Written Answers of 26 March 2001

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Light Dues
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on light dues. [155949]

  Mr. Hill
  I am pleased to announce that the light dues rates will remain the same for 2001–02.

  Following four years of stability, the current rates were set in 1997 when charges were reduced by an average of 4.6 per cent. The General Lighthouse Authorities deserve

  £ million

  Programme

  1996–971

  2000–012

  Education Standards Fund

  46

  78

  New Deal for Schools capital3

  —

  450

  Health programmes

  24

  21

  New Deal for Communities3

  —

  120

  Air Quality and Smoke Control Supplementary Credit Approvals

  3

  3

  Estates renewal

  30

  81

  Estate Action

  252

  68

  Land reclamation

  51

  6

  Crime Fighting Fund and schools intervention3

  —

  48

  PFI credits for joined up schemes3

  —

  30

  Invest to Save Budget3

  —

  39

  Capital Modernisation Fund3

  —

  340

  European Structural Funds4

  116

  212

  Single Regeneration Budget (Challenge Fund)/SRB5

  265

  814

  City Challenge6

  224

  —

  DCMS/Wolfson Public Libraries Challenge Fund3

  —

  2

  Combined Conservation Area Partnership Schemes and Heritage Economic Regeneration Scheme

  12

  5

  Innovative transport project3

  —

  1

  Rural Bus Challenge3

  —

  20

  Total

  1,023

  2,338

  1 Actual outturn

  2 Provisional

  3 Programmes did not exist in 1996–97

  4 Outturn for both years

  5 In the SRB, local regeneration partnerships, which normally include local authority partners, were able to bid for resources under individual bidding rounds (1–6)

  6 Programme ended in 1998.

  In addition £18.5 million has been allocated to fund the development of new and the ex tension of existing neighbourhood warden schemes.

  Explosion (Sandhurst, Gloucestershire)
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to receive the(a) next and (b) final reports from the (i) Environment Agency and (ii) Health and Safety Executive, following the explosion at Sandhurst, Gloucestershire; and if he will make a statement. [153747]
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  credit for their efforts in trying to maximise efficiency while keeping costs down.

  We will consult the shipping industry on the current charging regime later this year, to discuss where there can be further savings and improvements.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on Government policy on competitive bidding for funds by local councils on specific projects; and how much level of public expenditure was allocated to such arrangements in(a) 1996–97 and (b) 2000–01. [153801]

  Ms Armstrong
  The vast majority of Government support to local authorities is provided as general support. Competitive bidding for funds can play a part in bringing forward local proposals for specific projects. Figures for that part of Government support allocated by competitive bidding, as opposed to provision through a standard allocation process, on specific projects for which local authorities are able to bid, are given in the table.

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 15 March 2001]Three reports from the Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have been received and placed in the Library of the House:

  1. Interim report of the joint investigation by the Agency and HSE under the Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) Regulations. The possible contravention of waste management controls is also being covered by this investigation;

  2. Final report of the quality assurance review of the Agency's regulatory actions; and

  3. Final report of the review carried out by HSE as part of its major incident handling.

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  The final report of the joint investigation (Report One) will be split into two parts. Part 1 will report on the COMAH investigation into the cause of the fire and will be submitted to the European Commission by 12 April. It will not include decisions on prosecution. Part 2 will report on the Agency's and HSE's views on liability and prosecution of the operator. In the light of Counsel's advice, the Agency advise that they now expect Part 2 to be completed and submitted to Ministers by late summer. A progress report, providing an indication of possible breaches of the waste controls, will be submitted to Ministers by 30 April.

  Crash Barriers
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the specifications for use are of(a) corrugated steel crash barriers and (b) concrete crash barriers on (i) motorways and (ii) trunk roads; and what criteria were used in determining the specifications. [154472]

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

  Letter from John Kerman to Mr. David Amess, dated 26 March 2001:

  CRASH BARRIERS

  The Transport Minister, Keith Hill, has asked Tim Matthews, Chief Executive of the Highways Agency to reply to your recent Parliamentary question concerning specifications and criteria for crash barriers. I am replying in the absence of Tim Matthews.

  The specifications for corrugated steel and concrete crash barriers are given in the Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works, Volume 1 Specification for Highway Works. Additional information is given in the Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works, Volume 3 Highway Construction Details (Section 2). No distinction is made between the use of steel and concrete for normal containment on motorways and trunk roads.

  You have also asked what criteria are used in determining their specification. There are two steps used to determine the criteria for the use of safety barriers.

  The first step is to consider what level of protection is appropriate for the specific conditions on the road concerned. In most situations this would require a normal containment safety harrier, defined as being able to contain and safely redirect a 1.5 tonne car travelling at 110 kph (70 mph) and impacting at an angle of 20°. This is equivalent to an impact from a family size saloon travelling at the maximum legal speed on a motorway under normal conditions. This is an internationally recognised standard used on many motorways and A class roads throughout Europe.

  The second step is to consider the need to refine the general specification to take into account any special roadside features or conditions that might: limit the amount of deflection provided by the barrier; require a higher level of protection; or involve environmental and aesthetic considerations. Guidance on such matters is given in the Highways Agency's design standard TD 19/85 "Safety fences and barriers".

  Copies of the documents referred to are held in the House of Commons library.

  If you would like any further information about this matter, please contact Brian Hill, in Room 4/30, St Christopher House, Southwark Street, London, SE1 OTE (telephone 020 7921 4936).

  Mobile Phone Masts
  Mr. Linton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what advice he has given local planning authorities on applications to erect mobile phone masts in residential areas. [154833]
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  Mr. Raynsford
  Government planning policy for telecommunications is set out in Planning Policy Guidance note 8 (revised): Telecommunications and the Department's Circular 4–99 "Planning for Telecommunications".

  I wrote to Council leaders in June 2000 to explain the action the Government had in hand to take forward the planning recommendations of the Stewart report ("Mobile Phones and Health") published in May 2000. This letter said that the Stewart report had concluded that
  "the balance of evidence indicates that there is no general risk to the health of people living near to base stations on the basis that exposures are expected to be small fractions of the guidelines. However, there can be indirect adverse effects on their well-being in some cases".
  Gaps in scientific knowledge led the Stewart report to recommend a precautionary approach comprising a series of specific measures. The report did not recommend a ban on masts in schools, hospitals or residential areas. The Government accepted the recommended precautionary approach and are taking forward a range of precautionary actions.

  In response to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Angela Smith), I announced on 16 March 2001,Official Report, columns 748–51W, a series of important changes to the planning system for telecommunications masts which the Government intend to make. These will significantly strengthen the current arrangements. On that day, I wrote to the Leaders of all Councils in England to advise them of the proposed changes. Copies of the letter were sent to Chief Planning Officers. I also wrote in similar terms to all hon. Members for constituencies in England.

  Airports
  Mr. Horam
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the sites identified by Scott Wilson in the work on the South East Regional Airports Study as being suitable for development as airports. [155424]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  The work undertaken by Scott Wilson identified a significant number of sites which might be suitable for development either as a very large new airport or to serve particular sectors, such as air cargo. From that list Ministers selected a small number of options for further study and appraisal, alongside options for the development of existing major airports. We will proceed through successive sifts to narrow down these options to a final shortlist, on which there will be a full public consultation before Ministers come to conclusions.

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

  Compulsory Purchase
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what conclusions he has reached from his Department's review of existing law relating to compulsory purchase. [155421]
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  Mr. Raynsford
  The Urban White Paper ("Our Towns and Cities: the Future". Cmnd 4911), published last November, set out our approach in response to the recommendations of the Advisory Group, which conducted a review of the laws and procedures relating to compulsory purchase and compensation, published in July last year. New guidance on the operation of the system will be available in the next few months, and the Law Commission will shortly publish a preliminary scoping study, which they have undertaken at the Department's request, of ways of simplifying, consolidating and codifying the law. Consideration is being given to proposals for changes to the law made by the Advisory Committee and in responses to their report. In doing this we are taking account of the provisions of the Human Rights Act 1998 and it may be necessary to await the outcome of legal challenges to the system currently before the courts before further proposals for changes to the law can be put forward.

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will conclude his consideration of the further business rate relief he will provide to those indirectly affected by foot and mouth disease; and if this relief will be extended to the self-catering holiday accommodation sector. [155250]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 23 March 2001]As I indicated in my statement to the House on 20 March, the Government will underwrite 95 per cent. of local authority costs in offering discretionary hardship rate relief to businesses badly affected by foot and mouth disease.

  Any type of businesses with a rateable value of £12,000 or less in rural local authority districts, which adopt the scheme, will be eligible for a reduction of up to £1,290 for a three month period, provided they can show that they have suffered serious economic loss through the impact of foot and mouth disease. For some businesses this could amount to all of their rate bill for the period in question. The scheme will allow impacts beyond three months to be kept under review.

  Businesses with properties above £12,000 rateable value level affected by Foot and Mouth disease will be eligible to benefit from existing loca1 authority hardship relief provisions in which Government meet 75 per cent. of the cost.

  The scheme will be available in the rural local authorities as set out in the list.

  Rural Local Authorities

  For rural rate relief announcement 22 March 2001

  North East

  Alnwick

  Berwick-upon-Tweed

  Castle Morpeth

  Derwentside

  Durham

  Easington

  Redcar and Cleveland

  Sedgefield

  Teesdale

  Tynedale

  Wear Valley

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  North West

  Allerdale

  Carlisle

  Chester

  Congleton

  Copeland

  Crewe and Nantwich

  Eden

  Ellesmere Port and Neston

  Lancaster

  Pendle

  Ribble Valley

  South Lakeland

  Vale Royal

  Wyre

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  Craven

  East Riding of Yorkshire UA

  Hambleton

  Harrogate

  North Lincolnshire UA

  Richmondshire

  Ryedale

  Scarborough

  Selby

  East Midlands

  Bassetlaw

  Boston

  Daventry

  Derbyshire Dales

  East Lindsey

  East Northamptonshire

  Harborough

  High Peak

  Hinckley and Bosworth

  Melton

  Newark and Sherwood

  North Kesteven

  North West Leicestershire

  Rushcliffe

  Rutland UA

  South Derbyshire

  South Holland

  South Kesteven

  South Northamptonshire

  West Lindsey

  West Midlands

  Bridgnorth

  East Staffordshire

  Herefordshire UA

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  Malvern Hills

  North Shropshire

  North Warwickshire

  Oswestry

  Shrewsbury and Atcham

  South Shropshire

  South Staffordshire

  Staffordshire Moorlands

  Stratford-on-Avon

  Wychavon

  East

  Babergh

  Braintree

  Breckland

  Broadland

  East Cambridgeshire

  East Hertfordshire

  Fenland

  Forest Heath

  Huntingdonshire

  Kings Lynn and West Norfolk

  Maldon

  Mid Bedfordshire

  Mid Suffolk

  North Norfolk

  South Bedfordshire

  South Cambridgeshire

  South Norfolk

  St. Edmundsbury

  Suffolk Coastal

  Tendring

  Uttlesford

  Waveney

  South East

  Arun

  Ashford

  Aylesbury Vale

  Canterbury

  Cherwell

  Chichester

  Chiltern

  Dover

  East Hampshire

  Horsham

  Isle of Wight UA

  Lewes

  Maidstone

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  Mid Sussex

  New Forest

  Rother

  Sevenoaks

  Shepway

  South Oxfordshire

  Tandridge

  Test Valley

  Thanet

  Tonbridge and Malling

  Tunbridge Wells

  Vale of White Horse

  Waverley

  Wealden

  West Berkshire UA (Newbury)

  West Oxfordshire

  Winchester

  Wycombe

  South West

  Caradon

  Carrick

  Cotswold

  East Devon

  East Dorset

  Forest of Dean

  Isles of Scilly

  Kennet

  Kerrier

  Mendip

  Mid Devon

  North Cornwall

  North Devon

  North Dorset

  North Wiltshire

  Penwith

  Purbeck

  Restormel

  Salisbury

  Sedgemoor

  South Hams

  South Somerset

  Stroud

  Taunton Deane

  Teignbridge

  Tewkesbury

  Torridge

  West Devon

  West Dorset

  West Somerset

  West Wiltshire.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which parts of South Gloucestershire Unitary Authority come within the scope of the proposed measures to assist rural areas with the consequences of foot and mouth disease set out in his oral statement of 20 March. [155304]
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  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 23 March 2001]Wherever they are located, rural businesses experiencing financial hardship as a consequence of foot and mouth disease will benefit from the Government's commitment to give them sympathetic treatment on tax and other payments as set out in my statement of 20 March 2001,Official Report, column 191. The increase from 75 per cent. to 95 per cent. in the contribution to the cost of rate relief is being made available to the most rural authorities. South Gloucestershire is not one of these.

  Quality Mark Scheme
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what has been the cost to date of introducing and operating the Quality Mark scheme in the pilot areas; [154854]

  (2) how many builders and allied traders have (a) applied to join and (b) joined the Quality Mark scheme; [154856]

  (3) what estimate his Department has made of the annual cost of operating the Quality Mark scheme nationally; [154855]

  (4) what plans he has to extend the pilot Quality Mark scheme to the rest of the country. [154857]

  Mr. Raynsford
  In total the Department has paid out just over £700,000 to support the development of the Quality Mark scheme and its implementation in the two pilot areas of Birmingham and Somerset. Likely costs for running a national scheme will be identified as part of the review of the pilot.

  Some 280 builders and allied traders are now pursuing the Quality Mark, and nine have already achieved it.

  The Government will carry out a review of the pilot scheme towards the end of the year, following which a decision will be made about extending the scheme to the rest of the country.

  I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 28 February 2001, Official Report, column 688W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Edmonton (Mr. Love).

  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment has been made of the quantity and effect of emissions into the air of dioxins resulting from the burning of coal slag, railway sleepers and the other materials being used for the incineration of animals culled for the purpose of eradicating foot and mouth disease; and if he will make a statement. [155435]

  Mr. Meacher
  My Department has asked the National Environmental Technology Centre of AEA Technology to calculate amounts of air pollutants, including dioxins, particles (as PM10) and nitrogen oxides, released from the burning of carcases and fuels on the pyres. At present, it is estimated that the amount of dioxins released from the burning on pyres to date is about 10–20g. This is equivalent to about 3–6 per cent. of the total annual emissions of dioxins in the UK. This is roughly equivalent to the amount released annually from domestic burning of coal and wood and is less than one third the amount
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  released annually from accidental fires and other open burning sources. I will write to the hon. Member with more accurate figures as they become available.

  Infected animals must be killed quickly to prevent the further spreading of the disease and their carcases have to be destroyed. Burning on farms, although not without its pollutant emissions, is the quickest and most appropriate method to dispose of the large number of carcases, at present. We are investigating other methods of disposal, such as rendering, landfill and burial on farms, where appropriate. We will also continue to assess the levels of emissions from the pyres, including dioxin levels.

  Housing Tenure
  Liz Blackman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review the law relating to housing tenure. [155960]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Following clearance by the Lord Chancellor, the Law Commission has today been asked to undertake a major review of the law surrounding housing tenure in both the social and private rented housing sectors. The referral is in response to a Law Commission paper ("Reform of Housing Law: A Scoping Study Paper") which the Commission has also published today. Terms of reference reflecting the ground covered by the Scoping Paper are:"To consider the law relating to the existing forms of housing tenancies in the rented sector and their creation, terms and termination, with a view to its simplification and reform; and in particular to review the law on:

  (1) the forms of housing tenancy let by:

  (a) local authorities and other social landlords;

  (b) private landlords,

  with a view to providing a simple and flexible statutory regime for both the social and the private housing sectors;

  (2) the remedies available in respect of harassment and unlawful eviction;

  (3) tenants' statutory rights of succession; and

  (4) such other aspects of housing law as may be agreed between the Law Commission, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, and the Lord Chancellor's Department."

  Today's referral asks the Law Commission to undertake work on the ground covered by item (1) of the terms of reference and which the Commission's Scoping Paper refers to as the "first phase" of work. This in itself represents a substantial piece of work on which the Commission has undertaken to deliver a report and draft Housing Bill by July 2003. A further referral covering items (2) and (3) of the terms of reference (referred to in the Scoping Paper as the "second phase" of work) will be considered in the light of progress on first phase work.

  The Law Commission's scoping paper represents an excellent piece of work. It highlights a long overdue need for a simpler, less complex framework for housing tenure law—one that will be more transparent and better understood by landlords and tenants alike; one that will enable social landlords to make better use of their stock; and one that will facilitate greater choice and diversity in the housing sector along with tenant participation.

  We also intend to look to the review as the sensible vehicle within which to take forward our intention, announced in the Housing Policy Statement ("Quality and

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  Choice: A decent home for all—The Way forward for Housing") to look at a single form of tenure for the social housing sector and other tenure flexibilities. The Law Commission's continued readiness to work with DETR and other key housing interests, and to involve a wider range of landlord and tenant interests in taking forward this substantial piece of work will ensure an inclusive approach.

  I am arranging for a copy of the Law Commission's Scoping Paper to be placed in the Library of the House.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Recycling
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if she will introduce an audited scheme to recycle House waste paper. [155945]

  Mrs. Roe
  I understand that the Serjeant at Arms is in the process of introducing a paper recycling scheme. The first phase will be implemented in Portcullis House by the end of May this year.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Departmental Policies
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Solicitor-General 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. [154971]

  The Solicitor-General
  In 1999, in line with national policy, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), in liaison with the Dyfed Powys police and the magistrates court, introduced procedures based upon the Narey proposals. All defendants charged with a criminal offence where a guilty plea is anticipated now make their first appearance before the Cardigan or Aberystwyth magistrates within three working days of charge, or eight days if charged after the cut-off point for that court for that week.

  In the last eight months, over half of defendants have had their cases finalised at the first court hearing. Since October 2000, the prosecution of Persistent Youth Offenders has been subject to a fast-track procedure. Fourteen defendants in Ceredigion have been dealt with to date under this procedure. These cases have been finalised in an average of 56 days over the five months to February 2001.

  In January 2001, the provisions of section 51 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 came into force. Seven defendants within Ceredigion charged with indictable-only offences have been sent directly to the Crown court in Swansea. All these changes illustrate the Government's successful policy of speeding up the criminal justice system.

  In May 2001, CPS Dyfed Powys will be altering its structure in line with the proposals of the Glidewell review. This will enable the CPS to place greater emphasis on the more serious crime cases in the Crown courts in Swansea, Carmarthen, and Haverfordwest.
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  Since May 1997, the CPS has successfully prosecuted a number of significant cases arising in the Ceredigion area. In 1998–99 police officers targeted heroin dealers in Aberystwyth in an operation that led to the arrest and successful prosecution of 12 heroin dealers in Aberystwyth. This had an important deterrent effect on further drug offences in Aberystwyth.

  In 2000, the Dyfed Powys CPS also dealt with a murder case involving an elderly defendant who had allegedly murdered his wife. The defendant claimed that he had killed his wife as part of a suicide pact. After an extensive inquiry the prosecution accepted a guilty plea to manslaughter accepting the defendant's version of events. The case was dealt with by leading counsel and a higher court advocate from the Dyfed Powys CPS office.

  Actions and policies of the Treasury Solicitor's Department and the Serious Fraud Office do not directly affect the Ceredigion constituency.

  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Solicitor-General (1) 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; [154972]

  (2) 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; [154973]

  (3) if he will set out, with statistical information 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. [154970]

  The Solicitor-General
  The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), in liaison with the police and the magistrates courts, introduced procedures based upon the Narey proposals for he Central and Western Divisions of the North Wales Police Area, which includes these constituencies. All defendants now charged with a criminal offence make their first appearance before a magistrates court within one week and, in some cases, within 96 hours of being charged. Current figures indicate that around 40 per cent. of defendants now have their cases finalised at that first hearing. On 1 July 2000, the CPS North Wales Area office, which has responsibility for prosecutions in these three constituencies, altered its structures in line with the proposals contained in the Glidewell report. This enabled the CPS to place greater emphasis on more serious crime. More recently, as a further development of a proposal in the Glidewell report, the CPS have established a co-located Criminal Justice Unit within the Divisional Police Headquarters at Caernarfon. Closer links between the CPS and police in this area will further enhance the progress of cases into and through the magistrates courts.

  CPS North Wales is also piloting Statutory Time Limits in youth cases and has worked together with the other agencies locally to speed up youth justice, particularly cases involving persistent young offenders. This has resulted in cases being disposed of within 71 days in two quarters of the last year. Since May 1997, the Crown Prosecution Service has reduced the time taken to finalise prosecutions arising in the Caernarfon, Meirionnydd Nant Conwy and Ynys MÔn areas, especially cases involving

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  youth offenders. All these changes illustrate the Government's successful policy in speeding up the criminal justice system.

  CPS North Wales are also piloting the Victim Notification arrangements. They have established a Victim Information Bureau at their headquarters at Wrexham, which provides detailed explanations to victims when cases are dropped or charges substantially amended. Meetings are also offered to victims in certain cases.

  Action and policies of the Treasury Solicitor's Department and the Serious Fraud Office do not directly affect the Caernarfon, Meirionnydd Nant Conwy and Ynys MÔn constituencies.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Motor Industry
  Mr. Stevenson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many complaints were received by the Director General of Fair Trading of unfair practice by insurance company-owned motor industry vehicle body repair shops in 2000. [155141]

  Dr. Howells
  The Director General of Fair Trading received six complaints of unfair practice by insurance company-owned motor industry vehicle body repair shops in 2000.

  Mr. Stevenson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his policy towards competition in the UK motor vehicle body repair industry; and if he will make a statement. [155139]

  Dr. Howells
  Under UK competition law, it is the responsibility of the Director General of Fair Trading to monitor competition in the UK motor vehicle body repair industry.

  Gas and Electricity Licences
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to publish the standard licence conditions for gas and electricity licences. [155950]

  Mr. Hain
  The final draft of the standard licence conditions for gas and electricity have been published today. Following the two consultations which were undertaken last year, I am inviting final comments— particularly on drafting—from all interested parties by the end of April.

  It is currently planned that the standard licence conditions should be formally determined in May, and should come into effect shortly afterwards.

  Business Investment (London)
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what total new investment was in business in London in(a) 1996 and (b) the most recent year for which figures are available. [154778]

  Mr. Caborn
  Regional statistics on business investment are currently available for manufacturing only. The Office for National Statistics' 'Annual Business Inquiry' shows that in 1996 business investment in 436W
  London was £1.16 billion. In 1997 (the most recent year for which information is available) investment in London was £1.3 billion.

  ONS plan to extend coverage to include the service sector later this year.

  Sub-post Office Closures
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many sub-post offices have closed in each quarter since 1990 in Essex; and how many have been newly established. [151459]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  [holding answer 26 February 2001]I understand from the Post Office that the information requested is not available, as data on post office closures are not maintained on a county basis.

  Commodity and Service Prices
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in what form his Department maintains records of prices of commodities and services(a) in different regions of the United Kingdom, (b) in urban and rural areas, (c) comparatively with other EU member states and (d) in the Republic of Ireland; and if he will list those categories of goods and services for which price information is monitored. [154560]

  Dr. Howells
  The Department collects information on energy prices as set out; however it does not routinely collect information on the prices of other commodities or services.

  Petroleum product prices

  Average UK prices of lead replacement petrol, premium unleaded petrol, ultra low sulphur diesel, standard grade burning oil and gas oil are collected on a weekly basis by the Department. These figures are published by the European Commission in its weekly "Oil Bulletin" which contains comparable prices for the other EU member states. Average prices are also collected on a monthly basis for these fuels and for super-unleaded petrol. These are also published in the "Oil Bulletin", as well as in the DTI monthly publication "Energy Trends" and in the annual "Digest of UK Energy Statistics".

  Industrial energy prices

  The DTI collects average prices for fuel purchased by manufacturing industry in Great Britain on a quarterly basis. These figures are published in "Energy Trends" and in the annual "Digest of UK Energy Statistics". Average prices are published for gas, electricity, coal, heavy fuel oil and gas oil, broken down by size of consumer. The average prices for medium fuel oil, liquefied petroleum gases and hard coke are also published, however these are not broken down by size of consumer. The data are not analysed on a regional basis.

  Certain elements of these data are also provided to the International Energy Agency (IEA) for inclusion in their publication "Energy Prices and Taxes" where information on prices paid by industry in other OECD countries is presented.

  The DTI also collects data on industrial prices for gas and electricity for Eurostat (the Statistical Office of the European Communities), as part of the directive on transparency of gas and electricity prices. The figures are published by Eurostat in their series "Statistics in Focus".

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  The data are for certain sizes of consumers in specific towns in the UK and also for the UK as a whole. Comparable data for other EU member states are presented in the publication.

  Household energy prices

  Average household prices for gas and electricity are collected on a regional basis and on a UK basis. For electricity, the regions follow those of the regional electricity distribution companies. For gas, the regions follow those of Transco's local distribution zones. These figures are published in the annual "Digest of UK Energy Statistics".

  Information on household electricity and gas prices for different consumption levels and in different towns in the UK is published in the Eurostat series "Statistical in Focus". Comparable data for other EU member states are presented in the publication.

