding for cluster development will continue to be provided to RDAs via the Regional Innovation Fund. Continued work on clusters will be undertaken by Lord Sainsbury's Clusters Policy Steering Group.

  steel Production
  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the prospects for the production of engineering steel. [153657]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The UK companies that produce engineering steels have had to adapt to difficult trading conditions in recent years and have undertaken restructuring in order to remain competitive. This has been a painful process for those involved but it leaves them well placed to continue to supply the home market and maintain exports.

  Small Business
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the cost to small business of regulations introduced since May 1997. [153658]

  Ms Hewitt
  Since August 1998, all legislation likely to have an impact on business has been subject to a Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA). A series of Command Papers lists RIAs for each six month period, the most recent being No. 4918. RlAs are published and are available from the Libraries of the House.

  Miners' Compensation
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the progress being made on miners' compensation claims. [153659]

  Mr. Hain
  Substantial progress has been made but we still need to do more.

  In the last few weeks, we have agreed with miners' solicitors how compensation for loss of pension will be handled. This element of compensation amounts to around £400 million. This is the last piece in the jigsaw. This now means that, over the next few months, we will see many full and final offers of compensation made.

  And as I said in my earlier reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Heeley (Mr. Michie), in the last eight weeks alone we have announced a package of measures which will see £million's of additional compensation being brought forward and offered quickly to a whole raft of claimants.

  Many of these will not previously have been made an offer. We are also clearing a large backlog of medical reports, which will enable 1,000 claims a week to go forward to have compensation assessed over the next three months. I am also pleased to see the number of respiratory consultants employed on this scheme steadily increasing. We now have 228 in place an increase of almost 25 per cent. from a few months ago. The number of medical assessments carried out per week is now well over 600—an increase of 50 per cent.

  All of this is progress on top of the £360 million already paid on miners compensation . We are paying out over £1 million a day on coal compensation.

  Work-life Balance
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations he has received about the work-life balance. [153660]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The Green Paper "Work and Parents: Competitiveness and Choice" sought views on a number of practical options to help working parents. The Green Paper recognises that parents daily juggle work and family life and, recognises that businesses, particularly small employers, need to minimise extra costs.

  During the consultation period for the Green Paper, which ended on 7 March, Ministers and officials met almost 300 people and received over 450 written responses to options contained with it. The Government are now considering these responses.
  306W
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the responses he has received to his Green Paper "Work and Parents". [153663]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The consultation period for the Green Paper "Work and Parents: Competitiveness and Choice" ended on 7 March. During the consultation period officials and Ministers met almost 300 employees, employers and other interested groups and representatives. Additionally more than 450 written responses were received.

  The Government announced how they intend to proceed on those issues covered in the Green Paper with financial implications for the state in the Budget on 7 March. These are an increase in the flat rate of Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) and Maternity Allowance; an extension to the period of flat rate maternity pay to 26 weeks; the right to two weeks paid paternity leave for all working fathers and paid adoption leave, paid for the same period and at the same flat rate as SMP. Additionally the Government have doubled the threshold for Small Employer Relief.

  All of the options announced in the Budget had strong support throughout the consultation from employees, employers and other interested groups. The responses received during the consultation period will help inform decisions on the remaining options just as they helped inform the initial decisions on maternity and paternity leave.

  Ms Dari Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the impact of the Green Paper, "Work and Parents: Competitiveness and Choice" on the people in the northern region. [153633]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  Following the consultation on the Work and Parents Green Paper. the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in the Budget increases to maternity pay and leave and the introduction of paid paternity and adoption leave. Based on current figures, we estimate that around 160,000 working men and women in the north-west, north-east and Yorkshire and Humberside will have the opportunity to benefit from these changes alone. Other options put forward in the Green Paper are still under consideration and decision on these will be announced in due course.

  Intellectual Property Rights
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to review the law relating to intellectual property rights. [153661]

  Dr. Howells
  UK law relating to intellectual property rights is continually being updated in response to new developments at international, European and domestic levels. Where relevant European legislation provides specifically for a review, we intend to play a full part in that process.

  Business Regulation
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to reduce the amount of regulation of small and medium-sized businesses. [153662]
  307W
  Ms Hewitt
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry takes the issue of burdens on business very seriously and is working to ensure that red tape is kept to a minimum, especially for small and medium-sized businesses.

  The Department of Trade and Industry announced new proposals to strengthen and improve the employment tribunal system in November 2000. The new measures will help to ease the burden on business caused by weak and ill-founded claims. We are also considering the responses to a consultation on a proposal to exempt small and medium-sized businesses from the requirement to pay merger fees.

  The Small Business Service has been set up to work with small firms and Departments to ensure that regulations do not impose unnecessary burdens. The Government have revised guidance on Regulatory Impact Assessments, emphasising the need to think small first in drawing up regulations and to consult with the Small Business Service.

  Overhead Power Lines
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent assessment he has made of the costs of burying overhead power lines; and if he will make a statement. [153664]

  Mr. Hain
  Developing technology is unlikely to provide any immediate help in offsetting the cost penalty that goes with burying overhead power lines.

  Education (Business Co-operation)
  Charlotte Atkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how he plans to encourage co-operation between universities, colleges and the business community. [153665]

  Ms Hewitt
  We have introduced a number of measures to encourage collaboration between higher education and business. We have established the £140 million Higher Education Innovation Fund to support higher education and business interaction—particularly with SMEs—and are supporting university innovation centres, which are regionally based partnerships between large businesses, groups of small businesses and academia. We are also running one further round of University Challenge and Science Enterprise Challenge to further assist the commercialisation of research and help bring business skills into the science curriculum, and will be supporting 20 Business Fellows to lead their academic colleagues in working with business. Collectively, this represents a significant public investment in knowledge transfer. We plan to maintain this investment through a permanent "third" stream of funding to reward and incentivise excellence in knowledge transfer alongside funding for research and teaching.

  We are also working towards the target of 1,000 TCS Programmes running at any one time, enabling firms of all sizes to develop their competitiveness by using a graduate to embed new ideas or technology, and we have doubled the number of new starts of Faraday Partnerships so that the national network of at least 24 Partnerships will be in place by 2002. We will also continue to support LINK programmes which encourage businesses to work with the research base in universities and elsewhere.
  308W
  Additionally, we have recently announced a further round of Foresight LINK Awards focused on key Foresight research priorities from Panel reports published last December.

  Arms Exports
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to introduce controls on the end-use of arms exported from the United Kingdom in the forthcoming draft legislation on arms export controls; and if he will make a statement. [153647]

  Dr. Howells
  The Government rigorously assess all export licence applications to determine the risk of any proposed export being misused in contravention of the consolidated EU and national export licensing criteria. Under these criteria we will not issue an export licence where there is a clearly identifiable risk that the equipment could be used for internal repression or external aggression. Applications are also refused if we assess that an unacceptable risk of diversion exists.

  We have taken a number of steps to strengthen the process of risk assessment at the export licensing stage. Such improvements have not required a change in the law and there no plans to include specific measures on end-use monitoring in the draft Export Control Bill.

  Patent Office
  Mr. Borrow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what targets he has set the Department' s executive agency, the Patent Office, for 2001–02. [155546]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  I have set the Patent Office the following targets for 2001–02:

  Patents

  1. To increase performance year on year so that 90 per cent. of search reports are issued within six months of request by 2005–06.

  2. To grant 90 per cent. of patents within three years of request.

  Designs

  3. To register 90 per cent. of designs within 9 months of application.

  Trade Marks

  4. To register 90 per cent. of processed trade mark class applications, to which no substantive objections are raised or oppositions filed within nine months of application.

  5. To achieve by the end of the year a reduction of eight weeks in the average time taken to issue a decision in a trade mark dispute once the case is ready.

  Policy

  6. To publish details of progress towards key milestones in UK and International policy development in the Annual Report and on our website.

  Efficiency Targets

  7. To increase output in relation to current expenditure by an average of at least 2 per cent. per annum over the period 1998–99 to 2002–03.

  In addition to these key targets:

  Finance

  The Office will pay 100 per cent. of bills within 30 days of receipt of goods or services or a valid invoice, whichever is the later.

  Questions delegated to the Chief Executive

  The Chief Executive will reply within 10 working days to all letters from Members of Parliament delegated to her for reply.
  309W
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the second stage of the quinquennial review of the Patent Office will be completed; and if he will make a statement. [155542]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The second stage of the five-yearly review of the Patent Office has now been completed. The Patent Office has a key role to play as a driver in the knowledge economy.

  I am pleased to say that the review found the Patent Office has achieved a remarkable transformation over the last decade and is now extremely customer focused and responsive. The Office's patent granting and other registration functions are well regarded and compare favourably with those of other IPR Offices. Indeed on trade marks, the review found that the Office was thought to be one of the best in the world.

  The Patent Office's role has to be seen in an international context, which is evolving. Trade is becoming increasingly international and intellectual property protection has to reflect this . The Patent Office is in the forefront in initiating and promoting development of the international systems. The European Community and the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) have both embarked on substantial programmes to achieve harmonisation and there is significant work in progress in the EU in areas such as the proposed Community Patent. The review concludes that the Offices should work to make the international routes for patent granting—which SMEs as well as larger companies need—cheaper, faster and more accessible and to reduce duplication of work. There is also a growing need to ensure that copyright can be protected and enforced on an international basis.

  The Patent Office has an important part to play in fostering innovation and encouraging technological transfer. The review finds that more could be done to help ensure that inventions achieve successful commercial exploitation. It suggests that the Patent Office should work with the Small Business Service to help small businesses in this respect, such as by helping to match inventors with business partners. This would complement the wider activities of my Department in support of innovation and the knowledge economy.

  IT has great strategic and financial importance for the Office. The Office has made good progress in introducing electronic services and a significant farther programme is in train.

  The Office needs objectives and targets appropriate to this agenda of internationalisation and effective help for small business, allowing delivery through e-communication channels wherever possible.

  The demand for patents is outstripping the ability of Patent Offices to deliver, both internationally and in the UK. Reducing duplication of work between offices is thus all the more important. The Patent Office has a wide programme to try to ensure that scarce examiner resource is used to best effect. The report makes recommendations about recruitment strategies for patent examiners, flexible working schemes, training and use of examiners as well as pay.
  310W
  Obtaining IP rights is only part of the story: small business made clear that effective enforcement of rights is crucial to their value and they found that effective enforcement could be both difficult and costly. The report recommends that the Patent Office should work with others to develop alternative dispute resolution procedures and to help facilitate the greater use of insurance in this field. It could also usefully extend its work to improve awareness of the range of intellectual property rights and how to enforce them. On trade marks and copyright significant action to assist enforcement is already in hand. The report recommends that the Office should consider further streamlining its procedure for handling trade mark oppositions.

  The report looks at the Office's use of contractors. It finds that in the case of the London Front Office, there have been gains in terms of cost and efficiency, but the option of bringing the function back in-house should be appraised before a decision is taken whether to continue with contracting out. In the case of accommodation services, the report finds that it is not clear-cut whether these should remain contracted out or be brought back in-house. The Office should undertake an internal benchmark costing, taking into account all the relevant factors, before deciding how to achieve best value.

  The report suggests new procedures for the handling of appeals for entry to the patent and trade mark agent profession and on cases of misconduct. It suggests that the Office should encourage multi-disciplinary partnerships, which can offer a "one-stop shop" on a range of issues.

  Overall, the review shows what a success story the UK Patent Office has become. The Office is found to set a high example in its responsiveness to customers and open communications with staff, its new IP Portal and its successful involvement in the "New Deal" initiative. Other agencies, and other parts of government, could particularly learn from its example in these respects.

  I would like to place on record my appreciation for the efforts the staff and management of the Patent Office have made to bring about these achievements.

  Radiocommunications Agency
  Mr. Casale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what changes are planned to the service which the Radiocommunications Agency provides to investigate interference to domestic television and radio reception. [155544]

  Ms Hewitt
  Further to my reply of 9 November 2000,Official Report, columns 327 –28W, I have now reviewed the way that the Agency handles the investigation of domestic television and radio reception problems. With effect from 1 April the Agency will accept complaints about TV and radio reception (subject to certain basic conditions, such as the installation of a satisfactory aerial) and a charge will only be payable if, following an investigation by the Agency, the problem is found to be within the complainant's own installation. That charge will be £50 including VAT. This procedure will allow domestic consumers to report possible interference arising from new broadband telecommunications systems.

  Postal Services Commission
  Mr. Casale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will issue social and environmental guidance to the Postal Services Commission; and if he will make a statement. [155543]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  I have today, in accordance with section 43(2) of the Postal Services Act 2000, issued guidance to the Postal Services Commission about the making by the Commission of a contribution towards the attainment of the social and environmental policies referred to in the guidance. A draft of the guidance had been laid, in the terms in which it is now being issued, before each House of Parliament on 8 February 2001, in accordance with section 43(4) of the Act. Copies of the guidance have been laid in the Libraries of each House and the guidance is also being made available on the DTI's website www.dti.gov.uk.

  The process of giving statutory social and environmental guidance has been developed to provide a means of ensuring that regulators take due account of the Government's social and environmental policies in carrying out their statutory functions. Regulators have a statutory duty to have regard to the guidance.

  Debt Taskforce
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the personnel involved in the debt taskforce, its work programme and the preliminary conclusions it has reached. [154813]

  Dr. Howells
  The debt taskforce I set up to explore the cause and effect of overindebtedness and develop practical solutions for achieving more responsible lending and borrowing is made up of representatives from:

  British Bankers Association

  Consumer Credit Association

  Experian

  Finance and Leasing Association

  Financial Services Authority

  National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux

  Office of Fair Trading

  Personal Finance and Research Centre.

  I have asked the taskforce to look at three key issues:
  improving the transparency of information provided to consumers before and when concluding an agreement; including the small print
  adoption of core principles of lending practice; including examining an applicant's overall borrowing exposure and ability to repay
  requiring clear notification to consumers on free and low interest agreements before the final payment is made.

  The taskforce will present its report and recommendations to me in April.

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many households in(a) England, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales, are not receiving direct postal deliveries because of precautionary and mandatory access restrictions connected with the foot and
  312W
  mouth disease outbreak; and what arrangements can be made for the delivery and collection of postal votes in such circumstances. [154829]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  I have been advised by the Post Office that all households in the affected areas have access to its postal services. Arrangements have been made at a local level for the collection and distribution of mail in areas affected by foot and mouth disease or where farmers or landowners have requested that postal staff do not go on their land. These arrangements include:

  Handover of mail at the farmer or land owners gate;

  Collection by the addressee from the delivery office

  Delivery to an alternative address.

