Written Answers of 28 March 2001

DEFENCE

  Ro-ro Ferries
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Jarrow (Mr. Hepburn) of 28 February 2001,Official Report, column 665W, if the British seafarers referred to by the Chief of Defence Procurement are required to be sponsored reserves; [155391]

  (2) how much his Department intends to charge AWSR Shipping Ltd. for managing the subcontract with Harland and Wolff for two ro-ro ferries; and what safeguards his Department has put in place to ensure that when on his Department's business all six ro-ro ferries are manned by British seamen. [155317]

  Mr. Hoon
  AWSR Shipping Ltd. will manage the shipbuilding contract with Harland and Wolff on the MOD's behalf until the ships are delivered to the company. Negotiations continue with AWSR for the PFI service contract, which we expect to be signed within the next few months. The terms will reflect the cost of the shipbuilding contract management service to the Ministry of Defence.

  AWSR Shipping Ltd. have bid, and will be required under contract, to provide British seafarers eligible to be called out as sponsored reserves to crew all six ships when on Ministry of Defence business.

  HMS Albion
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total cost is of the building of HMS Albion; if she is on schedule and to budget; what the expected in-service date is; and if he will make a statement. [155806]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 27 March 2001]: The unit production cost of HMS Albion including its Landing Craft and the Integrated Communications System is approximately £385 million. This is within the approved budget. The expected in-service date of the vessel is March 2003, as announced on 13 December 1999, Official Report, column 26W.

  Armoured Vehicle Training
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the costs of basic training of the crews of armoured vehicles are; what the costs were in each of the last three years; how many people Were trained in each of the last three years; how many staff were employed to do this training; and if he will make a statement. [155805]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 27 March 2001]: Basic and advanced training of armoured fighting vehicle crewmen is undertaken at Armour Centre, Bovington by
  620W
  a combination of military, Ministry of Defence civilian and contractor's staff. Neither numbers of staff nor costs can be broken down between these categories; the following information is therefore provided.

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–011

  Personnel trained

  Basic trainees (Phase 2)

  709

  847

  823

  Advanced trainees (Phase 3)

  1,671

  1,897

  1,842

  Staff employed

  Military staff

  279

  270

  310

  MOD civilian staff

  139

  139

  137

  Contractor's staff

  circa 300

  circa 300

  circa 300

  Total running costs (£ million)

  25.047

  25.219

  27.451

  1Projected for financial year 2000–01

  MESAR Radar Trials
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the contracts awarded since 1 May 1997 under the MESAR radar trials letter of offer and acceptance concluded under the 1985 strategic defence initiative memorandum of understanding, along with the name of the contractor and the date of the award. [154795]

  Mr. Hoon
  Two contracts have been awarded since May 1997 under the relevant letter of offer and acceptance. A contract was let with BAE Systems dated 16 February 1999 and another with Roke Manor Research dated 3 March 1999.

  Armed Services Units (Members' Visits)
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list alphabetically by constituency those hon. Members who have been on visits organised by his Department outside the United Kingdom to armed services units based or deployed abroad in the last three years. [154770]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 26 March 2001]: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Whenever possible, visits by Members of Parliament to armed forces units based or deployed overseas are accommodated dependent on operational commitments at the time.

  Armed Forces Training
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in which countries members of the British armed forces have been deployed to train(a) overseas Government military personnel and (b) military personnel of organisations opposing an overseas Government since 1971. [155961]

  Mr. Spellar
  This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Veterans
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the members of the(a) Veterans Forum and (b) Veterans Task Force. [155319]
  621W
  Dr. Moonie
  We will not take a final decision on the membership of the Veterans Forum and the Veterans Task Force until their shape, role and agenda have been discussed in more detail with the range of interested parties, including the main veterans' representative groups. However, we currently expect the Task Force, under my own Chairmanship to include Ministers from the Department of Health, the Department of Social Security, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, and the Department for Employment and Education, as well as the relevant Scottish and Welsh Departments, the Northern Ireland Office, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Lord Chancellor's Department. I will also chair the Veterans Forum which will include members from the major veterans' representative groups. We will ensure that the smaller representative groups are able to present their views and concerns to the Forum.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what(a) new money and (b) new manpower his Department has allocated to the handling of veterans affairs. [155320]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Veterans initiative will be supported by three new executive staff, together with the budget and support staff required for their effective working. We cannot at this stage predict what new measures might come out of the work of the Veterans Task Force and Forum. We will be commissioning early research into veterans issues and their handling, in addition to that already planned within current departmental programmes. The funding of new measures will be addressed as they are identified.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons responsibility for veterans affairs has been reduced from Minister of State to Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State level. [155327]

  Dr. Moonie
  The appointment of a designated Veterans Minister, with responsibility across Government Departments for ensuring that veterans' concerns are understood and addressed in a holistic manner, represents a clear enhancement rather than a reduction in commitment. This change, together with the establishment of a dedicated Ministerial Task Force, reflects the Government's determination that veterans' issues should be handled in a co-ordinated way to ensure a properly integrated approach to veterans and their concerns.