  Prices paid by households for other fuels are collected by the Office for National Statistics as part of the Retail Prices Index.

  Non-energy prices

  With the exception of energy prices, the Department does not routinely collect information on the prices of commodities, such as bread, or services, although from time to time prices may be collected as part of an individual investigation initiated by the Department. Most regular collection of price information in the UK is carried out by the Office for National Statistics. The main domestic measure of inflation in the UK is the Retail Prices Index (RPI) which includes 130,000 separate price quotations in compiling the index each month. The European Union member states compile the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HCIP) which provides similar information to the RPI across the member states of the EU. Average UK prices based on the RPI price collection are published each month for certain food items, petrol, tobacco and alcohol.

  Eurostat (the Statistical Office of the European Communities) co-ordinate the European Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) exercise which compares prices of goods and services in each of the 15 countries in the European Union, and several other European countries. Results are published annually for groups of commodities and services, in the form of purchasing power parities expressed in national currencies and price level indices compared against the EU average. Detailed average prices for individual goods or services are confidential and are not published. No regional analyses for the RPI, HCIP or PPP are available.

  Comic Relief (Telephone Calls)
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to review the regulations governing the charging by telecommunications companies for telephone calls to charity events, with particular reference to Comic Relief. [155258]

  Ms Hewitt
  I understand that BT has made substantial donations to charity to reflect the increase in its traffic revenues generated by calls to Comic Relief. While this is a matter for the company, I welcome BT's generosity.

  Sudan
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much ECGD cover was given for exports by British companies to Sudan in the past two years. [154906]

  Mr. Caborn
  None.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many export credits have been granted by the UK Government for British companies exporting to Sudan in each of the last three years; and if he will list the(a) value of each export credit and (b) companies to which they were granted. [155145]

  Mr. Caborn
  No export credit facilities have been provided by ECGD for exports to the Sudan during the last three years.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what advice the UK Ambassador in Khartoum gives to UK(a) companies considering investment in Sudan and (b) oil companies investing in Sudan. [155136]

  Mr. Caborn
  The British Embassy in Khartoum provides a full range of Trade Partner UK services including frank and comprehensive advice about doing business, including the political climate.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions he has had with UK companies(a) operating and (b) considering operating in Sudan. [155149]

  Mr. Caborn
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has not recently met with any UK companies to discuss Sudan or related issues.

  Postal Services Act
  Mr. Anthony D. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the remaining provisions of the Postal Services Act 2000 will come into force; and if he will make a statement. [155962]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  I have now made a further Commencement Order to bring into force by today the remaining major provisions of the Postal Services Act 2000. The order includes a number of provisions smoothing the transition to the new statutory framework, and applying the schemes under which the Post Office has traditionally carried out its postal and postal order business to the future Post Office company and its subsidiaries. The only provisions of the new Act still to be commenced are a few repeals of the Post Office Act 1969 which are being retained until the Post Office is dissolved in accordance the new Act.

  The new Act will thus became fully operational today and the business of the Post Office has been transferred to the company nominated as the Post Office company, ie Consignia Holdings plc. The operational functions of the Post Office company will be carried out by its wholly owned subsidiary, Consignia plc.

  In accordance with Part II of the Act, the Postal Services Commission has granted a licence to Consignia plc permitting it to provide the postal services which are restricted under section 6 of the Act, and requiring it to provide a universal postal service throughout the whole of the United Kingdom at a uniform tariff. Consignia plc

  439W
  (registered number 4138203 of 148 Old Street, London EC1V 9HQ) is thus a universal service provider for the purposes of the Postal Services Act 2000.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has confirmed the appointment of the current members of the Post Office as the initial directors of the Post Office company and the directors of Consignia plc.

  The implementation of the Act and the issuing of the licence heralds the completion of the reform programme described in July 1999 in the Post Office Reform White Paper and sets in place a Post Office company with the greater commercial freedom that it needs to meet the challenges of the changing postal markets, and provides the framework in which postal users can look forward to the evolution of the modern and effective postal services that are essential for the business and social life of the nation in the 21st century.

  Climate Change Levy
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the climate change levy rebates have been cleared by the EU Commission under the state aids provisions; and if he will make a statement. [149887]

  Mr. Timms
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Government are seeking approval under EU state aids rules for 80 per cent. discounts from the climate change levy for energy-intensive industries and businesses that negotiate agreements to improve energy-efficiency. An amended version of the EU state aids guidelines for environmental measures was published recently, and the Government are confident that these discounts and negotiated agreements will be approved as falling within the scope of these guidelines.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Departmental Report
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she plans to publish the 2001 Departmental report for her Department. [155632]

  Clare Short
  The Departmental report 2001 for my Department is published today. It looks back at a year in which considerable progress was made in strengthening international efforts to reduce poverty: 22 countries have now qualified for HIPC debt relief; increasing numbers of poor countries are producing comprehensive poverty reduction strategies; and the European Union has agreed to duty-free access for all imports except arms from least developed countries. As this report shows, the Department for International Development is a driving force behind these and many other efforts to reduce global poverty.

  This year's report provides a more detailed assessment of progress against the International Development targets broken down by region. The report also shows progress in meeting the objectives set in our 1998 Public Service Agreement which are based on the performance of our top 30 partners in achieving the International Development targets. The 2000 Spending Round agreed substantial additional resources to enhance our existing efforts. Our plans for allocation of these resources are set out in the report.

  Sudan
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what mechanisms are in place to ensure that the aid Britain gives to Sudan reaches areas in the south and in the Nuba Mountains. [154905]

  Clare Short
  We meet urgent humanitarian demands in Sudan wherever they arise. The mechanisms in place are the standard reporting and accountability procedures that are part of our funding agreements with international non-government organisations and United Nations agencies. Our officer at the British Embassy in Khartoum regularly monitors and reports on progress and the impact of assistance provided. DFID staff also regularly visit to monitor our support and assess humanitarian needs. In addition, the Embassy regularly presses the Government of Sudan for access to all areas of need by the organisations and UN agencies we support.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions her Department has had with the(a) Department of Trade and Industry and (b) Foreign and Commonwealth Office concerning the role of UK companies' investment in Sudan. [155137]

  Clare Short
  We have regular contacts with other Government Departments about the impact of investment on development in Sudan.

  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much aid the Government gives to Sudan. [154904]

  Clare Short
  Our support to Sudan is designed to meet urgent humanitarian needs. A small proportion is also spent on support for civil society and on international and grass roots efforts to build peace.

  In the last five years the UK has provided the following amounts of aid to Sudan:

  £000

  1995–96

  5,996

  1996–97

  4,534

  1997–98

  5,677

  1998–99

  24,201

  1999–2000

  3,231

PRIME MINISTER

  Ministerial Visits
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister what authority is necessary for Ministers to take(a) a spouse and (b) a partner on an overseas visit paid out of public funds; and how many such visits have taken place, and by which Ministers, since May 1997. [143162]

  The Prime Minister
  Ministers require my approval if they plan to take a spouse or partner on an overseas visit at public expense. However, no central record is kept of whether such visits actually take place after allowing for cancellation or postponement for parliamentary business or other reasons. Where a spouse or partner has accompanied a Minister on an overseas visit the cost is included in the figures published annually on Ministers?
  441W
  visits overseas. Figures for 1999–2000 were published on 28 July 2000, Official Report, column 969W. This showed that the cost of travel in 1999–2000 was £4.6 million compared with £7.9 million in the last year of the previous Administration.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the visits overseas undertaken by Government Ministers costing in excess of £500 between 2 May 1997 and 31 December 2000 indicating(a) the cost, destination and purpose of the visit and (b) if the Minister was accompanied by a partner or spouse, indicating the name of their partner and the contribution to the cost of the trip made by the Minister towards the partner's expenses. [148563]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 2 February 2001]Lists of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more for the periods 2 May 1997 to 31 March 1999 and 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000 have already been placed in the Libraries of the House. The annual list for travel during the period 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001 will be published in due course. In relation to the information requested about spouses or partners accompanying Ministers overseas I refer the hon. Member to my answer earlier today to the right hon. Member for South-West Surrey (Mrs. Bottomley),Official Report, columns 438–39W.

  Departmental IT Projects
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will list the IT projects being undertaken at No. 10; and if he will state(a) the expected completion date and (b) the cost of each project; [151843]

  (2) if he will list the IT projects No. 10 is planning to undertake during the next year; and if he will state in each case (a) the expected date of commencement and completion and (b) the cost. [151844]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer my right hon. Friend to the reply given to him by the Minister of State for the Cabinet Office on 16 March 2001,Official Report, columns 770–71W.

  Porton Down
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister if all documents in his office relating to an official inquiry by the then Prime Minister in 1970 into allegations that the chemical and biological defence establishment, Porton Down, had experimented on old people for germ warfare purposes, have been placed in the Public Record Office; and if he will make a statement. [154767]

  The Prime Minister
  There are no documents in my office relating to such an inquiry.

  Foot and Mouth Taskforce
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 16 March 2001,Official Report, column 753W, on the Foot and Mouth Taskforce, for what reason he did not include in the taskforce representatives from the (a) National Assembly for Wales, (b) Farmers Union of Wales, (c) Welsh Development Agency and (d) Welsh Tourist Board. [155131]
  442W
  The Prime Minister
  The taskforce is considering the economic impacts of the outbreak of foot and mouth disease across the United Kingdom and includes representatives of the devolved administrations, including the National Assembly for Wales. Mike German, the Assembly's Minister for Economic Development, attended the taskforce's second meeting. Although the taskforce is a UK-wide body, most of the issues it discusses are devolved, and in practice it concentrates mainly on proposals to be implemented in England. It is then for each devolved administration to decide whether to follow similar policies. In order to avoid the group becoming too unwieldy, we have inevitably had to restrict membership. My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment and other UK Ministers concerned would, however, welcome constructive suggestions from organisations in all countries.

  Sinn Fein
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the undertakings he gave to the leaders of Sinn Fein in May 2000, indicating which have been(a) fulfilled and (b) remain outstanding. [154321]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 19 March 2001]In the course of the multi-party talks at Hillsborough, the Government committed themselves to honouring the Good Friday Agreement, if all other parties did, in relation to all aspects of it. Those undertakings were reflected in the proposals made jointly with the Irish Government on 5 May 2000.

  I am satisfied that we are honouring these commitments.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  China
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to ensure that the EU delegation to the UN Commission on Human Rights will raise the current human rights situation in China with special reference to religious freedom and torture. [154907]

  Mr. Battle
  We are pressing the EU Presidency and our EU partners to ensure that relevant EU statements at the UN Commission on Human Rights reflect our concerns about the human rights situation in China, including the use of torture and respect for religious freedoms.

  I spelt out the UK's concerns on human rights in China in my address at the UN Commission on Human Rights on 22 March.

  Entry Clearance
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reasons were given for refusal of visas by entry clearance officers at the appeal stage in the case of visa refusals overturned by the Minister for Europe. [155298]
  443W
  Mr. Vaz
  [holding answer 23 March 2001]: When an entry clearance officer refuses a visa applicant he or she always gives the applicant written reasons for doing so. The reasons for refusal will vary from case to case. Where there is a right of appeal against the refusal, the Minister with responsibility for entry clearance does not become involved in the appeal process, which is handled by the Independent Appellate Authority.

  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reasons were given for the initial refusal of visas by entry clearance officers in the case of visa refusals overturned by the Minister for Europe. [155299]

  Mr. Vaz
  [holding answer 23 March 2001]: In such cases, entry clearance officers initially refused to grant a visa because they were not satisfied that the applications met the requirements of the Immigration Rules. Where hon. Members subsequently made representations which have satisfied me that, in fact, the requirements of the Immigration Rules have been fully met, I have overturned the original decision of the entry clearance officer.

  Family visit visas applications 2001

  Applications received

  Applications determined

  Applications issued

  Applications refused

  January

  February

  January

  February

  January

  February

  January

  February

  Abidjan

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Abu Dhabi

  24

  1—

  23

  1—

  17

  1—

  6

  1—

  Abuja

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Accra

  753

  1—

  685

  1—

  277

  1—

  408

  Addis Ababa

  31

  12

  39

  11

  14

  6

  25

  5

  Almaty

  36

  13

  37

  13

  37

  13

  0

  0

  Amman

  426

  85

  0

  85

  0

  84

  0

  1

  Amsterdam

  38

  34

  38

  34

  32

  30

  6

  4

  Ankara

  29

  38

  29

  38

  28

  38

  1

  0

  Bahrain

  16

  10

  16

  10

  16

  10

  0

  0

  Baku

  19

  9

  19

  9

  18

  9

  1

  0

  Bandar Seri Begawan

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Bangkok

  80

  173

  73

  154

  45

  131

  28

  23

  Banjul

  38

  34

  40

  31

  32

  20

  8

  11

  Beirut

  92

  62

  89

  62

  87

  61

  2

  1

  Belgrade

  258

  391

  4

  352

  0

  347

  4

  5

  Bogota

  33

  33

  33

  33

  25

  29

  8

  4

  Bombay

  619

  1,070

  619

  1,070

  454

  874

  165

  196

  Bratislava

  50

  1—

  50

  1—

  47

  1—

  3

  1—

  Brussels

  14

  10

  4

  7

  3

  5

  1

  2

  Bucharest

  58

  85

  59

  90

  48

  82

  11

  8

  Budapest

  6

  7

  6

  7

  5

  7

  1

  0

  Cairo

  137

  145

  129

  142

  113

  124

  16

  18

  Calcutta

  94

  118

  97

  120

  95

  116

  2

  4

  Canberra

  7

  1—

  7

  1—

  4

  1—

  3

  1—

  Casablanca

  117

  119

  110

  116

  105

  114

  5

  2

  Chicago

  141

  176

  119

  162

  119

  162

  0

  0

  Colombo

  70

  74

  70

  74

  32

  48

  38

  26

  Copenhagen

  44

  36

  44

  36

  44

  36

  0

  0

  Damascus

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Dar Es Salaam

  107

  104

  107

  104

  93

  83

  14

  21

  Dhaka

  451

  490

  348

  415

  203

  227

  145

  188

  Doha

  49

  31

  49

  31

  46

  31

  3

  0

  Dubai

  71

  79

  75

  81

  47

  47

  28

  34

  Dublin

  36

  1—

  36

  1—

  34

  1—

  2

  1—

  Dusseldorf

  106

  272

  100

  246

  94

  241

  6

  5

  Ekaterinburg

  11

  16

  11

  16

  11

  16

  0

  0

  Geneva

  25

  74

  21

  67

  20

  66

  1

  1

  Georgetown

  33

  1—

  33

  1—

  28

  1—

  5

  1—

  Guangzhou

  121

  1—

  90

  1—

  84

  1—

  6

  1—

  Hanoi

  4

  3

  4

  3

  2

  1

  2

  2

  Harare

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Havana

  3

  0

  3

  0

  3

  0

  0

  0

  444W
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in respect of visa refusals overturned by the Minister for Europe, how many he intervened on(a) following representations from an hon. Member and (b) following external requests. [155300]

  Mr. Vaz
  [holding answer 23 March 2001]: I have overturned a total of 49 decisions following representations from right hon. and hon. Members since October 1999. I do not take representations from other sources and have therefore overturned no decisions following external requests.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many family visit visa applications were(a) received, (b) determined, (c) allowed and (d) refused since 1 January, broken down by entry clearance post. [155570]

  Mr. Vaz
  The table sets out the information received from entry clearance posts issuing more than 1,200 visas per year. I regret that the information for the remaining posts issuing less than 1,200 visas per year is not available centrally.
  445W

  Family visit visas applications 2001

  Applications received

  Applications determined

  Applications issued

  Applications refused

  January

  February

  January

  February

  January

  February

  January

  February

  Hong Kong

  32

  1—

  32

  1—

  27

  1—

  5

  1—

  Islamabad

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Istanbul

  430

  453

  485

  522

  424

  451

  61

  71

  Jakarta

  36

  58

  37

  56

  33

  50

  4

  6

  Jedda

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Jerusalem

  5

  1—

  5

  1—

  5

  1—

  0

  1—

  Kampala

  116

  102

  120

  84

  100

  59

  20

  25

  Karachi

  575

  1—

  460

  1—

  397

  1—

  63

  1—

  Kathmandu

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Khartoum

  44

  15

  15

  16

  5

  6

  10

  10

  Kiev

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  Kingston

  52

  1—

  46

  1—

  35

  1—

  11

  1—

  Kuala Lumpur

  14

  12

  13

  13

  10

  11

  3

  2

  Kuwait

  200

  43

  200

  43

  196

  39

  4

  4

  Lagos

  1,147

  1,193

  901

  1,293

  688

  1,143

  213

  150

  Lima

  12

  1—

  12

  1—

  8

  1—

  4

  1—

  Los Angeles

  0

  216

  0

  216

  0

  216

  0

  0

  Luanda

  8

  2

  8

  2

  8

  1

  0

  1

  Lusaka

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  Madras

  217

  229

  233

  226

  216

  211

  17

  15

  Madrid

  26

  1—

  26

  1—

  26

  1—

  0

  1—

  Manila

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Minsk

  0

  14

  0

  14

  0

  13

  0

  1

  Moscow

  237

  214

  228

  191

  223

  190

  5

  1

  Muscat

  75

  39

  72

  39

  68

  36

  4

  3

  Nairobi

  156

  1—

  156

  1—

  132

  1—

  24

  1—

  New Delhi

  913

  1,153

  907

  1,129

  573

  682

  334

  447

  New York

  533

  1—

  511

  1—

  500

  1—

  11

  1—

  Nicosia

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  Oslo

  30

  44

  27

  42

  27

  41

  0

  1

  Ottawa

  475

  278

  442

  185

  442

  184

  0

  1

  Paris

  0

  253

  0

  248

  0

  246

  0

  2

  Peking

  109

  63

  94

  51

  88

  40

  6

  11

  Port Louis

  80

  136

  80

  136

  73

  126

  7

  10

  Port of Spain

  5

  1—

  5

  1—

  5

  1—

  0

  1—

  Prague

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  Pretoria

  27

  1—

  20

  1—

  16

  1—

  4

  1—

  Quito

  24

  14

  24

  14

  20

  14

  4

  0

  Riga

  11

  1—

  11

  1—

  11

  1—

  0

  1—

  Riyadh

  8

  15

  12

  20

  9

  9

  3

  11

  Rome

  63

  90

  61

  80

  60

  77

  1

  3

  Sana'a

  20

  13

  20

  10

  8

  1

  12

  9

  Sarajevo

  61

  119

  61

  119

  6l

  117

  0

  2

  Shanghai

  10

  30

  10

  30

  8

  23

  2

  7

  Singapore

  21

  26

  24

  25

  18

  25

  6

  0

  Sofia

  89

  118

  74

  117

  71

  113

  3

  4

  St. Petersburg

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  St. Domingo

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Stockholm

  89

  103

  129

  123

  128

  121

  1

  2

  Taipei

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Tashkent

  13

  5

  13

  5

  12

  4

  1

  1

  Tbilisi

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Tehran

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Tel Aviv

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Tirana

  21

  21

  15

  23

  15

  20

  0

  3

  Tokyo

  5

  5

  5

  4

  4

  2

  1

  2

  Tunis

  97

  92

  87

  70

  60

  70

  27

  21

  Valletta

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Vienna

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Warsaw

  0

  3

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Washington

  312

  305

  312

  301

  312

  301

  0

  0

  Wellington

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  Yaounde

  7

  1—

  22

  1—

  20

  1—

  2

  1—

  Zagreb

  70

  96

  70

  90

  63

  82

  7

  8

  1 Information not yet received from Posts

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many family visit visa refusals in relation to which(a) an appeal has been received, (b) the refusal has been overturned by an
  446W
  entry clearance manager after receipt of an appeal, (c) an appeal has been despatched, (d) entry clearance has been issued prior to the outcome of an appeal, (e) an appeal has been allowed and notified to the post and (f) an appeal

  447W
  has been dismissed and notified to the post, there were in each month in 2001, broken down by entry clearance post. [155571]

  Mr. Vaz
  The table on family visit refusals appeals received, refusals overturned after receipt of an appeal and appeals despatched covers information so far received from overseas Posts issuing more than 1,200 visas per year. I regret that the information requested for the remaining posts issuing less than 1,200 visas per year is not available centrally.

  Family Visit Visa Refusals 2001

  Appeals received

  Refusals overturned by ECM

  Appeal despatched

  January

  February

  January

  February

  January

  February

  Abidjan

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Abu Dhabi

  1

  1—

  0

  1—

  1

  1—

  Abuja

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Accra

  3

  1—

  0

  1—

  6

  1—

  Addis Ababa

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Almaty

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Amman

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Amsterdam

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Ankara

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Bahrain

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Baku

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Bandar Seri Begawan

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Bangkok

  0

  6

  1

  0

  0

  5

  Banjul

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Beirut

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Belgrade

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Bogota

  2

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Bombay

  9

  13

  0

  0

  8

  14

  Bratislava

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  Brussels

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Bucharest

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  2

  Budapest

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cairo

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Calcutta

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Canberra

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  Casablanca

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Chicago

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Colombo

  5

  1

  1

  0

  4

  1

  Copenhagen

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Damascus

  3

  2

  0

  0

  1

  6

  Dar Es Salaam

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  2

  Dhaka

  12

  14

  2

  2

  7

  12

  Doha

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Dubai

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Dublin

  1

  1—

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  Dusseldorf

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Ekaterinburg

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Geneva

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Georgetown

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  Guangzhou

  3

  1—

  0

  1—

  2

  1—

  Hanoi

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Harare

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Havana

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Hong Kong

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  Islamabad

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Istanbul

  2

  7

  0

  0

  2

  5

  Jakarta

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Jedda

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Jerusalem

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  Kampala

  1

  3

  0

  1

  1

  1

  Karachi

  4

  1—

  0

  1—

  9

  1—

  Kathmandu

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Khartoum

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Kiev

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  Kingston

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  Kuala Lumpur

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  448W
  The information requested at (d) on the issue of entry clearance prior to the outcome of an appeal is not available centrally or locally. The Entry Clearance Manager may sign an appeal form only if he or she decides, after review, that the refusal stands.

  Similarly, the information requested at (e) and (f) on appeals allowed and dismissed is not available centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost by contacting all entry clearance issuing posts individually. The Home Office informs posts of the outcome of allowed appeals. The Lord Chancellor's Department informs posts of dismissed appeals.
  449W

  Family Visit Visa Refusals 2001

  Appeals received

  Refusals overturned by ECM

  Appeal despatched

  January

  February

  January

  February

  January

  February

  Kuwait

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Lagos

  31

  33

  6

  5

  22

  31

  Lima

  1

  1—

  0

  1—

  1

  1—

  Los Angeles

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Luanda

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Lusaka

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  Madras

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Madrid

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  Manila

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Minsk

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Moscow

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Muscat

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Nairobi

  4

  1—

  0

  1—

  4

  1—

  New Delhi

  15

  21

  1

  2

  12

  20

  New York

  1

  1—

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  Nicosia

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  Oslo

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Ottawa

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Paris

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Peking

  1

  3

  0

  0

  0

  3

  Port Louis

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Port of Spain

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  Prague

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  Pretoria

  1

  1—

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  Quito

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Riga

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  Riyadh

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  2

  Rome

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Sana'a

  1

  1

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Sarajevo

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Shanghai

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Singapore

  0

  5

  0

  0

  0

  5

  Sofia

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  St. Petersburg

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Sto Domingo

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Stockholm

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Taipei

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Tashkent

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Tbilisi

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Tehran

  1

  5

  0

  0

  1

  5

  Tel Aviv

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Tirana

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Tokyo

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Tunis

  0

  5

  0

  0

  0

  5

  Valletta

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Vienna

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Warsaw

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Washington

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Wellington

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  Yaounde

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  0

  1—

  Zagreb

  1

  1

  1

  1

  0

  0

  1 Information not yet received from Posts

  Iraq
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the no-fly zone in Northern Iraq applies to military aircraft of the Turkish air force. [155065]

  Mr. Hoon
  I have been asked to reply.

  The northern no-fly zone was established on humanitarian grounds in an effort to prevent Saddam Hussein from repressing the Kurdish civilian population from the air. The zone was not established to monitor the activity of our NATO allies. We therefore routinely collect information only on the activity of Iraqi aircraft.

HEALTH

  Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what NHS provision there is for sufferers of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome; and if he will make a statement; [141639]

  (2) what provision for diagnosis there is in England and Wales within the NHS for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome; [141638]

  (3) what budget health authorities have to discharge their responsibilities for the treatment of patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome; [141637]
  451W
  (4) what responsibility health authorities have for the provision of treatment of patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome; and if he will make a statement. [141636]

  Yvette Cooper
  The National Health Service provides Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) services for anyone who needs them in the same way as for other rare genetic disorders. These are funded from general allocations.

  The National Specialist Commission Advisory Group is working closely with Wales to consider whether EDS services should be commissioned nationally.