  A central record of these local arrangements is not available.

  Arrangements for the delivery and collection of postal votes would be the same as for ordinary mail.

  Textile and Clothing Strategy
  Judy Mallaber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with the British fashion industry on its role in the national textile and clothing strategy. [153649]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Textile and Clothing National Strategy Group, on which the British Fashion Council is represented, made a number of recommendations that relate directly to the role of designers. These are under consideration by the Department and others interested in promoting the sector. As the Minister directly responsible for the sector, I have met representatives of the British Fashion Council on two occasions since November last year to discuss possible further support to designers within the wider context of the strategy.

  Conoco Power Station (South Killingholme)
  Shona McIsaac
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will announce his decision on Conoco Global Power Developments UK Ltd.'s proposal to build a combined heat and gas power station at the Conoco Humber refinery at South Killingholme. [155541]

  Mr. Hain
  I have today granted consent under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 to Conoco Global Power Developments UK Ltd. for the construction of a 700 megawatt gas-fired combined heat and power station at the Conoco Humber Refinery at South Killingholme in North Lincolnshire. The station has also today been given clearance as a gas-fired station under section 14 of the Energy Act 1976 and planning permission for the station has been deemed to be granted subject to 47 planning conditions agreed with the North Lincolnshire borough council. This consent is an extension to the proposal which was granted consent on 13 November 2000.

  The station will supply the energy requirements of the Conoco Humber Refinery and the Lindsay Oil Refinery and is the largest combined heat and power station given approval by the Government. This demonstrates our continued support to promote CHP stations, wherever practicable, and our commitment to reducing emissions of carbon to fulfil the promises we gave at Kyoto.
  313W
  Copies of the Press Notice and decision letters are being placed in the Library of the House.

  Trade Tariffs
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions he has had with(a) the European Commissioner for Development and (b) his European counterparts on (i) the recent amendments to proposals for the everything But arms initiative and (ii) the implications of these proposals for United Kingdom sugar producers; and if he will make a statement. [153556]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Government welcome the European Union's recent agreement to the everything But arms proposal which has now led to the EU's removal of tariffs from all remaining imports from the 48 Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in the world, subject to transitional arrangements for bananas, rice and sugar only. This resulted from ongoing discussions held by the Government with other EU member states and the European Commission, an important part of which was consideration of the implications of these proposals both for ACP sugar exporters and UK sugar producers.

  It is the Government's view that LDCs, because of their low level of economic development and poor infrastructure, are not in a position to export large amounts of sugar in the short term. This, coupled with the arrangements for tariff quotas for sugar through until 1 July 2009, means that the short term implications for UK sugar producers are negligible.

  Companies House
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what targets he has set the Department's executive agency, Companies House, for 2001–02. [155545]

  Dr. Howells
  I have set Companies House the following targets for the 2001–02 year.

  Operational Targets
  To process 99 per cent. of statutory documents within five days of receipt at Companies House To achieve, on average, a monthly compliance rate for accounts submitted of 95 per cent To ensure that there is a minimum of 98 per cent. error-free work in current processing To ensure that 96 per cent. of all forms submitted to Companies House are captured error-free
  Question delegated to the Chief Executive
  The Chief Executive to reply within 10 days to all letters from Members of Parliament delegated to him for reply
  Customer Service and Complaints Handling
  To ensure that products and services on Companies House Direct are available for 98 per cent. of the time between the supported hours of 7am and 8pm, Monday to Friday.314W To achieve a score of more than 75 per cent. in each quarterly Companies House Customer Satisfaction Survey To clear up 90 per cent. of complaints within five days.
  Financial Targets
  To maintain a unit cost reduction of 3 per cent. in real terms on document registration To achieve, taking one year with another, a 6 per cent. average rate of return based on the operating surplus expressed as a percentage of average net assets To pay all bills due within 30 days, or other agreed credit terms, on receipt of goods or services or a valid invoice, whichever is later.

  Cars (Prices)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he is taking to reduce further the price of cars. [153627]

  Mr. Byers
  Due to action taken by the Government following the Competition Commission report prices have fallen by around 10 per cent. in the past year.

  We shall continue to take steps to ensure the public get value for money.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Members' Office Costs Allowances
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the President of the Council what has been the percentage increase in hon. Members' Office Cost Allowance since 1997. [154426]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The OCA increases annually by the RPI percentage rate as at 31 March. Percentage increases in Office Costs Allowance (OCA) since 1997 are:

  Percentage increase

  Allowance (£)

  April 1997

  2.6

  47,568

  April 1998

  3.5

  49,232

  April 1999

  2.1

  50.264

  April 2000

  2.6

  51,572

  Leader of the Opposition's Office
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the President of the Council what the percentage change has been in the money supplied to the Leader of the Opposition's office in each year since 1997. [154400]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The Leader of the Opposition's Office allowance started only in 1999, initially at a level of £500,000 per annum; this increases annually by the RPI percentage rate as at 31 March.

  The April 2000 increase was 2.6 per cent., which increased the payment to £513,000.

  Government Bills
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the President of the Council how many(a) clauses there were in Government Bills as introduced and (b) Government amendments were tabled, in Sessions (i) 1996–97 and (ii) 1999–2000; and if she will give a ratio between both figures for both sessions. [154286]
  315W
  Mrs. Beckett
  (a) Information1 on the number of clauses and schedules is as follows:

  Year

  Clauses and Schedules on Introduction

  Pages on Introduction

  Pages on Royal Assent

  1996–972

  896

  1,044

  1,143

  1999–20003

  2.637

  2,796

  3,600

  1The figures exclude Scottish, Consolidated Fund and Appropriation Bills.

  2House of Commons sat for 86 days and the House of Lords for 79 days.

  3House of Commons sat for 170 days and the House of Lords for 177 days.

  (b) Information on Government amendments could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Appointments Commission
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Council when the Appointments Commission will publish the employment status and occupation of applicants for a people's peerage. [1542021

  Mrs. Beckett
  I understand that the Appointments Commission has not asked applicants for non-political peerages for information about their occupation or employment status as it did not wish to discourage people with outstanding achievements in areas unconnected with how they might earn their living. However, the Commission wishes to encourage nominations from people in all walks of life and from all parts of the country and will look at the information it has received in this light. I understand that any information that the Commission decides to publish will be in its annual report and on its website.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Council when the Appointments Commission will publish its annual report. [154203]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I understand that the Appointments Commission plans to publish its annual report in the summer.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Turkey
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on prospects for the Turkish economy. [1544511

  Mr. Vaz
  The new economic reform programme agreed with the IMF, which is based on fighting inflation, achieving sustainable public finances and enhancing structural reform, will, if vigorously implemented, put Turkey firmly back on the road to realising its full economic potential.

  Entry Clearance
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the explanatory statements relating to(a) Islamabad reference C4694 and (b) Dhaka reference 64550 will be dispatched. [154491]

  Mr. Vaz
  [holding answer 19 March 2001]In respect of Islamabad reference C4694, the entry clearance officer wrote to the sponsor's solicitor on 5 March 2001 deferring the application for three months to allow the sponsor to commence UK divorce proceedings to dissolve his first marriage. If evidence of the commencement of such proceedings is provided, the entry clearance officer will review the refusal, with a view to the possible authorisation of a fiancée entry clearance. If such evidence is not received, the entry clearance officer will draft the explanatory statement and the case will proceed to appeal.

  In respect of Dhaka reference 64550, the entry clearance officer received the notice of appeal on 12 February 2001 and will despatch the explanatory statement within three months of that date.

  Ms Blears
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in maintaining the achievement of clearing the backlog of outstanding correspondence on visa matters. [155445]

  Mr. Vaz
  As Minister responsible for entry clearance matters, I have been asked to reply on my right hon. Friend's behalf. I am very pleased to be able to inform the House that sine my reply to my hon. Friend, the Member for Warrington, South (Ms Southworth) on 9 January 2001,Official Report, column 508W, the level of outstanding correspondence on visa matters remains at zero.

  Visas
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) how many contacts the Minister for Europe and his office have had with the entry clearance unit regarding objections to refusals of visa applications in(a) New Delhi, (b) Calcutta, (c) Bombay, (d) Nairobi, (e) Auckland and (f) Sydney in the last 18 months; [154918]

  (2) how many objections to and refusals of visa applications were overruled by Ministers in (a) 1996, (b) 1997, (c) 1998, (d) 1999, (e) 2000 and (f) 2001, broken down by applicants' country of origin; [154917]

  (3) on what grounds the Minister for Europe overruled objections to and refusals of visa applications in the last 18 months; if he will list the names of the applicants; and if he will make a statement. [154916]

  Mr. Vaz
  Figures on ministerial overturns on visa cases were not kept centrally until I became Minister responsible for entry clearance in October 1999. Statistics were then kept at my request. I have overturned 49 decisions to date. In this period there have been over 2 million visa applications of which approximately 140,000 have been refused. I have therefore overturned decisions in 0.0025 per cent. of cases. I have done so on the basis that I am satisfied that the applicants qualified for entry clearance under the immigration rules. It would be inappropriate for me to divulge the names of applicants or details on individual cases on confidentiality grounds.
  317W
  This is in accordance with the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. I can say however that the cases in which I intervened covered a wide range of nationalities. As well as cases from the sub-continent, I have overturned decisions made in a range of countries, from south America, to south-east Asia to north Africa.

  Diplomatic Posts
  Ms Blears
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those diplomatic posts that have been opened over the last four years; and what plans he has to open new diplomatic posts overseas. [155446]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  Since 1997 the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has opened the following posts to support the delivery of the foreign policy objectives I set out on coming to office.

  Posts with resident UK-based staff

  Banja Luka (Bosnia-Herzegovina) (1997)—British Embassy Office

  Chongqing (China) (2000)—Consulate General

  Denver (USA) (2000)—Consulate

  Dili (East Timor) (2000)—British Office

  Gothenburg (Sweden) (2000)—Consulate General

  Pristina (Kosovo FRY) (2000)—British Office.

  In addition, the British trade office in Hong Kong became a Consulate-General in 1997

  Posts with resident locally engaged staff only

  Lomé (Togo) (1998)—Consulate

  Calgary (Canada) (1999)—British Trade Office

  Fukuoka (Japan) (1999)—Consulate

  Ahmedabad (India) (2000)—British Trade Office

  Bamako (Mali) (2000)—Consulate

  Bhopal (India) (2000)—British Trade Office

  Conakry (Guinea) (2000)—Consulate

  Goa (India) (2000)—British Trade Office

  Hyderabad (India) (2000)—British Trade Office

  Port-Au-Prince (Haiti) (2000)—Consular Office

  Pune (India) (2000)—British Trade Office.

  In addition, the following posts have been upgraded from ones with only locally engaged staff to ones with resident UK-based staff:

  Bangalore (India) (1999)—British Trade Office

  Nagoya (Japan) (1999)—Consulate

  Monterrey (Mexico) (2000)—Consulate.

  As a direct result of the additional resources secured in the spending review last year, I am able to announce that we shall open three new embassies with resident UK-based staff in capital cities in the near future:

  Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan)

  Chisinau (Moldova)

  Pyongyang (Democratic People's Republic of Korea).

  In addition, we shall upgrade the posts in Bamako (Mali) and Asmara (Eritrea) to UK-staffed posts from the LE posts currently open; and upgrade the post in Lahore (Pakistan) to an entry clearance operation, from a British trade office. Pakistan is a country where we are already well represented, but Lahore is a city where we now need a stronger presence.
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  Upgrading the post in Bamako will allow HMG to engage further with the Malian Government and to continue with our efforts to secure peace and stability within west Africa.

  Upgrading the post in Asmara will be a cost-effective means of engaging more effectively with the Eritrean Government, promoting growing trade opportunities for British business and providing consular and visa services.

  Opening in Bishkek will allow HMG to build up a strong bilateral relationship with the Kyrgyz Government and better to promote stability in the strategically important region.

  In Chisinau, an Embassy will allow HMG to work with the Moldovan Government, and keep a close watch on the Transdniestria conflict.

  In December I announced the establishment of diplomatic relations with the DPRK. Opening an embassy in Pyongyang will allow HMG to engage fully with the DPRK, improving our capacity to analyse political, economic and social developments and to help support recent positive developments in inter-Korean relations.

  These new post openings mean that, net of closures, we shall since 1997 have expanded our diplomatic network of posts with resident UK-based staff by 12, in addition to having new locally staffed offices in a further 10 cities (net of closures seven). This strengthening of our global network will enable us better to promote UK interests and a strong world community.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Young Offenders (Shropshire)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long it took from arrest to sentencing to process persistent young offenders in Shropshire(a) on 1 May 1997 and (b) at the latest date for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [154663]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  We have information on performance for West Mercia. In 1997 it took an average 155 days from arrest to sentence for persistent young offenders in the police force area of West Mercia compared with a national average of 141 days. The latest available West Mercia average is an estimated 114 days for July to September 2000 compared with a national average of 95 days.

  Departmental Policies (Truro and St. Austell)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Truro and St. Austell constituency, the effects on Truro and St. Austell of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [154535]

  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
  319W
  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 Truro and St. Austell constituency or the immediate locality:

  Targeted Policing Initiative

  Devon and Cornwall Constabulary were awarded £950,000 under round two of the Targeted Policing Initiative for a force-wide project to tackle violent crime linked to alcohol abuse (Operation Amethyst). The project will provide immediate support to victims of domestic violence at hospital Accident and Emergency Departments. It will tackle on and off-licensed premises selling alcohol to those under the legal age limit. A media campaign will be launched to publicise the negative effects of alcohol. Youth workers will be provided to work with those people misusing alcohol. Other aims of the project include: creating an Alcohol Assessment Stabilisation Programme in conjunction with an arrest referral scheme; management of the licensing environment; creation of a Safety Advisory Group to provide guidance and advice, and provide education about alcohol.

  Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)

  Restormel Borough Council was awarded £70,000 for a mobile system, which will complement the existing town centre schemes in St. Austell and Newquay and private sector facilities allowing crime and anti-social issues to be targeted in an area that is predominantly rural with scattered centres of population. The project aims to significantly reduce vehicle crime, violent crime and youth offending.

  Carrick District Council was awarded approximately £644,000 to extend the existing CCTV provision in Falmouth and Truro by providing 25 new cameras and a new monitoring station. The scheme will link the hospital and college sites in Truro. The project aims to reduce overall crime in Truro City Centre and Falmouth Town Centre by 40 per cent. over three years.