  Service Personnel (Commemoration)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made on the establishment of a memorial to commemorate the service personnel killed on duty by terrorist attack since 1945. [155321]

  Dr. Moonie
  A project team has been established to take this proposal forward. At this early stage, no criteria have yet been established to determine who would or would not be included on the memorial. This will be carried out by a scoping study in consultation with ex-service organisations and other interested bodies. Further information will become available in due course.
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  Deployed Forces Facilities
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list(a) current and (b) proposed NAAFI retail facilities in (i) Bosnia and (ii) Kosovo. [155325]

  Mr. Spellar
  Current NAAFI retail facilities located in Bosnia are:

  Butmir—one shop

  Sipovo—one shop

  Mrkonjic Grad—one shop

  Sanski Most—one shop

  Glamoc—one shop

  Banja Luka—one shop

  Current NAAFI retail facilities located in Kosovo are:

  Pristina—six shops

  Podjevo—one shop

  NAAFI has just finished an extensive programme of providing new, and refurbishing existing, facilities in the Balkans. No further retail facilities are currently planned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood), representing the House of Commons Commission, on how many occasions since May 1997 the staff inspector has reported on staffing levels in the office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards. [155347]

  Mr. Kirkwood
  Since May 1997 the staff inspector has reported on staffing issues in the office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards on three occasions:

  1. August 1997, job evaluation review of the post of Personal Assistant to the Commissioner.

  2. July 1998, upgrading of the post of Personal Assistant to the Commissioner following introduction of new pay and grading structures.

  3. September 2000, review of workload.

  Parliamentary Works Directorate
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood), representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will make a statement on the changes in the structure and practices of the Parliamentary Works Directorate. [155229]

  Mr. Kirkwood
  I understand that, in accordance with the Braithwaite Review of the Serjeant at Arms' Department, the Parliamentary Works Directorate is currently being divided. By 1 April 2001, the Works organisation, which serves both Houses of Parliament, will consist of an Estates Director concerned with strategy, long-term planning, property management and heritage and curatorial matters, while a Directorate of Works Services will be responsible for the delivery of in-year projects, the placing of contracts, maintenance and the management of capital projects.
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  Further information on these arrangements will be available to hon. Members in the future edition of the Members' Handbook. The Works Helpdesk will remain available for contact by hon. Members on extension 4747.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Local Authorities
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action her Department is taking to encourage British local authorities to share their expertise with counterparts in developing countries. [155672]

  Clare Short
  DFID supports the Commonwealth Local Government Forum's Good Practice Scheme. The scheme brings together local government authorities, so far mainly in the UK and Africa, to exchange best practice on local government management and services. I have recently approved a UK contribution of £2 million covering the next five years of the scheme.

  Disability Issues
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action her Department is taking to share British expertise in handling disability issues with the Governments and peoples of developing countries. [155671]

  Clare Short
  The Department for International Development is currently supporting more than 40 projects and programmes around the world with a focus on the rights and needs of people with disabilities. In the past year we have approved nearly £40 million of new funding for work in this area. The global drive to reduce poverty will also bring many benefits, in reducing some of the key causes of disability and improving the quality of life and opportunities for people with disabilities.

  DFID' s strategy on disability is set out in an issues paper published last year, called "Disability, poverty and development". We work closely with Governments, the voluntary and private sectors, and the bilateral and multilateral donor communities, to ensure that disability is addressed in the context of the fight against poverty and the realisation of human rights for all.

  Sudan
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the Sudanese Government's commitment to promoting poverty eradication and development; and what her estimate is of the amount spent by the Sudanese Government on(a) health, (b) education and (c) the armed forces in the last 12 months. [155143]

  Clare Short
  The Sudanese Government's draft Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper will provide an opportunity to consider poverty reducing social and economic programmes. We do not have reliable estimates of the amount spent on health and education although indications suggest that allocations for social sector spending by the central Government are increasing.
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  Palestinian Authority
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much. economic aid has been given to the Palestinian Authority by the United Kingdom in each of the last six years. [155619]

  Clare Short
  The UK provides bilateral development assistance to the Palestinian Authority and, more broadly, assists Palestinians through our contributions to the EC and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). Our programme with the Palestinian Authority supports sustainable economic and social development that benefits the poor. We do this by seeking to support the Middle East Peace Process and improve Palestinian health care, education, access to water and sanitation, gender equality, integration into the global economy and the effectiveness and accountability of the Palestinian Authority. We provide technical assistance rather than direct funding to the Palestinian Authority.

  The breakdown of our assistance for the last six years is as follows:

  UK bilateral assistance (£ million)

  UK multilateral assistance (EC and UNRWA)

  1994–95

  5.4

  120.6

  1995–96

  3.5

  18.0

  1996–97

  6.1

  21.1

  1997–98

  6.1

  22.7

  1998–99

  5.1

  20.9

  1999–2000

  8.0

  2—

  11994 calendar year

  2Not yet available

PRIME MINISTER

  Intelligence and Security Committee
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Prime Minister when he will lay the Intelligence and Security Committee's Interim Report before Parliament. [156139]

  The Prime Minister
  I have today laid the Intelligence and Security Committee's Report before Parliament. Following consultation with them over matters which could not be published without prejudice to the continued discharge of the functions of the intelligence and security agencies and in accordance with the Intelligence Services Act 1994, I have excluded the Confidential Annexe.