  MRI Scanners
  Mr. Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will identify the NHS trusts which are to receive funding for an MRI scanner. [147705]

  Yvette Cooper
  Those National Health Service trusts identified to receive funding for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners through the new opportunities fund have already been notified and announced.

  The NHS Plan announced funding for 50 additional MRI scanners and we anticipate that the recipient NHS trusts will be identified in the financial year 2001–02.

  MMR Vaccine
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many of MMR vaccines his Department is committed to purchasing; and over what period of time. [150177]

  Yvette Cooper
  Measles mumps rubella vaccine is routinely contracted on a yearly basis. A new contract for 1.2 million doses has been let to cover the period 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002.

  World Health Organisation
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what commitment Her Majesty's Government have made to the WHO on measures to eradicate measles; and what time scale is proposed for achieving its eradication. [150176]

  Yvette Cooper
  There is no World Health Organisation (WHO) strategy to eradicate measles nor a target date to achieve eradication. No commitments have therefore been made to WHO.

  The United Kingdom has set a target of 95 per cent. measles mumps rubella vaccine uptake as this, based on guidance from WHO, is the level of uptake required to avoid outbreaks of measles, mumps and rubella. This level is sufficient to prevent long-term accumulation of pools of susceptible individuals that provide the opportunity for transmission of these diseases.

  NHS Funding
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the expected funding of the NHS in England per head of population is in 2000–01. [150225]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 13 February 2001]: Public expenditure on the National Health Service in England is expected to be around £890 per head of population in 2000–01.

  vCJD
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what precautions against vCJD are taken in surgical procedures other than tonsillectomies; what organs are known to incubate vCJD; and if he will make a statement. [150433]

  Yvette Cooper
  On 4 January 2001 the Department announced a precautionary strategy for reducing the theoretical risk of transmission of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) from patient to patient via surgical instruments.

  The strategy focuses first and foremost on ensuring high standards of decontamination. This has been identified by the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC) to be a key step in reducing risk. In October 2000, the Department required all National Health Service trusts and health authorities to conduct comprehensive reviews of their decontamination services. As part of this work, decontamination facilities at neurology and posterior ophthalmology centres have recently been inspected and any necessary improvements identified. A comprehensive strategy to modernise NHS decontamination facilities, backed by £200 million funding announced on 4 January and based on the trust reviews, is currently being prepared. This strategy will be published once it is complete.

  The "Risk Assessment for the transmission of vCJD via surgical instruments" published by the Department on 16 March (available from the Department's website at www.doh.gov.uk/cjd/riskassessmentsi/htm) confirms that the risks of transmission are significantly reduced if instrument decontamination is carried out to the highest standards. On body organs, the risk assessment also shows that the central nervous system and the back of the eye would carry the highest potential infectivity, whereas lymphatic tissue such as tonsils, and front of the eye tissue are of a lesser order of risk.

  When the Department's strategy was presented to SEAC at its meeting in November 2000, the committee welcomed it and the advances being made on decontamination. The committee also endorsed the concept of using tonsillectomy as a pilot scheme to see how single-use instruments would work in practice.

  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what investment he has made with regard for a diagnostic test for vCJD. [151269]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, the Department of Health, the Food Standards Agency, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Medical Research Council (MRC) on 15 March 2001 issued a call to scientists for proposals to develop quick, effective and reliable diagnostic tests for diseases such as BSE and variant Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease (vCJD). This latest co-ordinated drive aims to push the boundaries in as many ways as possible and break new ground towards creating usable diagnostic tools. The MRC is co-ordinating this call on behalf of United Kingdom Government Departments and agencies who fund public research into transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. Funding decisions are expected from autumn 2001 onwards.

  General Osteopathic Council
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what percentage of the membership of the osteopathic council is registered by the General Osteopathic Council; [152778]

  (2) what percentage of members of the osteopathic profession he estimates will be able to vote in elections for the General Osteopathic Council to be held in April; [152777]

  (3) when he will complete his review of the implementation of the Osteopaths Act 1993. [152776]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 8 March 2001]: I understand that, at 7 March 2001, 2,796 osteopaths had been registered with the General Osteopathic Council. This included 175 osteopaths who are ineligible to vote because they live and work outside the United Kingdom. Of the remaining 2,621 registrants who work in the UK, 551 are conditionally registered and are therefore ineligible to vote in any General Osteopathic Council elections. Approximately 200 further practitioners did not apply for registration until just before the deadline for doing so. As they have not yet completed the registration process they are also ineligible to vote. Thus 79 per cent. of registered UK osteopaths will be able to vote in the forthcoming election of osteopathic members.

  According to the General Osteopathic Council's published register, 13 serving members of the General Osteopathic Council are themselves registered as practising osteopaths. This comprises the 11 osteopathic members of the Council and the two education members who were drawn from the osteopathic profession. There are a further nine members—one education member and eight lay members. Thus registrants make up 59 per cent. of the current council.

  We are still investigating the concerns about operation of the Osteopaths Act 1993 that were raised in the Adjournment debate on 25 October last year. The issues are complex and require careful consideration. This has taken some time but I hope to be in a position to report back to the hon. Members who raised concerns—and all those to whom I have promised to copy my views—in the near future.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recognition his Department accords to the New Democratic Osteopathic Council; and if he will make a statement. [154054]

  Yvette Cooper
  While it is open for any organisation or group within the osteopathic profession to establish itself as a representative body for osteopaths, the General Osteopathic Council (GOC) is the only body with the legal authority to register osteopaths within the United Kingdom. Those who register with the GOC may legally call themselves osteopaths. Anyone not registering with the council is committing an offence if he or she says or implies that he is any kind of osteopath, whatever other representative body he may choose to join.

  Smoking
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much he has allocated for(a) nicotine replacement therapies and (b) bupropion (Zyban) for (i) 2000–01 and (ii) 2001–02. [153441]
  454W
  Yvette Cooper
  The provision for nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and bupropion (Zyban) has been made within the uplift made for the drugs bill within unified allocations for 2001–02, an increase of 8.9 per cent. In 2000–01, £20 million was allocated to fund specialist smoking cessation services, including the provision of free NRT to poorer smokers. £20 million has been allocated to specialist cessation services in 2001–02; this excludes drug costs.

  Cancer Research
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent on cancer research in England in(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000; and what estimate he has of expenditure for 2000–01. [153153]

  Yvette Cooper
  Funding for cancer research in the United Kingdom is provided from a number of different sources, including the Government, charities and industry. The Department does not routinely collect information on all cancer research expenditure in England.

  We provide funding for cancer research through the Department, the research councils and the higher education funding councils (HEFC). The main Government agency for research into the causes of and treatments for disease is the Medical Research Council (MRC), which receives its funding via the Department of Trade and Industry. The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council also supports basic research relevant to health. The research councils operate on a UK-wide basis. The Department provides support funding for research commissioned by the research councils and charities that takes place in the National Health Service as well as commissioning research directly to support policy and service priorities. The HEFC provides funds for research infrastructure in medical schools and other relevant research groups in higher education institutes.

  The Department's expenditure on cancer research was approximately £53 million in 1997–98; £75.4 million in 1998–99 and an estimated £77.4 million in 1999–2000. Figures for total Department expenditure in 2000–01 are not yet available.

  We have made a commitment to increasing funding for cancer research. The NHS Cancer Plan confirmed that by 2003 we will be investing an additional £20 million each year in the infrastructure for cancer research and an extra £4 million will be invested in prostate cancer research.

  Mental Health Bill
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to present a mental health Bill to Parliament. [153486]

  Mr. Hutton
  We have set out our plans to reform the Mental Health Act 1983 in a White Paper, "Reforming the Mental Health Act", published in December 2000. We are committed to modernising mental health legislation and will introduce a Bill as soon as parliamentary time allows.

  Ophthalmic Dispensing
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what recent discussions he has had with representatives of optometrists and ophthalmic dispensers on the implications of changes in HM Customs and Excise regulations; [153805]

  (2) what his assessment is of the implications of changes in Customs and Excise regulations on ophthalmic dispensing. [153804]

  Mr. Hutton
  On 15 February Her Majesty's Customs and Excise issued a business brief on how they intend to apply a recent judgment in the House of Lords on what, for value added tax purposes, comprises a single supply. At the same time they wrote to opticians' representative bodies explaining that the effect of the judgment would be to make the dispensing and supply of spectacles and contact lenses a single supply. The Department continues its discussion with the optical professions.

  Cervical Screening
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the reasons for the further delay in reaching a decision on the approval of the Thin Prep Pap test.[154057]

  £000

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Total allocation

  Total allocation

  HAZ funding1

  Total allocation2

  HAZ funding1

  Total allocation

  HAZ funding1

  Total allocation

  HAZ funding

  County Durham

  282,889

  298,927

  —

  411,001

  —

  452,736

  —

  493,021

  —

  Tees

  255,335

  269,175

  20

  370,553

  1,958

  405,341

  2,834

  440,871

  2,391

  Wakefield

  145,084

  152,248

  20

  211,891

  958

  232,337

  1,206

  251,077

  938

  Northern and Yorkshire region

  683,308

  720,350

  40

  993,444

  2,916

  1,090,413

  4,040

  1,184,969

  3,329

  Barnsley

  104,683

  110,005

  820

  156,588

  3,821

  171,548

  3,051

  186,289

  2,053

  Doncaster

  131,878

  138,789

  —

  198,465

  —

  216,860

  —

  234,962

  —

  Rotherham

  113,750

  119,916

  —

  159,696

  —

  174,259

  —

  189,182

  —

  South

  138,964

  145,527

  —

  199,138

  —

  216,561

  —

  234,702

  —

  Trent

  489,276

  514,238

  820

  713,887

  3,821

  779,229

  3,051

  845,136

  2,053

  North Staffordshire

  210,721

  221,771

  20

  304,458

  1,251

  335,037

  1,581

  363,668

  1,275

  West Midlands region

  210,721

  221,771

  20

  304,458

  1,251

  335,037

  1,581

  363,668

  1,275

  North

  145,260

  151,836

  —

  201,585

  —

  217,660

  —

  236,528

  —

  St. Helens and

  153,596

  162,218

  20

  237,210

  4,183

  258,206

  5,735

  279,857

  4,418

  Wigan and Bolton

  258,518

  273,219

  —

  373,322

  —

  410,052

  —

  446,516

  —

  North West region

  557,375

  587,273

  20

  812,116

  4,183

  885,918

  5,735

  962,901

  4,418

  1 Figures for Barnsley, Rotherham and Doncaster health authorities are for South Yorkshire Coalfields HAZ. Figures for St. Helens and Knowsley health authority are for Merseyside HAZ, which also includes Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral health authorities. County Durham, South Humber, North Cheshire, and Wigan and Bolton health authorities are not in HAZs.

  2 Figures for 1999–2000 onwards are for unified allocations which cover hospital and community health services, prescribing and discretionary family health services. They are not strictly comparable with those for previous years which cover hospital and community health services only.

  Note:

  Allocations for smoking cessation and drugs prevention are still to be made.

  Royal Shrewsbury Hospital
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the funding will be provided for the medical assessment unit at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital; what the expected completion date is, and if he will make a statement. [154461]

  Yvette Cooper
  Funding has been made available for a £1.1 million Medical Assessment Unit (MAU) at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital National Health Service Trust1.
  456W
  Yvette Cooper
  The pilot study to assess the feasibility of using Liquid Based Cytology (LBC) in the National Health Service cervical screening programme is being progressed in line with the overall guidance published by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence in June 2000. LBC is being piloted in conjunction with Human Papilloma Virus testing.

  The three sites for the pilot study have been selected and training and installation of equipment is under way. The study will become operational in spring 2001 as planned.

  Coalmining Communities
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what specific support his Department has provided to coalmining communities since 1997 by(a) region and (b) health authority area. [154303]

  Mr. Denham
  There are 11 health authorities classified as coalfield communities by the Office for National Statistics. They receive general allocations to commission health care for their population.

  In addition, seven out of the 11 health authorities are in health action zones (HAZ). They have received additional funding for this since 1998–99.

  Details are given in the table.

  In December 2000 the West Midlands Regional Office of the NHS Executive gave approval to the strategic outline case to vacate Royal Shrewsbury Hospital Copthorne South site, leading to replacement of the poor ward accommodation and education facilities with newer facilities on Copthorne North. This is a recognised priority for the trust.

  The MAU, which will be based on Copthorne North, is also a priority for the trust, but needs to be considered within the context of the wider development of facilities

  457W
  on Copthorne North. The timetable for this can be established more clearly once the outline business case has been received from the trust and approval given.

  1 Funded by the national accident and emergency modernisation initiative. This will enable the establishment of a MAU at both the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and the Princess Royal Hospital, Telford.

  Drinking Water (Schools)
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the requirement for water in the(a) dietary needs and (b) intellectual achievements of young people in schools. [154646]

  Yvette Cooper
  All schools are required to provide safe drinking water, which is a basic requirement for good health. The Department has not assessed the influence of water on the intellectual achievements of young people. However, compulsory National Nutritional Standards for school lunches, which will be in force from 1 April 2001, recommend that drinking water should be available to all pupils every day, free of charge. Breaks within the school day give children ample opportunity to drink water and maintain their fluid intake.

  Doctors (Investigations)
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many doctors were investigated by the GMC in the last three years broken down by(a) sex and (b) racial origin. [154542]

  Mr. Denham
  A comprehensive answer to this question is not readily available from the General Medical Council. However, they are in a position to provide some information immediately and I have requested that they write to the hon. Lady directly with the information to hand. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.

  Asperger's Syndrome
  Liz Blackman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on plans to address the needs of people with Asperger's Syndrome following the publication of the Learning Disability White Paper. [155301]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 23 March 2001]: In late 1999 we commissioned Dr. Tony Holland of Cambridge University to undertake a review of the current state of knowledge on Asperger's Syndrome. We have just received a revised version of his report which incorporates comments from the National Autistic Society, the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the Royal College of Nursing and other interested organisations.

  We have already responded to Dr. Holland's principal recommendation on prevalence of Asperger' s Syndrome by asking the Medical Research Council to obtain a clear and comprehensive picture of what is currently known about the incidence, prevalence and causes of autism and how strong the evidence is which underpins that knowledge.

  His other recommendations are being actively considered in the context of the needs of people across the autistic spectrum as a whole, including the implications of "Valuing People: A New Strategy for Learning Disability for the 21st Century".
  458W
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which sections of Chapter 8 of "Valuing People: A New Strategy for Learning Disability for the 21st Century" apply to people with a diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome and an IQ over 70. [155254]

  Mr. Hutton
  The work on diagnosis, screening and early intervention in autism referred to in sections 8.37 to 8.42 applies across the whole of the autistic spectrum, including Asperger's Syndrome, as does the work which the Medical Research Council is taking forward on its incidence. prevalence and causes. Importantly, section 8.41 points out that children with autism are children first and that whether or not they have a learning disability as well they should benefit from our proposals for improving services for all disabled children.

  Chapter 8 also refers to other Government initiatives such as the Care Standards Act 2000 (8.3), the Social Care Institute of Excellence (8.4) and the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 (8.13) which will help a wide range of people including those with autistic spectrum disorders.

  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which statutory service has primary responsibility for(a) children and (b) adults with a diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome and an IQ over 70. [155255]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 23 March 2001]: It is the responsibility of local statutory authorities to determine the pattern of services in their area in the light of their knowledge of local needs and priorities. Health and local authorities should ensure that the particular health, education and social care needs of each child or adult with an autistic spectrum disorder are met with genuine choices for both clients and families, through the most appropriate community based services, in a cost-effective way.

  Current legislation provides that where a health authority or National Health Service trust form the opinion that a child under five has special educational needs (SEN), including those due to autistic spectrum conditions, they shall bring it to the attention of the local education authority (LEA). The legislation also provides that where it appears to an LEA that any health or local authority could help with the identification and assessment of, and provision for, children with SEN, it may request the help of that local or health authority.

  Children and adults with Asperger's Syndrome are individuals whose needs vary. Primary responsibility for meeting those needs will vary accordingly. We continue to work to promote effective collaboration between agencies.

  Porton Down
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 6 March 2001,Official Report, columns 188–89W, on Porton Down, if he will place in the Library a list of the titles and authors of the authoritative reviews on which his Department's message was based. [154762]

  Yvette Cooper
  The information requested is in the Library.

  Years of Life Lost Formula
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received about the Years of Life Lost formula; and if he will place them in the Library. [155111]

  Mr. Denham
  A small number of representations have been received about the Years of Life Lost formula. I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Regent's Park and Kensington, North (Ms Buck) on 26 February 2001,Official Report, column 443W.

  A paper has been prepared on the Years of Life Lost formula which is available on the departmental website at www.doh.gov.uk/allocations/review/pubs.htm in the published papers icon listed under Rawp6. I am placing copies of this paper in the Library.

  Accident and Emergency Services
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what schemes for the modernisation and improvement of accident and emergency and associated services have been carried out in hospitals serving the Richmond, Chingford and Woodford Green, North Essex, South Cambridgeshire, South Suffolk, Devizes, South-West Devon, Tiverton and Honiton, Woodspring, Wells, Bramshill, North-East Hampshire, Horsham, Maidenhead, Maidstone and The Weald, East Surrey and Tunbridge Wells parliamentary constituencies, indicating the sums invested and summarising the works in each case. [155356]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 23 March 2001]: The information requested has been placed in the Library.

  Beta Interferon
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of patients in the Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals Trust who have been recommended for treatment with beta interferon who are awaiting the NICE recommendation; and what has been the change between(a) the first decision to recommend the drug to NICE and (b) since the announcement of the postponement of the decision. [155387]

  Mr. Denham
  We have made no such estimate about local services.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of persons who could have benefited from treatment with beta interferon and will not do so as a result of the decision to refer the use of the drug to NICE. [155388]

  Mr. Denham
  Because there appeared to be genuine uncertainty over the appropriate use of beta-interferon, which was reflected in different prescribing patterns across the country, we asked the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) to conduct an authoritative appraisal of the evidence on beta interferon as part of its first appraisal programme. We expect NICE to produce its authoritative guidance in November.

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the meetings and conferences 460W
  organised by his Department and agencies of his Department which have been (a) cancelled and (b) postponed owing to foot and mouth disease; and if he will make a statement. [155360]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 23 March 2001]The information requested is not held centrally and could be collated only at disproportionate cost.

TREASURY

  Hauliers
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the financial help being made available to hauliers. [152747]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 8 March 2001]: I refer my hon. Friend to the Budget 2001 document. This outlines several measures that will benefit hauliers.

  The total value of the Budget transport package to hauliers is £660 million, equivalent to a 7p per litre cut in fuel duty for hauliers. This valuation includes the benefit to hauliers from the cut in duty on ultra low sulphur diesel, the first allocation from the £100 million Haulage Modernisation Fund and the reforms to lorry vehicle excise duty.

  In addition, the Government have already paid out over £210 million to hauliers in the form of lorry VED rebates since last December, following the Chancellor's announcement in the 2000 pre-Budget report.

  Departmental Policies (Edinburgh, South)
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Edinburgh, South constituency, the effects on Edinburgh of the Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [155341]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Edinburgh, South 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 983, or 48 per cent., youth unemployment is down by 83 per cent. and long-term unemployment has fallen by 70 per cent.

  Macro-economic stability is being complemented at the micro-economic level by the Government's policies to ease the transition from welfare into work and to make work pay. To the end of December 2000, the New Deal for 18–24 year olds had helped 586 young people in Edinburgh. South constituency gain valuable skills and experience—298 (51 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, 900 families in the constituency were benefiting from WFTC.

  The Government are also committed to policies that enable pensioners to share in the country's rising prosperity. All pensioners, including 13,300 in Edinburgh, South, will receive an above-inflation increase in the basic state pensions from April 2001. Single pensioners will receive an extra £5 a week, and couples will receive an

  461W
  extra £8 a week. All pensioners aged 75 or over have also been entitled to a free TV licence since November 2000—including around 9,000 in Edinburgh, South.

  NHS (Wales)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the funding announced in the Budget for the NHS will be allocated to Wales. [155042]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Government announced in the Budget an additional £100 million over three years for Wales. This represented the share for Wales of the overall increases in spending announced in the Budget, including as a consequence of the increases announced for England for health and other spending. It is for the National Assembly for Wales to decide how to allocate the increase in its budget according to its priorities.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what targets have been given to the Valuation Office for the time scale within which appeals against the 2000 rating list must be determined.[155038]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Valuation Office Agency's targets for 2001–02 will be published shortly.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is the policy of the Government that small businesses should have priority in the determination of their appeals against the 2000 rating list; and if he will make a statement. [155036]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Appeals are programmed so that properties of a similar type are considered together but the Valuation Office will give priority to appeals where the ratepayer would otherwise suffer hardship.

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will undertake to make resources available to the

  Highest qualification of working age1 people by sex, region and age; United Kingdom; summer 2000; not seasonally adjusted

  Thousand

  All persons2

  Degree or equivalent

  Qualification intermediate between A-level and degree

  GCE A level or equivalent

  GCSE grades A-C or equivalent

  Other qualifications

  No qualification

  All persons

  All of working age

  United Kingdom

  38,348

  5,474

  3,018

  8,568

  7,908

  5,041

  5,930

  Great Britain

  35,327

  5,348

  2,955

  8,324

  7,693

  4,953

  5,689

  England

  30,418

  4,705

  2,408

  7,013

  6,796

  4,367

  4,792

  North East

  1,573

  145

  127

  388

  360

  225

  314

  North West

  4,181

  547

  382

  1,057

  944

  481

  734

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  3,080

  380

  260

  757

  680

  435

  532

  East Midlands

  2,573

  336

  198

  607

  588

  347

  448

  West Midlands

  3,241

  405

  253

  671

  722

  491

  658

  Eastern

  3,305

  494

  237

  768

  802

  481

  520

  London

  4,624

  1,066

  293

  857

  808

  864

  685

  South East

  4,914

  880

  405

  1,202

  1,159

  667

  551

  South West

  2,925

  453

  270

  707

  724

  395

  354

  Wales

  1,751

  215

  164

  366

  426

  228

  342

  Scotland

  3,160

  428

  383

  945

  470

  358

  534

  Northern Ireland

  1,109

  126

  65

  244

  215

  88

  262

  462W
  National Assembly for Wales, in addition to funding under the Barnett formula, to enable financial support to be given to tourism and agriculture-related businesses that have suffered losses as a result of the effects of foot and mouth disease. [154841]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Government reported on the work of the Rural Task Force provisionally on 20 March. The funding arrangements for the devolved Administrations were set out in the Statement of Funding Policy published in July 2000.

  Uitilities Regulators
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 6 March 2001,Official Report, column 163W, how many members or former members of staff of Offer, Ofgas and Ofgem will receive redundancy and severance payments which form part of the total £4.4 million. [152968]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Sixty-eight.

  Educational Qualifications
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the highest qualification achieved in each region and nation of the UK was using Labour Force Survey data for summer 2000, broken clown(a) into the (i) 16 to 49 and (ii) over 50 age groups and (b) by gender. [154816]

  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. Jim Cousins, dated 22 March 2001:

  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question on the highest qualifications achieved in each region and nation of the UK from Labour Force Survey data (154816).