  Youth Offending Teams (YOTs)

  Truro and St. Austell are covered by the Cornwall YOT. The YOT directly provides assessment and intervention work in support of: final warnings; bail support and supervision services; supervision of youth court orders and throughcare and post release supervision for young people sentenced to custody. The YOT also provides responsible officers for child safety and parenting orders. The YOT also manages the delivery of services supplied by other agencies including: drugs misuse assessment and intervention accessed through the RAPIDLY project, which is funded with the assistance of the Youth Justice Board and the Health Action Zone; and
  320W
  the Hot Spot project dealing with young fire setters, which operates as a collaborative venture involving the Fire Service, Dreadnought and Social Services.

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

  Violent Offences (Wales)
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many reported offences involving violence there were in Wales in(a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999, (d) 2000 and (e) 2001; and how many of those involved (i) village shops and (ii) village post offices. [154802]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Numbers of recorded violent crimes in Wales by category are given in the table, the most recent published data being for the year ending September 2000. Recorded crime statistics do not generally include the location of offences, and so details of those involving village shops and village post offices are not available. It should be noted that, owing to the change in counting rules on 1 April 1998, figures for recorded crime before and after that date are not directly comparable. For example, from that date, figures for offences of violence against the person additionally include figures for common assault and assault on a constable, among other offences.

  Recorded crime in Wales—number of recorded crimes in violent crime categories

  Year ending

  Violence against the person

  Sexual offences

  Robbery

  March 1998

  17,589

  1,815

  786

  March 1999

  32,099

  1,818

  853

  March 2000

  37,922

  1,749

  909

  September 2000

  38,185

  1,613

  885

  Child Curfew Orders
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many child curfew orders have been(a) applied for and (b) issued in Wales since their introduction; and if he will make a statement. [154805]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The local child curfew scheme was introduced by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, and has been available since September of that year. The scheme allows a local authority, after consultation with the police and other appropriate local bodies and following confirmation from the Secretary of State, to set up a scheme under which unaccompanied children up to the age of nine can be banned from a particular area for a specified period at night.
  321W
  No local authority has applied to the Secretary of State to set up a local child curfew scheme

  Following consultation on why this provision has not been used we are now raising the age of children who can be covered by the scheme to 15, and allowing the police to initiate applications. These changes are being introduced in the Criminal Justice and Police Bill. We believe these amendments will encourage the consideration of child curfews as part of local crime and disorder reduction strategies.

  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) child curfew orders and (b) antisocial behaviour orders have been (i) applied for and (ii) issued in Lancashire since their implementation; and if he will make a statement. [154801]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The local child curfew scheme for children of nine and under was introduced by section 14 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, and has been in force since September of that year. The scheme allows a local authority, after consultation with the police and other appropriate local bodies and following confirmation from my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, to set up a scheme which bans children up to the age of nine from being out late at night (for a specified period between 9 pm and 6 am) otherwise than under the control of a responsible adult.

  No local authority has applied to my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary to set up a local child curfew scheme. We have consulted widely on why this provision has not been used and many useful suggestions are being taken forward. In particular consultations indicated that the age range was too narrow given that children out on the streets late at night are often aged 10 or over.

  We are seeking to remedy this by raising the age at which children can be covered to 15. This change is being introduced in the Criminal Justice and Police Bill. We are also giving the police the power to initiate and set up a scheme following consultation with the local authority and after confirmation from my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary. We believe these changes will make the scheme more likely to be used, and play a useful part in local crime and disorder reduction strategies.

  The antisocial behaviour order was a new civil order created under section 1 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, which has been in force since April 1999. This community based order can be applied for by the police, a local authority or in consultation with each other, against one or several individuals (perhaps a family) whose behaviour is anti-social (ie it causes alarm, distress or harassment to one or more people not in the same household as him/herself).

  We understand that at least five antisocial behaviour orders were issued in Lancashire between 1 April 1999 and 31 May 2000. Figures, by local authority area, for the numbers of orders applied for during that period are not held centrally. However from 1 June 2000 the number of such orders applied for and issued is being collected centrally. Provisional data up to 30 September 2000 show two antisocial behaviour orders being applied for in Lancashire, both of which were granted.

  Lancet Inquiry
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the total costs of the Lancet and associated inquiries to date, indicating the costs of the witness statements submitted to the CPS, broken down into(a) stationery, (b) postage, (c) clerical, (d) officers and (e) heating and lighting; and if he will make a statement. [154924]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I understand from the Chief Constable of Cleveland police that the total police costs of the Lancet and associated inquiries to date is £3,252,000. The total cost is inclusive of salaries, overtime and travel and subsistence costs incurred by officers from Cleveland, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire and West Yorkshire, together with expenditure incurred for rental of premises and office expenses. A total of 3,162 witness statements and interviews have been taken since the inquiry began in November 1997. The Chief Constable informs me that the total costs could be broken down into the categories requested only at disproportionate cost.

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the costs to public funds of the suspension of officers during Operation Lancet; and if he will make a statement. [154925]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I understand from the Chief Constable of Cleveland police that the estimated costs of salaries and related costs up to 31 March 2001 in respect of the eight suspended officers is £870,600.

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the total costs of the involvement of Warwickshire police in the Lancet Inquiry; and if he will make a statement. [154927]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I understand from the Chief Constable of Cleveland police that the total costs incurred to date by officers from Warwickshire Constabulary is £76,300.

  Operation Dollar/Operation Eagle
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the costs to date of the(a) Operation Dollar and (b) Operation Eagle inquiries broken down by (i) wage, (ii) overtime, (iii) expenses, (iv) office accommodation and (v) stationery; and if he will make a statement. [154926]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I understand from the Chief Constable of Cleveland police that the total costs of Operation Dollar amount to £326,400 broken down as follows:(a) wages, overtime and costs: £312,500; (b) transport: £8,800; (c) subsistence: £3,700; and, (d) office expenses: £1,400. Operation Eagle was an internal administrative arrangement by Cleveland police to handle disciplinary issues arising from Operation Lancet and the costs cannot be separately identified.

  Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to increase the size of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate; and if he will make a statement. [155576]
  323W
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  This has been under consideration for some time as a means of ensuring the efficient and effective implementation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, which provides for the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes. I am pleased to announce that the existing complement of 21 inspectors will be increased to 33 over the next three financial years.

  The extra 12 inspectors will result in a substantial and unprecedented level of Inspectorate staffing. This will lead to more inspections to ensure compliance with licence conditions, and will enable applications for authorities under the 1986 Act to be dealt with more efficiently, without compromising the quality of advice offered by the Inspectorate. Furthermore, the Home Office will be able to become more proactive in raising standards of animal care and welfare, and to play a greater role in developing and promoting strategies of "replacement, reduction and refinement".

  The cost of the additional inspectors will in due course have to be reflected in licence fees paid by those conducting animal research.

  I hope that the scientific community and animal welfare organisations—and the general public—will welcome this important announcement. It is a practical demonstration of the Government's commitment to ensure that, for as long as there is a need to use animals in scientific research, the legislation to protect them is applied to maximum effect.

  Police Numbers
  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers and civilian staff

  Police strength

  FTE

  Strength

  Number

  GOR/police force

  31 March 1997

  31 March 2000

  30 September 2000

  31 January 2001

  Change March 1997 to January 2001

  Change September 2000 to January 2001

  North East

  6,597

  6,749

  6,820

  6,890

  294

  70

  Cleveland

  1,459

  1,404

  1,421

  1,426

  -33

  5

  Durham

  1,461

  1,558

  1,581

  1,596

  136

  15

  Northumbria1

  3,677

  3,788

  3,818

  3,868

  191

  50

  North West

  17,588

  17,153

  17,110

  17,259

  -330

  149

  Cheshire

  2,046

  2,011

  2,000

  2,021

  -24

  21

  Cumbria

  1,144

  1,084

  1,048

  1,049

  -94

  2

  Greater Manchester

  6,922

  6,795

  6,767

  6,867

  -54

  100

  Lancashire

  3,247

  3,179

  3,215

  3,245

  -3

  30

  Merseyside

  4,230

  4,085

  4,081

  4,076

  -154

  -5

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  11,750

  11,200

  11,189

  11,196

  -554

  7

  Humberside

  2,045

  1,932

  1,905

  1,902

  -143

  -3

  North Yorkshire

  1,338

  1,283

  1,293

  1,299

  -38

  6

  South Yorkshire

  3,159

  3,163

  3,184

  3,190

  32

  6

  West Yorkshire

  5,209

  4,822

  4.806

  4,804

  -405

  -2

  East Midlands

  8,436

  8,206

  8,350

  8,447

  11

  97

  Derbyshire

  1,791

  1,777

  1,780

  1,816

  26

  36

  Leicestershire

  1,949

  1,993

  2,010

  2,021

  73

  11

  Lincolnshire

  1,196

  1,115

  1,162

  1,190

  -6

  28

  Northamptonshire

  1,177

  1,117

  1,166

  1,161

  -16

  -5

  Nottinghamshire

  2,323

  2,204

  2,232

  2,258

  -65

  26

  324W
  there are (a) in total and (b) for each police force in England and Wales for the latest date for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [154903]

  Mr. Straw
  The tables show, for March 1997, March 2000, September 2000 and January 2001, total numbers of police officers and civilians for each police authority in England and Wales, together with changes in numbers since March 1997 and September 2000.

  The total number of police officers for September 2000 has been amended from 124,614 to 124,547 as a result of a revision made by the Northumbria police in respect of the figures which they provided for the September returns.

  On 31 January 2001 total police numbers, including secondments, in England and Wales were 125,537, an increase of 990 over the revised position at 30 September 2000.

  Between 30 September 2000 and 31 January 2001, the number of civilian support staff increased by 565 to 54,598, including secondments. This is the highest number ever recorded. In total, there were 180,135 police officers and civilian staff on 31 January 2001, as compared with 180.169 in March 1997.

  The substantial investment provided to the police service through the Crime Fighting Fund, announced in September 1999, and which started operation in April 2000, is now delivering the positive results promised. Police numbers rose by 377 between 1 April and 30 September 2000 and by a further 990 between 1 October 2000 and 31 January 2001, a total increase in 10 months of 1,367. This rise in 10 months is the largest single increase in police numbers during one whole financial year since 1988–89.

  On the basis of forces' projections, we expect that police numbers should reach 126,000 by March 2001, 128,000 by March 2002 and record numbers by March 2003.
  325W

  Police strength

  FTE

  Strengh

  Number

  GOR/police force

  31 March 1997

  31 March 2000

  30 September 2000

  31 January 2001

  Change March 1997 to January 2001

  Change September 2000 to January 2001

  West Midlands

  12,290

  12,151

  12,324

  12,416

  126

  92

  Staffordshire

  2,211

  2,170

  2,157

  2,138

  -73

  -19

  Warwickshire

  926

  900

  912

  942

  16

  30

  West Mercia

  2,040

  1,887

  1,906

  1,899

  -141

  -7

  West Midlands

  7,113

  7,194

  7,350

  7,438

  325

  88

  Eastern

  9,727

  9,364

  9,515

  9,683

  -43

  168

  Bedfordshire

  1,094

  1,028

  1,006

  1,031

  -63

  24

  Cambridgeshire

  1,302

  1,237

  1,266

  1,309

  7

  43

  Essex2

  2,961

  2,806

  2,780

  2,859

  -102

  79

  Hertfordshire2

  1,759

  1,767

  1,961

  1,954

  195

  -7

  Norfolk

  1,432

  1,381

  1,387

  1,397

  -34

  11

  Suffolk

  1.180

  1,145

  1,115

  1,133

  -46

  18

  London

  27,536

  26,216

  25,415

  25,571

  -1,965

  156

  City of London

  859

  732

  720

  711

  -148

  -10

  Metropolitan Police2

  26,677

  25,485

  24,695

  24,861

  -1,817

  166

  South East

  15,111

  14,971

  15,347

  15,421

  310

  75

  Hampshire

  3,452

  3,419

  3,435

  3,451

  0

  16

  Kent

  3,260

  3,204

  3,239

  3,308

  48

  69

  Surrey2

  1,620

  1,785

  2,113

  2,088

  468

  -25

  Sussex

  3,085

  2,822

  2,812

  2,851

  -233

  40

  Thames Valley

  3,695

  3,740

  3,748

  3,723

  28

  -25

  South West

  9,424

  9,313

  9,354

  9,509

  85

  154

  Avon and Somerset

  2,989

  2,934

  2,941

  2,968

  -21

  27

  Devon and Cornwall

  2,865

  2,841

  2,873

  2,927

  62

  54

  Dorset

  1,284

  1,306

  1,299

  1,339

  55

  40

  Gloucestershire

  1,133

  1,114

  1,142

  1,160

  28

  18

  Wiltshire

  1,154

  1,118

  1,099

  1,114

  -40

  15

  Wales

  6,592

  6,632

  6,738

  6,863

  271

  125

  Dyfed Powys

  1,005

  1,040

  1,045

  1,063

  58

  18

  Gwent

  1,243

  1,264

  1,271

  1,265

  22

  -6

  North Wales

  1,369

  1,403

  1,393

  1,432

  63

  39

  South Wales

  2,976

  2,926

  3,029

  3,103

  127

  74

  England and Wales3

  125,051

  121,956

  122,163

  123,256

  -1,795

  1,093

  Total secondments

  2,107

  2,214

  2,384

  2,281

  174

  -103

  Total4

  127,158

  124,170

  124,547

  125,537

  -1,621

  990

  1Northumbria police revised their total police strength figure for September 2000 by a reduction of 67 officers. This figure in this table has been corrected.

  2As of April 2000, the Metropolitan police force was reduced in size by a transfer of responsibility for policing some areas to the surrounding forces of Surrey, Hertfordshire and Essex. These changes need to be borne in mind when comparing figures for these forces before and after April 2000.