  Opinion Polling
  Mr. St. Aubyn
  To ask the Prime Minister what(a) quantitative and (b) qualitative analytical work his Office has commissioned from GGC/NOP since 1 May 1997; and what was (i) the cost of the contract and (ii) the specific nature of the work commissioned. [155670]

  The Prime Minister
  None.

  Jonathan Powell
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his policy in respect of Jonathan Powell appearing before Select Committees. [155473]

  The Prime Minister
  Civil Servants attend select committees where appropriate.
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  Cancer Consultants
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Prime Minister what responsibility he had for determining the target figure in the NHS Plan for additional non-surgical cancer consultants. [155409]

  The Prime Minister
  I agreed the overall targets in the NHS Plan in discussions with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Opinion Polling
  Mr. St. Aubyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what(a) quantitative and (b) qualitative analytical work his Department has commissioned from GGC/NOP since 1 May 1997; and what was (i) the cost of the contract and (ii) the specific nature of the work commissioned. [155665]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The only work commissioned from GGC/NOP since 1 May 1997 has been to conduct a sample of charities. The cost of the work was £293.

  Colin Martin
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if Colin Martin complied with the terms of the licence granted by his Department to work on the wreck of the Hanover; and what the duration of the licence is. [155956]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To the Department's knowledge Mr. Martin has complied with the terms of the licence granted to him to excavate the wreck site of the Hanover. The licence issued to Mr. Martin in August 1997 does not have a time limit.

  Jockeys (Compensation)
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will take steps to compensate self-employed jockeys who have lost income as a result of the suspension of races during the foot and mouth outbreak. [155440]

  Kate Hoey
  [holding answer 26 March 2001]: My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment has the lead responsibility for the Rural Task Force which was set up as a direct result of the outbreak of foot and mouth disease. No Governments have paid compensation in such circumstances. We are however offering a package of measures to help those adversely affected by the outbreak which my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment announced to the House on 20 March 2001, Official Report, column 191. The Rural Task Force will be continuing its work and further measures will be announced as appropriate.

  Concessionary Television Licences
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what specific information the BBC collects on applications for the concessionary television licence scheme. [155419]
  626W
  Janet Anderson
  TV Licensing administer the free licence scheme as agent for the BBC. They collect the information necessary to check the entitlement of applicants to the concession; to manage the concession within the general television licensing system; to satisfy the Department of Social Security and the National Audit Office that the sums claimed by the BBC represent free licences and refunds properly issued and legitimate administrative expenses; and to demonstrate the efficiency and value for money of the administrative arrangements.

  Applicants for the free over-75 licence are requested to provide their name, address, date of birth and national insurance number. The first two pieces of information are required to run the television licensing database; the third and fourth are used to check entitlement to the concession by comparison with the information provided for that purpose by the Department of Social Security.

  Digital Satellite
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he has taken to ensure that domestic satellite receivers are able to pick up unscrambled digital satellite channels. [155266]

  Janet Anderson
  All domestic satellite receivers are capable of picking up unscrambled satellite channels. However, as satellite services are receivable across international frontiers, all digital satellite channels, including the UK free-to-air services available on digital satellite, are scrambled for copyright reasons.

  Ministerial Meetings
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many ministerial meetings with hon. Members have been cancelled by Ministers since 1 January. [155244]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  No ministerial meetings with hon. Members have been cancelled during this period, but a small number of meetings have had to be postponed or rearranged in response to other pressures.

  Disabled Access
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps his Department is taking to ensure the hotel industry meets the requirements of disability legislation. [155460]

  Janet Anderson
  We are committed to widening access to tourism opportunities for all, including disabled people. We are encouraging the hotel sector to recognise the importance of meeting the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 not only because it is a legal requirement but also because it makes sound business sense. For example last year my Department organised a Disability Conference, "Towards 2004", where we engaged with our sectors, including tourism, concentrating on the requirements and implications of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. In additional, the English Tourism Council have recently published "Accessible Britain 2000—01" which is an official guide for disabled people to Quality Assured National Accessible Scheme accommodation.
  627W
  We are also drawing the hotel sector's attention to the wide range of publications produced by the Disability Rights Commission, including information to service providers and owners of small business on the implications of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and showing ways in which they can respond positively to the needs of disabled customers.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of hotels in the United Kingdom have adequate accessibility for the disabled to(a) buildings, (b) restaurants and (c) showers and baths. [155463]

  Janet Anderson
  We do not have this information. However, all businesses which provide a service to the public, including hotels, have a duty placed on them under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. Since 1 October 1999 service providers have had to make "reasonable adjustments" for disabled people in the way they provide their services. From 2004 they will also have to make "reasonable adjustments" to the physical feature of their premises to overcome physical barriers to access.