  The Labour Force Survey collects information on qualification levels. The table overleaf shows the number of people of working age by sex, region and age in the UK for Summer (June to August) 2000, according to their level of highest qualification.
  463W

  Highest qualification of working age1 people by sex, region and age; United Kingdom; summer 2000; not seasonally adjusted

  Thousand

  All persons2

  Degree or equivalent

  Qualification intermediate between A-level and degree

  GCE A level or equivalent

  GCSE grades A-C or equivalent

  Other qualifications

  No qualification

  16–49

  United Kingdom

  27,703

  4,439

  2,288

  8,582

  6,852

  3,636

  3,621

  Great Britain

  26,901

  4,332

  2,217

  6,361

  6,854

  3,570

  3,452

  England

  23,176

  3,817

  1,779

  5,351

  5,881

  3,171

  2,921

  North East

  1,195

  114

  94

  287

  328

  170

  188

  North West

  3,168

  441

  283

  793

  826

  339

  462

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  2,345

  305

  196

  569

  592

  314

  337

  East Midlands

  1,937

  288

  148

  484

  514

  248

  287

  West Midlands

  2,441

  329

  181

  513

  627

  351

  404

  Eastern

  2,487

  389

  183

  581

  686

  326

  304

  London

  3,725

  933

  226

  692

  717

  671

  443

  South East

  3,708

  863

  297

  922

  974

  480

  315

  South West

  2,168

  358

  192

  531

  597

  273

  201

  Wales

  1,303

  165

  119

  284

  362

  158

  207

  Scotland

  2,422

  350

  318

  726

  431

  241

  324

  Northern Ireland

  802

  106

  50

  201

  197

  66

  169

  50–59/64

  United Kingdom

  8,634

  1,038

  752

  2,008

  1,058

  1,405

  2,309

  Great Britain

  8,426

  1,018

  736

  1,963

  1,038

  1,383

  2,217

  England

  7,240

  887

  627

  1,882

  934

  1,195

  1,871

  North East

  377

  31

  33

  99

  32

  55

  125

  North West

  1,012

  106

  99

  264

  117

  142

  272

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  735

  74

  63

  188

  88

  121

  195

  East Midlands

  636

  69

  52

  143

  85

  99

  181

  West Midlands

  799

  76

  72

  158

  95

  140

  251

  Eastern

  818

  105

  55

  187

  118

  135

  216

  London

  899

  133

  67

  166

  89

  193

  242

  South East

  1,206

  197

  108

  280

  188

  187

  235

  South West

  757

  96

  78

  176

  127

  122

  153

  Wales

  449

  51

  45

  82

  65

  70

  135

  Scotland

  737

  78

  65

  219

  39

  117

  210

  Northern Ireland

  217

  20

  16

  43

  18

  22

  92

  Men

  All of working age

  United Kingdom

  19,039

  3,177

  1,427

  5,671

  3,260

  2,540

  2,734

  Great Britain

  18,514

  3,105

  1,401

  5,510

  3,171

  2,504

  2,803

  England

  15,956

  2,749

  1,145

  4,633

  2,803

  2,201

  2,229

  North East

  823

  85

  63

  270

  141

  111

  141

  North West

  2,198

  313

  177

  739

  371

  226

  342

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  1,629

  217

  118

  517

  293

  218

  244

  East Midlands

  1,353

  196

  103

  408

  251

  174

  199

  West Midlands

  1,712

  248

  120

  451

  294

  268

  306

  Eastern

  1,732

  282

  119

  507

  326

  236

  251

  London

  2,403

  614

  122

  523

  348

  437

  327

  South East

  2,571

  527

  195

  758

  480

  328

  259

  South West

  1,535

  289

  129

  462

  297

  203

  160

  Wales

  922

  117

  84

  254

  182

  125

  155

  Scotland

  1,836

  239

  173

  624

  187

  178

  218

  Northern Ireland

  525

  72

  26

  161

  89

  35

  132

  16–49

  United Kingdom

  14,046

  2,447

  1,049

  4,050

  2,825

  1,835

  1,648

  Great Britain

  13,845

  2,388

  1,029

  3,926

  2,743

  1,806

  1,566

  England

  11,770

  2,120

  827

  3,293

  2,417

  1,598

  1,347

  North East

  803

  82

  47

  187

  130

  84

  82

  North West

  1,160

  239

  122

  522

  325

  161

  216

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  1,202

  166

  87

  364

  257

  150

  158

  East Midlands

  983

  144

  73

  290

  216

  125

  115

  West Midlands

  1,248

  192

  80

  320

  256

  190

  184

  Eastern

  1,260

  210

  89

  356

  280

  170

  145

  London

  1,890

  524

  96

  398

  309

  332

  205

  South East

  1,877

  385

  143

  537

  400

  241

  151

  South West

  1,099

  198

  89

  319

  245

  145

  92

  Wales

  662

  84

  62

  186

  154

  87

  86

  Scotland

  1,213

  184

  140

  447

  172

  121

  133

  Northern Ireland

  401

  58

  20

  124

  82

  28

  82

  464W 465W

  Highest qualification of working age1 people by sex, region and age; United Kingdom; summer 2000; not seasonally adjusted

  Thousand

  All persons2

  Degree or equivalent

  Qualification intermediate between A-level and degree

  GCE A level or equivalent

  GCSE grades A-C or equivalent

  Other qualifications

  No qualification

  50–59/64

  United Kingdom

  4,992

  731

  378

  1,621

  436

  705

  1,086

  Great Britain

  4,868

  716

  372

  1,585

  428

  698

  1,036

  England

  4,186

  629

  318

  1,339

  385

  802

  882

  North East

  219

  23

  15

  83

  12

  27

  58

  North West

  588

  74

  54

  217

  46

  65

  126

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  427

  50

  31

  153

  38

  68

  87

  East Midlands

  370

  52

  30

  118

  35

  48

  84

  West Midlands

  487

  58

  39

  131

  38

  78

  122

  Eastern

  472

  72

  29

  151

  46

  66

  106

  London

  512

  90

  27

  125

  40

  105

  121

  South East

  694

  141

  52

  218

  80

  87

  108

  South West

  436

  71

  40

  144

  52

  58

  69

  Wales

  260

  33

  22

  68

  28

  38

  70

  Scotland

  422

  54

  33

  177

  14

  58

  85

  Northern Ireland

  124

  14

  3—

  37

  3—

  3—

  50

  Women

  All of working age

  United Kingdom

  17,307

  2,297

  1,591

  2,897

  4,647

  2,502

  3,196

  Great Britain

  16,813

  2,243

  1,552

  2,813

  4,521

  2,449

  3,066

  England

  14,459

  1,955

  1,261

  2,380

  3,993

  2,166

  2,583

  North East

  750

  59

  64

  116

  218

  114

  173

  North West

  1,983

  234

  186

  318

  572

  255

  392

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  1,451

  163

  142

  240

  386

  218

  288

  East Midlands

  1,220

  140

  95

  200

  348

  173

  249

  West Midlands

  1,528

  157

  134

  220

  428

  223

  350

  Eastern

  1,573

  212

  119

  261

  476

  225

  269

  London

  2,222

  453

  171

  335

  458

  427

  358

  South East

  2,343

  353

  210

  447

  879

  338

  291

  South West

  1,390

  184

  141

  245

  427

  192

  194

  Wales

  830

  99

  80

  112

  245

  103

  187

  Scotland

  1,524

  189

  210

  321

  284

  180

  316

  Northern Ireland

  494

  54

  39

  84

  126

  53

  130

  16–49

  United Kingdom

  13,657

  1,992

  1,217

  2,512

  4,027

  1,802

  1,973

  Great Britain

  13,256

  1,944

  1,188

  2,435

  3,911

  1,764

  1,885

  England

  11,405

  1,697

  952

  2,058

  3,444

  1,573

  1,574

  North East

  592

  52

  47

  100

  198

  86

  106

  North West

  1,558

  202

  141

  271

  501

  178

  246

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  1,143

  139

  110

  205

  335

  164

  180

  East Midlands

  954

  122

  73

  175

  298

  122

  153

  West Midlands

  1,195

  137

  101

  193

  371

  161

  220

  Eastern

  1,227

  179

  93

  224

  406

  156

  159

  London

  1,835

  409

  131

  294

  409

  339

  237

  South East

  1,831

  298

  155

  385

  574

  238

  164

  South West

  1,070

  159

  103

  212

  352

  128

  109

  Wales

  641

  81

  57

  98

  208

  70

  121

  Scotland

  1.209

  166

  178

  279

  259

  120

  190

  Northern Ireland

  401

  48

  29

  77

  116

  38

  87

  50–59/64

  United Kingdom

  3,850

  305

  373

  385

  821

  700

  1,223

  Great Britain

  3,557

  299

  364

  378

  611

  685

  1,180

  England

  3,054

  259

  309

  323

  549

  593

  989

  North East

  158

  3—

  18

  16

  20

  28

  67

  North West

  424

  33

  45

  47

  71

  77

  145

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  308

  24

  32

  35

  52

  54

  108

  East Midlands

  288

  17

  22

  25

  51

  51

  97

  West Midlands

  333

  20

  33

  27

  57

  62

  130

  Eastern

  346

  34

  26

  37

  70

  69

  110

  London

  386

  44

  40

  41

  49

  88

  121

  South East

  512

  55

  56

  62

  105

  100

  127

  South West

  321

  25

  38

  33

  75

  64

  85

  Wales

  189

  18

  23

  14

  36

  32

  66

  Scotland

  315

  23

  32

  42

  25

  80

  126

  Northern Ireland

  93

  3—

  3—

  3—

  10

  15

  43

  1 Men aged 16–64 and women aged 16–59.

  2 Includes people who did not state their highest qualification.

  3 Figure too small for reliable estimate.

  466W

  Economic Activity
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library an estimate of the activity rates of(a) men, (b) women and (c) men and women in each region and nation of the UK for the (i) 45 to 49, (ii) 50 to 54, (iii) 55 to 59 and (iv) 60 to 64 age groups. [1548111

  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. Jim Cousins, dated 22 March 2001

  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question about the activity rates by region and nation of the UK for males and females of various age groups (154811).

  Information about economic activity is collected by the Labour Force Survey (LFS). The table overleaf shows the economic activity rates by age and sex for each region and nation of the UK for autumn (September to November) 2000.

  In the LFS, economically active people are those aged 16 and over who are either in employment or who are International Labour Organisation (ILO) unemployed.

  Economic activity rate by age, sex and region; United Kingdom: autumn 2000; not seasonally adjusted

  Percentage economically active

  Aged

  45–49

  10–54

  55–59

  60–64

  All persons

  United Kingdom

  84.6

  79.1

  66.7

  38.4

  Great Britain

  84.8

  79.3

  66.9

  38.7

  England

  85.1

  80.0

  68.0

  39.6

  North East

  77.4

  73.9

  56.1

  27.1

  North West

  83.1

  73.5

  59.6

  34.9

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  83.5

  80.2

  68.1

  36.6

  East Midlands

  87.4

  81.8

  69.7

  38.8

  West Midlands

  81.2

  78.8

  66.3

  38.3

  Eastern

  87.2

  83.8

  72.1

  44.9

  London

  82.6

  77.1

  67.2

  40.3

  South East

  88.7

  83.8

  74.9

  45.6

  South West

  91.4

  84.8

  70.8

  42.3

  Wales

  81.8

  70.0

  55.6

  32.4

  Scotland

  83.1

  77.2

  63.0

  33.9

  Northern Ireland

  77.4

  72.2

  58.3

  27.5

  Men

  United Kingdom

  90.0

  85.8

  74.9

  50.9

  Great Britain

  90.2

  85.9

  75.1

  51.3

  England

  90.5

  86.7

  76.1

  53.0

  North East

  88.4

  82.6

  64.0

  36.5

  North West

  86.2

  80.1

  66.7

  46.7

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  88.4

  84.1

  76.4

  48.4

  East Midlands

  92.3

  88.1

  79.4

  57.3

  West Midlands

  87.6

  85.5

  74.0

  50.7

  Eastern

  93.0

  90.7

  81.4

  57.9

  London

  89.8

  84.7

  74.0

  54.1

  South East

  93.9

  91.0

  82.0

  59.9

  South West

  94.1

  91.1

  80.7

  56.0

  Wales

  88.9

  76.7

  64.1

  35.2

  Scotland

  88.2

  83.9

  72.1

  45.3

  Northern Ireland

  82.8

  81.9

  69.9

  35.2

  Women

  United Kingdom

  79.2

  72.4

  58.6

  26.5

  Great Britain

  79.4

  72.6

  58.9

  26.7

  England

  79.8

  73.4

  60.1

  26.8

  North East

  66.4

  65.1

  48.3

  18.4

  North West

  80.0

  66.9

  52.7

  23.7

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  78.5

  76.2

  59.8

  25.2

  East Midlands

  82.6

  75.4

  60.0

  20.6

  West Midlands

  74.7

  72.1

  58.7

  26.2

  Eastern

  81.5

  76.9

  63.0

  32.3

  London

  75.4

  69.8

  60.7

  27.1

  468W

  Economic activity rate by age, sex and region; United Kingdom: autumn 2000; not seasonally adjusted

  Percentage economically active

  Aged

  45–49

  50–54

  55–59

  60–64

  South East

  83.5

  76.6

  67.9

  31.7

  South West

  88.8

  78.7

  61.1

  29.3

  Wales

  74.9

  63.3

  47.3

  29.7

  Scotland

  78.0

  70.6

  54.4

  23.7

  Northern Ireland

  71.9

  62.7

  47.2

  1—

  1 Sample size too small for reliable estimate

  Source:

  ONS Labour Force Survey

  Earnings Statistics
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the average weekly earnings for full-time(a) male and (b) female employees in each region and nation of the UK; and if he will index all such earnings to a base in which 100 represents the average weekly earnings in each category. [154815]

  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. Jim Cousins, dated 22 March 2001:

  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question on the average weekly earnings for males and females in each region and nation of the United Kingdom (154815).

  The New Earnings Survey (NES), carried out in April of each year, is the most comprehensive source of earnings information in Great Britain. The tables show the weekly earnings for the United Kingdom and each region and nation within it. It also shows an index based on the United Kingdom as 100 for each category. The figures provided are for full-time employees on adult rates of pay, whose pay for the survey period was not affected by absence.

  Average gross weekly pay (£) New Earnings Survey, United Kingdom, April 2000

  Male

  Female

  (£)

  Index

  (£)

  Index

  United Kingdom

  451.6

  100

  336.7

  100

  England

  459.2

  102

  341.5

  101

  Wales

  400.5

  89

  313.7

  93

  Scotland

  423.0

  94

  316.1

  94

  Northern Ireland

  393.3

  87

  307.3

  91

  North East

  398.9

  88

  306.0

  91

  North West

  428.6

  95

  312.8

  93

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  409.9

  91

  308.8

  92

  East Midlands

  407.0

  90

  301.1

  89

  West Midlands

  425.3

  94

  311.2

  92

  South West

  418.2

  93

  309.8

  92

  East

  455.5

  101

  333.8

  99

  London

  593.0

  131

  434.3

  129

  South East

  482.1

  107

  353.1

  105

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Jury Service
  Sir Nicholas Lyell
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many citizens have performed jury service in England and Wales in each of the past five years for which figures are available. [155061]
  469W
  Jane Kennedy
  Jurors are selected on a random basis from among those people who are registered on the electoral rolls for England and Wales. No figures on juror numbers are held centrally. However, the combined attendance and non-attendance days have been used to estimate the numbers of jurors performing jury services over the past five years.

  1996—146,000

  1997—147,000

  1998—139,000

  1999—134,000

  2000—132,000

  Notes

  1. Estimates rounded to nearest 1,000

  2. They do not indicate numbers originally summoned

  Departmental Policies (Ceredigion)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Ceredigion constituency, the effects on Ceredigion of the Lord Chancellor's Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [154985]

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

  Work is scheduled to start on a local Community Legal Service Partnership in Ceredigion from this summer. Across Ceredigion contracts have been awarded to local law firms for 2001–02 with a total value of £94,000, and these contracts include categories such as family, debt, housing and welfare benefits. Contracts with Aberystwyth and Cardigan Citizens Advice Bureaux and Shelter Cymru will also benefit local residents.

  The Legal Services Commission is considering expressions of interest in the provision of bilingual telephone advice services for financially eligible clients in Ceredigion, in acknowledgement of the fact that this is a rural area with significant numbers of people unable to access easily services delivered through offices in the larger towns. An announcement on the award of a telephone contract for Ceredigion is anticipated within the next two months.

  Departmental Policies (Ynys MÔn)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Ynys MÔn constituency, the effects on Ynys MÔn of the Lord Chancellor's Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [1549861

  Jane Kennedy
  The Lord Chancellor's Department is responsible for the administration of the courts and for legal services. We have taken steps to improve the management and effectiveness of the services we provide and to meet customer needs, including working closely 470W
  with other agencies to provide a fair, swift and effective system of justice, to improve the availability of affordable and good quality legal services and to improve the lives of children and help build and sustain strong families.

  The Anglesey Community Legal Service Partnership (CLSP), which covers the Ynys MÔn constituency area, is one of 165 CLSPs throughout England and Wales. Across Anglesey, the Legal Services Commission (LSC) has awarded local law firms contracts for 2001–02 with a total value of £91,000. Contracts awarded to Ynys MÔn Citizens' Advice Bureaux and Shelter Cymru will also benefit local residents. The contracts cover a range of categories such as family, debt, housing and welfare benefits.

  Departmental Policies(Meirionnydd Nant Conwy)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Meirionnydd Nant Conwy constituency, the effects on Meirionnydd Nant Conwy of the Lord Chancellor's Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [154989]

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

  Meirionnydd Nant Conwy falls within the Gwynedd Community Legal Service Partnership (CLSP) area. Across Gwynedd, contracts have been awarded to local law firms for 2001–02 with a total value of £197,000. These cover categories of law including family, debt, housing and welfare benefits. Contracts with Gwynedd CAB, Shelter Cymru and Bangor Disablement Welfare Rights will also benefit local residents.

  The Legal Services Commission is considering expressions of interest in the provision of bilingual telephone advice services for financially eligible clients in Gwynedd, in acknowledgement of the fact that this is a large rural area with significant numbers of people unable easily to access services delivered through offices in the larger towns. An announcement on the award of a telephone contract for Gwynedd is anticipated within the next two months.

  Departmental Policies (Caernarfon)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Caernarfon constituency, the effects on Caernarfon of the Lord Chancellor's Department' s policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [154988]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Lord Chancellor's Department is responsible for the Administration of the courts and for legal services. We have taken steps to improve the management and effectiveness of the services we provide and to meet customer needs, including working closely
  471W
  with other agencies to provide a fair, swift and effective system of justice, to improve the availability of affordable and good quality legal services and to improve the lives of children and help build and sustain strong families.

  Caernarfon falls within the Gwynedd Community Legal Service Partnership (CLSP) area. Across Gwynedd, contracts have been awarded to local law firms for 2001–02 with a total value of £197,000. These cover categories of law including family, debt, housing and welfare benefits. Contracts with Gwynedd CAB, Shelter Cymru and Bangor Disablement Welfare Rights will also benefit local residents.

  The Legal Services Commission is considering expressions of interest in the provision of bilingual telephone advice services for financially eligible clients in Gwynedd, in acknowledgement of the fact that this is a large rural area with significant numbers of people unable easily to access services delivered through offices in the larger towns. An announcement on the award of a telephone contract for Gwynedd is anticipated within the next two months.

  Family Visit Appeals
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many(a) oral and (b) paper-only family visit appeals were received by the Immigration Appellate Authority in February. [155572]

  Jane Kennedy
  In February 2001, the Immigration Appellate Authority received 65 cases for oral hearing and 67 cases for paper-only hearing.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many family visit appeals were(a) determined, (b) allowed and (c) dismissed by the Immigration appellate Authority (i) at an oral hearing and (ii) on the papers only, in February. [155573]

  Jane Kennedy
  The breakdown of family visit appeals determined, allowed and dismissed by the Immigration Appellate Authority in February 2001 is:

  Oral cases

  Paper cases

  Determined

  13

  57

  Allowed

  12

  17

  Dismissed

  1

  40

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Lottery Funding
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement about funding for arts buildings allocated from the national lottery. [153877]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Between 1995 and 2000 the Arts Council of England, through its Capital Programme, has awarded £913,752,038 to projects with a building element.
  472W
  Mr. St. Aubyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement about the speed with which lottery funding reaches the good causes. [153880]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  All Lottery funds left after paying expenses allowed under the legislation are allocated immediately to one of the 15 National Lottery distributing bodies. The distributing bodies make payments to award recipients as funds are required.

  Lottery Liaison Officers
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on his Department's assistance to lottery liaison officers employed by local authorities. [153879]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  My Department recognises the important role which local authority Lottery liaison officers can play in attracting Lottery funding into their areas, and is supporting the Chief Cultural and Leisure Officers Association in their plans to draw up best practice guidance. The guidance will focus on what Lottery liaison officers can do to help small organisations and community groups secure Lottery funding. We also encourage our Lottery distribution bodies to work closely with Lottery liaison officers to ensure that they are kept up to date on new Lottery funding initiatives and programmes.

  Olympic Games 2012
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment his Department has made of the facilities required for the United Kingdom to host the Olympic games in 2012. [153881]

  Kate Hoey
  My Department has not made any assessment of the facilities required to host the 2012 Olympic Games. The British Olympic Association (BOA) have primary responsibility for UK bids and have not yet taken a decision on whether to bid for 2012. However, we have seen a draft of the BOA' s feasibility report on what is required for a possible London bid for 2012. The Government will consider with the BOA, the Mayor, the Greater London Authority and other interested parties what further work will be needed to assess the costs and requirements of a London bid.

  Foot and Mouth
  20. Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assistance his Department offers to hoteliers and bed-and-breakfast businesses which have been affected by the recent outbreak of foot and mouth disease. [153882]

  Janet Anderson
  My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment and Head of the Rural Task Force announced on 20 March a preliminary package of measures to alleviate immediate financial hardship of small businesses, including tourism businesses, in rural areas. My right hon. Friend also announced that extra funding will be made available to promote rural attractions. The Rural Task Force will continue its work and we will want to consider any further Government response in the light of the latest developments.
  473W
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the meetings and conferences organised by his Department and agencies of his Department which have been(a) cancelled and (b) postponed owing to foot and mouth disease; and if he will make a statement. [155359]

  Mr. Chris Smith [holding answer 23 March 2001]
  No meetings or conferences have been cancelled or postponed by my Department or by the Royal Parks Agency. On the contrary, Ministers and officials in my Department have held many additional meetings, particularly with representatives of the tourism and leisure sectors, to explore ways of dealing with the consequences of the foot and mouth outbreak.

  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the effect on tourism of the foot and mouth epidemic. [153890]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I refer the hon. Member to my statement in the House on 14 March 2001,Official Report, columns 1021–36.

  Church Repairs (Grants)
  Maria Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he will make an announcement on grants to places of worship which need repair. [153883]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The new grant scheme for listed places of worship will be a considerable help to churches and congregations around the country. My Department is now in the process of consulting interested parties on how best to deliver the new scheme. I hope to make an announcement about the availability of the grants as early in the new financial year as possible.

  Sports Coaching
  Mr. Bailey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action he is taking to improve sports coaching. [153884]

  Kate Hoey
  The recently published Government's Plan for Sport indicates that we are establishing a Coaching Task Force to review the future role of the National Coaching Foundation, to conduct, during this year, an independent international benchmarking exercise on coach education and to consider the feasibility of an investment programme to create 3,000 full-time paid coaching posts by 2005.

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the future of the Millennium Dome. [153885]

  Janet Anderson
  The Government are currently conducting market testing prior to launching a new competition. Details of the timetable and process for that competition will be announced as soon as possible after market testing is complete.

  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the cost of maintaining the Dome at Greenwich. [153876]
  474W
  Janet Anderson
  Following decommissioning it is estimated that the running costs of the Dome will be up to –500,000 per month.

  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if the sponsorship of the Millennium Dome falls within the Guidance on Sponsorship of Government Activities and Events; [153326]

  (2) if he will investigate the sponsorship of the Millennium Dome in relation to the Guidance on Sponsorship of Government Activities and Events [153312]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 21 March 2001]Responsibility for negotiating and securing sponsorship rested with the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC), an executive Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB). As an NDPB, the NMEC is bound by specific rules and guidance on regularity and propriety in the stewardship of public funds in line with the principles set out in the sponsorship guidance.

  Wembley Stadium
  24. Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on Wembley stadium. [153886]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs (Mr. Flight), Official Report, column 672.

  UK Film Industry
  25. Ms Ward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent assessment he has made of levels of inward investment in the UK film industry. [153887]

  Janet Anderson
  Britain is an increasingly popular location for film production. A record 28 feature films produced by foreign companies were made in Britain last year, with budgets totalling –366 million, an increase of 9 per cent. on the previous year. Total inward investment in film and television productions was –539 million last year, a 33 per cent. increase on the previous year.

  Mrs. Betty Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the impact of the extension of the film tax concessions on the industry. [153888]

  Janet Anderson
  The Government's long-term aim is to create a more sustainable and better capitalised film industry. Film tax reliefs have already had a significant impact, attracting hundreds of millions of pounds of investment. The Chancellor's announcement that Section 48 reliefs for the film industry will be extended until July 2005 will give the industry sufficient time to build on these encouraging developments.

  Arts Council
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture. Media and Sport what Arts Council money has been distributed in Thurrock in the past five years. [153889]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  East England Arts is contributing –19,900 over three y ears to help Thurrock unitary authority to fund an Arts Development Officer. In addition Thurrock
  475W
  has received –5,620 grant in aid funding and a further –15,055 from the Lottery funded Arts for Everyone scheme.

  Football Foundation
  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assistance the Football Foundation can provide to small local clubs. [153869]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  Football clubs may apply to the Football Foundation for funding for grass roots initiatives which promote social inclusion or benefit local communities, for education projects, or for stadium improvement work. The Foundation has some –24 million to invest in football in 2000–01 and it is likely that the moneys available will more than treble from 2001–02 onwards. Decisions on applications are for the Foundation's Board, but it is likely that a substantial proportion of total funding will go to smaller clubs.

  New Millennium Experience Company
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport for what reason the new Millennium Experience Company decided to make remuneration payments through on offshore account; and what the value was of such payments. [145565]

  Janet Anderson [holding answer 15 January 2001]
  NMEC has advised that during the course of 1999 the company took advice from its tax consultants, in discussion with the Inland Revenue, and concluded that, while it would operate with a clear presumption against payments to offshore accounts, it would consider each case on its merits and on the condition that requested arrangements were not for the purpose of tax avoidance.