  3Excluding secondments

  4Including secondments

  Note

  Because of rounding, constituent parts may not necessarily sum to the totals

  Civilian Staff1

  FTE

  Strengh

  Number

  GOR/police force

  31 March 1997

  31 March 2000

  30 September 2000

  31 January 2001

  Change March 1997 to January 2001

  Change September 2000 to January 2001

  North East

  2,557

  2,603

  2,583

  2,606

  49

  22

  Cleveland

  609

  595

  598

  597

  -12

  -1

  Durham

  583

  590

  573

  596

  13

  23

  Northumbria

  1,365

  1,417

  1,413

  1,412

  47

  0

  326W 327W

  Civilian Staff1

  FTE

  Strengh

  Number

  GOR/police force

  31 March 1997

  31 March 2000

  30 September 2000

  31 January 2001

  Change March 1997 to January 2001

  Change September 2000 to January 2001

  North West

  6,267

  6,994

  7,007

  7,147

  880

  140

  Cheshire

  735

  823

  870

  860

  125

  -10

  Cumbria

  451

  469

  505

  577

  126

  73

  Greater Manchester

  2,612

  2,822

  2,845

  2,936

  324

  91

  Lancashire

  1,126

  1,422

  1,351

  1,343

  217

  -8

  Merseyside

  1,343

  1,458

  1,437

  1,430

  87

  -6

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  4,762

  4,922

  4,923

  4,897

  135

  -26

  Humberside

  718

  840

  783

  789

  71

  7

  North Yorkshire

  519

  492

  533

  602

  83

  69

  South Yorkshire

  1,291

  1,391

  1,399

  1,307

  16

  -93

  West Yorkshire

  2,234

  2,199

  2,208

  2,199

  -35

  -9

  East Midlands

  3,555

  3,769

  4,039

  3,964

  408

  -75

  Derbyshire

  723

  826

  865

  867

  144

  2

  Leicestershire

  755

  805

  808

  807

  52

  -1

  Lincolnshire

  521

  516

  554

  552

  31

  -2

  Northamptonshire

  554

  599

  825

  691

  137

  -135

  Nottinghamshire

  1,003

  1,024

  987

  1,048

  45

  60

  West Midlands

  4,819

  4,991

  5,132

  5,302

  482

  169

  Staffordshire

  763

  858

  897

  942

  179

  45

  Warwickshire

  376

  394

  388

  411

  35

  23

  West Mercia

  942

  1,043

  1,026

  1,096

  154

  70

  West Midlands

  2,739

  2,695

  2,821

  2,853

  114

  31

  Eastern

  4,234

  4,485

  4,699

  4,802

  569

  103

  Bedfordshire

  484

  490

  493

  487

  3

  -6

  Cambridgeshire

  607

  503

  543

  605

  -2

  63

  Essex2

  1,199

  1,348

  1,472

  1,452

  253

  -19

  Hertfordshire2

  818

  890

  948

  952

  134

  4

  Norfolk

  603

  655

  651

  684

  81

  33

  Suffolk

  522

  600

  592

  621

  99

  29

  London

  13,840

  10,890

  13,382

  10,341

  -3499

  -41

  City of London

  347

  285

  235

  230

  -177

  -5

  Metropolitan Police2

  13,493

  10,605

  10,147

  10,111

  -3,382

  -36

  South East

  6,399

  6,966

  7,292

  7,357

  956

  64

  Hampshire

  1,316

  1,443

  1,462

  1,404

  88

  -58

  Kent

  1,384

  1,647

  1,670

  1,756

  372

  86

  Surrey2

  727

  762

  865

  893

  166

  28

  Sussex

  1,149

  1,328

  1,405

  1,448

  299

  43

  Thames Valley

  1,825

  1,786

  1,890

  1,855

  30

  -35

  South West

  4,122

  4,512

  4,581

  4,690

  568

  108

  Avon and Somerset

  1,438

  1,436

  1,437

  1,459

  21

  22

  Devon and Cornwall

  1,159

  1,343

  1,391

  1,428

  269

  37

  Dorset

  615

  686

  681

  685

  70

  4

  Gloucestershire

  435

  484

  498

  499

  64

  1

  Wiltshire

  475

  563

  574

  619

  144

  45

  Wales

  2,455

  2,457

  2,686

  2,704

  248

  18

  Dyfed Powys

  322

  359

  393

  392

  70

  -1

  Gwent

  452

  498

  490

  523

  71

  34

  North Wales

  476

  519

  511

  506

  30

  -5

  South Wales

  1,206

  1,081

  1,293

  1,283

  77

  -10

  England and Wales3,5

  53,011

  52,588

  53,524

  53,808

  797

  483

  Total secondments

  n/a

  639

  708

  790

  n/a

  82

  Total4,5

  53,011

  53,227

  54,032

  54,598

  1,587

  565

  1Excluding traffic wardens

  2As of April 2000, the Metropolitan police force was reduced in size by a transfer of responsibility for policing some areas to the surrounding forces of Surrey, Hertfordshire and Essex. These changes need to be borne in mind when comparing figures for these forces before and after April 2000.

  3Excluding secondments

  4>Including secondments

  5In the March 1997 figures, civilian secondments are counted within the figures for the forces from which they were seconded. The increase of 1,587 civilians between March 1997 and January 2001 takes this into account.

  Note:

  Because of rounding, constituent parts may not necessarily sum to the totals
  328W

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Meat Imports
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many meat inspectors were in place at points of entry for imported meat products in(a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999, (d) 2000 and (e) 2001. [152380]

  Ms Quin
  This information is not held centrally. All meat imported from third countries into the UK must enter at designated UK Border Inspection Posts (BIP) where it is subject to veterinary inspections. The inspection services at the BIP are the responsibility of the local authority. Central Government have no powers to instruct the local authority over the number of inspectors. However, the BIP has to be approved by the Commission, whose inspectors conduct periodic inspections and who have to be satisfied that the inspection services are adequate. If they are not, the approval of the BIP may be suspended.

  Meat produced within the EU may circulate freely in the single market, and is not subject to border checks. It is subject to checks at the point of destination within the UK. The Meat Hygiene Service has been instructed to step up levels of inspection at cutting plants and cold stores, to ensure that any increased volumes of imports (which could arise from the effects of the foot and mouth crisis) can be checked for the necessary health marks and correct documentation.

  Arable Farming
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the(a) average income and (b) public subsidy was for arable farmers in England for the last year for which figures are available. [152851]

  Ms Quin
  The latest year for which figures are available is the year ended February 2000. The average net farm income for cereal farms in England for that year was £11,700 and the average total direct subsidy payment was £37,000. The average net farm income for general cropping farms was £8,000 and the average total direct subsidy payment was £31,500. The total direct subsidy excludes the additional support farmers receive from the consumer, through maintenance of EU agricultural prices above world levels by the CAP.

  Hill Farmers
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 26 February 2001,Official Report, column 501W, on hill farmers, what elements combine to give a subsidy of £24,400 per farm. [153536]

  Ms Quin
  I am sorry that there was an error in my answer of 26 February 2001,Official Report, column 501W, giving the total of £24,400 as the subsidy. The correct average total subsidy paid to full-time LFA cattle and sheep farms in England in 1999–2000 was
  330W
  £29,400. This is made up of £25,400 per farm in livestock subsidies, £3,500 per farm in environmental subsidies and £500 per farm in crop and other subsidies. The rest of the answer remains correct.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 26 February 2001,Official Report, column 501W, on hill farmers, what the subsidy is for a typical hill farm in England arising from the EU. [153537]

  Ms Quin
  Less than half per cent. of direct subsidies paid to full-time LFA cattle and sheep farms in England in 1999–2000 did not arise from EU legislation. Although some subsidies such as BSE payments and hill farm compensatory allowances are part funded nationally, they are still part of the CAP.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Departmental Policies (Truro and St. Austell)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Solicitor-General if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Truro and St. Austell constituency, the effects on Truro and St. Austell of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [154538]

  The Solicitor-General
  The Truro and St. Austell constituency falls within the geographical area covered by the Devon and Cornwall Area of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). In November 1999, in line with national policy, this area of the CPS, in liaison with the police and the East and West Cornwall Magistrates courts which cover that constituency, introduced procedures based on the Narey proposals. This means that all adult defendants charged with a criminal offence in Cornwall should make their first appearance before either Truro or Bodmin Magistrates court within eight days. This is in line with the Government's policy of speeding up and modernising the criminal justice system.

  On 18 December 2000, the Cornwall office of CPS Devon and Cornwall finalised its structure in line with proposals in the Glidewell Review. This represents a policy of more effective working between the police and prosecutors. A CPS Crown Court Unit based in Truro deals with serious crime at Truro Crown court. The CPS has set as a goal the better handling of serious cases in the interests of justice and the victims. A fast-track procedure began on 15 January 2001 throughout England and Wales. It ensures that offences which can only be tried in the Crown court normally come before a judge within eight clear days of their first hearing in the Magistrates court.

  The CPS together with other agencies has been working to speed up youth justice, particularly persistent youth offenders. The time taken for persistent youth cases has fallen in the CPS Devon and Cornwall area from 141 days in 1997 to 65 days in the third quarter of 2000. All these changes illustrate the Government's successful policy of speeding up the criminal justice system.

  Actions and policies of the Treasury Solicitor's Department and the Serious Fraud Office effect the hon. Member's constituency only indirectly.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Higher Education
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people (i) in England and (ii) from north Somerset(a) entered and (b) completed higher education courses in each of the past five years. [149901]

  Mr. Wicks
  The available information is shown in the table. Prior to the reorganisation of local government, north Somerset was included within Avon local education authority and therefore cannot be identified separately prior to 1997–98.

  Entrants and completers from higher education courses1 in HE institutions

  Thousand

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Entrants

  Postgraduates:

  England2

  104.6

  105.8

  106.0

  109.7

  110.7

  North Somerset3

  n/a

  n/a

  0.4

  0.4

  0.4

  Undergraduates:

  England2

  374.2

  366.2

  378.0

  376.0

  389.6

  North Somerset3

  n/a

  n/a

  1.5

  1.3

  1.1

  Qualifiers

  Postgraduates:

  England2

  50.2

  52.8

  55.4

  57.6

  59.1

  North Somerset3

  n/a

  n/a

  0.2

  0.3

  0.1

  Undergraduates:

  England2

  222.6

  225.5

  225.0

  231.9

  233.8

  North Somerset3

  n/a

  n/a

  0.7

  0.8

  0.8

  1Full-time and part-time courses excluding the Open University.

  2Students studying in institutions in England.

  3Students whose normal home residence is in north Somerset.

  Logos and Branding
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much has been spent by his Department on departmental and agency logos and associated branding since 1 May 1997. [152644]

  Mr. Wills
  Development of departmental logos and branding often takes place as part of the development of advertising and publicity campaigns and costs are not easily separated out. However, where logo or brand development can be isolated, expenditure since May 1997 was:

  1997–98

  European Social Fund Standards and Effectiveness Unit, New Deal, Rebranding the Employment Service and Jobcentres —£829,000

  1998–99

  Beacon Schools, Beacon Colleges, Childcare Link, General Teaching Council, National Childcare—£39,900

  1999–2000

  Education Action Zones, Excellence in Cities, Sure Start, Training Schools, Work-Life Balance, Age Diversity, Community Champions, Individual Learning Accounts, Millennium Volunteers, One—£381,200

  2000–01

  Children's Fund. Read, Write, Plus (Adult Basic Skills provision), Science Year. The Children and Young People's Unit, National
  332W
  Professional Qualification for Headteachers, Connexions, Employment Zones, Foundation Degrees, Overseas Labour Service, WorkTrain —£189,800.

  Modern Apprenticeships
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will take steps to enable young people above the age of 16 years to benefit from modern apprenticeships. [154402]

  Mr. Wicks
  Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) are an important part of the new vocational framework for young people in England. Many more young people will benefit from MAs as a result of an entitlement we are introducing to a place for those who have the necessary aptitude, ability and enthusiasm for work-based training. As an aid to this, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor recently announced plans for an expansion of MA places in England, from 220,000 this year, to 320,000 by March 2004. In addition, both my Department and the Learning and Skills Council will continue to promote MAs, to ensure that Careers Companies and the new Connexions Service are able to provide accurate and up-to-date information about the opportunities MAs offer.

  Physical Education
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many physical education teacher vacancies there were in secondary schools, broken down by region, in each year since 1995. [154480]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The information requested is as follows:

  January:

  Government Office region

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  North East

  2

  2

  1

  1

  2

  1

  North West

  0

  0

  1

  5

  3

  3

  Yorkshire and Humber

  0

  1

  2

  1

  3

  1

  East Midlands

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  West Midlands

  2

  3

  3

  4

  6

  5

  South West

  0

  0

  1

  1

  2

  1

  East

  4

  4

  3

  5

  2

  7

  London

  6

  7

  10

  13

  2

  7

  South East

  4

  10

  6

  4

  8

  3

  Total

  19

  27

  27

  34

  29

  30

  The estimated vacancy rate for physical education in each year since 1995 is as follows:

  Vacancy rate

  January

  1995

  0.2

  1996

  0.2

  1997

  0.2

  1998

  0.3

  1999

  0.3

  2000

  0.2

  The number of regular teachers (excluding short-term supply) in the maintained schools sector in England at January 2000 was 404,600, the highest for 10 years and 6,900 higher than January 1998.There was a growth of 2,300 in the number of people recruited to train to be teachers between 1999–2000 and 2000–01, the first such increase since 1992–93.
  333W
  From April 2001 new graduate recruits can expect to earn £17,000 a year (up 6 per cent. from the previous year) and starting salaries in inner London will rise to £20,000 (up 9 per cent. from the previous year).

  Basic Skills Provision (Inspections)
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has for the continuation of inspections of performance by full-time and part-time education providers in the programme area of basic skills. [154675]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 21 March 2001]The Government attach high priority to improving adults' literacy and numeracy skills. On 1 March, we published our national strategy for achieving this in Skills for Life, which set out how regular monitoring and robust inspection will raise standards among basic skills providers and improve the achievement of learners.

  From April 2001 'all' providers of adult literacy and numeracy provision funded by the Learning and Skills Council or a local authority will fall within the general arrangements for inspection by Ofsted and/or the Adult Learning Inspectorate, as defined by the Learning and Skills Act 2000. In addition, we will conduct a review of the quality and inspection criteria is for basic skills provision.

  Curriculum 2000
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the annual cost, and on whom it will fall, of additional external moderation and examination needed to fulfil the requirement of Curriculum 2000. [154676]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 21 March 2001]The Government have provided additional funding of £103 million for schools and colleges for Curriculum 2000 in 2000–01. This includes the costs of external moderation and examination.

  Post-16 Educational Qualifications
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to integrate the award of educational qualifications post-16 with individual pupil records. [154678]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 21 March 2001]There are no plans to integrate the award of educational qualifications post-16 with individual pupil records.

  School Achievement Awards
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to give recognition to schools with consistently high standards of achievement in both 1997 and 2000; and if he will make a statement. [154741]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 20 March 2001]School Achievement Awards are being given for the first time this year. In this first round we are giving priority to improvement. We are also giving excellence awards to schools that achieved better results last year than most other schools in similar circumstances. The Department also recognises sustained achievement in other ways,
  334W
  notably through the Beacon Schools scheme. There are now nearly 600 Beacon Schools across the country and the number is set to grow.