  City of Westminster

  £

  Nature of funding (examples include:)

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Estate Action—Lisson Green Estate

  6,000,000

  2,060,000

  1,701,400

  2,201,400

  4,227,600

  Estate Action—Mozart Estate

  3,055,000

  3,600,000

  600,000

  485,400

  0

  Housing Investment Programme (HIP)

  10,275,000

  7,554,000

  8,385,000

  25,535,000

  17,346,000

  Basic Credit Approvals (HRA element)1

  1,872,000

  2,372,000

  3,655,000

  17,483,000

  2 —

  Major Repairs Allowance

  3 —

  3 —

  3 —

  3 —

  11,580,932

  Capital Receipts Initiative

  2,039,000

  6,618,000

  7,176,000

  0

  0

  Total

  23,241,000

  22,204,000

  21,517,400

  45,704,800

  33,154,532

  1 The amount of Basic Credit Approvals (IIR A element) for 2001–02 is not available at this time.

  2 Not available.

  3Grant introduced from 1 April 2001.

  With the exception of Estate Action funding, it is for the local authority to decide where, within its boundaries, these resources are invested.

  Royal borough of Kensington and Chelsea

  £

  Nature of funding (examples include)

  1997—98

  1998—99

  1999—2000

  2000—01

  2001—02

  Housing Investment Programme (HIP)

  6,358,000

  5,723,000

  6,306,000

  16,395,000

  12,910,000

  Basic Credit Approvals (HRA element)1

  2,921,000

  2,210,000

  2,968,000

  7,444,000

  2 —

  Major Repairs Allowance

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3 —

  11,580,932

  Capital Receipts Initiative

  1,095,000

  3,119,400

  4,319,000

  0

  0

  Total

  10,374,000

  11,052,000

  13,593,000

  23,839,000

  24,490,932

  1 The amount of Basic Credit Approvals (HRA element) for 2001–02 is not available at this time.

  2 Not available.

  3 Grant introduced from 1 April 2001.

  Note:

  No current Estate Action Funding

  The Royal borough received Round 6 Single Regeneration Budget funding for the "Raising the Dalgarno" scheme. However the allocation is used for community capacity building with other funding elements utilised in the 'bricks and mortar' part of the scheme. For the programmes listed it is for the authority to decide where, within its boundaries, these resources are invested.
  628W
  The English Tourism Council (ETC) have published "Accessible Britain 2000–01" which is an official guide for disabled people to Quality Assured National Accessible Scheme accommodation. The ETC are currently reviewing the expanding the National Accessibility Standards to ensure that they are in keeping with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Housing Capital Improvement
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list each housing capital improvement in(a) Westminster and (b) Kensington and Chelsea since May 1997. [155350]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The following housing capital improvement schemes have been allocated funding from the Department in the City of Westminster and the Royal borough of Kensington and Chelsea since 1 May 1997:

  Housing (Battersea)
  Mr. Linton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list each housing capital improvement project financed by his Department in Battersea since 1 May 1997. [155126]
  629W
  Mr. Raynsford
  The following housing capital improvements schemes have been allocated funding from

  £

  Nature of funding (examples include):

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Housing Investment Programme (HIP)

  10,147,000

  8,249,000

  8,484,000

  20,832,000

  13,123,000

  Basic Credit Approvals (HRA element)

  2,368,000

  0

  535,000

  12,728,000

  1 —

  Major Repairs Allowance

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  14,772,563

  Capital Receipts Initiative

  2,741,341

  8,722,000

  7,716,000

  0

  0

  Total

  15,256,341

  16,971,000

  16,735,000

  33,560.000

  27,895,563

  1Not available

  2Grant introduced from I April 2001

  For the programmes listed above, it is not possible to determine how much of this money has been spent on Battersea. It is for the local authority to decide where, within its boundaries, these resources are invested.

  The amount of Basic Credit Approvals (HRA Element) for 2001–02 is not available at this time.

  In addition to the programmes listed, the London Borough of Wandsworth has received Single Regeneration Budget funding in respect of improvements to the Arndale Estate:

  £

  Nature of funding (examples include):

  Single Regeneration Budget (round 3)

  1997 –98

  51,000

  1998 –99

  65,000

  1999 –2000

  297,000

  2000 –01

  906,000

  2001 –02

  3,043,000

  Sellafield MOX Plant
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his reply on the Sellafield MOX plant, 18 January 2001,Official Report, column 296W, if he will place in the Library a copy of the revised economic case for the MOX plant prepared by BNFL. [148659]

  Mr. Meacher
  My Department and the Department of Health have today published a consultation paper inviting public comments on BNFL's proposals for operating the Sellafield MOX plant. This includes a copy of BNFL's latest evaluation of the economic case for the plant.

  The DETR and MAFF invited public comments on the company's plans in 1999 and the further consideration of the case needed to take into account the consequences of the data falsification incident at BNFL's MOX demonstration facility. BNFL have now submitted a revised economic case and it is right to give people a further opportunity to comment.