  I refer to my letter of 19 December 2000 to the hon. Member, a copy of which has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. NMEC has completed a further search of all its payment records as part of its preparation for solvent liquidation. NMEC has concluded that prior to 19 December 2000, and excluding payments net of tax, remuneration through offshore accounts was made in two cases, not one as previously advised, both to an Isle of Man address. The total value of these payments was –93,898.5.

  Separately, payments by cheque, handed over on site but payable to companies registered outside the UK, in respect of work undertaken by individuals filling headcount posts, totalled –138,423.

  Hinduja Brothers
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on what date(a) his Department, (b) the NMEC and (c) Lord Falconer of Thoroton were informed of intelligence reports relating to the Hinduja brothers, referred to in paragraph 8.4 of the report of the Hammond inquiry.[153734]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 14 March 2001]: Sir Anthony Hammond's report set out all the facts relevant to the subject of his inquiry. He confirmed that the intelligence material which had been collected was handled entirely properly in accordance with the statutory
  476W
  functions of the intelligence agencies. It is long-standing practice not to comment on the detail of intelligence matters.

  Departmental Policies (Ynys MÔn)
  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 Ynys MÔn constituency, the effects on Ynys MÔn of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [154978]

  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 5,300 people aged 75 or over living in the Ynys MÔn 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 Ynys MÔn.

  According to the information supplied to us by the distributing bodies for the national lottery awards database, there have been 136 national lottery awards to Ynys MÔn, totalling £3,715,880 since 2 May 1997. Nine Millennium Award Winners have been identified from Ynys MÔn and between them they have received grants totalling £33,985.

  Departmental Policies (Ceredigion)
  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 Ceredigion constituency, the effects on Ceredigion of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [154981]

  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.
  477W
  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 Ceredigion 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 Ceredigion.

  According to the information supplied to us by the distributing bodies for the national lottery awards database, there have been 252 national lottery awards to Ceredigion, totalling £16,357,304, since 2 May 1997: this includes an award from the Millennium Festival of £12,000 for the Teifi River Festival. Thirty Millennium Award Winners have been identified from Ceredigion and between them they have received grants totalling £106,865.

  Departmental Policies (Caernarfon)
  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 Caernarfon constituency, the effects on Caernarfon of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [154979]

  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 5,300 people aged 75 or over living in the Caernarfon 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 Caernarfon.

  According to the information supplied to us by the distributing bodies for the national lottery awards database, there have been 149 national lottery awards to Caernarfon, totalling £5,908,513 since 2 May 1997. Thirteen Millennium Award Winners have been identified from Caernarfon and between them they have received grants totalling £28,066.

  Departmental Policies (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy)
  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 Meirionnydd Nant Conwy constituency, the effects on Meirionnydd Nant Conwy of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [154980]

  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 3,800 people aged 75 or over living in the Meirionnydd Nant Conwy 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 Meirionnydd Nant Conwy.

  According to the information supplied to us by the distributing bodies for the national lottery awards database, there have been 173 national lottery awards to Meirionnydd Nant Conwy, totalling £5,887,272, since 2 May 1997: this includes an award from the Millennium Festival of £80,000 for the Celtic Bowl Festival 2000. Ten Millennium Award Winners have been identified from Meirionnydd Nant Conwy and between them they have received grants totalling £41,389.

  Picketts Lock
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what advice he has received from Sport England regarding the value for money represented by their(a) current and (b) future investment of Lottery funds in Picketts Lock; and if he will make a statement. [155366]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 23 March 2001]: When making a lottery award, value for money is one of the factors Sport England and other lottery distributors must take account of.

  Lottery Commissioners
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to appoint a Lottery Commissioner from outside the South East Standard Planning Region; and if he will make a statement. [155422]

  Kate Hoey
  National Lottery Commissioners are appointed on the basis of their abilities. The most recent Commissioner, Timothy Hornsby, was appointed
  479W
  following an application process which fully complied with the processes and guidance of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (CPA). There was an agreed job specification, the post was advertised and the shortlisted candidates were interviewed by a panel which included independent assessors as required by the CPA.

  Regional Digital Multiplexes
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the decision by the Radio Authority to award all regional digital multiplexes to MXR. [155564]

  Janet Anderson
  Of the 23 local digital multiplex licences awarded so far, five have been deemed regional multiplexes by the Radio Authority. Of these, four have been granted to MXR and one further regional multiplex licence (for Central Scotland) awarded to Switch Digital. Decisions on the award of all independent radio licences are a matter for the Radio Authority, in accordance with the criteria set out in the Broadcasting Acts. The Authority publishes detailed assessments, setting out its reasons for all such licence awards.

  Creative Partnerships
  Mr. Ennis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on his plans for Creative Partnerships. [153875]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend for Wirral, South (Mr. Chapman),Official Report, column 674.

  Departmental Policies (Edinburgh, South)
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly s possible to the Edinburgh, South constituency, the effects on Edinburgh of the Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [155339]

  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 secure funding base for the BBC, enabling it to cater to all the nations and regions of the UK, while giving it the freedom to develop commercial operations which complement and support its 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 6,700 people aged 75 or over living in Edinburgh, 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 working in
  480W
  partnership with the Scottish Tourist Board are aimed at bringing benefits to all parts of the UK, including Edinburgh, South.

  According to the information supplied to us by the distributing bodies for the national lottery awards database, there have been 91 national lottery awards to Edinburgh, South, totalling £3,873,066 since 2 May 1997. Forty two Millennium Award Winners have been identified from Edinburgh, South and between them they have received grants totalling £139,233.

  New Opportunities Fund
  Gillian Merron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the future programme of the New Opportunities Fund. [153878]

  Kate Hoey
  Proposals for the future programme of the New Opportunities Fund were set out in the consultation paper "New Opportunities from the Lottery". Those proposals received widespread support and a draft Order specifying the new initiatives and requiring the approval of both Houses was laid before Parliament on 1 March.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Departmental Policies (Edinburgh, South)
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Edinburgh, South constituency, the effects on Edinburgh of the Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [155342]

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

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

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

  Child benefit will be worth £15.50 a week for the eldest child and £10.35 a week for other children from April 2001: nationally about 7 million families receive child

  481W
  benefit, and in Edinburgh, South 7,259 families benefit and in City of Edinburgh local authority area 47,558 families benefit.

  We now have the lowest unemployment rate in 25 years. The New Deals have helped lone parents, the young unemployed, the long-term unemployed, the over-50s and partners of the unemployed to move from benefit into work. In the period since May 1997 the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance nationally has reduced from 1.562,400 to 960,600; in Edinburgh, South the number has reduced from 1,900 to 1.200, and in the City of Edinburgh local authority area from 13,000 to 7,400. Since May 1997 the number of lone parents who claim Income Support has decreased from 1,013,500 to 894,100 nationally; in Edinburgh, South the number has decreased from 1,300 to 1,000 and in the City of Edinburgh local authority area from 7,000 to 6,300.

  Older people are disproportionately affected by fuel poverty, so we have introduced Winter Fuel Payments to help with their heaviest fuel bill. This winter, the payment is £200 for households who qualify. Around 14,000 older people in Edinburgh, South have received a Winter Fuel Payment for this winter. Information on the number of Winter Fuel Payments received is not available by local authority area.

  To demonstrate our commitment to combating pensioner poverty, this year we will spend £4.5 billion extra in real terms on pensioners. Some 13,400 pensioners in Edinburgh, South, and 74,900 in the City of Edinburgh local authority area will benefit from the substantial increases in the basic State pension this April and next; this year's increase is £5 a week for single pensioners and £8 for couples. In addition we have introduced free TV licences for the over-75s of whom we estimate there are about 6,300 in Edinburgh, South and 31,100 in the City of Edinburgh local authority area. 2,200 pensioner families in Edinburgh, South and 11,300 in the City of Edinburgh local authority area are receiving the Minimum Income Guarantee, which we introduced in April 1999 to help our poorest pensioners. From April they will be at least £15 a week, or £800 a year, better off in real terms as a result of Government measures since 1997.

  Other reforms in the pipeline include: the new Pension Credit in 2003 designed to ensure that pensioners benefit from their savings; the launch of Stakeholder Pensions in

  Median average net disposable weekly household income by family type for lone parents in Great Britain

  £ per week

  Median average household income

  Before housing costs

  After housing costs

  Family type

  Income Support

  Working

  Income Support

  Working

  All Lone Parent Families (equivalised)

  164

  216

  113

  173

  Equivalent money values for different types of lone parent family

  1 child aged 5

  135

  177

  86

  132

  2 children aged 5, 11

  176

  231

  116

  177

  2 children aged 11

  182

  240

  121

  186

  3 children aged 5, 11, 16

  235

  309

  159

  243

  Notes

  1. All figures are estimates and are taken from the Households Below Average Income (HBAI data set which is derived from the Family Resources Survey (FRS). The FRS does not include Northern Ireland, and 1998–99 is the latest year for which data are available.

  2. The income measure used in HBAI is weekly net (disposable) equivalised household income (that is to say income that is adjusted to reflect the composition of the household). The equivalised income benchmark used for comparison purposes is the income of a couple with no children. The equivalent actual money values for different types of lone parent family have also been given.
  482W
  April this year; and the introduction of the State Second Pension in April 2002 both of which will help provide greater security for tomorrow's pensioners.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will break down the Disability Living Allowance awards for which deafness is the main disabling condition by(a) the rate of each component and (b) the age bands (i) 0 to 15, (ii) 16 to 24, (iii) 25 to 34, (iv) 35 to 44, (v) 45 to 54, (vi) 55 to 64 and (vii) 65 years and over; [155475]

  (2) if he will break down the Disability Living Allowance awards for which deafness is the main disabling condition by (a) the age bands (i) 0 to 15, (ii) 16 to 24, (iii) 25 to 34, (iv) 35 to 44. (v) 45 to 54, (vi) 55 to 64 and (vii) 65 years and over and (b) type of award, including (1) care component only, (2) mobility component only and (3) combined care and mobility components. [1554761

  Mr. Bayley
  Information is not available in the form requested.

  Regulations
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the availability of the full regulations governing social security; and how many copies he holds which are available for consultation by the public. [155001]

  Mr. Rooker
  Regulations on Social Security are contained in Statutory Instruments which are published by The Stationery Office Ltd. and made available through their bookshops and libraries. They are also available on the internet at www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk.

  Average Income
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the average income is for a lone-parent family in London(a) on income support and (b) where the parent is in employment. [155005]

  Angela Eagle: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.
  483W
  3. The estimates are sample counts, which have been adjusted for non-response using multipurpose grossing factors that control for region, Council Tax band and a number of other demographic variables. Estimates are subject to both sampling error and to variability in non-response. All proportions are rounded to the nearest per cent.

  4. The estimates are presented on both a Before Housing Costs (BHC) and an After Housing Costs (AHC) basis in line with HBAI conventions.

  Source:

  Family Resources Survey 1998–99

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the average income of family with two children in London was(a) in 1996 and (b) at the latest date for which figures are available. [155006]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information requested is not available.

  Pensions Advertising Campaign
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how much he estimates will have been spent on the current pensions advertising campaign by its conclusion; which media are being used and at what cost; what factors underlay the choice of media used; and if he will publish the brief to the agency responsible for the current pensions campaign; [154059]

  (2) what the objective and subjective criteria are for measuring the success of the current pensions advertising campaign; [154065]

  (3) pursant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field) of 12 March 2001,Official Report, column 458W, on pensions, if he will set out details of the working study of pension provision uptake; [154147]

  (4) what plans he has to monitor the new pension provisions for people who responded to the pension advertising campaign and who received copies of the new pension guide. [154064]

  Mr. Rooker
  The costs for developing, running and evaluating the pensions education campaign will be in the region of £6.5 million. We are advertising on TV, in the national press, in selected magazines and in the cinema.

  The broadcast media used for this campaign were selected to ensure that the new campaign made an impact and that the target audience was reached in the most effective way.

  The brief only formed a starting point for the agency and covered areas other than the current pensions education campaign.

  The campaign will be evaluated in a number of ways, including quantitative tracking research. We will also monitor hits to the website, numbers of orders placed and leaflets sent. Over the longer term we will be looking at take-up of different pension provision.

  A summary of quantitative tracking research on the pensions education marketing campaign will be placed in the Library in the summer.

  We are conducting quantitative tracking research on the campaign as well as longer term monitoring of pension provision.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field), of 12 March 2001,Official
  484W
  Report, column 458W, when the results of the tracking study on the current pensions advertising campaign will be available. [155405]

  Mr. Rooker
  A summary of quantitative tracking research on the pensions education marketing campaign will be placed in the Library in the summer.

  Pensions
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what weekly state second pension a person can expect to receive having worked for 40 years and with annual earnings of(a) £4,000, (b) £5,000, (c) £6,000,(d) £7,000, (e) £8,000, (f) £9,000, (g) £9,500, (h) £10,000, (i) £11,000, (j) £12,000, (k) £13,000, (l) £14,000 and (m) £15,000. [153788]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 15 March 2001]: A full working life for pensions purposes is 49 years for a man and 44 for a woman if she was born on or before 5 October 1950 (the full working life for women increases incrementally to 49 years as a result of the equalisation of state pension age).

  The table shows a comparison of figures:

  £

  For comparison

  Annual earnings

  State second pension entitlement on 40 year working life

  SERPS entitlement on 40 year working life

  State second pension entitlement on 49 year working life

  SERPS entitlement on 49 year working life

  £4,000

  50

  5

  59

  6

  £5,000

  50

  8

  59

  10

  £6,000

  50

  11

  59

  13

  £7,000

  50

  15

  59

  17

  £8,000

  50

  18

  59

  21

  £9,000

  50

  21

  59

  25

  £9,500

  50

  22

  59

  27

  £10,000

  50

  24

  59

  28

  £11,000

  51

  27

  61

  32

  £12,000

  52

  30

  63

  36

  £13,000

  54

  33

  65

  40

  £14,000

  55

  36

  66

  44

  £15,000

  57

  39

  68

  47

  Note:

  All figures expressed in 2001 earnings terms, and constant earnings terms

  Departmental Policies (Manchester, Gorton)
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effects on the Manchester, Gorton constituency of his Department's policies and actions since 22 November 2000. [154502]
  485W
  Mr. Rooker
  The Department's policies and initiatives have made a significant contribution to the Government's overall objectives of:Eradicating child poverty in 20 years, and halving it within 10;
  Promoting work as the best form of welfare for people of working age while protecting the position of those in greatest need; and
  Combating poverty and promoting security and independence in retirement for today's and tomorrow's pensioners.

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

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

  Child Benefit will be worth £15.50 a week for the eldest child and £10.35 a week for other children from April 2001: nationally about 7 million families receive Child Benefit, and in Gorton 9,893 families benefit.

  We now have the lowest unemployment rate in 25 years. The New Deals have helped lone parents, the young unemployed, the long-term unemployed, the over-50s and partners of the unemployed to move from benefit into work. In the period since May 1997 the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance nationally has reduced from 1,562,400 to 960,600; in Gorton the number has reduced from 4,700 to 2,900. Since May 1997 the number of lone parents who claim Income Support has decreased from 1,013,500 to 894,100 nationally and in Gorton from 3,400 to 3,000.

  Older people are disproportionately affected by fuel poverty, so we have introduced Winter Fuel Payments to help with their heaviest fuel bill. This winter, the payment is £200 for households who qualify. Around 10,900 older people in Gorton have received a Winter Fuel Payment for this winter.

  To demonstrate our commitment to combating pensioner poverty, this year we will spend £4.5 billion extra in real terms on pensioners. Some 11,000 pensioners in Gorton will benefit from the substantial increases in the basic State pension this April and next; this year's increase is £5 a week for single pensioners and £8 for couples. In addition we have introduced free TV licences for the over-75s of whom we estimate there are about 3,800 in Gorton. 4,400 pensioner families in Gorton are receiving the Minimum Income Guarantee, which we introduced in April 1999 to help our poorest pensioners. From April they will be at least £15 a week, or £800 a year, better off in real terms as a result of Government measures since 1997.

  Other reforms in the pipeline include: the new Pension Credit in 2003 designed to ensure that pensioners benefit from their savings; the launch of Stakeholder Pensions in
  486W
  April this year; and the introduction of the State Second Pension in April 2002 both of which will help provide greater security for tomorrow's pensioners.

  Redundancies (Paignton)
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the impact of 1,400 redundancies in Paignton, Devon, on benefit advice services. [154294]

  Angela Eagle
  This is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Mr. Adrian Sanders, dated 23 March 2001:

  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what assessment he has made of the impact of 1,400 redundancies in Paignton, Devon. on benefit advice services.

  The potential redundancies in Paignton are in two tranches of 700, the first occurring in January and the second is imminent. The local Benefits Agency (BA) office, in consultation with Employment Service (ES) colleagues, has assessed the requirement to deal with the issues arising, including benefit advice.

  This was minimal with respect to the first tranche but is considered to be significant with regard to the second. BA and ES staff have analysed all potential requirements and are to discuss the appropriate response with the Company, Nortel Electronics, this week. Staff will be made available to deal with the emerging situation with little or no impact on service to other customers.

  I hope this is helpful

  Chemical Weapons
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will place in the Library copies of all the assessments conducted by the War Pensions Agency into the report produced by the US Institute of Medicine in 1993, "Veterans at Risk—the health effects of mustard gas and Lewisite". [154765]

  Mr. Bayley
  The report was studied by the War Pensions Agency but no formal evaluation of it took place.

  Departmental Policies (Truro and St. Austell)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security 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. [154532]

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

  These goals are being pursued nationwide and our achievements are set out in our annual "Opportunity for all" reports. Our second report, "Opportunity for all—One year on: making a difference" (CM4865, September 2000), sets out what progress has been made in the past year, as well as highlighting what more needs to be done.

  487W
  Nationwide statistical information is necessarily more complete than constituency level data, but the following provides a comparative guide to the effect of the Department's policies and actions in Truro and St. Austell since May 1997.

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

  Child Benefit will be worth £15.50 a week for the eldest child and £10.35 a week for other children from April 2001: nationally about 7 million families receive Child Benefit, and in Truro and St. Austell 11,107 families benefit.

  We now have the lowest unemployment rate in 25 years. The New Deals have helped lone parents, the young unemployed, the long-tern unemployed, the over-50s and partners of the unemployed to move from benefit into work. In the period since May 1997 the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance nationally has reduced from 1,562,400 to 960,600; in Truro and St. Austell the number has reduced from 2,800 to 1,800. Since May 1997 the number of lone parents who claim Income Support has decreased from 1,013,500 to 894,100 nationally and in Truro and St. Austell from 1,000 to 900.

  Older people are disproportionately affected by fuel poverty, so we have introduced Winter Fuel Payments to help with their heaviest fuel bill. This winter, the payment is £200 for households who qualify. Around 24,400 older people in Truro and St. Austell have received a Winter Fuel Payment for this winter.

  To demonstrate our commitment to combating pensioner poverty, this year we will spend £4.5 billion extra in real terms on pensioners. Some 22,900 pensioners in Truro and St. Austell will benefit from the substantial increases in the basic State pension this April and next; this year's increase is £5 a week for single pensioners and £8 for couples. In addition we have introduced free TV licences for the over-75s of whom we estimate there are about 10,000 in Truro and St. Austell. 3,000 pensioner families in Truro and St. Austell are receiving the Minimum Income Guarantee, which we introduced in April 1999 to help our poorest pensioners. From April they will be at least £15 a week, or £800 a year, better off in real terms as a result of Government measures since 1997.

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

  Benefit Take-up
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what action the Government are taking to ensure an improvement in benefits take-up. [151366]
  488W
  Mr. Rooker
  We actively encourage people to claim the benefits to which they are entitled. Recent activity has included a national TV advertising campaign for the Minimum Income Guarantee.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Clergy Stipends and Pensions
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what financial contribution in(a) cash and (b) percentage terms the Church Commissioners made to clergy stipends and pensions in the last year. [153857]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  The Church Commissioners fund all clergy pensions earned on service before 1998 in full. In 1999, the last year for which audited figures are available, the cost to the Commissioners was £87 million. They paid a further £17 million as part of their scheme to assist on a time-limited basis with the pension costs from 1998 which are now the responsibility of dioceses.

  The Commissioners also met 16 per cent. of the Church of England's total stipend bill in 1999. They paid over £20 million towards the stipends of parish clergy, much of it targeted towards dioceses most in need of financial help, and a further £6.6 million to meet those stipends of bishops and cathedral clergy for which they are responsible.

  Church Commissioners (Membership)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what discussions he has had with the clergy about the categories of membership of the Church Commissioners. [153858]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  None. The constitution and membership of the Church Commissioners are laid down by statute, as most recently stated in the National Institutions Measure 1998.

  Church Commission Rents
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what response the Commissioners have given to the representations made to them in the last six months on rent levels of Church Commission residential property in London SE1. [153859]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  The Church Commissioners have responded fully to all representations made to them on this matter.

  The hon. Gentleman will have received a copy of the Commissioners' letter setting out the detailed consultation now taking place over letting policy on these estates with residents, clergy and local representatives. If he would like further information I shall be happy to provide it.

  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, if he will make a statement on the policy of the Church Commissioners in respect of agricultural land rents. [153860]
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  Mr. Stuart Bell
  The Commissioners are required as a charity to seek the best returns on their assets for the benefit of the Church of England clergy, serving and retired. They also seek to act as responsible landlords.

  In the case of agricultural tenants, the Commissioners fully recognise the crisis in farming, and especially the problems caused by foot and mouth disease, and where there is hardship will consider how best to help. This is done on a case by case basis and tenants are encouraged to discuss their difficulties with agents or staff.

CABINET OFFICE

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will list the meetings and conferences organised by her Department and agencies of her Department which have been(a) cancelled and (b) postponed owing to foot and mouth disease; and if she will make a statement. [155362]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  This information is not held centrally and could be collated only at disproportionate cost.

  Correspondence
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to her answer of 19 March 2001,Official Report, column 80W, how many letters from hon. Members did not receive substantive replies within nine months during the last three years. [155097]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  This information is not held centrally and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, a number of individual Departments do collect this information for their own records.

  I can confirm that, so far this year, the Cabinet Office has had only two late replies. Both of these were replied to within one and a half months of receipt.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Ports Police
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent assessment he has made of(a) the contribution made by Port of Lame police to combating (i) organised crime, (ii) incidental theft, (iii) bootlegging and (iv) illegal immigration and (b) the extent to which these forces have been able to (1) collaborate with and (2) complement the work of (A) the Customs and Excise, (B) the Immigration Service and (C) the Special Branch; and if he will make a statement. [153924]

  Mr. Ingram
  Responsibility for the Port of Lame police now rests with the Northern Ireland Assembly under the control of the Department for Regional Development. It is therefore no longer a matter for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent assessment he has made of(a) the contribution made of Belfast Harbour police to
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  combating (i) organised crime, (ii) incidental theft, (iii) bootlegging and (iv) illegal immigration and (b) the extent to which these forces have been able to (1) collaborate with (2) and complement the work of (A) the Customs and Excise, (B) the immigration Service and (C) the Special Branch; and if he will make a statement. [153923]

  Mr. Ingram
  Responsibility for Belfast Harbour police now rests with the Northern Ireland Assembly under the control of the Department for Regional Development. It is therefore no longer a matter for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Independent Commission of Inquiry (Bombings)
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has received a request for(a) information and (b) documents from the Independent Commission of Inquiry into the Dublin, Monaghan and Dundalk bombings; and if he will make a statement. [154759] [154760] [154761]

  Dr. Reid
  I have received a request from the Independent Commission of Inquiry into the Dublin, Monaghan and Dundalk bombings for all relevant information held by the UK Government relating to these incidents. This request has been shared with all relevant Government Departments and Agencies, who in response are currently researching archived records to establish what information they hold.

  I am also replying on behalf of the Secretary of State for Defence and the Home Secretary, of whom similar questions have been asked but who have not received separate requests from the Independent Commission of Inquiry.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Correspondence
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will establish for what reason assurances given by telephone by the office of the Minister of State to the hon. Member for Lewes on(a) 3 January and (b) 15 February that a reply to the hon. Member's letter of 22 September 2000 concerning his constituent Mr. George Tripp, would be dispatched shortly, have not N en implemented; [155563]

  (2) for what reason no reply had been received by 21 March by the hon. Member for Lewes to his letter of 22 September 2000 to the Minister of State, concerning his constituent Mr. George Tripp; and if he will make a statement. [155562]

  Mrs. Roche
  I replied to the hon. Member's letter on 22 March. I am sorry for the delay which seems to have been caused in part by the papers being misdirected within the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. It is normal practice for Private Office staff to monitor the progress of Ministers' cases and to chase outstanding replies. When they informed the hon. Member in January and February that a reply would be sent shortly, they were acting in good faith on the basis of available information. I am sorry that this information proved to be inaccurate. A draft
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  reply was received in my Private Office at the beginning of March which I signed off. A further short delay was again caused by an apparent misdirection of the papers.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to his letter of 31 January regarding a constituent, Ref: 2093/1. [1534901

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 13 March 2001]: I wrote to my hon. Friend on 23 March 2001. I am sorry I was unable to send him an earlier reply.