  University Students
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the unit of resource per full-time student at English universities in(a) cash, (b) real terms and (c) indexed to a base of 1989 = 100, in (i) 1989, (ii) 1992, (iii) 1997, (iv) 2000–01, (v) 2001–02 and estimated for (A) 2002–03 and (B) 2003–04. [154814]

  Mr. Wicks
  Information relating to the unit of publicly planned funding per full-time equivalent student at higher education institutions in England is shown in the table:

  Publicly planned funding per full-time equivalent higher education student in England (in £)1 in cash terms, and in real terms at 1989–90 prices

  Cash terms

  Real terms

  Real terms index

  Outturn

  1989–90

  5,350

  5,350

  100

  1992–93

  5,060

  4,280

  80

  1997–98

  4,580

  3,410

  64

  Planned

  2000–01

  4,860

  3,380

  63

  2001–02

  5.020

  3,410

  64

  2002–03

  5,150

  3,410

  64

  2003–04

  5,290

  3,420

  64

  1Unit funding per student is rounded to the nearest £5

  The Government are investing an extra £1.7 billion in higher education in England over the six years to 2003–04. The increases in publicly planned funding announced last November coupled with planned increases in student numbers imply estimated real terms increases in funding per full-time equivalent student of 0.7 per cent., 0 per cent. and 0.4 per cent. over the next three years.

  National Training Organisations
  Mr. Robert Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he will make an announcement on the outcome of the consultation on the future national training organisation representation for the telecom industry. [155081]

  Mr. Wicks
  The consultation ends on 30 March 2001. We will make an announcement on future arrangements as soon as practicable after the end of the consultation period. Details will be published on the internet in accordance with the Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Public Consultations.

  Mr. Robert Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the annual membership fee of each of the national training organisations. [155082]

  Mr. Wicks
  NTOs are independent employer-led organisations and it is for them to decide whether they wish to operate a membership arrangement with employers in their sector and if so what the appropriate annual membership should be. The Department does not keep information on the membership schemes that operate.

  Pupil Exclusions
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many pupils were excluded from school(a) temporarily and (b) permanently (i) in each of the London education authorities and (ii) nationally during the past 12 months, broken down by ethnic origin. [155000]

  Jacqui Smith
  The Department is currently collating information on the number of permanent exclusions from maintained primary, secondary and special schools in

  Number of permanent exclusions from Primary, Secondary and Special1 schools by ethnic orgin 1998–99

  Number of exclusions

  While

  Black Caribbean

  Black African

  Black other

  Indian

  Pakistani

  Bangladeshi

  Chinese

  Any other ethnic group

  Total

  City of London

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Camden

  14

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  0

  5

  19

  Greenwich

  51

  2—

  5

  7

  2—

  0

  0

  2—

  12

  75

  Hackney

  15

  8

  2—

  6

  0

  0

  0

  0

  6

  35

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  18

  13

  6

  9

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2—

  46

  Islington

  16

  7

  2—

  2—

  0

  0

  0

  0

  5

  28

  Kensington and Chelsea

  11

  6

  2—

  2—

  0

  0

  0

  0

  6

  23

  Lambeth

  2—

  23

  9

  5

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2—

  37

  Lewisham

  20

  13

  2—

  20

  0

  0

  0

  0

  9

  62

  Southwark

  22

  48

  22

  10

  0

  0

  0

  2—

  2—

  102

  Tower Hamlets

  13

  2—

  2—

  0

  0

  0

  14

  0

  2—

  27

  Wandsworth

  22

  30

  9

  11

  0

  0

  0

  2—

  2—

  72

  Westminster

  17

  10

  2—

  2—

  0

  0

  0

  0

  7

  34

  Barking and Dagenham

  35

  2—

  2—

  2—

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2—

  35

  Barnet

  19

  12

  6

  2—

  2—

  0

  0

  0

  2—

  37

  Bexley

  54

  2—

  5

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  59

  Brent

  15

  27

  14

  10

  2—

  2—

  0

  0

  6

  72

  Bromley

  74

  6

  2—

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  5

  85

  Croydon

  67

  46

  2—

  8

  0

  0

  2—

  0

  7

  128

  Ealing

  28

  21

  6

  2—

  2—

  2—

  0

  0

  8

  63

  Enfield

  44

  15

  2—

  7

  0

  0

  0

  0

  9

  75

  Haringey

  13

  16

  2—

  6

  2—

  0

  0

  0

  2—

  35

  Harrow

  20

  6

  2—

  7

  2—

  2—

  0

  0

  2—

  33

  Havering

  37

  2—

  2—

  2—

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2—

  37

  Hillingdon

  55

  2—

  0

  2—

  2—

  2—

  0

  0

  2—

  55

  Hounslow

  43

  5

  2—

  2—

  7

  2—

  0

  0

  8

  63

  Kingston upon Thames

  23

  2—

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2—

  23

  Merton

  13

  8

  2—

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2—

  21

  Newham

  23

  8

  8

  2—

  0

  2—

  2—

  0

  9

  48

  Redbridge

  21

  6

  5

  2—

  2—

  0

  2—

  0

  5

  37

  Richmond upon Thames

  35

  2—

  2—

  2—

  0

  0

  0

  2—

  0

  35

  Sutton

  33

  2—

  2—

  2—

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  33

  Waltham Forest

  40

  25

  2—

  9

  2—

  5

  0

  0

  2—

  79

  England

  8,791

  593

  157

  268

  71

  165

  42

  6

  320

  10,413

  1Includes maintained and non maintained special school

  2Fewer than 5 pupils

  School Meals
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many local education authorities provide(a) hot and (b) cold meals; [154919]

  (2) what consultation he has initiated with schoolchildren about their preferences in respect of school meals and if meals should be hot or cold; [154920]

  (3) what guidelines he issues to local education authorities about the nutritional value of hot school meals; [154921]

  (4) which authorities have changed school meal provision from hot meals to cold in the last year. [154922]
  336W
  England in the school year 1999–2000 and provisional figures will be published in a Statistical First Release in May 2001 (provisional date). The Department does not collect data on the number of fixed period exclusions.

  The latest available information, which is for the school year 1998–99, on the number of pupils permanently excluded from school in each of the London education authorities and in England as a whole, broken down by ethnic origin, is shown in the table.

  Jacqui Smith
  Information on hot and cold school meal provision is not collected centrally. Under current education legislation, it is entirely up to local education authorities and schools in England to decide on the presentation and content of school meals. However, from 1 April this year. the Government are introducing compulsory minimum nutritional standards for school lunches—the first for over 20 years—along with a new duty to provide paid meals on request. Although there is no requirement that lunches should be hot, all school lunches, whether hot or cold, will have to meet the new standards.
  337W
  I accept that hot food may be comforting, particularly in cold weather. In our guidance for caterers on the new standards, there is a strong recommendation that some hot food should be available on the school meal menu.

  We consulted widely on the new standards, including a sample of schools. My officials have also visited schools and spoken to children to ask their views on school lunches.

  Bullying
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on tacking bullying in schools. [154998]

  Jacqui Smith
  We attach a high priority to helping schools prevent and combat bullying. We want all schools to treat bullying seriously and deal with it promptly and firmly whenever and wherever it occurs. That is why since September 1999 we have required heads by law to draw up measures to prevent all forms of bullying among pupils. To help them do this, last December my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State launched our new anti-bullying strategy. This includes a revised pack for schools, an accompanying video aimed at pupils, a new anti-bullying website and a new public information film to raise awareness. The key message is that pupils should report bullying to someone they trust and not suffer in silence. The Department is also funding an expansion of the Parentline Plus free helpline for parents of victims.

  We have, however, made it clear that when necessary Heads can permanently exclude pupils responsible for serious or persistent bullying.

  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many pupils were recorded as the subjects of bullying at school(a) nationally and (b) in each of the London education authorities over the past 12 months, broken down by ethnic origin. [154999]

  Jacqui Smith
  This information is not available centrally.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Criminal Injuries Compensation
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what payments were made by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund over the past year. [151770]

  Dr. Reid
  I believe my hon. Friend is referring to funds allocated by the Victims Liaison Unit in the Northern Ireland Office which provides support to victims of the Troubles.

  In the past year, the Victims Liaison Unit allocated £1 million to the Northern Ireland Memorial Fund, bringing the total paid to the fund to date to £2 million. The fund will receive a further £3 million over the next three years.

  £3 million was also provided for the scheme to core fund victims and survivors groups over a two-year period from 2000–02. To date £2,987,938 has been allocated from this scheme. The allocation of grants to individual groups is shown in the table.
  338W

  Allocation of grants from core funding for victim/survivors groups grants scheme as at 12 March 2001

  £

  Group

  Grant

  Aisling Centre

  20,900

  Alanna Consultancy Associates

  1.070

  An Crann/The Tree

  86,100

  Ardoyne Commemoration Project

  3,000

  Ballymurphy Womens Centre

  67,697

  BASE 2 (NIACRO)

  50,750

  CALMS

  112,530

  Coleraine/Ballymoney Branch Regimental Association UDR

  73,660

  Colleague Support Group

  3,100

  Corpus Christi Services

  67,046

  CRUSE

  58,000

  Cunamh

  92,489

  Derry City Council

  2,500

  FACT

  68,780

  FAIR

  91,500

  Fermanagh South Tyrone Terrorist Victims

  85,400

  Firinne

  60,446

  Greater Twinbrook and Poleglass Community Forum

  3,000

  HAVEN

  22,600

  Holy Trinity Centre

  76,600

  Institute for Counselling and Personal Development

  123,990

  Lenadoon Counselling Project

  40,000

  Lifeways Psychotherapy and Counselling

  84,380

  Make Your Mark

  4,190

  New Life Counselling

  66,205

  NOVA

  80,000

  Omagh Independent Advice Services

  19,986

  PAIN

  88,718

  Psychotherapy and Counselling Network

  27,825

  Relatives for Justice

  99,000

  Restorick Group

  750

  SAVER

  5,000

  Shankill Stress

  126,680

  South Down Action for Healing Wounds

  87,800

  Strabane Befriending and Counselling Association

  72,554

  Streetbeat Youth Project

  54,620

  Survivors of Trauma

  110,000

  Tara Counselling and Personal Development

  40,000

  The Cross Group

  1,550

  The Samaritans

  8,000

  The Wider Circle

  30,000

  Victims and Survivors Trust

  83,950

  WAVE

  596,572

  West Tyrone Voice

  89,000

  Police Service Recruitment
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what reasons underlay his decision not to advertise RUC recruitment(a) on Irish state television and radio and (b) in Irish language newspapers. [152870]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Secretary of State did not take decisions in relation to the matter mentioned. Advertising was carried out by the police recruitment agent in accordance with the recommendation of the Patten report.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) phone responses and (b) applications have been received in responses to the recruitment campaign for the police service; what assessment he has made of the responses in terms of (i) perceived community origin, (ii) gender and (iii) age; and what the timetable is for the implementation of the Consensia Partnership Scheme. [152867]

  Mr. Ingram
  The advertising campaign commenced on 23 February 2001. In the region of 20,000 requests have been received for application packs. No assessment of applications received has yet been made in respect of
  339W
  perceived community origin and gender. This analysis will be carried out following the closing date for the competition, which is 30 March 2001. No analysis will be made in respect of age. The Consensia Partnership aims to identify a pool of qualified applicants in September 2001, from which police trainees will be appointed.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by what process the Consensia Partnership was selected to conduct police recruitment in 2001; how many staff are employed by bodies comprising the Consensia Partnership, broken down by perceived community origin of employees; and if he will make a statement. [152866]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Consensia Partnership responded to an Invitation to Tender in accordance with EU procurement guidelines. Information about the perceived community origin of the Partnership's employees is not available to the Government or the police. It is a condition of contract that Consensia must comply with equality of opportunity as defined in Northern Ireland law.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Long-term Disability Benefits
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the percentage of(a) men, (b) women and (c) people who are in receipt of long-term disability benefits, broken down by (A) each region and nation of the UK and (B) by the (i) 45 to 49, (ii) 50 to 54, (iii) 55 to 59 and (iv) 60 to 64 age ranges. [154809]

  Mr. Bayley
  Relevant information for people who receive Disability Living Allowance, the long-term rate of Incapacity Benefit, or Severe Disablement Allowance is in the tables.

  Percentage of people aged 45 to 49 who are in receipt of Disability Living Allowance, Incapacity Benefit, long-term rate of Severe Disablement Allowance

  Country/region

  All persons

  Men

  Women

  Great Britain

  6.9

  6.7

  7.0

  England

  6.4

  6.3

  6.4

  North East

  10.1

  11.0

  9.3

  North West

  9.5

  9.4

  9.7

  Yorkshire and Humber

  7.6

  7.7

  7.4

  East Midlands

  6.3

  5.6

  7.0

  West Midlands

  7.0

  6.6

  7.5

  East

  4.7

  4.4

  5.0

  London

  5.7

  5.9

  5.6

  South East

  3.9

  3.9

  4.0

  South West

  4.9

  4.9

  4.8

  Wales

  10.6

  9.8

  11.5

  Scotland

  9.2

  9.1

  9.3

  Percentage of people aged 50 to 54 who are in receipt of Disability Living Allowance, Incapacity Benefit, long-term rate of Severe Disablement Allowance

  Country/region

  All persons

  Men

  Women

  Great Britain

  9.6

  9.5

  9.7

  England

  8.7

  8.6

  8.8

  North East

  14.8

  14.9

  14.6

  North West

  13.4

  13.7

  13.1

  Yorkshire and Humber

  10.6

  10.9

  10.3

  East Midlands

  9.0

  9.1

  8.9

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  Percentage of people aged 50 to 54 who are in receipt of Disability Living Allowance, Incapacity Benefit, long-term rate of Severe Disablement Allowance

  Country/region

  All persons

  Men

  Women

  West Midlands

  9.0

  8.6

  9.5

  East

  6.2

  5.8

  6.7

  London

  7.4

  7.6

  7.2

  South East

  5.2

  4.9

  5.6

  South West

  7.0

  6.7

  7.3

  Wales

  16.3

  16.2

  16.4

  Scotland

  13.7

  13.4

  14.0

  Percentage of people aged 55 to 59 who are in receipt of Disability Living Allowance, Incapacity Benefit, long-term rate of Severe Disablement Allowance

  Country/region

  All persons

  Men

  Women

  Great Britain

  16.2

  18.8

  13.6

  England

  14.8

  17.2

  12.5

  North East

  24.6

  31.0

  18.2

  North West

  22.4

  26.7

  18.1

  Yorkshire and Humber

  17.5

  20.9

  14.2

  East Midlands

  15.4

  17.6

  13.1

  West Midlands

  16.1

  18.0

  14.2

  East

  10.1

  11.1

  9.0

  London

  13.4

  14.4

  12.4

  South East

  8.7

  9.5

  7.9

  South West

  11.6

  14.3

  9.0

  Wales

  27.3

  32.8

  21.9

  Scotland

  21.7

  25.2

  18.4

  Percentage of people aged 60 to 64 who are in receipt of Disability Living Allowance, Incapacity Benefit, long-term rate of Severe Disablement Allowance

  Country/region

  All persons

  Men

  Women

  Great Britain

  15.1

  19.3

  11.1

  England

  14.0

  17.7

  10.3

  North East

  23.5

  32.2

  15.2

  North West

  21.2

  26.8

  15.8

  Yorkshire and Humber

  17.3

  22.2

  12.7

  East Midlands

  13.8

  17.7

  10.0

  West Midlands

  15.6

  18.9

  12.3

  East

  9.2

  11.8

  6.7

  London

  12.2

  14.5

  9.9

  South East

  8.2

  10.6

  5.8

  South West

  10.1

  13.2

  7.1

  Wales

  25.6

  32.9

  18.6

  Scotland

  18.8

  24.4

  13.8

  Notes

  1. Some people receive Disability Living Allowance in addition to one of the other two benefits.

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

  Sources

  1. Client Group Analysis of the Working Population as at August 2000 and Client Group Analysis of the Population over State Pension Age as at May 2000.