  Independent consultants are also being appointed as a parallel procedure to evaluate the economic case put forward by BNFL. The consultation will last eight weeks and consultants will report in around 10 weeks. The consultees will not therefore see the consultants' report but the consultants will take account of the responses to the consultation exercise in reporting back to the Departments.
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  the Department in the London Borough of Wandsworth since 1 May 1997.

  When the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions and the Secretary of State for Health have considered all relevant information, including the consultant's report and the responses today's consultation, they NA ill then decide whether the MOX manufacture, which it is proposed should be carried out at the Sellafield MOX plant, is justified.

  The DETR and DoH are inviting comments until 23 May, and hope that people will take advantage of the opportunity to comment on this important proposal.

  Ribble Estuary (Radiation)
  Mr. Borrow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what impact the construction of the Ribble Link between the Lancaster Canal and the River Ribble will have on radiation levels in the Ribble estuary [155230]

  Mr. Meacher
  Plans for the construction of the Ribble Link have included environmental assessments of the potential impact on radioactivity levels in the estuary and associated areas. These assessments indicate that the impact on the river and the estuary will be very low. The estimated increases in the levels of radioactivity are 3 per cent. and 0.2 per cent. respectively. The assessments also indicate that the radiation dose impact of the work to members of the public will be insignificant. The dose to those most likely to be affected—Ribble netsmen and consumers of local fish—is calculated to be less than 2 microSieverts a year. This is 2 per cent. of the relevant public dose limit trom man-made sources of 1,000 microSieverts. (The average dose from background radiation is 2,200 microSieverts a year.) The estimated dose levels are below the levels of regulatory concern set in the relevant legislation.

  The Environment Agency will continue to undertake its own independent environmental radioactivity monitoring programme of the River Ribble and the estuary area and will publish the results in its annual report.

  Wrecks
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what recent representations he has received concerning the damage caused to wrecks by divers; [155156]

  what plans he has to introduce legislation controlling diving around wrecks; [155150]

  Mr. Hill
  There have been no representations that my Department has been able to identify.
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  My Department has no plans for legislation with regard to non-military wrecks. However, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence issued a consultation document on 14 February 2001 concerning the enactment of the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986. A copy of the consultation document is in the Libraries of the House.

  London Boroughs (Grants)
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list(a) each category of grant and (b) the amount of each grant paid by his Department to each London borough in (i) 1997–98, (ii) 1998–1999, (iii) 1999–2000 and (iv) 2000–01; and what the projected figure is for 2001–02. [155427]

  Ms Armstrong
  The data requested by my hon. Friend are not readily available and will take some time to compile. I will therefore write to my hon. Friend with the information and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Rail Renationalisation
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the cost of renationalising the rail network and train operating companies. [155598]

  Mr. Hill
  It is not possible to produce an accurate estimate of the cost of renationalising the rail network and train companies. However, Railtrack's market capitalisation, based on its current share price, is some £4 billion. The cost of renationalising Railtrack would be significantly more than that because, for example, all Railtrack's spending would be a charge to public expenditure.

  Housing Associations (Severance Payments)
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what arrangements are in place for the supervision of housing associations in relation to severance payments to staff; and if he will make a statement in respect of the Liver Housing Association in Liverpool. [155547]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  The Housing Act 1996 prohibits registered social landlords from making payments or providing benefits to their staff which are non-contractual without the consent of the Housing Corporation.

  Liver Housing Association has been the subject of a statutory inquiry by the Housing Corporation. The inquiry was prompted by Liver's plan to make severance payments to three senior directors worth over £1.7 million as part of a proposed merger with Grosvenor Housing Association. The Corporation's inquiry found that certain members of Liver's Board had been responsible for mismanagement in handling the construction of redundancy, retirement and severance policies and in the
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  application of those policies to the three directors. The Corporation has used its powers to make three new appointments to strengthen Liver's Board. The proposed merger between Liver and Grosvenor will require the approval of the Corporation.

  Canal Closures
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with British Waterways about the level of charges for hire boat licences they will impose this year on operators affected by canal closures. [155251]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 23 March 2001]: Decisions on the level of charges for hire boat licences are an operational matter for British Waterways. They recognise that canal closures have presented difficulties for waterway businesses and have agreed to defer the date for payments of hire boat licences from 1 April 2001 to 1 June 2001. This arrangement applies to both those who pay by instalments and those who pay in a single payment.

  I refer the hon. Member to my statement to the House on 20 March 2001, Official Report, columns 191–210, when I reported on the work of the Rural Taskforce. We are developing a package of measures to alleviate the immediate financial hardship of small businesses in rural areas which have been hit by the sudden drop in visitors and other knock-on effects of foot and mouth disease. The taskforce will continue its work and we will want to consider any further Government response in light of the latest developments.

  Cycling
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to encourage people to cycle more. [155464]

  Mr. Hill
  The Government are committed to tripling the number of cycling trips from a 2000 base by 2010 and quadrupling them from a 1996 base by 2012. £8.4 billion of Government funding has been provided to local authorities in the recent local transport settlement. This will help to promote sustainable transport measures, including cycling. The cycling strategies included in the authorities' local transport plans should identify gaps in the local cycle network and result in improvements to the cycling infrastructure. Initial monitoring suggests that the strategies will result in considerable additional provision for cycling.