  Immigration
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what circumstances immigration-related inquiries are required to be referred to a Minister's private office. [1543281

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 19 March 2001]: The decision to make a Deportation Order is taken by a Minister in all cases. Any proposal to release a detainee from an Immigration Service detention centre following an application for a writ of habeas corpus must also be authorised at Ministerial level Immigration and nationality cases will otherwise be referred to Ministers if they are considered to involve significant policy issues, questions of security or if they are likely to be controversial or sensitive.

  Entry Clearance
  Mr. Godsiff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many nationals of(a) Albania, (b) Algeria, (c) Angola, (d) Armenia, (e) Azerbaijan, (f) Bahrain, (g) Bangladesh, (h) Belarus, (i) Bulgaria, (j) Cambodia, (k) Cameroon, (l) China, (m) Columbia, (n) the Dominican Republic, (o)Ecuador (p) Egypt, (q) Fiji, (r) the Gambia, (s) Ethiopia, (t) Georgia, (u) Ghana, (v) Guyana, (w) India, (x) Indonesia, (y) Iran, (z) Ivory Coast, (aa) Jordan, (bb) Kenya, (cc) Kuwait (dd) Lebanon, (ee) Liberia, (ff) Libya, (gg) Macedonia (hh) Madagascar, (ii) Mongolia, (jj) Morocco, (kk) Mozambique, (11) Nepal, (mm) Pakistan, (nn) Peru, (oo) the Philippines, (pp) Romania, (qq) Russia, (rr) Saudi Arabia, (ss) Sengal, (tt) Sri Lanka, (uu) the Sudan, (vv) Syria, (ww) Taiwan, (xx) Tanzania, (yy) Thailand, (zz) Tunisia, (aaa) Turkey, (bbb) Yugoslavia, (ccc) Ukraine, (ddd) Vietnam and (eee ) Yemen applied for entry clearance to come to the United Kingdom for temporary purposes, including visitor and student applications in 2000; how many visas were issued for temporary purposes; how many recipients of these visas returned to their country of nationality before the visas expired; and how many applied (a) to remain permanently in the United Kingdom or (b) for political asylum. [1550251

  Mrs. Roche
  The available information is given in the table.

  Entry clearance data for 2000 are not yet available. No data are available on the numbers of persons who return to their country of nationality before their leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom expires. Information is not available on the number of holders of visas for temporary purposes who apply for asylum or for settlement. The information on grants of settlement includes persons who entered the United Kingdom with an entry clearance
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  leading to settlement; and the data on asylum applications and those who entered by clandestine means include persons who held no entry clearance.

  Grants of settlement and applications for asylum 20001

  Nationality

  Grants of settlement2,3

  Applications 4 for asylum

  Albania

  110

  1,470

  Algeria

  980

  1,535

  Angola

  240

  765

  Armenia

  20

  85

  Azerbaijan

  50

  70

  Bahrain

  20

  5

  Bangladesh

  3,660

  725

  Belarus

  60

  555

  Bulgaria

  290

  85

  Cambodia

  10

  5

  Cameroon

  140

  335

  China

  1,640

  3,840

  Colombia

  630

  475

  Dominican Republic

  60

  —

  Ecuador

  100

  425

  Egypt

  470

  60

  Ethiopia

  2,700

  390

  Federal Republic of Yugoslavia5

  2,420

  5,695

  Fiji

  20

  *

  Gambia

  230

  40

  Georgia

  40

  220

  Ghana

  3,010

  255

  Guyana

  190

  5

  India

  7,770

  1,850

  Indonesia

  200

  45

  Iran

  1,790

  5,170

  Ivory Coast

  200

  420

  Jordan

  250

  15

  Kenya

  940

  430

  Kuwait

  50

  15

  Lebanon

  970

  270

  Liberia

  230

  50

  Libya

  340

  150

  Macedonia

  50

  55

  Madagascar

  6—

  *

  Mongolia

  10

  70

  Morocco

  580

  25

  Mozambique

  10

  5

  Nepal

  140

  605

  Pakistan

  10,800

  2,825

  Peru

  160

  10

  Philippines

  1,850

  25

  Romania

  310

  2,065

  Russia7

  1,180

  980

  Saudi Arabia

  50

  15

  Senegal

  30

  10

  Sri Lanka

  6,910

  6,035

  Sudan

  1,470

  390

  Syria

  220

  130

  Taiwan

  180

  10

  Tanzania

  380

  50

  Thailand

  910

  15

  Tunisia

  120

  15

  Turkey

  4,850

  3,925

  Ukraine

  380

  725

  Vietnam

  120

  180

  Yemen

  280

  180

  1 1999 data are provisional

  2 Excluding persons given indefinite leave to enter

  3 All settlement data are rounded to three significant figures or to the nearest 10 if less than 1,000

  4 Figures are rounded to the nearest 5 with * = 1 or 2, and exclude dependants

  5 Includes holders of passports of the former Yugoslavia

  6 Negligible (ie five or fewer)

  7 Includes holders of Soviet Union passports

  Departmental Policies
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) 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; [154943]

  (2) if he will set out, with statistical information 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; [154936]

  (3) 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; [154942]

  (4) 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. [154944]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  My hon. Friend asked questions regarding the four constituencies of Caernarfon, Meirionnydd Nant Conwy, Ynys MÔn and Ceredigion. The Home Office is working to build a safe, just and tolerant society in which the rights and responsibilities of individuals, families and communities are properly balanced, and the protection and security of the public are maintained. Detailed information on the impact of Home Office policies across the full range of responsibilities is set out in Home Office Annual Reports. A copy of the most recent Home Office Annual Report is available in the Library. Information on recorded crime and policing is also published. "Recorded Crime England and Wales, 12 months to September 2000" and "Police Service Strength England and Wales, 30 September 2000" can be found in the Library. The recorded crime statistics include information on recorded crime by Basic Command Unit and Crime and Disorder partnerships.

  The impact of Home Office policies and actions is not normally examined by constituency and the statistics which the Department collects, such as recorded crime, cannot be matched in the way requested although set out are some examples relating to the Caernarfon, Meirionnydd Nant Conwy, Ynys MÔn and Ceredigion constituencies or the immediate locality:

  Neighbourhood Warden Schemes

  Gwynedd county council has received £35,000 to provide one warden for the Maes Barcer estate, in the Caernarfon area, which has a higher than average incidence of crime and disorder. The bid relates very much to the council's overall housing strategy for improving the housing stock.

  Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)

  Conwy county borough council was awarded £65,000 for the Conwy Mobile Unit, which is a portable system consisting of four cameras to monitor crime and disorder 'hotspots' throughout Conwy.

  Gwynedd council was awarded £96,000 for the Bangor—Phase 2—Measgeirchen, a scheme that will provide eight cameras to cover the only access road to the estate and the main public, community and shopping facilities.
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  Ceredigion county council was awarded approximately £206,000 for the Lampeter CCTV scheme, which will provide coverage for the Lampeter Town Centre, including three car parking areas, parts of the University campus and residential areas.

  Youth Offending

  The Youth Justice Board (YJB) is currently funding a Bail Support Scheme and three Intervention Schemes through the development fund in North and Mid Wales. A bail supervision scheme, Bail Information, Supervision and Support, is being run in Conwy, Wrexham, Flintshire, Denbighshire, Gwynedd and Ynys MÔn. The YJB is contributing approximately £200,000 to the scheme.

  North Wales Drug, Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment for Young People is being run in the six local authorities in the North of Wales (including Wrexham), by the North Wales health authority with the YJB contributing approximately £42,000.

  Mid Wales Restorative Justice Challenge Project is a joint effort by Powys/Ceredigion involving Mid Wales Youth Offending Team (YOT). It is targeting young offenders at all stages of the criminal justice process from Final Warnings to Action Plans, Reparation Orders and Supervision. The project envisages use of victim offender mediation and direct and indirect reparation as appropriate. It has been awarded a grant from the YJB of approximately £184,000.

  Mid Wales Cognitive Behaviour Programme targets high/medium risk repeat offenders. It is implementing 12 one and a half hour sessions designed to match young offenders learning style. There is CD Rom material and additional sessions for people with high criminogenic factors. A YJB grant has been awarded of approximately £84,000.

  The Central North Wales YOT is engaging in multi-agency responses to youth crime including: a Bail Supervision Scheme to target and reduce the number of young people at risk of re-offending while on bail; a community reparation scheme with 11 agencies supporting community reparation work resulting in 60 per cent. of reparation work being community based and reducing delays within the court process by producing 98 per cent. of court reports within the agreed time scales. The YOT has also developed a protocol with appropriate agencies with the aim of involving parents in the youth justice process. A trained worker is in place to develop the opportunities for victims of crime to become involved in indirect reparation.

  More generally, all of the policies of the Home Office will impact on the residents of Caernarfon, Meirionnydd Nant Conwy, Ynys MÔn and Ceredigion 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.

  Justice and Home Affairs Council
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the outcome of the Justice and Home Affairs Council held in Brussels on 15 to 16 March was; what the Government's voting record at the Council was; and if he will make a statement. [154788]

  Mr. Straw
  I. together with the Minister of State, Home Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Mrs. Roche), represented the United Kingdom at the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 15 and 16 March. The main matters dealt with at the meeting were as follows:

  A points

  The A points were approved as in document 6943–01 (a copy of which is in the Library), with the exception of item 2, Council Decision updating the Common Consular Instructions. The Government did not vote on those items in which the United Kingdom does not. participate.

  Mixed Committee

  Illegal Immigration via the Western Balkans

  The Council gave firm support for the United Kingdom, Commission and Italian initiatives. I reported that the United Kingdom was prepared to commit 10 immigration officers for 12 months to work in joint teams supporting Croatian and Bosnian border services, and urged others to provide similar resources. Five member states gave commitments to provide personnel.

  Directive and Framework Decision on preventing the facilitation of entry and residence of illegal immigrations

  Member states were divided on the level of penalty for facilitating illegal entry into the European Union (EU) and on the scope of an exemption for those acting with humanitarian motives. Although a majority of delegations were willing to accept as a compromise a Presidency proposal for a six year minimum maximum penalty where the offence involved specified aggravating circumstances, others argued for a higher penalty of between eight and 10 years. The Presidency sought, without success, to achieve consensus on an alternative approach involving agreement on a six year penalty by all, with those member states who wished to impose a 10 year penalty making a joint Declaration to do so. There was, however, agreement on making the offence of facilitation as defined in the Directive extraditable. It was also agreed that work should continue on the two draft instruments with a view to reaching political agreement at the May Council.

  Schengen Implementation in Nordic Countries

  The Mixed Committee noted that evaluations had been completed and border controls between the Nordic states, including Iceland and Norway, and the existing Schengen area would be lifted on 25 March.

  Main Agenda

  Proposal for a Council Directive on minimum standards for giving temporary protection in the event of mass influx of displaced persons and on measures promoting a balance of efforts between member states in receiving such persons and bearing the consequences thereof

  The Presidency reported positively on progress. Outstanding issues on duration, decision making, access to asylum procedures and solidarity were to be dealt with by the Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER) in time for adoption at the 28–29 May Justice Home Affairs Council.
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  Council Regulation reserving to the Council: implementing powers with regard to certain detailed provisions and practical procedures for examining visa applications. Council Regulation reserving to the Council implementing powers with regard to certain detailed provisions and practical procedures for carrying out local border checks and surveillance

  These texts were remitted to COREPER.

  Civil crisis management

  Over lunch, the Council exchanged views with the High Representative, Javier Solana, as part of the preparations for the Police capabilities commitment conference on 10 May. Ministers stressed the importance of proper training of the police involved.

  Fight against drugs through law enforcement

  The Council held a public debate focused on the themes of criminal law, practical law enforcement and EU action with the candidate countries.

  The Council welcomed the Commission's intention to present a communication on drugs in April. This would include: proposals for evaluating the implementation of the EU Action Plan in 2002 and 2004; a drugs follow-up table; and an assessment of implementation of the joint action on synthetic drugs. It was important to maximise assistance to candidate countries through the Poland and Hungary Aid for Reconstruction of the Economy and Mesures d'Assistance programmes and to pursue early participation in the EU drugs observatory.

  The Council discussed harmonisation of legislation on drug trafficking and common penalties. A Commission proposal for a framework decision on harmonising drug trafficking legislation would be published in April.

  My hon. Friend the Minister of State drew attention to the priorities set out in the United Kingdom paper: an all encompassing drugs scoreboard; tough penalties to be agreed by the end of 2001; confiscation of convicted drug traffickers' passports and travel banning orders; speeding up the production of supply side indicators; agreement by the end of 2001 to the drug action plans for the candidate countries; and increased co-operation with Turkey.

  Crime prevention—towards a European crime prevention policy

  Political agreement was reached by unanimity on the draft Council Decision establishing the European Crime Prevention Network and Articles 1 to 4 of the Hippocrates funding programme, subject to consideration of the European Parliament's opinion on both texts which was expected in mid-April. The Presidency's paper on a European Crime Prevention Policy was agreed.

  Draft Framework Decision on the protection of the environment through criminal law

  The Council discussed handling of the draft framework decision in the light of the Commission's proposal for a directive, which sought to impose an obligation on member states to introduce criminal sanctions for breaches of existing Community environmental legislation. The majority of member states expressed support for the objectives of the draft framework decision. They accepted that consideration would need to be given to the issues raised by the Commission' s proposal but were clear that criminal sanctions were matters for the Third Pillar and argued for a clear declaration to that effect. The Presidency concluded that the Council had reached provisional agreement concerning the objectives and in principle the

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  content of the framework decision, but would instruct officials to examine whether it was necessary to complement the framework decision in the light of the Commission's proposal.

  Fight against cybercrime

  The Commission presented its Communication on cybercrime. This envisages future legislation proposals to approximate member states' legislation on: child pornography on the internet; computer hacking and virus attacks; racist/xenophobic material on and off the internet; and mutual recognition of pre-trial order in cybercrime investigations.

  Candidate Countries

  On 16 March, an informal meeting was held in the margins of the Council with candidate countries, including Turkey, with the aim of strengthening practical co-operation; in particular discussion focused on the fight against organised crime, asylum and illegal immigration. The United Kingdom was represented by officials.

  Postal Votes
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will issue guidance to political parties, agents and candidates on the provisions of the Representation of the People Act 2000 relating to breaches of the postal vote regulations; and if he will make a statement. [155470]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Representation of the People Act 2000 made no changes to the provisions for the security of postal votes. Electoral administrators are aware of those provisions and will see that they are enforced. It is the responsibility of political parties, agents and candidates to familiarise themselves with all aspects of electoral law which may affect them.

  Mr. McCabe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if(a) candidates and (b) their agents will have the right to a copy of the list of electors exercising their right to vote by post, and the address to which the ballot paper is to be sent, at least 24 hours prior to the despatch of absent votes to electors. [154797]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Regulation 61(i) of the Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001 provides that the registration officer shall, on request, supply a copy of the list of those electors who have been granted applications to vote by post to each candidate or their election agent at any time. However applications for postal votes can be received up until the sixth day before polling, so obviously a complete list of postal voters will not be available until after that date. Postal ballot papers will be despatched continuously from the date of close of nominations until shortly after the sixth day before polling day.

  Electoral Register
  Mr. McCabe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if electoral registration officers have been advised to suffix existing elector numbers to accommodate additions to the register. [154799]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Electoral registration officers were advised by a Home Office Representation of the People Act 2000 (RPA) circular (RPA circular No. 437) on 20 February that they should ensure that all individuals 498W
  are inserted at the correct location in the register consistent with their address, and that no numbers should be re-used. Instead, existing elector numbers should be given a suffix to accommodate additions to the register. This will allow for identification of additions and cause little disruption to the already published numbering.

  Mr. McCabe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the provisions for existing rights of inspection and copying of the ballot box register (marked register) used on polling day are to continue. [154800]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  There has been no change to the legal provisions for parliamentary and local elections governing the inspection and copying of the marked register used on polling day in those elections.

  Mr. McCabe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if elected public representatives and registered political parties will be entitled to receive details of additions and deletions to the register as and when they are published by electoral registration officers; and if representatives and registered political parties will be entitled to a free copy of the register in data format up to four times a year. [154798]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Paragraph 47 of the Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001 provides for elected representatives, political parties, candidates and their agents to be supplied with one copy of the register that relates to the area they represent, or seek to represent. Unless the recipient requests otherwise, this copy will be in data format from which they may produce further copies. There is currently no provision for lists of amendments to the published electoral registers to be sold or supplied free of charge, though amendment regulations dealing with the sale and supply of the register which we hope to publish shortly will provide for it.

  Extradition
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the grounds on which an individual subject to extradition could be transferred to another jurisdiction in his recently published proposals on extradition. [155079]

  Mr. Straw
  The consultation document, "The Law on Extradition: A Review", which I published on 12 March, makes proposals for extensive streamlining and reform of the present extradition legislation. It does not propose however to amend the fundamental grounds on which an individual subject to extradition proceedings can be transferred to another jurisdiction. These are that there is an extradition arrangement in place between the requesting state and the United Kingdom, and that the offence of which the individual has been accused or convicted is an extradition crime.

  The definition of extradition crime varies depending on the particular extradition arrangements in place; the bars to extradition also vary under different arrangements. The proposals for streamlining these provisions are summarised in Chapter II of the consultation document.

  Vets
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applicants awaiting
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  processing of (a) immigration and asylum claims and (b) appeals, are qualified veterinary surgeons; and if he will list the countries of origin involved. [155436]

  Mrs. Roche
  The information requested is not held centrally and not systematically collected as part of the immigration and asylum application process and is therefore available only at disproportionate cost.

  A foreign national wishing to practise as a veterinary surgeon needs a work permit. Information on the number of applications for work permits from veterinary surgeons awaiting decision in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) is not held centrally, but the number is likely to be very small. Arrangements have been made with the Department for Education and Employment for such applications to be highlighted and on arrival in IND they will be processed as a matter of priority.

  The criteria for recognition as a refugee, and hence the granting of asylum, are set out in the 1951 United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, extended in its application by the 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees. The United Kingdom considers all asylum applications against these criteria and not on an applicant's occupation.

  Pub-watch Schemes
  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact of the Human Rights Act 1998 on pub-watch schemes; and if he will make a statement. [155559]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Government are keen to promote pub-watch schemes which involve licensees working together to reduce alcohol-related violence and disorder on licensed premises. The schemes may involve information about known troublemakers being passed between local licensees for this purpose.

  We do not consider that these schemes, which are supported by the police, are in any way incompatible with the Human Rights Act 1998. The Act should not therefore have any impact on properly run schemes.

  Family Visit Appeals
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the net income from fees for family visit appeals since 2 October 2000 is; and what proportion of this net income relates to appeals which are outstanding. [155569]

  Mrs. Roche
  The exact figure is not available, because it is not yet clear how many appeals were lodged before the fees were reduced on 12 January. The Immigration Appellate Authorities are conducting an exercise to establish that information. At present we estimate the current figure for net income from fees for family visitor appeals in the period 2 October 2000 to 22 March 2001 is about £49,000. Of this, 39 per cent. relates to appeals which are currently outstanding and which may result in further refunds.

  Passports
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many passports were lost by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate in each of the last 10 years. [155565]
  500W
  Mrs. Roche
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  However, the Integrated Casework Directorate's (ICD's) Return of Passport Unit, which was set up in October 1999, issued 97 lost passport letters to applicants in the year 2000 and has issued 24 letters so far this year.

  Secure Units
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which local authority secure units have been suspended from use by the Youth Justice Board; for what reasons use of those secure units has been suspended; which secure units which had been suspended from use in the past are being used by the Youth Justice Board; and if he will make a statement. [155567]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The operation of these secure units is a matter for the local authorities concerned and the Department of Health which licenses them. The Youth Justice Board purchases places in most of them. It has ceased to do so, or decided not to start purchasing places, where the unit cannot meet the Board's contracting standards or concerns have been raised by the Board's monitors or the Social Services Inspectorate about the quality of care provided. The units affected during the past year are the Gladstone Unit in Liverpool, Stamford House in London and Stoke House in Coventry. Some places are now being purchased in each of them.

  Ports Police
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will examine with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, and HM Treasury, the impact on combating(a) organised crime, (b) incidental theft, (c) bootlegging and (d) illegal immigration of having (i) a dedicated ports police force for the whole of the United Kingdom's ports and (ii) the reintroduction of the British Transport Police at the UK's ports; and if he will make a statement. [153922]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions is the lead Department for port police forces. I understand there are no plans at present to establish a dedicated ports police force for the whole of the United Kingdom or to bring ports policing under the control of the British Transport Police. The Under-Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, my hon. Friend the Member for Streatham (Mr. Hill), announced a review of the current arrangements for ports police in an answer given on 8 March 2001,Official Report, column 276W. The review will identify which ports in England and Wales still utilise their own police forces, what powers they have and what functions they perform. It also aims to compare how the port police forces compare with Home Office forces in terms of accountability, report on the current situation and make recommendations for future options for the port police forces. The Home Office will be consulted in the course of this review.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what recent assessment he has made of(a) the contribution made by Port of Liverpool police to combating (i) organised crime, (ii) incidental theft, (iii) bootlegging and (iv) illegal immigration and

  501W
  (b) the extent that these forces have been able to (1) collaborate with and (2) complement the work of (A) the Customs and Excise, (B) the Immigration Service and (C) the Special Branch; and if he will make a statement; [153925]

  (2) what recent assessment he has made of (a) the contribution made by Tees and Hartlepool police to combating (i) organised crime, (ii) incidental theft, (iii) bootlegging and (iv) illegal immigration and (b) the extent that these forces have been able to (1) collaborate with and (2) complement the work of (A) the Customs and Excise, (B) the Immigration Service and (C) the Special Branch; and if he will make a statement; [153926]

  (3) what recent assessment he has made of (a) the contribution made by Port of Tilbury police to combating (i) organised crime, (ii) incidental theft, (iii) bootlegging and (iv) illegal immigration and (b) the extent that these forces have been able to (1) collaborate with and (2) and complement the work of (A) the Customs and Excise, (B) the Immigration Service and (C) the Special Branch; and if he will make a statement; [153927]

  (4) what recent assessment he has made of (a) the contribution made by Port of Bristol Police to combating (i) organised crime, (ii) incidental theft, (iii) bootlegging and (iv) illegal immigration and (b) the extent that these forces have been able to (1) collaborate with and (2) and complement the work of (A) the Customs and Excise, (B) the Immigration Service and (C) the Special Branch; and if he will make a statement; [153928]

  (5) what recent assessment he has made of (a) the contribution made by Port of Devon police to combating (i) organised crime, (ii) incidental theft, (iii) bootlegging and (iv) illegal immigration and (b) the extent that these forces have been able to (1) collaborate with and (2) and complement the work of (A) the Customs and Excise, (B) the Immigration Service and (C) the Special Branch; and if he will make a statement; [153929]

  (6) what recent assessment he has made of (a) the contribution made by Port of Felixstowe police to combating (i) organised crime, (ii) incidental theft, (iii) bootlegging and (iv) illegal immigration and (b) the extent that these forces have been able to (1) collaborate with and (2) and complement the work of (A) the Customs and Excise, (B) the Immigration Service and (C) the Special Branch; and if he will make a statement. [153930]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  None. The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions is the lead Department for port police forces. The Under-Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, my hon. Friend the Member for Streatham (Mr. Hill), announced a review of the current arrangements for ports police in an answer given on 8 March 2001,Official Report, column 276W. The review will identify which ports in England and Wales still utilise their own police forces, what powers they have and what functions they perform. It also aims to compare how the port police forces compare with Home Office forces in terms of accountability, report on the current situation and make recommendations for future options for the port police forces.

  Hilda Murrell
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects West Mercia Constabulary to be informed of the DNA test results by the Forensic Science Service in the case of Hilda Murrell; and if he will make a statement. [154270]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 23 March 2001]I understand that the Forensic Science Service anticipate the results of the current round of DNA tests in the case of Hilda Murrell by the week beginning 23 April, and the West Mercia Constabulary will be informed shortly thereafter.

  Special Constables (Wales)
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how m my(a) funded and (b) actual specials were in post in each of the Welsh constabularies on (i) 31 March 1997 and (ii) the latest date for which figures are available. [154803]

  Mr. Charles Clarke [holding answer 22 March 2001]
  The Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate collect police personnel statistics, including those of the Special Constabulary.

  There are no national targets for specials and each of the Welsh constabularies has advised that it does not differentiate between funded and actual specials. The Special Constabulary strength figures for the Welsh constabularies for 31 March 1997 and 30 September 2000 (the latest figures available) are given in the table.

  March 1997

  September 2000

  Dyfed Powys

  283

  193

  Gwent

  157

  131

  North Wales

  341

  233

  South Wales

  361

  254

  Rural Parishes
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of rural parishes do not have a police station. [153132]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information on the number of rural parishes which do not have a police station is not held centrally.