  2. 5 per cent. sample of beneficiaries and ONS mid-1999 population estimates.

  Incapacity Benefits
  Miss Begg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will review the therapeutic work rules that apply to incapacity benefits; and if he will make a statement. [155577]
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  Mr. Bayley
  From April 2002 we propose to introduce new rules for people who receive incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance and Income Support based on incapacity who want to undertake some form of paid work which may ease their way back into full-time employment. We are aware of concerns that the current therapeutic work rules may be of limited use where it is difficult to demonstrate that a particular job would be beneficial to a person's medical condition. The current rules also do not help someone who wants to work on a limited basis in order to have social contact if they do not satisfy the therapeutic requirement. This is why we have reviewed the current position and are, introducing some improvements.

  Under the proposed changes, the therapeutic work rules will cease to exist. Instead we intend to introduce rules which will allow any person receiving incapacity benefits to:
  (a) work for less than 16 hours a week and up to £60.50 for up to six months; with a six month extension for those working with a Personal Adviser, Job Broker or Disability Employment Adviser;
  (b) work for maximum earnings of £20 a week with no time limit and no hours limit.

  Claimants who undertake sheltered work or are undergoing a hospital treatment programme which includes work, will, as now, be able to earn up to £60.50 a week (April 2001 rates) with no limit on the number of hours they work.

  We believe that these rules are much fairer than those that currently exist. Because we are opening up the rules to anyone on incapacity benefits we are giving more people the opportunity of trying paid work. This, together with our other measures to help people find suitable work, will enable people to move off benefits and into work. Also, by allowing all claimants to do some paid work without time limit, we will be encouraging those who are otherwise excluded to take part in activities which will help them feel part of, and play a more active role in, their local community. Additionally, of course, there are the rules which we already have in place to allow claimants to try full-time work or training and return to benefit at the same rate if they have to give up that work or training.

  These changes do not affect the position whereby people receiving Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance may do unpaid voluntary work for an unlimited period.

  Winter Fuel Payments
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many representations he has received concerning delays in payment of Winter Fuel Payment since May 1997; [153583]

  (2) how many people received their Winter Fuel Payment on time in (a) 2000 and (b) 1999; [153582]

  (3) how many people have experienced delays in payment of Winter Fuel Payment lasting over (a) one month, (b) three months, (c) six months and (d) 12 months. [153584]

  Mr. Rooker
  The administration of Winter Fuel Payments is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to the hon. Member.
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  Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Miss Anne McIntosh, dated 21 March 2001:

  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking how many representations he has received concerning delays in payment of Winter Fuel Payment since May 1997; how many people received their Winter Fuel Payment on time in (a) 2000 and (b) 1999; and how many people have experienced delays in payment of Winter Fuel Payment lasting over (a) one month, (b) three months (c) six months, and (d) 12 months.

  The information is not available in the format. requested, but I hope the following explanation of when payments were made might be helpful.

  The Winter Fuel Payment scheme was introduced in the winter of 1997/1998 as one of the Government's initiatives to tackle fuel poverty in Great Britain.

  In the first three winters of the scheme (1997/1998, 1998/1999 and 1999/2000) around 10 million people were eligible in each winter and paid automatically, where entitlement was established. These payments were made within the expected timetable.

  In response to a European Court of Justice ruling in December 1999 the Government decided to equalise the age from which the Winter Fuel Payment is payable. The majority of people from age 60 could now benefit from the payments.

  Following the court ruling, people who were newly eligible for a payment last winter, and were not in receipt of a social security benefit during the relevant qualifying week, apart from Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit or Child Benefit, should have made a claim for their payment.

  Last winter around 11 million payments, where entitlement was established, were made automatically before Christmas, as was the intention. So far we have also made payments in respect of successful claims determined by 12 January 2001. It is up to the individual to decide when and whether to make a claim. We are still receiving and processing claims for winter 1999/2000 payments. Claims for winter 2000/01 must be received before 31 March 2001.

  Although the ruling was given in December 1999 it applied from the beginning of the scheme and payments in respect of past winters are being paid to those who are now entitled. People who think they are eligible for a payment for past winters must make a claim for their payments. There is no time limit for making claims for past winters.

  I hope this is helpful.

  Medical Examinations
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many medical examination reports were graded A, B and C in each of the last three years in each of the three Sema contract areas; and if he will make a statement. [153573]

  Mr. Bayley
  Medical Services conduct a national programme of audit on a random selection of cases. This yields results that are statistically significant by contract area, at benefit level and on a quarterly basis. Viewed across all areas of work carried out by Medical Services, an analysis of this audit shows the following results:

  Grade

  Contract area

  A

  B

  C

  September 1998 to August 1999

  North

  78.8

  14.0

  7.4

  South West

  82.6

  12.1

  5.4

  South East

  78.4

  16.9

  4.8

  September 1999 to August 2000

  North

  78.0

  15.6

  6.4

  South West

  81.6

  12.5

  7.0

  South East

  74.2

  19.6

  6.3

  343W

  Grade

  Contract area

  A

  B

  C

  September 2000 to February 2001

  North

  77.9

  15.2

  6.9

  South West

  83.6

  10.7

  5.7

  South East

  80.0

  13.9

  5.3

  Note:

  Figures may not add up to 100 per cent. because of rounding up or down to one decimal place.

  It should be noted that during 1999, Medical Services were refining their quality audit system, and as a result applied more stringent quality criteria. This is a factor in any apparent deterioration in performance between 1998–99 and 1999–2000.

  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what arrangements he has made with Sema to ensure doctors making medical examinations are given reports on(a) appeal outcomes and (b) grading of their medical reports; and if he will make a statement. [153575]

  Mr. Bayley
  In response to the recommendations of the Social Security Select Committee (SSSC) in its report on Medical Services, the Department of Social Security's Chief Medical Adviser and the President of the Appeals Service are establishing a formal process for feedback on the quality standards of medical reports in appeal cases. Interim arrangements for feedback have been in place since July 2000 and five cases have so far been referred.

  All cases referred to the Chief Medical Adviser are forwarded to Sema for information, further investigation and remedial action with the doctor concerned, if appropriate.

  Sema Medical Services monitor the quality standards of medical reports of all their doctors on a rolling programme, to volumes which are statistically significant over a three-month rolling period. The outcome of monitoring is recorded, and feedback given to each individual doctor on his or her performance. Where this has fallen below the standard expected, the doctor is given appropriate advice by an experienced full-time colleague; if necessary, arrangements are made for remedial training.

  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of doctors have completed the required training in(a) mental health, (b) disability awareness and (c) musculo-skeletal examinations in each of the last three years in each of the three Sema contract areas; and if he will make a statement. [153557]

  Mr. Bayley
  These training modules were all developed during 2000 (year two of the contract). Training in these topics has been delivered in 2000 and 2001. The proportion of doctors who are currently carrying out work on the Benefits Agency contract and who have completed the training are as follows:

  Percentage of doctors who have completed the required training

  Contract area

  North

  South East

  South West

  Assessment of people with mental health problems

  91

  85

  86

  Behaviours, attitudes and sensitivities for dealing with people with disabilities

  89

  85

  86

  Clinical skills in the assessment of musculo-skeletal problems

  92

  87

  91

  344W
  Any doctor who started with Sema Medical Services before 31 December 2000 will have completed their training by the end of June this year.

  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of DLA applications were decided after(a) medical examination and (b) scrutiny in each Sema contract area in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [153574]

  Mr. Bayley
  This information is not available.

  Doctors
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many doctors have been(a) suspended, (b) required to retrain and (c) had their contracts terminated by Sema in each of its three contract areas in each of the last three years; and if ha will make a statement. [153576]

  Mr. Bayley:
  The information is in the table.

  1–9–1998 to 31–8–1999

  1–9–1999 to 31–8–2000

  1–9–2000 to 28–2–2001

  North

  Suspended

  2

  3

  6

  Retrained

  22

  14

  Terminated

  17

  11

  4

  South East

  Suspended

  0

  0

  2

  Retrained

  5

  5

  5

  Terminated

  6

  4

  0

  South West

  Suspended

  0

  0

  4

  Retrained

  15

  17

  6

  Terminated

  8

  9

  4

CABINET OFFICE

  Departmental Policies
  Ms Perham
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what initiatives embarked upon since May 1997 have benefited Ilford, North; and if she will make a statement. [152033]

  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Slough constituency, the effects on Slough of her Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [146931]

  Mr. Stringer
  The policy recommendations in Cabinet Office reports relate to England as a whole and it is therefore not possible to say what their specific impact is on a particular constituency. Additionally any policy changes arising from Cabinet Office units, such as the Social Exclusion Unit and the United Kingdom Anti-Drugs Co-ordination Unit, reports are implemented by the appropriate Government Department, rather than by the unit itself.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Creative Industries
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will estimate the distribution of employment in the creative industries in the regions and

  Employees and self-employed people working in creative industries

  As percentage of total employed in all industries in UK

  As percentage of total employed in all industries in the region and nation

  As percentage of total employed in all creative industries in UK

  United Kingdom

  4.8

  4.8

  100.0

  Great Britain

  4.7

  4.9

  98.8

  England

  4.3

  5.1

  90.2

  North East

  0.1

  2.9

  2.4

  North West

  0.4

  4.0

  9.3

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  0.3

  3.3

  5.8

  East Midlands

  0.2

  3.4

  5.2

  West Midlands

  0.3

  3.3

  6.1

  East of England

  0.4

  4.6

  9.3

  London

  1.3

  10.3

  26.3

  South East

  0.9

  6.1

  18.7

  South West

  0.3

  4.0

  7.1

  Wales

  0.1

  3.1

  2.9

  Scotland

  0.3

  3.2

  5.7

  Northern Ireland

  0.1

  2.3

  1.2

  Source:

  Labour Force Survey (average autumn 1999 to summer 2000; not seasonally adjusted), Office for National Statistics, and Creative Industries Mapping Document 2001. Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

  Hinduja Brothers
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what advice was given by NMEC to the Hinduja brothers in respect of matters relating to the applicability of VAT to their donation to the faith zone of the millennium dome. [153735]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 14 March 2001]In seeking to recognise the charitable status of the Hinduja Foundation, the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) sought the advice of its tax consultants, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). NMEC passed on to Mr. S. P. Hinduja's office advice it received from PwC in December 1998 on the normal basis in such circumstances that neither NMEC nor PwC were liable or responsible for any reliance the Hindujas placed on that advice. In essence the advice indicated that if the terms of the Hinduja Foundation's contribution mirrored that of the sponsorship agreements drawn -up for commercial sponsors of the Dome then VAT would apply. In early February 1999 NMEC submitted to the Hinduja Foundation a donor agreement that mirrored agreements drawn-up for the other charitable trusts contributing to the faith zone. At that time the donation was not liable for VAT.

  Departmental Policies (Clwyd, South)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Clwyd, South constituency, the effects on Clwyd, South of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [151911]
  346W
  nations of the UK, indicating the number employed in these industries (a) as a percentage of the total employed in the UK and (b) as a percentage of the total employed in each region and nation of the UK. [154810]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  Estimates of the distribution of employment in the creative industries in the regions and nations of the UK are shown in the table.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  Through their commitment to public service broadcasting, the Government have helped to foster an environment in which a creative, commercially successful broadcasting industry provides a wide range of UK-made, high-quality, original programmes catering for all viewers and listeners. We have ensured a secured funding base for the BBC and S4C, while giving them the freedom to develop commercial operations which complement and support their public service remit. We have made it clear in the Communications White Paper that public service broadcasting will continue to have a key role to play in the digital future.

  The Government have also introduced free television licences for people aged 75 or over from 1 November last year. Information on the number of beneficiaries by constituency is not available, but estimates based on the 1991 census indicate that there were approximately 4,800 people aged 75 or over living in the Clwyd, South constituency.

  My Department sponsors the British Tourist Authority (BTA), which continues to promote Britain effectively as an attractive tourist destination for overseas visitors. The BTA's successful marketing activities are aimed at bringing benefits to all parts of the UK, including Clwyd, South.

  According to the information supplied to us by the distributing bodies for the national lottery awards database, there have been 112 national lottery awards to Clwyd, South, totalling £2,021,757 since 2 May 1997. Twenty five Millennium Award Winners have been identified from Clwyd, South and between them they have received grants totalling £75,188.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Asylum Appeals
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many adjudicators are available to her Department to deal with asylum appeals; and how many she plans to have available by 1 April(a) 2001, (b) 2002, (c) 2003 and (d) 2004. [154846]

  Jane Kennedy
  There are currently 76 full-time and 226 part-time adjudicators available to hear asylum appeals. It is planned to have the following number of adjudicators available to hear asylum appeals by:(c) April 2001—76 full-time and 323 part-time.
  (d) April 2002—80 full-time adjudicators and 383 part-time.

  There are currently no plans to extend recruitment beyond the 2002 level. The number of adjudicators is, however, under constant review to ensure that sufficient are available to meet incoming appeals. The Immigration Appellate Authority is working closely with the Home Office to ensure that any changes in workloads are identified at an early stage.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the average(a) cost and (b) duration is of training someone to serve as an adjudicator for immigration and asylum appeals. [154843]

  Jane Kennedy
  The average cost to the Immigration Appellate Authority of training an adjudicator to serve on both immigration and asylum appeals, excluding travel costs, is currently £2,248 per adjudicator. The average time taken by the authority to train an adjudicator is currently five and a half days.