  We are also actively marketing the main message of the National Cycling Strategy. Early outcomes are the launch of an NCS website and production of a promotional video. We are also currently running a series of cycling seminars throughout England aimed at local authorities, major employers and health and education practitioners.

  Abandoned Coal Mines
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the annual tonnages of methane discharged into the atmosphere from abandoned coal mines in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement. [155580]
  633W
  Mr. Meacher
  In 1994, the Watt Committee on Energy estimated that the net flow of methane from abandoned coal mines was likely to be negligible. Recognising the great uncertainties involved, and the extent of mine closures, my Department has sponsored a study of information currently available with a view to including this source in the UK greenhouse gas inventory. This indicates that emissions from abandoned coal mines constitute a declining source and could currently be in the range 20,000 to 300,000 tonnes of methane per year, or between 0.05 per cent. and 0.8 per cent. of total UK greenhouse gas emissions in 1990. We do not have separate estimates fro England and Wales.

  Climate Change
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with the construction industry on adapting for climatic change. [155616]

  Mr. Raynsford
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has had no specific discussions with the construction industry on the subject of climate change. However my Department is in regular contact with the construction industry on a wide range of environmental issues, including those specifically related to climate change. Since I launched our strategy for more sustainable construction: "Building a Better Quality of Life" a year ago, my colleagues and I have been encouraging the industry and its clients to address the issues set out in that strategy, including the reduction of greenhouse gases, by eliminating wasteful and polluting practices which contribute to climate change.

  My Department supports research aimed at raising awareness within the construction industry on the implications of climate change. We have recently commissioned a study jointly with the Scottish Executive, the Environment Agency and others to prepare guidance on the flood proofing of buildings and to look at what further research needs to be done in this area. We support the UK Climate Impacts Programme at the University of Oxford to help organisations assess their vulnerability to climate change. We have also invited the Construction Research and Innovation Strategy Panel to consider what research the construction industry needs on climate change.

  I commend the recent report from the Foundation for the Built Environment on "Potential Implications of Climate Change on the Built Environment" which sets out ways in which the construction industry can adapt to meet these challenges.

  Incinerators
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which firms have provided testing of(a) ash residues and (b) air emissions at the Byker, Edmonton, SELCHP, Tyseley and Teesside incinerators since 1996. [155336]
  634W
  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 26 March 2001]: The information is as follows:

  Tyseley

  (a)The firm that has provided testing of ash residues is EUS Ltd.

  (b)The firms that have provided testing of air emissions are:

  CRE Group Ltd. for the Environment Agency

  EUS Laboratories Ltd. for Tyseley Waste Disposal (the operator) and during commissioning for Birwelco (the construction engineers)

  AEA Technology for Birwelco during commissioning

  Byker

  (a) The firm that has provided testing of ash residues from is Energy Supplies Lid. Analysis was carried out by the former Warren Springs Laboratories.

  Ash analyses have also been carried out by the Environment Agency's own laboratories as part of the Agency's prosecution investigation (court date adjourned to 1 May).

  (b) The firms that have provided testing of air emissions are:

  NIFES Ltd., Altrineham 1992–93

  EUS Laboratories Ltd., Manchester 1994–95

  EMCO Ltd., Reading 1996 to present.

  In 1995 HM Inspectorate of Pollution engaged ENTEC, Newcastle, to carry out stack monitoring as a check against the operator's own compliance monitoring.

  SELCHP

  (a)The firms that have provided testing of ash residues are:

  WRc/Rechem

  AEA Technology

  (b)The firms that have provided testing of air emissions are:

  AEA Technology

  EUS Laboratories Ltd.

  CRE Group Ltd.

  Edmonton

  (a) The firms that have provided testing of ash residues are:

  BCRA

  CRE Group Ltd.

  (b)The firms that have provided testing of air emissions are:

  Symonds Travis Morgan

  EUS Laboratories Ltd.

  Resources Environmental Consultants Ltd

  CRE Group Ltd.

  Teesside

  (a) The firms that have provided testing of ash residues are:

  Analytical and Environment Services Ltd. (AES Ltd.)

  EUS Laboratories Ltd.

  (b)The firm that has provided testing of air emissions is AES Ltd.

  Department Policies (North Devon)
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the North Devon constituency, the effects on North Devon of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [155907]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  The principal funding that this Department has provided to North Devon and Mid Devon District Councils and to Devon County Council in the years 1997–98 to 2001–02 is shown in the table. These include grants and borrowing approvals for revenue and capital expenditure
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  It is not possible to determine how much of this money has been spent on North Devon constituency. It is for the