  Refrigerants
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent the Home Office building at 50 Queen Anne's Gate uses hydrofluorocarbons for(a) refrigeration and (b) air conditioning; what amounts of hydrofluorocarbons have been purchased in each year since 1995; and what plans he has to phase out the (i) purchase and (ii) use of hydrofluorocarbons. [153020]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 9 March 2001]Hydrofluorocarbons are used in domestic fridges at tea
  503W
  points and freezer cabinets and fridges in the staff restaurant area. They are also used as refrigerants in the air-conditioning systems.

  Figures supplied by our maintenance contractor on the purchase of hydrofluorocarbons are:

  2000—10 kg

  2001—840 kg.

  The information for the years 1995–99 is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Our policy is that hydrofluorocarbons should be used only where other safe, technically feasible, cost effective and environmentally acceptable alternatives do not exist.

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his Department's policy is regarding the purchase of(a) hydrocarbons and (b) other environmentally benign refrigerants to meet all the refrigeration and other energy needs of buildings and premises (i) owned and (ii) leased by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [153019]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 9 March 2001]The Home Office does not have a specific policy on the purchase of hydrocarbons. However, my Department's policy is to ensure that no products are purchased which contain chlorofluorocarbons and—except where existing systems cannot be easily converted—no hydrochlorofluoro-carbons, halons, carbon tetrachloride, 111 trichloroethane or any other ozone-depleting substances. The policy also states that hydrofluorocarbons should only be used where other safe, technically feasible, cost effective and environmentally acceptable alternatives do not exist.

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which buildings and premises(a) owned and (b) leased by his Department use (i) chlorofluorocarbons and (ii) hydrochlorofluorocarbons for refrigeration and other energy needs; and if he will give details of such use and the reasons for it. [153016]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 9 March 20011 Information on the use of chlorofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons is not recorded centrally. My Department's policy is to ensure that we do not purchase any products which use chlorofluorocarbons and, except where existing systems cannot be easily converted, hydrochlorofluorocarbons.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  After-school and Holiday Clubs (Northern Region)
  Mr. Kemp
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many(a) after school clubs and (b) holiday play scheme places there were in the Northern Region in (i) 1996 and (ii) at the latest date for which figures are available. [155010]

  Ms Hodge
  The available information on out-of-school clubs1 and holiday scheme places in the North East region is as follows.

  In March 1996 there were 70 out of school clubs providing 2,267 places and 143 holiday schemes providing 3,784 places.
  504W
  In March 2000 there were 200 out of school clubs providing 6,615 places and 692 holiday schemes providing 26,541 places2.
  1 Data on after school clubs are not available separately. The data on out-of-school clubs include before and after school clubs.
  2 Holiday scheme figures prior to 1998 may not be directly comparable to 2000 because of changes in the instructions given to providers for recording places in 1999.

  Child Care Tax Credit
  Ms Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what discussions he has had with Treasury Ministers about the extension of the Child Care Tax Credit to cover formal child care in the home; and if he will make a statement. [154565]

  Ms Hodge
  My right hon. Friend the Chancellor announced in the Budget recently that the Government are considering this matter, in particular to help families who may need care in the home because they are shiftworkers or have children with disabilities. I keep in close touch with my hon. Friend the Paymaster General on this issue.

  Departmental Policies (Manchester, Gorton)
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effects on the Manchester, Gorton constituency of his Department's policies and actions since 22 November 2000. [154503]

  Mr. Wills
  Outlined are details of the effects of a range of the Department's policies on the Manchester, Gorton constituency and the Manchester LEA.

  Excellence In Cities (EIC)

  This paragraph updates the information on EIC which was provided in November 2000.

  Manchester was designated an Excellence in Cities area in Phase 1 of the programme. The Partnership covers all 23 secondary schools in the city. The partnership now has:
  21 Learning Support Units;
  Three Beacon schools and one specialist school approved under the Excellence in Cities programme;
  Six clusters of secondary schools working together to support gifted and talented pupils;
  65 Learning Mentors all of whom have had local and national training;
  Three City Learning Centres operating with a fourth to open later this year;
  One small Education Action Zone operating from September 2000 and a further two are to start in September.

  The Manchester partnership also has an approved plan for primary EIC with 54 primary schools involved. The Learning Mentor strand and programmes for Gifted and Talented pupils are already under way with three Primary Learning Support Units planned to open this academic year.

  Manchester is also included in the Excellence Challenge programme with planning to be completed by June 2001 for implementation in September 2001.

  Performance Indicators

  As per PQ 136171.
  505W
  Funding per pupil

  In Manchester LEA, funding per pupil has increased by £610 in real terms between 1997–98 and 2000–01.

  Capital funding

  £000

  2001–02

  ACG

  9,946

  VA grant

  4,002

  Science labs

  221

  Access at 85 per cent.

  465

  Security

  100

  Seed challenge

  297

  NDS condition funding

  1,157

  NDS devolved formula capital

  1,630

  Further Education

  Student numbers at all FEFC funded institutions where home postcode is in the local authority district of Manchester.

  1999–2000

  Full-time

  Part-time

  FEFC funded

  16–18

  5,393

  1,800

  Adult

  3,643

  24,838

  Non-FEFC funded

  16–18

  163

  723

  Adult

  642

  1,722

  Modern Apprenticeships

  Since 22 November 2000, we know of 13 starts on Modern Apprenticeships (seven on Foundation Modern Apprenticeships and six on Advanced Modern Apprenticeships) in the Gorton constituency (as at 31 December 2000).

  For comparison, known starts on Modern Apprenticeships for the period 2 May 1997 to 21 November 2000, broken down by financial year, are:

  Financial year

  Foundation Modern Apprenticeships1

  Advanced Modern Apprenticeships2

  Total

  1997–98

  0

  85

  85

  1998–99

  42

  111

  153

  1999–2000

  112

  144

  256

  117

  107

  224

  2000–013

  —

  —

  —

  Total

  271

  447

  718

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

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

  3 To 21 November 2000.

  Notes:

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

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

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

  506W

  4. Data for the period 21 November to 31 December 2000 may be less than 95 per cent. complete due to some notifications of training starts not yet being received from TECs.

  Source:

  WBTYP trainee database

  New Deal for Young People

  In the Gorton constituency, 1,968 young people have joined the New Deal to end December 2000. 843 have found jobs, 604 of which are sustained.

  Labour market statistics

  The working age employment rate in Manchester in autumn 2000 was 60.4 per cent., below the UK rate of 74.7 per cent. The rite in autumn 1997 was 55.8 per cent.

  The claimant unemployment rate has fallen from 25.0 per cent. in February 1997 to 13.0 per cent. in February 2001 in the Gorton constituency.

  Departmental Policies (Ceredigion)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Ceredigion constituency, the effects on Ceredigion of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [1549751

  Mr. Wills
  Outlined are details of the effects of a range of the Department's policies on the Ceredigion constituency. The Welsh Assembly will be able to provide details of education policies.

  Modern Apprenticeships

  Numbers of known starts on modern apprenticeships for the requested constituency since 2 May 1997 (as at 30 November 2000) are as follows, broken down by financial year:

  Ceredigion

  Financial year

  Foundation modern apprenticeships1

  Advanced modern apprenticeships2

  Total

  1997–98

  0

  134

  134

  1998–99

  46

  98

  144

  1999–2000

  168

  64

  232

  2000–013

  138

  44

  182

  —

  —

  —

  Total

  352

  340

  692

  1 Foundation modern apprenticeships, formerly known as national traineeships, were introduced nationally in September 1997.

  2 Advanced modern apprenticeships, formerly known as modern apprenticeships, were introduced nationally in September 1995.

  3 To date

  Notes:

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

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

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

  Source:

  WBTYP trainee database
  507W
  New Deal for Young People

  In the Ceredigion constituency, 704 young people have joined the New Deal to end December 2000. 341 have found jobs, 282 of which are sustained.

  Labour market statistics

  The claimant unemployment rate has fallen from 5.8 per cent. in February 1997 to 4.2 per cent. in February 2001 in the Ceredigion constituency.

  Employment zone

  The constituencies of Caernarfon, Ynys MÔn and Meirionnydd Nant Conwy are covered by the North West Wales Employment Zone. The zone began operating in May 2000 and by December 2000, 882 people had started on the Employment Zone. Of these people 37 had entered employment by December 2000.

  Departmental Policies (Sutton and Cheam)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Sutton and Cheam constituency, the effects on Sutton and Cheam of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [154412]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 21 March 2001]Outlined are details of the effects of a range of the Department's policies on the Sutton and Cheam constituency and Sutton LEA.

  Beacon Schools

  There is one Beacon school in Sutton LEA—St. Elphege's RC Infant School which was awarded Beacon status September 2000.

  Specialist School

  School

  St. Philomenas Catholic High School

  Specialism

  Technology

  Start

  September 1997

  Sutton and Cheam

  No

  Capital funding

  £000

  2001–02

  2000–01

  1999–2000

  1998–99

  1997–98

  ACG

  3,902

  4,411

  2,848

  4,021

  3,563

  SCA

  —

  477

  191

  64

  1,452

  NDS

  —

  2,462

  564

  516

  602

  VA Grant

  197

  95

  296

  57

  44

  Seed

  153

  136

  —

  —

  PPP

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Formula Capital

  —

  1,128

  —

  —

  —

  NgFL

  —

  518

  337

  241

  —

  Science labs

  147

  147

  —

  —

  —

  SSLU

  32

  37

  —

  —

  —

  Access at 85 per cent.

  232

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Security

  37

  52

  52

  37

  30

  Class size

  —

  109

  365

  288

  —

  Outside toilets

  —

  —

  —

  10

  —

  Energy efficiency

  —

  —

  —

  35

  —

  Assistance with AMP

  —

  —

  20

  —

  —

  Nursery provision

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Note:

  The allocation for 2001–02 also includes £621,000 for NDS Devolved Formula Capital and £432,000 NDS Condition Funding
  508W

  Infant class size

  Number

  Allocations (£ million) Capital and Revenue

  2.4

  January 1997 (number of children in infant class sizes of 31 or over)

  1,657

  September 2000 (number of children in infant class sizes of 31 or over)

  31

  Performance indicators—Key Stage 2 results

  Percentage

  2000

  1999

  1998

  1997

  Pupils achieving level 4 and above

  English

  LEA

  80

  78

  68

  70

  England

  75

  71

  65

  63

  Maths

  LEA

  74

  73

  61

  66

  England

  72

  69

  59

  62

  Science

  LEA

  88

  82

  70

  73

  England

  85

  78

  69

  69

  GCSE/GNVQ Results

  5+A*-C

  LEA average

  63.4

  60.1

  57.9

  54.7

  England average

  49.2

  47.9

  46.3

  45.1

  5+A*-G

  LEA average

  94.1

  93.9

  91.6

  91.6

  England average

  88.9

  88.5

  87.5

  86.4

  No passes

  LEA average

  3.5

  3.2

  4.5

  5.0

  England average

  5.6

  6.0

  6.6

  7.7

  A/AS level, advanced GNVQ

  Average points for two or more A/AS levels

  LEA average

  20.9

  20.3

  20.3

  19.1

  England average

  18.5

  18.2

  17.8

  17.3

  A/AS average per entry

  LEA average

  6.1

  6.0

  6.0

  5.6

  England average

  5.5

  5.5

  5.4

  5.3

  Average point score GNVQs

  LEA average

  8.8

  9.4

  8.3

  n/a

  England average

  10.1

  9.9

  9.6

  n/a

  Funding per pupil

  In Sutton LEA, funding per pupil has increased by £180 in real terms between 1997–98 and 2000–01.
  509W
  Further Education

  Student number at all FEFC funded institutions where home postcode is in the local authority district of Sutton.

  1996–97 to 1999–2000

  16–18

  Adult

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Full-time

  Part-time

  FEFC funded

  1996–97

  1,260

  595

  629

  6,981

  1997–98

  1,242

  643

  564

  7,457

  1998–99

  1,205

  550

  518

  7,064

  1999–2000

  1,198

  571

  486

  6,235

  Non-FEFC funded

  1996–97

  33

  95

  158

  357

  1997–98

  33

  112

  174

  354

  1998–99

  35

  143

  179

  399

  1999–2000

  44

  248

  214

  1,549

  Modern Apprenticeships

  Since 2 May 1997, we know of 565 starts on Modern Apprenticeships in the Sutton and Cheam constituency (as at 31 December 2000). Broken down by financial year these are:

  Financial year

  Foundation Modern Apprenticeships1

  Advanced Modern Apprenticeships2

  Total

  1997–98

  2

  90

  92

  1998–99

  34

  98

  132

  1999–2000

  82

  99

  181

  2000–013

  80

  80

  160

  Total

  198

  367

  565

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

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

  3 To date.

  Notes:

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

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

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

  Source:

  WBTYP trainee database.

  New Deal for Young People

  In the Sutton and Cheam constituency, 260 young people have joined the New Deal to end December 2000. 150 have found jobs, 115 of which are sustained.

  Labour Market Statistics

  The working age employment rate in Sutton in autumn 2000 was 84.5 per cent., above the UK rate of 74.7 per cent. The rate in autumn 1997 was 82.1 per cent.

  The claimant unemployment rate has fallen from 4.3 per cent. in February 1997 to 1.7 per cent. in February 2001 in the Sutton and Cheam constituency.

  Departmental Policies (Caernarfon)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will set out, with 510W
  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. [154976]

  Mr. Wills
  Outlined are details of the effects of a range of the Department's policies on the Caernarfon constituency. The Welsh Assembly will be able to provide details of education policies.

  Modern Apprenticeships

  Numbers of known starts on Modern Apprenticeships for the requested constituency since 2 May 1997 (as at 30 November 2000) are as follows, broken down by financial year:

  Caernarfon

  Financial year

  Foundation Modern Apprenticeships1

  Advanced Modern Apprenticeships2

  Total

  1997–98

  0

  64

  64

  1998–99

  27

  76

  103

  1999–2000

  206

  65

  271

  2000–013

  147

  35

  182

  Total

  380

  240

  620

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

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

  3 To date

  Notes:

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

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

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

  Source:

  WBTYP trainee database

  New Deal for Young People

  In the Caernarfon constituency, 818 young people have joined the New Deal to end December 2000. 497 have found jobs, 406 of which are sustained.

  Labour market statistics

  The claimant unemployment rate has fallen from: 10.7 per cent. in February 1997 to 6.0 per cent. in February 2001 in the Caernarfon constituency.

  Employment zone

  The constituencies of Caernarfon, Yns MÔn and Meirionnydd Nant Conwy are covered by the North West Wales Employment Zone. The zone began operating in May 2000 and by December 2000, 882 people had started on the Employment Zone. Of these people 37 had entered employment by December 2000.

  Departmental Policies (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Meirionnydd Nant Conwy constituency, the effects on Meirionnydd Nant Conwy of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [1549771
  511W
  Mr. Wills
  Outlined are details of the effects of a range of the Department's policies on the Meirionnydd Nant Conwy constituency. The Welsh Assembly will be able to provide details of education policies.

  Modern Apprenticeships

  Numbers of known starts on Modern Apprenticeships for the requested constituency since 2 May 1997 (as at 30 November 2000) are as follows, broken down by financial year:

  Meirionnydd Nant Conwy

  Financial year

  Foundation Modern Apprenticeships1

  Advanced Modern Apprenticeships2

  Total

  1997–98

  0

  40

  40

  1998–99

  32

  48

  80

  1999–2000

  135

  49

  184

  2000–013

  91

  44

  135

  Total

  258

  181

  439

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

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

  3 To date

  Notes:

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

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

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

  Source:

  WBTYP trainee database

  New Deal for Young People

  In the Meirionnydd Nant Conwy constituency, 443 young people have joined the New Deal to end December 2000. 253 have found jobs, 201 of which are sustained.

  Labour market statistics

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

  The claimant unemployment rate has fallen from:

  8.7 per cent. in February 1997 to 5.4 per cent. in February 2001 in the Clwyd, South constituency.

  Employment zone

  The constituencies of Caernarfon, Ynys MÔn and Meirionnydd Nant Conwy are covered by the North West Wales Employment Zone. The zone began operating in May 2000 and by December 2000, 882 people had started on the Employment Zone. Of these people 37 had entered employment by December 2000.

  Departmental Policies (Ynys MÔn)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Ynys MÔn constituency, the effects on Ynys MÔn of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [154974]
  512W
  Mr. Wills
  Outlined are details of the effects of a range of the Department's policies on the Ynys MÔn constituency. The Welsh Assembly will be able to provide details of education policies.

  Modern Apprenticeships

  Numbers of known starts on Modern Apprenticeships for the requested constituency since 2 May 1997 (as at 30 November 2000) are as follows, broken down by financial year.

  Ynys MÔn

  Financial year

  Foundation Modern Apprenticeships1

  Advanced Modern Apprenticeships2

  Total

  1997–98

  3

  102

  105

  1998–99

  87

  68

  155

  1999–2000

  361

  87

  448

  2000 –013

  195

  67

  262

  Total

  646

  324

  970

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

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

  3 To date

  Notes:

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

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

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

  Source:

  WBTYP trainee database

  New Deal for Young People

  In the Ynys MÔn constituency, 1,091 young people have joined the New Deal to end December 2000. 580 have found jobs, 462 of which are sustained.

  Labour market statistics

  The claimant unemployment rate has fallen from 12.3 per cent. in February 1997 to 9.0 per cent. in February 2001 in the Ynys MÔn constituency.

  Employment zone and Action Teams

  The constituencies of Caernarfon, Ynys MÔn and Meirionnydd Nant Conwy are covered by the North West Wales Employment Zone. The zone began operating in May 2000 and by December 2000, 882 people had started on the Employment Zone. Of these people 37 had entered employment by December 2000.

  The North West Wales Action Team for Jobs operated in Holyhead, which lies within the Ynys MÔn constituency. The Action Team began operating in October 2000: by February 2001 the Team had a caseload of 140 people and 15 people had entered employment.

  Departmental Policies (Edinburgh, South)
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Edinburgh, South constituency, the effects on Edinburgh of the Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [155340]
  513W
  Mr. Wills
  Outlined are details of the effects of a range of the Department's policies on the Edinburgh, South constituency. For education matters I refer my hon. Friend to the Scottish Parliament.

  Modern Apprenticeships

  Scottish Office will provide.

  New Deal for Young People

  In the Edinburgh, South constituency, 586 young people have joined the New Deal to the end December 2000. 298 have found jobs, 232 of which are sustained.

  Labour Market Statistics

  The working age employment rate in City of Edinburgh in autumn 2000 was 81.8 per cent., above the UK rate of 74.7 per cent. The rate in autumn 1997 was 73.2 per cent.

  The claimant unemployment rate has fallen from 7.9 per cent. in February 1997 to 4.4 per cent. in February 2001 in the Edinburgh, South constituency.

  Departmental Policies (Lincoln)
  Gillian Merron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Lincoln constituency, the effects on Lincoln of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [152980]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 20 March 2001]Details of the effects of a range of the Department's policies on the Lincoln constituency and Lincolnshire LEA have been placed in the Library.

  Departmental Policies (Stourbridge and Dudley)
  Ms Shipley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment 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 policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [154730]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 20 March 2001]Details of the effects of a range of the Department's policies on the Stourbridge constituency and the metropolitan borough of Dudley and Dudley LEA have been placed in the Library.

  Departmental Policies (Lancaster and Wyre)
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Lancaster and Wyre constituency, the effect on Lancaster and Wyre of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [154685]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 21 March 2001]Details of the effects of a range of the Department's policies on the Lancaster and Wyre constituency and the Lancashire LEA have been placed in the Library.

  Departmental Policies (Battersea)
  Mr. Linton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to Battersea, the effects of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [154821]
  514W
  Mr. Wills
  Details of the effects of a range of the Department's policies on the Battersea constituency and the Wandsworth LEA have been placed in the Library.

  Departmental Policies (Truro and St. Austell)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Truro and St. Austell constituency, the effects on Truro and St. Austell of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [154534]

  Mr. Wills
  Details of the effects of a range of the Department's policies on the Truro and St. Austell constituency and Cornwall LEA have been placed in the Library.

  Departmental Policies (Chichester)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Chichester constituency, the effects on Chichester of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [155279]

  Mr. Wills
  Details of the effects of a range of the Department's policies on the Chichester constituency and West Sussex LEA have been placed in the Library.

  Departmental Policies (Walthamstow)
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effect on the Walthamstow constituency of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [154174]

  Mr. Wills
  Details of the effects of a range of the Department's policies on the Walthamstow constituency and the Waltham Forest LEA have been placed in the Library.

  New Deal
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many cohorts had their first interview for the New Deal for 18 to 24-years-olds in(a) January and (b) April 1998. [154931]

  Ms Jowell
  In January 1998, 4,030 young people had an initial New Deal interview in the 12 Pathfinder areas. In April 1998, the first month that the programme was rolled out nationally, 13,200 young people had an initial interview.

  Education Action Zones
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list, for each education action zone(a) the lead LEA, (b) the schools in the zones, (c) the parliamentary constituencies covered by each zone, (d) the date of the zone's inauguration, (e) the total public funding given to each zone to date, (f) the public funding budgeted to be given to the zone in future, (g) the total private funding obtained by each zone and (h) the date of (i) inspection and (ii) audit of each zone's efficiency and effectiveness. [153280]
  515W
  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 12 March 20011 The information requested for each of the 73 large Education Action Zones (EAZs), is contained in tables, copies of which have been placed in the Library, with the exception of(h) (ii) which is an ongoing process. EAZs do not have 'lead LEAs'. The table lists the Partner LEAs.

  This funding has led to improvements in the standards of education. In the 25 first round zones which have been running the longest, the proportion of 7-year-olds reaching level 2 in reading, writing and maths has increased by 7,. 6 and 8 percentage points respectively since 1998, compared with national increases of 4, 4 and 6 percentage points over the same period. The proportion of 11-year-olds achieving level 4 in English, maths and science has increased by 12, 16 and 20 percentage points respectively, compared with 10, 14 and 16 percentage points nationally.

  Pledged private sector sponsorship for all Education Action Zones now runs at over £37 million; some £36 million of this is for large zones.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  BSE
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minster of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the longest period of time is in which existing stocks of rendered specified risk material and over-30-months scheme material have been stored. [152065]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 5 March 2001]The longest period of time to date in which existing stocks of rendered OTMS material (which includes SRM from over-30months cattle) have been stored is 4 years 9 months, i.e. from the start of the scheme in May 1996.

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what veterinary advice he has received regarding the level of threat posed to the spreading of foot and mouth disease by the holding of horseracing meetings; and if he will make a statement. [152162]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 5 March 2001]Veterinary advice to Ministers is that no meeting should be held within an officially designated Protection Zone. This is an area of at least 3 kilometres around an infected premises.

  We have provided veterinary support in drawing up advice for use by the British Horseracing Board regarding the conditions under which race meetings in other parts of the country may be held.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with British Waterways about the precautions necessary to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease; and if he will make a statement. [153842]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 15 March 2001]The Ministry has had a number of contacts with British Waterways at a local level and these have been constructive. In the light of the developing situation, British Waterways has commissioned a detailed risk 516W
  assessment from the ADAS consultancy. This will ensure that a consistent policy is implemented on access to British Waterways land. The Ministry is assisting ADAS and the results of the study will be made available on the MAFF website http://www.maff.gov.uk/.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what precautions are in place with regard to the transport of animals for rendering during the foot and mouth outbreak. [153971]

  Ms Quin
  The lorries involved in transport to rendering plants are specially designed to be leakproof. This is checked by filling them partially with water and tilting them to 30 degrees to check for leaks. Dead animals do not excrete the virus. The carcases are all individually disinfected and covered in the lorries with plastic sheeting. This is weighed down with straw or sawdust which is heavily disinfected. The lorry is then covered with a tight-fitting tarpaulin. These precautions reduce the risk of spreading infection to an extremely low level.

  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce regulations to allow the burial of carcases as an alternative to burning for the disposal of animals culled as part of the precautions against foot and mouth. [153952]

  Ms Quin
  Burial is our preferred method of disposal where environmental conditions permit. Unfortunately, the high watertable across much of the country has precluded its use in many cases. We will use the full range of safe disposal routes available to us.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received on the level of prices for meat at abattoirs during the foot and mouth crisis. [1542831

  Ms Quin
  Regular, vigorous representations on the price of red meat have been received from all sectors of the industry since the outbreak of foot and mouth disease. However, since official deadweight price reporting of cattle has recommenced and the exchange of information on sheep and pig prices has improved, the level has reduced significantly. Issues relating to pricing policies and unfair competition are a matter for the Director General of Fair Trading.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what arrangements he has made to ensure animals are being slaughtered at the closest possible abattoir to the point of origin of the stock; and if he will make a statement; [154395]

  (2) what measures he has taken to reduce the transportation of carcases and stock across country in the light of the current foot and mouth outbreak; and if he will make a statement. [154394]

  Mr. Morley
  For the duration of the outbreak, we are using the weekly foot and mouth disease stakeholders meetings to stress the need to keep journeys as short as possible. All movement is banned subject to restricted and limited journeys under licence. Where necessary to move animals for welfare reasons, then this is subject to strict controls.