  This answer excludes any subsequent training offered to adjudicators by the Judicial Studies Board.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what qualifications are required of a person recruited to serve as an adjudicator for asylum and immigration appeals. [154844]

  Mr. Lock
  Immigration adjudicators may be appointed by the Lord Chancellor on a full or part-time basis.

  Schedule 3(2) of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, stipulates that an adjudicator must hold a seven-year general qualification within the meaning of section 71 of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (i.e. a right of audience qualification in relation to all proceedings in any part of the Supreme Court or all proceedings in the county or magistrates courts); or be an advocate or solicitor in Scotland, or a barrister or solicitor in Northern Ireland, of at least seven years' standing; or have such legal and other experience as appears to the Lord Chancellor to make him or her suited for appointment as an adjudicator.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the average unit cost to her Department is of an asylum appeal. [154845]

  Jane Kennedy
  The average cost of an asylum appeal to the Lord Chancellor's Department at the end of February 2001, including accommodation and overheads, was £1,289.

  Libel
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many libel actions arising from e-publications, websites and list serve subscription services have been started in the past two years; what proportion were settled in advance of a hearing; and what proportion were found(a) for and (b) against the plaintiff. [154539]

  Mr. Lock
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Restrictive Practices (QCs)
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the Office of Fair Trading's recommendations concerning restrictive practices in the legal profession with particular reference to the QC system. [153628]

  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 in due course inviting comments.

HEALTH

  North Cheshire Health Authority
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what resources have been allocated to North Cheshire health authority for(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99,(c) 1999–2000 and (d) 2000–01. [148850]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 14 February 2001]The final cash-limited allocations to North Cheshire health authority for the past four years are shown in the table.

  Year

  £ million

  1997–98

  166.7

  1998–99

  183.5

  1999–2000

  208.1

  2000–01

  228.7

  Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster Health Authority
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) on what date Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster health authority joined the Paddington Regeneration Partnership; [151261]

  (2) what fees and benefits Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster health authority has received from the Paddington Regeneration Partnership; [151327]

  (3) how many meetings of the Board of the Paddington Regeneration Partnership have been attended by members of the Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster health authority and on what dates; [151259]

  (4) which board members and officers of Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster health authority have served on Paddington Regeneration Partnership and received emoluments from it; [151326]
  349W
  (5) on what dates the Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust and the St. Mary's Paddington NHS Hospital Trust applied to Westminster city council for outline planning permission for the construction of a new cardio-thoracic hospital alongside St Mary's Hospital, Paddington. [151457]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 26 February 2001]Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster health authority, together with St. Mary's Hospital National Health Service Trust, joined the Paddington Regeneration Partnership from its inception in January 1998. The Paddington Regeneration Partnership's stated aims are to establish Paddington as a premier business and residential district of London, facilitating sustainable economic vitality for the area and ensuring the products of .regeneration benefit the surrounding communities.

  The health authority and St. Mary's Hospital NHS Trust joined the Paddington Regeneration Partnership board to ensure that the benefits of regeneration and the potential substantial investment in the area are shared by the surrounding communities and promote the interests of the health service and its delivery in the area.

  The health authority representative on the Paddington Regeneration Partnership was an assistant director, not a board member, although for six months of the period in question he acted at that level. He attended meetings of its Board on 15 occasions between 18 June 1998 and the present time. The dates were: 18 June 1998, 2 July 1998, 16 July 1998, 10 September 1998, 12 November 1998, 10 December 1998, 14 January 1999, 8 April 1999, 6 May 1999, 9 September 1999, 9 December 1999, 8 June 2000, 6 July 2000, 11 January 2001, 8 February 2001.

  No member or officer of Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster health authority has or will receive any emolument from the Paddington Regeneration Partnership Board. No fees or financial benefits have been or will be received.

  The application for the building of a Paddington Basin Health Campus was submitted to Westminster city council on 29 June 2000.

  NHS Expenditure (North-west)
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the(a) planned and (b) actual expenditure was in the NHS in the north-west in (i) 1997–98, (ii) 1998–99 and (iii) 1999–2000 [151874]

  Name of NHS Trust

  Type of investment

  Year full business case submitted for approval

  Whether full business case has been approved

  Date of approval (where relevant)

  Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust

  Patient Administration System and some Departmental systems

  1999

  Yes

  December 1999

  Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Trust

  Order Comms/Results Reporting and Departmental systems

  1999

  Yes

  February 1999

  Morecambe Bay Hospitals NHS Trust

  Patient Administration System

  19991

  Yes

  January 1999

  Royal Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust

  Integrated Patient Management System

  19991

  Yes

  August 1999

  Bury Health Care NHS Trust and Rochdale Healthcare NHS Trust

  Electronic Patient Records

  2000

  No, but decision imminent

  n/a

  350W
  Mr. Denham
  The planned and actual expenditure in the National Health Service in the north-west from 1997–98 up until 1999–2000 is as follows:

  £ billion

  Planned expenditure

  Actual expenditure

  1997–98

  3.68

  4.11

  1998–99

  4.01

  4.51

  1999–2000

  4.61

  5.27

  Notes:
  There are three main factors to consider in reviewing these figures: Unlike the actual figures shown, planned expenditure collected at the beginning of the year does not include expenditure on services that are treated as non-cash limited;
  Secondly, significant allocations are received during the year, after plans are submitted. These allocations comprise new money to the NHS, and also changes to the way in which funding to NHS trusts is provided; and
  One-off items of expenditure can effect comparisons with related plans and previous years.

  Specialist Health Services
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in respect of how many NHS specialist health services a person's health authority postcode affects the type of treatment that is available. [152684]

  Mr. Denham
  Our policy is to secure access to specialist services which is based on the patient's clinical need, not on the patient's postcode.

  NHS Computer Systems
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, (1) pursuant to his answer of 29 January 2001,Official Report, columns 47–48W, if he will list the NHS hospital trusts which have submitted full business cases since January 1999; and which have since been approved by the NHS Executive; [153122]

  (2) pursuant to his answer of 29 January 2001, Official Report, columns 47–48W, on computer systems, if he will list the NHS hospital trusts which were the subject of full business cases for computer systems submitted in (a) 1999 and (b) 2000. [153123]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 12 March 2001]The information requested is given in the table. The table includes one full business case (for the scheme at Kettering General Hospital National Health Service Trust) which was not given in my answer of 29 January 2001, Official Report, columns 47–48W.
  351W

  Name of NHS Trust

  Type of investment

  Year full business case submitted for approval

  Whether full business case has been approved

  Date of approval (where relevant)

  Calderdale Healthcare NHS Trust

  Picture Archiving and Communication System

  2000

  Yes

  November 2000

  Kettering General Hospital NHS Trust

  Electronic Patient Records

  2000

  No

  n/a

  Luton And Dunstable Hospital NHS Trust

  Electronic Patient Records

  2000

  Yes

  December 2000

  North Durham Health Care NHS Trust

  Picture Archiving and Communication System

  2000

  Yes

  August 2000

  Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospital NHS Trust

  Patient Administration System

  2000

  Yes

  September 2000

  South Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust

  Electronic Patient Records and Picture Archiving and Communication System

  2000

  No

  n/a

  Tameside Acute Services NHS Trust

  Electronic Patient Records

  2000

  No

  n/a

  1The full business cases for the schemes at Morecambe Bay Hospitals NHS Trust and Royal Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust were first received in their Regional Offices of the NHS Executive in December 1998.

  West Country Ambulance Service
  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the extent to which the West Country Ambulance Service has met its response times targets in each of the last 10 years; if he will provide a statistical breakdown in relation to response times in(a) Somerset, (b) South Somerset and (c) the Yeovil constituency in this period; and if he will make a statement. [153377]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 14 March 2001]Information about ambulance response times for each National Health Service ambulance trust and nationally for 1991–92 is contained in the Department's statistical bulletin "Patient Transport Services 1981 to 1991–92, Summary Information from Forms KA32 and KA34". Information for 1994–95 is contained in the Department's statistical bulletin "Ambulance Services, England 1994–95". Information for the period 1995–96 to 1999–2000 is contained in the Department's statistical bulletin "Ambulance Services, England 1999–2000". Copies are in the Library.

  Our policy is to save more lives by providing faster, more responsive and effective emergency ambulance services. In July 1996, we announced revised standards for ambulance service responses to immediately life-threatening incidents where more rapid intervention would have a significant impact on saving lives.

  Clinical evidence indicates that 1,800 lives could be saved each year in people under 75 years of age suffering heart attacks through the achievement of the standard that immediately life-threatening emergency calls (Category A calls) should be responded to 75 per cent. of the time within eight minutes irrespective of location. We are determined that every NHS ambulance trust must achieve the 75 per cent. milestone as quickly as possible.

  North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were invited for interview for chair of the North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust; how
  352W
  many of those invited for interview lived in Runcorn and Widnes; and if the acting chair of Halton Hospital NHS Trust was invited for interview. [153771]

  Mr. Denham
  Five people were invited for interview for the post of chair at the new North Cheshire Hospitals National Health Service Trust, two of whom lived in the Runcorn and Widnes areas. The names of the candidates involved are held in confidence. The Department always attempts to ensure that the non-executives appointed to NHS boards represent the communities they serve. This will remain a prime consideration in the appointments made to the board of the newly merged North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust.

  Correspondence
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will investigate the reasons for the delay in responding to letters from the right hon. Member for South-West Surrey relating to constituents; and if he will make a statement. [153965]

  Mr. Denham
  The delay in replying to the right hon. Member's letters of both 29 February 2000 and 14 June 2000 resulted from both administrative problems and the original correspondence being lost within the Department.

  The delay in reply to the right hon. Member's correspondence of 29 February concerning Mrs. Clay was due to administrative problems within the Department. The delay to the correspondence of 14 June 2000 concerning constituent Mrs. Clay was due to the original correspondence being lost within the Department. Replies to both letters have been sent. I know that the Permanent Secretary/Chief Executive of the National Health Service has written to the right hon. Member to apologise for the unacceptable delay involved in both these cases. New operational procedures have been introduced in the Department to ensure that this sort of delay should not happen again.

  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the question tabled by the hon. Member for Ruislip-Northwood, for answer on 26 February 2001 relating to proposed hospital development in Paddington. [154842]
  353W
  Mr. Denham
  I replied to the hon. Member's questions today.

  Respiratory Problems (Doctors)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) registrar and (b) consultant physicians practising in respiratory problems there are in England; and if he will make a statement. [154191]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is in the table.

  Hospital medical staff within the respiratory medicine specialty, England at 30 September 2000

  Number

  Consultant

  440

  Registrar group

  240

  Note:

  Figures are rounded to the nearest ten

  Source:

  Department of Health medical and denial workforce census

  Revenue

  Capital

  Total

  £000

  Percentage

  £000

  Percentage

  £000

  Percentage

  1997–98

  25,670

  6.79

  16,071

  133.93

  41,741

  10.69

  1998–99

  32,920

  8.15

  15,498

  55.21

  48,418

  11.21

  1999–2000

  39,393

  9.02

  17,319

  39.75

  56,712

  11.80

  2000–01

  23,699

  4.98

  33,445

  54.93

  57,144

  10.64

  2001–02

  121,682

  32.17

  82,333

  686.11

  204,015

  52.27

  Total capital and revenue resources

  Capital and revenue sources taken together provide an analysis of total resources invested in Liverpool over the period 1996–97 to 2000–01.

  Revenue resources

  The table shows the annual increases in NHS income by value and in percentage terms taken from the published accounts of the individual trusts in Liverpool. The 2000–01 figure is based on the most recent forecasts produced by the individual organisations. Non NHS income has been excluded from the information provided.

  Note:

  The health authority increase over the .same period, excluding secondary care which is already included above, is £2.2 million which is an increase of 33.32 per cent. between 1997–98 and 2000–01. The trust increments do not all relate to investment by Liverpool health authority or services specifically for Liverpool residents, particularly in the case of tertiary centres and specialist services in acute hospitals where services are provided for a much larger catchment area.

  Capital resources

  The table shows the annual increases in capital investment in Liverpool trusts since 1996–97.

  Note:

  Percentage relative to block capital issued to Liverpool trusts in 1996–97 of ↓12 million.

  Wigan and Bolton Health Authority
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was allocated to the Wigan and Bolton health authority in each of the last 10 years; and if he will indicate the distance from target for health expenditure that each annual allocation represents. [154543]

  Nurses
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the setting of staffing levels in nursing, with particular reference to the DRAGON method. [153792]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 16 March 2001]Staffing levels in nursing are a matter for local determination. The Department has not made an assessment of the DRAGON method.

  NHS (Liverpool)
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much new(a) capital, (b) revenue and (c) total funding has been invested in the National Health Service in Liverpool since May 1997. [154465]

  Mr. Denham
  The data available, which are provided in the table, are in complete financial years which start from 1 April 1997.

  Mr. Denham
  The allocations to the Wigan and Bolton health authority since 1996–97 have been listed. Wigan and Bolton were represented by separate health authorities prior to 1996–97.

  Allocation

  Target

  Distance from target

  £000

  £000

  £000

  Percentage

  1996–97

  247,380

  256,701

  09,321

  3.63

  1997–98

  258,518

  267,613

  09,095

  3.40

  1998–99

  273,219

  287,141

  13,922

  4.85

  1999–2000

  373,322

  385,390

  12,068

  3.13

  2000–01

  401,902

  414,252

  12,350

  2.98

  2001–01

  441,616

  454,575

  12,959

  2.85

  Waiting Lists
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what(a) the status is and (b) how many patients are on, each of (i) live waiting lists, (ii) planned waiting lists and (iii) suspended waiting lists; and if he will make a statement. [154566]

  Mr. Denham
  At January 2001 there were 1.039 million people waiting for admission to hospital, 119,000 fewer than at March 1997. The published waiting list only includes those who are ready for treatment. Patients who are planned admissions will initially be admitted from the waiting list, but will also require subsequent planned episodes of care. Patients are only "suspended" if they are unfit for treatment. The number of patients suspended at end December was 76,6601.

  Information is not collected centrally on the numbers of patients awaiting planned sequences of care.

  1 This figure is the Trust based total

  Source:

  KHO7A quarterly return

  Free Eye Tests (Shrewsbury and Atcham)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many pensioners have benefited from free eye tests in Shrewsbury and Atcham since 1 May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [154656]

  Mr. Denham
  Eligibility for National Health Service sight tests was extended to all those aged 60 and over from 1 April 1999. Figures for the number of over-60s who have received free eye tests in particular areas are not collected centrally.