  £million

  Nature of funding

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–021

  North Devon District Council

  Revenue Support Grant2

  3.811

  3.352

  3.315

  3.250

  3.559

  Income from National Non-Domestic Rates2

  2.718

  2.765

  2.988

  3.317

  3.294

  Housing Investment Programme

  30.840

  0.858

  0.980

  42.035

  50.900

  Housing Revenue Account Subsidy

  1.770

  1.585

  0.927

  60

  —

  Capital Receipts Initiative

  0.177

  0.577

  0.541

  n/a

  n/a

  Cash Incentive Scheme

  0.047

  0.025

  0

  n/a

  n/a

  Loan Charges Defective Housing

  0.016

  0.016

  0.016

  70.016

  70.01

  Capital Challenge8

  0.004

  0.013

  0.380

  0

  0

  Mid Devon District Council

  Revenue Support Grant2

  1.917

  1.842

  1.769

  1.695

  1.894

  Income from National Non-Domestic Rates. 2

  2.096

  2.118

  2.286

  2.567

  2.547

  Housing Investment Programme

  30.744

  0.667

  0.747

  41.772

  52.554

  Housing Revenue Account Subsidy

  0.570

  0.324

  0.182

  90.191

  —

  Capital Receipts Initiative

  0.171

  0.581

  0.538

  n/a

  n/a

  Cash Incentive Scheme

  0.100

  0.080

  0

  n/a

  n/a

  Loan Charges Defective Housing

  0.047

  0.047

  0.047

  70.047

  70.047

  Capital Challenge8

  0.120

  0.880

  0

  0

  0

  Devon County Council

  Revenue Support Grant2

  10266.389

  155.634

  158.924

  150.930

  166.866

  Income from National Non-Domestic Rates2

  10205.912

  138.460

  151.558

  173.050

  170.054

  Local Government Reorganisation Supplementary Credit Approval

  1.812

  0.765

  0

  0

  0

  Transport Supplementary Grant

  1.738

  1.238

  1.861

  0

  0

  Transport Annual Capital Guideline

  1.738

  1.238

  1.861

  0

  0

  Transport Block Supplementary Credit Approval

  2.560

  1.214

  2.842

  10.281

  20.703

  Rural Bus Challenge Grant11

  0

  0

  0.640

  0.300

  12—

  Rural Bus Subsidy Grant

  0

  1.409

  1.409

  1.409

  1.799

  Capital Challenge8

  2.694

  2.257

  1.554

  0

  0

  1Where known

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

  3 1997–98 HIP allocation inherited from the previous Government's spending plans. Present Government introduced CRI from 1997–98

  4Single Housing Pot introduced from 2000–01 resulting in CRI being merged with HIP

  5 Resource accounting has resulted in a change to the way capital resources are allocated for 2001–02 with the introduction of a new Major Repairs Allowance (MRA) to cover the cost of maintaining local authority housing in a sound condition. Mid Devon's MRA allocation for 2001–02 is £1.712 million and, for comparison purposes, is included in the 2001–02 HIP allocation above. North Devon's MRA allocation for 2001–02 is £0 million

  6 North Devon District Council was not eligible for Housing Revenue Account subsidy in 2000–01 as it held no properties in its HRA

  7Estimated

  8Supplementary Credit and Basic Credit Approvals

  9Provisional

  10 Devon was subject to a Structural Change Order on 1 April 1998. The figures for Revenue Support Grant and National Non-Domestic Rates quoted for Devon County Council for 1997–98 include an amount for the areas covered by The City of Plymouth and The Borough of Torbay. The figures for 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01 and 2001–02 exclude the amount for the areas covered by The City of Plymouth and The Borough of Torbay

  11 Rural Bus Challenge figures represent awards—actual spend profiles for schemes may cover more than one year

  12N/K

  Single Regeneration Budget (SRB)

  Parts of the constituency are included in two SRB schemes. Funding provided for these schemes since 1997–98 is included in the table.

  £ million

  SRB scheme

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  12001–02

  VISIONS

  0.099

  0.217

  0 233

  n/a

  n/a

  Forches

  n/a

  0.018

  0 033

  0.076

  n/a

  1Where known

  European Funding

  Parts of North Devon Constituency were included in the South West Objective 5b programme that closed for new applications at the end of 1999. North Devon District
  636W
  local authority to decide where within its boundary these resources are applied.

  in the constituency is included in the designated South West Objective 2 area which stands to benefit from £108 million of European Funds over the next seven years.

  Rural Taskforce
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions the Rural Taskforce has had on support for the racing industry during the foot and mouth outbreak. [155441]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 26 March 2001]: The Rural Taskforce has discussed measures to alleviate the impact of foot and mouth on all affected rural businesses

  637W
  including the racing industry. The Taskforce welcomes constructive suggestions. I announced to the House on 20 March 2001, Official Report, columns 191–210, a preliminary package of measures which the Taskforce had discussed earlier that day.

  Supported Housing Places
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many supported housing places will be needed to meet the 2003 target set for the Government's Teenage Pregnancy Programme; how many such places have already been and are in the process of being provided; how many applications to provide new places have been received; and how many have been funded. [155786]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  Although precise data are not available, we estimate that around 1,500 units of supported accommodation will be needed to meet the Government target that by 2003 all teenage lone parents under 18 who cannot live with their family or partner should be placed in supervised semi-independent housing with support rather than in an independent tenancy.