  For the longer term, we agree that we will need to look very closely at long distance livestock movements, both on animal health and welfare grounds.
  517W
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the meetings and conferences organised by his Department and agencies of his Department which have been(a) cancelled and (b) postponed owing to foot and mouth disease; and if he will make a statement. [155372]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 23 March 2001]This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Foot and Mouth (Devon)
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will grant a licence to Mr. Leslie Barons of Beneknowle Farm, Diptford, South Devon, to bring back 130 in-lamb ewes, 140 couples and 110 ewe-lambs from Home Farm, Churstow, Devon, to Beneknowle Farm. [154435]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 19 March 2001]Mr. Barons did not meet the criteria for the Occupational Movement Scheme and the Local Movement Scheme. The Longer Distance Movement Licence Scheme is now in place and will hopefully meet the needs he has.

  Pig Swill
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to control the imports of pig swill from overseas; and if he will make a statement. [154009]

  Ms Quin
  Imports from third countries of pig swill containing animal products are not allowed into Great Britain. Any such imports would require an import licence and none have been issued.

  Timber
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his Department's annual report on timber procurement to the Committee of Green Ministers will be published. [152112]

  Ms Quin
  My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment stated on 28 July 2000,Official Report, columns 947–48W, that each central Government Department must in future report annually on its timber purchases. This should explain what steps are being taken to buy timber and timber-related products from sustainable and legal sources; the quantity and types of purchase; and what assurances were received that the source of timber was sustainable and legal.

  The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions will be issuing to Departments, around the end of March 2001, the questionnaire on greening government progress. It will include some basic questions on timber procurement. The report from Green Ministers, due to be published in November, will make specific reference to timber procurement.

  Departments will decide for themselves what detailed information they will maintain on timber purchases and whether some or all of that information will be published separately from the Green Ministers' report.

  The interdepartmental working group on timber procurement will monitor the whole process and will assist Departments and their agencies in working with
  518W
  timber producers and suppliers; give guidance on best purchasing practice; set progressive overall targets for governmental purchases of timber from assured sustainable and legal sources; and agree appropriate targets for individual departments and their agencies.

  On behalf of the interdepartmental working group on timber procurement, the DETR is planning to commission work which will identify the quantities and species of timber being sold to Government, the major suppliers and the options for assisting Departments. Promulgation of guidance and advice to buyers would follow, probably before the end of 2001.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much certified timber has been purchased by his Department over the past six months; and what proportion of total timber purchases this represents. [152115]

  Ms Quin
  At present, Departments do not yet have systems in place to provide data on the proportion of certified timber purchased over the last six months. The interdepartmental timber working group is working to develop a common reporting template which will form the basis for future reporting on timber procurement. An annual report will be provided in line with the answer given on 28 July 2000,Official Report, columns 947–48W, by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment.

  Hides and Skins (Exports)
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with the European Commission concerning the export of hides and skins; and if he will make a statement. [153429]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 12 March 2001]My officials have had discussions with the European Commission arid other member states on all aspects of the exports of animal products, in the light of the current UK foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. In respect of hides and skins, a significant amendment to the Commission Decision has been negotiated which allows them to be traded without the need for official certification if they have been tanned.

  Meat Imports
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is used for system inspection of meat imported from(a) European Union countries and (b) other countries; and who pays for the inspection. [153678]

  Ms Quin
  Meat imported from other European Union countries may circulate freely within the single market, but is subject to random checks at the point of destination within the United Kingdom. If that destination is a licensed meat cutting plant or a cold store, inspections are carried out by the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS), and the costs of inspection are charged to the operator of that premises. If it is a meat products or meat preparations establishment, inspection is carried out either by the MHS, where the establishment is co-located with a slaughterhouse or cutting plant (in which case the costs of inspection are paid by the Food Standards Agency) or by the local authority in other cases (when the costs are met by the local authority). Depending on the perceived health risk, checks at destination may be random or 100 per cent. Following the
  519W
  recent identification of specified risk material in imports of meat from Germany and the current foot and mouth disease problems in the UK, the Meat Hygiene Service has been instructed to step up levels of inspection at cutting plants and cold stores to ensure that increased volumes of imports can be checked for the necessary he health marks and correct documentation.

  All meat imported from third countries into the UK must enter, and is subject to veterinary inspections at, designated UK Border Inspection Posts (BIP). All consignments are subject to documentary and identity checks and at least 20 per cent. of consignments are subject to physical checks in accordance with EU legislation. These checks ensure that conditions of import have been complied with and that the products have remained in a satisfactory condition during transport. The inspection services at the BIP are the responsibility of the local authority. UK and EC legislation requires that costs incurred by the local authority while carrying out checks are recovered from the importer.

  Farmers (Private Insurance)
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what estimate he has made of the proportion of livestock farmers who have privately insured against foot and mouth disease; [153730]

  (2) what efforts his Department has made to increase the take-up of private insurance cover for foot and mouth and other major livestock diseases. [153731]

  Ms Quin [holding answer 14 March 2001]
  At the outset of last year's outbreak of Classical Swine Fever, my right hon. Friend the Minister established a joint Government/industry working party to consider what measures the livestock industry could take to protect itself in future against the commercial consequences of animal disease outbreaks. Government compensation is the value of animals slaughtered and does not extend to consequential losses caused by movement restrictions. The NFU and others from the livestock industry agreed to join the working party to examine the practicalities and specifics of such measures, including insurance arrangements. The working party report was due to be completed in the spring, although this may now be slightly delayed while attention is concentrated on eradicating the present foot and mouth outbreaks.

  As part of this work, consultants were engaged to assess what types of animal disease insurance cover are presently available and the level of uptake. From this it is clear that the number and scope of available insurance products is very limited, that these are not widely purchased by farmers and that they tend to concentrate on a few diseases such as bovine TB and foot and mouth. We have made no formal estimate of the proportion of livestock farmers who have privately insured against foot and mouth disease. However NFU Mutual, the largest provider of agricultural insurance, estimate that around 10 per cent. of farmers have policies covering the disease.

  CAP Grants (Shropshire)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list for each 520W
  year since 1979 the total grants paid to farmers in Shropshire under the Common Agricultural Policy; and if he will make a statement. [154467]

  Ms Quin
  The table sets out total subsidies under the CAP paid to farmers in Shropshire by MAFF in calendar years 1993 to 2001. For 2001, all information received up to and including 15 March is included. Information for years before 1993 could have been obtained only at a disproportionate cost. In some cases, amounts include an element of national as well as EU funding. Farmers also benefit from expenditure on market support measures, even though this is not paid directly to them.

  £million

  1993

  19.87

  1994

  33.35

  1995

  33.70

  1996

  52.86

  1997

  42.10

  1998

  42.45

  1999

  38.04

  2000

  42.92

  2001

  15.14

  1 To 15 March

  Endocrine Disrupting Pesticides
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what his policy is in relation to the endocrine disrupting pesticides listed by the European Commission and reported upon by the Royal Society in June 2000. [154257]

  Ms Quin
  We are playing a major role in the EU programme to review all substances used as plant protection products which includes those listed by the EU Commission as endocrine disrupting pesticides. This review programme will ensure the safety of all plant protection products as regards workers, consumers and the environment. Any substance failing to meet the high standards of safety demanded will be withdrawn from the market; 18 already have been or are being withdrawn.

  Hand-carried Imported Foodstuffs
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of controls over the (1) importing of bushmeat hand-carried by visitors to the United Kingdom; [154246]

  (2) importing of general meat and meat products hand-carried by visitors to the United Kingdom. [154247]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answers 19 March 2001]It is illegal for individuals to import fresh meat from third countries into the United Kingdom unless it is fully cooked in a hermetically sealed container and weighs no more than 1kg.

  This applies equally to 'wild game meat' which we take to include bushmeat although there is no working definition of the latter term. Where we have advised of the possibility of illegal imports of meat, the relevant enforcement authorities have been alerted and the appropriate action taken. Where illegal meat has been identified, it has been seized and destroyed. No single assessment of the effectiveness of these procedures, based

  521W
  on centralised data, is available as a number of authorities, at local level, may find themselves in a position to deal with an illegal import.

  Dichlorvos
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment has been made of the impact on the horticultural industry of the withdrawal of Dichlorvos; and if he will make a statement. [154561]

  Ms Quin
  The Advisory Committee on Pesticides is to consider the review of dichlorvos at its next meeting on 5 April 2001. To assist the Committee in its task it will be informed of the implications for growers were dichlorvos to be lost.

  Bovine Carcases
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, for the duration of the foot and mouth restrictions, he will delay the implementation of the EU scheme for sampling all bovine carcases of animals more than 30-months-old; what modifications have been made to the scheme following his discussions with farming, trade and hunt kennel representatives; and if he will make a statement. [154716]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 20 March 2001]We will shortly be consulting publicly with interested organisations on our proposals and will take account of comments received before reaching final decisions.

  Farming Bankruptcies
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what changes have taken place in each of the past 15 years in the number of farming bankruptcies; what percentage such changes represented in each year of the total number of farmers; and what the percentage change in each year was. [154075]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 20 March 2001]Data on farming bankruptcies for England and Wales and what percentage of farmers, partners and directors this represents are given in the table (data solely on the number of farmer are not available). The last year for which bankruptcy figures are available for the whole year is 19991. Figures for the first three quarters of last year show a decrease in total farming bankruptcies of 10 per cent. on the same period in 1999.

  1 Final quarter 2000 data will be available in May 2001

  Number of bankruptcies1 in the agricultural and horticultural sector: England and Wales 1986 to 2000

  Percentage

  Year

  Total bankruptcies

  Bankruptcies as a proportion of farmers2

  Annual change in bankruptcies

  1986

  258

  0.1

  +8

  1987

  298

  0.1

  +16

  1988

  236

  0.1

  -21

  1989

  220

  0.1

  -7

  1990

  309

  0.1

  +40

  1991

  401

  0.2

  +30

  1992

  504

  0.2

  +26

  1993

  434

  0.2

  -14

  1994

  397

  0.2

  -9

  1995

  317

  0.1

  -20

  1996

  257

  0.1

  -19

  1997

  206

  0.1

  -20

  522W

  Number of bankruptcies1 in the agricultural and horticultural sector: England and Wales 1986 to 2000

  Percentage

  Year

  Total bankruptcies

  Bankruptcies as a proportion of farmers2

  Annual change in bankruptcies

  1998

  222

  0.1

  +8

  1999

  258

  0.1

  +16

  2000

  3181

  —

  —

  1 Includes bankruptcies of self-employed individuals and company insolvencies (Source: Department of Trade and Industry)

  2 Includes directors and business partners who also work on farm holdings (Source: June Agricultural and Horticultural Census). Data from 1998 onwards are not comparable to those for earlier years due to fundamental changes to the labour questions in the Agricultural and Horticultural Census

  3 First three quarters only

  Avilamycin
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what guidance he has given on the use of avilamycin in animals intended for human consumption; and what the possible consequences for human antibiotic protection are. [154808]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 22 March 2001]Avilamycin is an anti-microbial growth promoter authorised throughout the European Union as a feed additive under Directive 70/524/EC. This Directive includes a provision that before a feed additive can be authorised it must be shown not to adversely affect human health, animal health or the environment at the level permitted in feedingstuffs.

  Avilamycin is in a class of antibiotics that are not currently authorised for use as human medicines nor does it select for cross-resistance to any currently authorised human antimicrobial. In any future discussions on the use of avilamycin, the Government will continue to be guided by the principles established in the Report of the Joint Committee on the use of antibiotics in animal husbandry and veterinary medicines (The Swann Report) of 1969. This report proposed that antibiotics authorised for growth promotion should be restricted to those which have little or no application as therapeutic agents in man or animals, and which will not impair the efficacy of prescribed therapeutic drugs through the development of resistant strains of organisms.

  Rendering
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will make the Rendering (Fluid Treatment) England Order 2001. [155071]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 22 March 2001]My officials are currently finalising the legislation in light of the comments received in the public consultation process.

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what scientific research into the phenomenon of gene stacking in genetically modified crops in natural conditions(a) he has evaluated and (b) has been brought to the attention of (i) ACRE and (ii) ACNFP; and when. 11532381

  Mr. Meacher
  I have been asked to reply.
  523W
  Gene stacking refers to plants with traits from more than one genetic modification which may be developed intentionally or created unintentionally in the environment through cross-pollination between two different genetically modified (GM) plants.

  The Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) always considers any risks associated with gene stacking when it advises on the release or marketing of GM plants. ACRE assesses the potential for gene stacking to occur both in neighbouring crops of the same or sexually compatible species and in compatible wild plants at or around the release site. The potential for gene stacking is well controlled for research releases of GM plants and for the few GM crops which have Europe-wide approval for placing on the market. However the regulatory authorities both here and in the European Union are aware that the potential for gene stacking will increase should there be widespread cultivation of GM crops and the implications must be well understood.

  ACRE considered the potential problems of both intentional and unintentional gene stacking in 1998 and have kept abreast of developments. There are relatively few scientific reports of this phenomenon occurring in natural conditions, but my Department has funded its own research on the implications of gene stacking for risk assessment. A scientific report commissioned from the John Innes Centre entitled 'impact of multiple herbicide tolerance in GM plants' is in the final stages of preparation and will be published shortly. ACRE is aware of this study and will advise on its implications and whether further work is needed.

  The extent to which gene stacking could impact on food safety is an issue for the Food Standards Agency and the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP). Any GM crop that is to be used for food production must be considered for approval under the EC Novel Foods Regulation (EC 258–97). The ACNFP is aware of a number of applications for GM crops containing stacked genes which are currently being considered under the EC Novel Foods Regulation by other Member States. Each of these applications will be considered in due course by the AONFP on a case by case basis.

DEFENCE

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list units in the armed forces on standby, as a result of a request from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to deal with foot and mouth. [155599]

  Mr. Spellar
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Aberavon (Sir J. Morris) on 23 March 2001,Official Report, columns 365–66W. In addition, at the request of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Joint Headquarters have been established at MAFF HQ in London and at MAFF regional offices. The role of these Headquarters is to co-ordinate logistic and other support to MAFF, drawn from appropriate civil and military resources. The Ministry of Defence is playing an
  524W
  important role in these Headquarters. Teams of armed forces personnel are also helping to co-ordinate the administration of slaughter, and the transport and disposal of carcases in affected areas. Other forces are on standby in case gaps are revealed. The armed forces contribution to the operation is being directed by Land Command under Commander in Chief Land.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel, from which units, are assisting the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food with the foot and mouth outbreak; where they are deployed and in what numbers; and if he will make a statement on their role. [155163]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 23 March 2001]I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Aberavon (Sir J. Morris) on 23 March 2001,Official Report, columns 365–66W.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the meetings and conferences organised by his Department and agencies of his Department which have been(a) cancelled and (b) postponed owing to foot and mouth disease; and if he will make a statement. [155367]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 23 March 2001]The information is not held centrally and could be collated only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the countries from which his Department has bought meat in the past year; and which of them have recently experienced endemic foot and mouth disease in their national herd. [155256]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 23 March 2001]In the past year my Department has bought meat from: Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, France, the Republic of Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain and Uruguay as well as the United Kingdom. Of these only Brazil has recently experienced endemic foot and mouth disease. All meat imported into the UK for human consumption, however, must comply with Community import rules. These permit the importation of meat from some countries where foot and mouth is present but only where the veterinary authorities have contained the disease in specific regions. EC rules permit imports only from those regions where there is considered not to be a risk to human or animal health. These controls currently apply to Brazil and Uruguay.

  Somme Barracks (Cyprus)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Somme barracks restaurant (building 35) at Episkopi on Cyprus was closed; for what reason; what alternative feeding arrangements were made; and when the restaurant will reopen. [154003]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 20 March 2001]The Somme (SIC) barracks restaurant (building 35) at Episkopi is in fact situated in Salamanca barracks within Episkopi Garrison. It is one of two Garrison canteens. The decision to close the restaurant was taken in March 1997 and closure effected in February 1998.
  525W
  While building 35 was closed for refurbishment, as an interim measure, all feeding arrangements were carried out in the remaining Garrison canteen (building 13). There was no reduction in the total canteen meals required or received and it was planned that when the refurbishment was complete all troops would then move back to building 35 for feeding and building 13 would be demolished.

  The planned completion date for building 35 is September 2001.

  National Missile Defence
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) for what purpose Fylingdales was upgraded in 1992; [155103]

  (2) what alterations have been (a) undertaken and (b) planned at United Kingdom sites to facilitate a contribution to the US Government's proposed National Missile Defence System; [155144]

  (3) what recent discussions there have been between representatives of the United Kingdom and US Governments about the use of sites in Britain as part of the United States proposed National Missile Defence System; [155134]

  (4) if the US Administration requested the use of sites in Britain as part of its proposed National Missile Defence System. [155133]

  Mr. Hoon
  We continue to discuss all aspects of missile defence regularly with the US and others, but we have received no request for the use of sites in the UK as part of a proposed system. Nor have any alterations been undertaken, or currently planned, at sites in the UK for missile defence purposes. The new US administration have not put forward specific proposals on what form any missile defence system might take, so it remains too early to say definitively whether or not alterations at sites in the UK will be proposed as part of such a system.

  In the early 1990s, the "golf balls" at RAF Fylingdales were replaced with a new phased array radar because they had become obsolete and difficult to maintain. The function of the site as part of the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System did not change, and the replacement was

  Consultant speciality

  Operational and retained task

  Current manning—consultants including those in command and staff posts

  Percentage shortfall

  Anaesthetists

  120

  28

  77

  General Physicians

  51

  21

  59

  Dermatology

  0

  3

  —

  Paediatrics

  5

  2

  60

  Genito-Urinary Medicine

  0

  1

  —

  Neurology

  1

  1

  0

  General Surgeons

  44

  20

  55

  Obstetrics and Gynaecology1

  3

  0

  100

  Urology

  0

  2

  —

  Orthopaedics

  28

  11

  61

  Burns and Plastics

  10

  3

  70

  Accident and Emergency

  23

  3

  87

  Psychiatrists

  35

  12

  66

  Ophthalmics

  10

  3

  70

  Oral and Maxillofacial

  10

  8

  20

  Ear, Nose and Throat

  10

  3

  70

  Rheumatology and Rehabilitation

  7

  5

  29

  Radiologists

  11

  9

  18

  Pathologists

  6

  6

  0

  Chemical Pathology

  4

  0

  100

  526W
  not related to US missile defence proposals. The Relay Ground Station for the Space Based Infra Red System (SBIRS) currently under construction at RAF Menwith Hill is regarded by the US as necessary regardless of any missile defence proposals and is being pursued as a separate project.

  Helicopter Flights (Greater London)
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) at what height the Chinook helicopter flew over Kew, Surrey, on 11 April 2000; [155167]

  (2) what instructions are given to military helicopters on training flights regarding low flying in built-up areas, with special reference to the Kew Bridge/M4 junction at Chiswick; [155166]

  (3) what recent discussions he has had with military authorities concerning the behaviour of Chinook helicopters operating over Greater London. [155168]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Kew Bridge/M4 junction lies within the Thames Valley Avoidance Area and flights over the whole Greater London area are controlled by Heathrow Radar Control. Helicopters must be flown strictly within specific routes and heights unless otherwise directed by the Heathrow Radar Controller.

  The Chinook helicopter which flew over Kew on 11 April 2000 did not fly below 750 feet (not 700 feet as I stated to the hon. Member in my letter of 17 February). Neither I nor my Ministerial colleagues have had any discussions with military authorities about the behaviour of Chinook helicopters operating over Greater London.

  Defence Medical Services
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the establishment is for each branch of consultant in the Defence Medical Services; how many are serving in each branch; and what percentage shortfall there is in each case. [155002]

  Dr. Moonie
  The number of consultants against the operational and retained task requirement and the percentage of posts not filled as at 1 January 2001, is shown in the table:
  527W

  Consultant speciality

  Operational and retained task

  Current manning—consultants including those in command and staff posts

  Percentage shortfall

  Haematologist

  4

  1

  75

  Histopathology

  0

  1

  —

  Microbiology

  6

  3

  50

  Occupational Medicine

  50

  31

  38

  Public Health

  1

  7

  0

  Dental Restorative

  0

  1

  —

  1 This speciality is being re-established in the regular Defence Medical Services

  Porton Down
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 14 December 2000,Official Report, columns 22–23W, on Porton Down volunteers, if the research to establish the definitive numbers of Porton Down volunteers who have taken part in nerve agent studies will assess whether these studies breached the 1947 Nuremberg code of ethics governing scientific research. [154782]

  Dr. Moonie
  Research into nerve agent studies at Porton Down will consider the ethical standards of the time.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has received a report from the Operation Antler team of the Wiltshire police regarding its inquiries; and if he will make a statement. [154796]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Ministry of Defence has not received a report from the Wiltshire police concerning Operation Antler, but remains in contact with the inquiry team.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a list of technical reports which have been compiled by the chemical defence establishment at Porton Down to describe and record the results of its nerve agent studies involving service volunteers, specifying the title and date of each report. [154783]

  Dr. Moonie
  It will take some time to draw up such a list and I will therefore write to the hon. Member setting out such information as is available and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  US-UK Strategic Defence Initiative
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 6 March 2001,Official Report, column 176W, regarding the US-UK strategic defence initiative, which areas of research each of the letters of offer and acceptance covers; and what the contract numbers are of each of the letters of offer and acceptance signed since 1 May 1997 [154794]

  Mr. Hoon
  All five letters of offer and acceptance cover research into the diverse nature of the ballistic missile threat and the feasibility of countering it with missile defence systems based on technologies currently available. Contract numbers are HQ0006–98-C-0015, HQ0006–99-C-007, HQ0006–99-C-0004. HQ0006–00-C0003 and HQ0006–01-C-0002.

  Freemasons
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations led him to suspend JS DC1 88/00. [155584]

  Mr. Spellar
  Representations were received from solicitors acting for the United Grand Lodge of England. I subsequently authorised a temporary withdrawal of the Instruction concerned pending a review of policy towards societies such as Freemasons.

  Defence Diversification Councils
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in establishing defence diversification councils. [155093]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Defence Diversification Agency, established in 1999, is making excellent progress. A consultative period to consider the future of the Agency has just ended. We shall be considering the views put to us before reaching final decisions. As stated in the Consultative Document, we shall consider further the establishment of a defence diversification council, or similar group, in the light of experience of the new organisation.

  Iraq
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions in the last two years military aircraft from the Turkish air force have entered the no-fly zone in northern Iraq. [155064]

  Mr. Hoon
  The northern no-fly zone was established on humanitarian grounds in an effort to prevent Saddam Hussein from repressing the Kurdish civilian population from the air. The zone was not established to monitor the activity of our NATO allies. We therefore routinely collect information only on the activity of Iraqi aircraft.

  RAF Bases (Commercial Development)
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to promote the regeneration of former RAF bases for commercial aviation use. [152703]

  Dr. Moonie
  [pursuant to his reply, 19 March 2001, c. 10–11]I must correct an error regarding the current position on planning. The planning application for the former RAF Finningley has not been called in for determination by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR). The correct position is that the planning application has been approved by the local authority and that DETR is now considering whether or not to call in the application.

  Marriage and Relationship Advice and Support
  Marriage and Relationship Advice and Support
  Government Disputes: Alternative Dispute Resolution
  Government Disputes: Alternative Dispute Resolution
  Department for International Development: Annual Report
  Department for International Development: Annual Report
  Benefit Take-up and Fraud Reduction
  Benefit Take-up and Fraud Reduction
  Public Places Charter
  Public Places Charter
  Hepatitis C: Steering Group
  Hepatitis C: Steering Group
  Variant CJD
  Variant CJD
  Wythenshawe Hospital Heart Transplant Unit
  Wythenshawe Hospital Heart Transplant Unit
  Speech and Language Therapists and Teachers: Recruitment
  Speech and Language Therapists and Teachers: Recruitment
  Rheumatoid Arthritis: Anti-TNF Therapy
  Rheumatoid Arthritis: Anti-TNF Therapy
  Census Information: Confidentiality
  Census Information: Confidentiality
  Partnerships UK
  Partnerships UK
  Government Policies and Sustainability
  Government Policies and Sustainability
  Climate Change Convention, Kyoto Protocol: Ratification
  Climate Change Convention, Kyoto Protocol: Ratification
  Planning Application Inquiries: Appearance by Opposing Parties
  Planning Application Inquiries: Appearance by Opposing Parties
  Gypsies and Other Travellers: Accommodation in Central London
  Gypsies and Other Travellers: Accommodation in Central London
  Vehicle Identification Symbols
  Vehicle Identification Symbols
  RAF Little Rissington: Glider Movements
  RAF Little Rissington: Glider Movements
  Army Pay
  Army Pay
  Green Technology
  Green Technology
  Lamb, Pork and Bacon: Origin Labelling
  Lamb, Pork and Bacon: Origin Labelling
  Foot and Mouth Disease
  Foot and Mouth Disease
  Non-food Crop Uses
  Non-food Crop Uses