  However, there was an increase of around 40,000 in the total number of sight tests paid for by Shropshire health authority in the 18 months following April 1999 compared to the 18 months before April 1999. It is fair to assume that the majority of this increase was due to newly eligible people aged over 60 obtaining NHS sight tests.

  Source:

  Department of Health—General Ophthalmic Services Activity Statistics

  Hospital Building Costs
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average cost of building a new district general hospital is. [154172]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 21 March 2001]Each hospital development is unique, reflecting local requirements and circumstances. We are therefore unable to give an overall average cost. The capital value would be dependent on many factors, such as location, with the land and construction costs varying considerably, with inner London prices at over 25 per cent. higher than in many other parts of the country. Other factors include the geography and nature of the site chosen, and whether it is new build on an existing hospital site, a greenfield site or a major refurbishment project.

  Hepatitis C
  Ms Church
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how he plans to build on the strategic approach to hepatitis C. [1555401

  Yvette Cooper
  The Department of Health is setting up a steering group with the following terms of reference:To oversee development of the Department's strategic approach to hepatitis C by bringing together issues relating to prevention, control and treatment and to produce a document within the year, for consultation with the NHS, professional bodies and the voluntary and community sectors.

  The proposed membership of the group is as follows:

  Steering group membership

  Chairman
  Professor Howard Thomas, Imperial College School of Medicine, London and Chairman, Advisory Group on Hepatitis

  Members
  Jim Camp, Needle Exchange Forum
  Ms Hannah Cinamon, Health Promotion England
  Professor Chris Day, Medical School, Newcastle University
  Ms Jo Guy, Hepatology Nurse Specialist, Southampton General Hospital
  Dr. Paul Hatton, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control, Leeds Health Authority and member. Advisory Group on Hepatitis
  356W
  Ms Lorraine Hewitt,Action on Hepatitis C and member, Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs
  Nigel Hughes, British Liver Trust
  Dr. Will Irving, Department of Microbiology, University of Nottingham and member, Advisory Group on Hepatitis
  Grant McNally, National Drug Users Development Agency
  Dr. Mary Ramsay, Public Health Laboratory Service Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre
  Professor Gerry Stimson, Centre for Research on Drugs and Medicine, Imperial College School of Medicine, London
  Professor John Strang, Director of the National Addiction Centre, Maudsley Hospital, London and member of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs
  Ms Monique Tomlinson, Mainliners
  Dr. Martyn Wake, General Practitioner, south west London.

TREASURY

  Children (Northern Region)
  Mr. Kemp
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many children there are in the Northern Region. [155046]

  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. Fraser Kemp, dated 22 March 2001:

  As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your question concerning the number of children resident in the Northern Region (155046).

  ONS produce statistics for Government Office Regions. In 1999 the estimated number of children (0–15 years) in the North East Government Office Region was 519,000.

  Population Statistics (Wales)
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people aged over 65 years were resident in Wales in 1997; and how many are resident today. [154817]

  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. Nigel Evans, dated 22 March 2001:

  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question on the number of persons aged 65 and over in the resident population of Wales in 1997 and today (154817).

  Below is a table showing the information requested for mid-1997 and mid-1999 which is the most recent year for which a population estimate is available.

  Estimated resident population of Wales aged 65 years and over

  Thousand

  Number

  Mid-1997

  478.5

  Mid-1999

  479.1

  Pensions (Annuities)
  Sir Robert Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost to public funds of removing the requirement for people to purchase an annuity with their retirement pension fund. [154419]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs (Mr. Flight) on 21 March 2001,Official Report, column 236W.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will review the rules on the conversion of tax supported money purchase pension funds into annuities and publish his conclusions. [154777]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I refer my hon. Friend to Sections 5.66 to 5.69 of our Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report published on Budget Day which sets out our views on annuities.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reason the rate of tax on the pension fund of a person who dies before purchasing an annuity is set at its present rate; and if he will make a statement. [148738]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Contributions to, and the investment build up of, pension funds benefit from deferred taxation to encourage people to save for a secure retirement income that will last for life. Where, following the death of a personal pension schemne member during income drawdown, the remaining pension fund capital is paid to a beneficiary, it is subject to a tax charge of 35 per cent. This charge broadly recovers the pension scheme tax reliefs given earlier on fund contributions and investment growth.

  With-profit Bonds
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guidance his Department has issued to insurance enterprises on the potential effect on reserves of with-profits bonds. [154804]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The reserving requirements for with-profits bonds are set out in the Insurance Companies Act 1982 and in subsequent regulations, and in the equivalent legislation for friendly societies.

  Financial Services
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to take steps to allow financial services company representatives to sell the products of other companies; and if he will make a statement. [155067]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I welcome yesterday's announcement by the Financial Services Authority of their conclusions on the work they had undertaken in their Consultation Paper 80, "Reforming Polarisation: First Steps".

  That Consultation Paper was issued following the exchange of letters with the FSA. Chairman, Sir Howard Davies, at the time of the pre-Budget report, when I welcomed their proposals for polarisation reform.
  358W
  The FSA will seek views later this year to inform its continuing wider review of polarisation.

  Insurance Providers (Solvency)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many times in each year since 1992 his Department issued advice to insurance providers on possible breaches of solvency requirements. [154806]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Solvency requirements for insurance companies are set out in the Insurance Companies Act 1982 and in subsequent regulations. and in the equivalent legislation for friendly societies.

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to freeze national insurance and income tax payments for zoos closed due to the foot and mouth outbreak. [154069]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 16 March 2001]There are currently no such plans, but the Government keep all taxes under review.

  In his statement to the House, the Minister for the Environment announced a preliminary package of measures to alleviate the immediate financial hardship of small businesses in rural areas which have been badly hit by the sudden decrease in visitors and other knock-on effects of the foot and mouth outbreak.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the estimated annual cost to the UK economy would be if foot and mouth disease became endemic; [154083]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the total cost to the UK economy to date of the outbreak of foot and mouth disease. [154081]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 20 March 2001]Government policy is to eradicate foot and mouth disease from the UK. All efforts are being made to achieve this. It is not possible at this stage to make a robust assessment of the economic impact.

  Pension Plans (Tax Relief)
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the total annual cost to the Treasury was of providing tax relief on personal pension plans at(a) the starting rate, (b) the standard rate and (c) the higher rate in each of the last three years; [151767]

  (2) how many people paid into personal pension plans and how many schemes attracted tax relief at (a) the starting rate, (b) the standard rate and (c) the higher rate in each of the last three years. [151766]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answers 1 March 2001]Estimates of the cost of tax relief for contributions to personal pensions and such information as is available on the number of contributors by rate of income tax are given in the tables.
  359W

  Number of employees1 making contributions to personal pensions

  Approximately

  3 million2

  Of which:

  higher rate taxpayers

  200 thousand

  1Based on aggregate information provided by plan managers and survey data

  2All benefit from repayment of basic rate tax claimed by their pension provider including those who are non-taxpayers or pay tax at less than the basic rate

  Number of self-employed1 making contributions to personal pensions

  Thousand

  Rate of income tax

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Non-taxpayers

  150

  160

  110

  Starting2 rate

  180

  30

  60

  Basic rate

  680

  800

  800

  Higher rate

  250

  250

  260

  Total

  1,260

  1,240

  1,230

  1Based on relief claimed on tax returns. 1999–2000 and 2000–01 figures are provisional

  220 per cent. lower rate 1998–99; 10 per cent. starting rate 1999–2000 and 2000–01

  Cost of tax relief, for personal pension schemes

  £ million

  Source of contributions and rate of income tax relief

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Employees' contributions

  Basic rate

  550

  580

  590

  Higher rate

  270

  290

  310

  Employers' contributions1

  Basic rate

  300

  300

  300

  Higher rate

  140

  150

  160

  National Insurance rebates2

  Basic rate

  175

  271

  287

  Contributions by the self-employed

  Starting rate3

  30

  5

  5

  Basic rate

  210

  240

  240

  Higher rate

  490

  520

  550

  1On the basis that under present arrangements employers' contributions are not taxable as a benefit in kind of the employees. Figures assume that the proportion related to higher rate taxpayers is the same as that observed for employees' contributions.

  2Basic rate tax relief in respect of the employees' part of the National Insurance rebate received by around 3.7 million employees with appropriate personal pensions.

  320 per cent. lower rate 1998–99; 10 per cent. starting rate 1999–2000 and 2000–01.

  Public Sector Wage Bill
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of total managed expenditure was directly attributable to the public sector wage bill in the last five years for which figures are available. [151303]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 26 February 2001]The figures are available from the national accounts produced by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Further detail can be found in table 11.2 of
  360W
  ONS' s "United Kingdom National Accounts 2000" (the Blue Book) tables 11.2 (paybill) and 11.4 (total managed expenditure).

  Departmental Policies (Chichester)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Chichester constituency, the effects on Chichester of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [155285]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Chichester, along with the rest of the United Kingdom, is benefiting from the long-term action we have taken to build economic stability and secure high and stable levels of growth and employment. Since the general election, claimant unemployment in the constituency has fallen by 504, or 41 per cent., youth unemployment is down by 77 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 251 young people in Chichester constituency gain valuable skills and experience-138 (55 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 midde-income families. In August 2000, 1,400 families in the constituency were benefiting from WFTC.

  The Government are also committed to developing policies which enable pensioners to share in the country's rising prosperity. All pensioners, including 25,500 in Chichester, 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 16,400 in Chichester.

  Children's Tax Credit
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what impact he estimates the new Children's Tax Credit will have on the incomes of working families. [155127]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The new Children's Tax Credit will be worth up to £520 a year or £ 10 a week for hard-working families when it is introduced from April.

  Mapeley Ltd.
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 23 January 2001,Official Report, column 569W, whether the technical details have now been finalised; and if he will announce the date upon which the contract is to begin. [155098]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The technical details have been finalised. The contract was signed on 6 March and is on schedule to commence as planned on 2 April 2001.

  Departmental Policies (Ynys Môn)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out, with statistical information
  361W
  relating as directly as possible to the Ynys MÔn constituency, the effects on Ynys Môn of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [154935]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Ynys Môn, 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 631, or 24 per cent., youth unemployment is down by 74 per cent., and long-term unemployment has fallen by 41 per rent.

  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 1,091 young people in Ynys Môn constituency gain valuable skills and experience—580 (53 per cent.) of whom had moved into employment. The Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC), introduced in October 1999, is helping to make work pay for low and middle income families. In August 2000, 1,300 families in Ynys Môn 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 14,600 in Ynys Môn will receive an above-inflation increase in the basic state pension from April 2001. Single pensioners will receive an extra £5 a week, and couples will receive an extra £8 a week. All pensioners aged 75 or over have also been entitled to a free TV licence since November 2000—including around 9,100 in Ynys M£n.

  Departmental Policies (Ceredigion)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Ceredigion constituency, the effects on Ceredigion of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [154934]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Ceredigion, 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 384, of 24 per cent., youth unemployment is down by 73 per cent., and long-term unemployment has fallen by 26 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 704 young people in Ceredigion constituency gain valuable skills and experience—341 (48 per cent.) of whom had moved into employment. The Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC), introduced in October 1999, is helping to make work pay for low and middle income families. In August 2000, 1,800 families in Ceredigion 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 13,700 in Ceredigion, will receive an above-inflation increase in the
  362W
  basic state pension from April 2001. Single pensioners will receive an extra £5 a week, and couples will receive an extra £8 a week. All pensioners aged 75 or over have also been entitled to a free TV licence since November 2000—including around 8,800 in Ceredigion.

  Departmental Policies (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Meirionnydd Nant Conwy constituency, the effects on Meirionnydd Nant Conwy of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [154933]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Meirionnydd Nant Conwy, 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 179, or 14 per cent., youth unemployment is down by 77 per cent., and long-term unemployment has fallen by 53 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 443 young people in Meirionnydd Nant Conwy constituency gain valuable skills and experience-253 (57 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, 1,000 families in Meirionnydd Nant Conwy 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 10,600 in Meirionnydd Nant Conwy, 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 6,400 in Meirionnydd Nant Conwy.

  Departmental Policies (Caernarfon)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Caernarfon constituency, the effects on Caernarfon of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [154932]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Caernarfon, 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 708, or 30 per cent., youth unemployment is down by 90 per cent., and long-term unemployment has fallen by 57 per cent.
  363W
  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 818 young people in Caernarfon constituency gain valuable skills and experience—497 (61 per cent.) of whom had moved into employment. The Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC), introduced in October 1999, is helping to make work pay for low and middle income families. In August 2000, 2,000 families in Caernarfon 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 13,400 in Caernarfon, will receive an above-inflation increase in the basic state pension from April 2001. Single pensioners will receive an extra £5 a week, and couples will receive an extra £8 a week. All pensioners aged 75 or over have also been entitled to a free TV licence since November 2000—including around 8,900 in Caernarfon.

  2000–01 Liabilities

  Million

  Number

  (la) The number of taxpayers who have income tax liabilities from dividends income of less than £50

  5.5

  (lb) The number and proportion of taxpayers who do not have liability to income tax from divid ends income

  20.5 (73%)

  (2a) The number of people who have income tax liabilities from savings income of less than £50

  14.75

  (2b) The number and proportion of taxpayers who do not have liability to income tax from savings income

  8.5 (30%)

  2000–01 Liabilities

  Number (Million)

  Proportion of all taxpayers (Percentage)

  Mean tax liability from savings/dividends (£)

  Median tax liability from savings/dividends (£)

  (3i) Taxpayers with income tax liabilities from dividends income

  7.5

  27

  370

  6

  (3ii) Taxpayers with income tax liabilities from savings income

  19.5

  70

  240

  12

  These estimates are based on the Survey of Personal Incomes (SPI) and are consistent with the November 2000 pre-Budget report.

  Tax Liabilities
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of(a) the number and (b) the proportion of taxpayers in 2000–01 who have income tax liabilities from (i) dividends income and (ii) savings income; and what the mean and median of liabilities are; [149606]

  (2) what estimate he has made of (a) the number of people in 2000–01 who have income tax liabilities from dividends income of less than £50 and (b) the number and proportion of taxpayers who do not have liability to income tax from dividends income; and if he will make a statement; [149604]

  (3) what estimate he has made of the (a) number of people in 2000–01 who have income tax liabilities from savings income of loss than £50 and (b) the number and proportion of taxpayers who do not have liability to income tax from savings income; and if he will make a statement. [149605]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Estimates for 2000–01 are given in the table.

  Some investment income data from the, SPI are based on estimated rather than reported values so are less reliable than other elements of the survey.

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