  An audit of existing provision of supported accommodation for housing teenage parents undertaken by local authorities as part of the 2000 Housing Investment Programme identified between 4,000 and 5,000 units of accommodation as available for lone parents with onsite or floating support, of which around two thirds (2,749 units) was available for teenage parents under 18 years of age. However, it is doubtful whether all of this accommodation is located in line with need or is of sufficient quality to meet the support requirements of teenage parents.

  Local authorities are responsible for assessing the need for additional accommodation for teenage parents within their areas. Currently 128 new units of accommodation for teenage parents are being funded through the Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme (ADP). Next year's Approved Development Programme includes 205 new units of accommodation. In addition under the new Safer Communities Supported Housing Fund, £4 million has been allocated to provide 134 new units of accommodation for teenage parents and bids have been received to provide floating support for nearly 200 units of accommodation. The Housing Corporation will be announcing shortly the number of floating support bids, which it will be approving for funding in 2001–02.

  Encams
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what performance targets have been set for Encams for waste awareness as a condition of funding. [155763]

  Mr. Meacher
  Encams' flagship waste awareness initiative is the Waste Theme Month that it co-ordinates each October. This year DETR grant of £30,000 funded its entire costs: promotional activity that included leaflets, newspapers, a theme month pack and a national seminar, all of which Encams evaluated through a questionnaire.
  638W
  The programme met all three targets set for it in the 2000–01 Corporate Plan agreed with DETR Ministers, which were:

  (i) to increase the action generated by 10 per cent. on that for the previous year;

  (ii) to distribute information to 500 organisations; and

  (iii) to have 25 per cent. of evaluation questionnaires returned.

  Waste and litter awareness and action feature across a range of Encams' grant funded activities, notably the Just Bin It campaign (formerly called National Spring Clean), and People and Places programme and the Seaside Awards. We are currently negotiating a Corporate Plan with Encams Ltd. which will set out performance targets for all its 2001–02 grant-aided work, including work to promote waste awareness. When we agree this Plan later in the year I will deposit a copy in the Libraries of the House.

  Recycling
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if the "Are you doing your bit" and "Use it: Recycle it" campaigns are active; [155917]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the impact of the "Are you doing your bit" and "Use it: Recycle it" campaigns. [155766]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  The "Are you doing your bit" campaign, which promotes water conservation, waste reduction, energy efficiency and transport messages, has been running since 1998. My hon. Friend also mentions "Use it: Recycle it", which is a reference to the "Are you doing your bit" campaign's "Use it again" waste and recycling website.

  Research into awareness, motivation and actions by individuals, has been commissioned to assess the campaign's impact and inform its strategic approach.

  Research conducted in December 2000, a month after the most recent advertising, showed high levels of campaign recognition: nine out of 10 people recognised the campaign; seven out of 10 said that the advertising made them think they should be doing their bit; over six out of 10 say they had started or increased campaign actions in the last 12 months.

  The campaign's success in 2000–01 also included more than 48,000 visitors to the interactive roadshow in 24 locations and approximately 1,060 pieces of media coverage generated on campaign messages. In addition, there have been almost 70,000 visitors to the campaign websites www.doingyourbit.org.uk and www.useitagain.org.uk since their launch in May 1999 and April 2000 respectively.

  National Waste Strategy
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what funding sources will be used in order to deliver the National Waste Strategy. [155765]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  In the National Waste Strategy, the Government have set out their objectives for sustainable waste management over the next 20 years. The Spending Review 2000 provided substantial extra
  639W
  resources for waste and recycling over the next three years to begin to deliver these objectives, as set out in the reply to the hon. Member for Ashford (Mr. Green) on 14 December 2000, Official Report, column 200W.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much his Department estimates it will cost to deliver the National Waste Strategy. [155767]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  The Government's Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) for the National Waste Strategy is set out in "Waste Strategy 2000" (Cm 4693–2, Annexe C). The RIA models differing assumptions about the growth in waste arisings and the development of different waste treatments over this period and suggests additional costs ranging from £3.4 to £7.7 billion (present value of costs from 2000 to 2020).

  Trunk Road Improvements
  Dr. Ladyman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to add to the targeted programme of trunk road improvements. [156106]

  Mr. Hill
  The regional planning bodies brought forward proposals for 30 schemes which could be separately progressed from the Multi Modal Studies (which are currently looking at solutions to problems within main trunk road corridors). These schemes have been assessed using the New Approach to Appraisal (NATA) and I have arranged for copies of the appraisal summary tables to be placed in the Library. We have also sought the views of the Government's statutory advisers (English Nature, the Countryside Agency, English Heritage and the Environment Agency) on the proposed schemes. Having considered the NATA appraisals and comments from the statutory advisers we have decided to add the following schemes to the targeted programme of improvements:

  M62 Junction 6 Improvement

  Al Peterborough—Blyth Grade Separated Junctions

  A14 Haughley New St.—Stowmarket Improvement

  A38 Dobwalls Bypass

  A46 Newark—Widmerpool Improvement

  A595 Parton—Lillyhall Improvement

  These schemes will now be taken forward by the Highways Agency in consultation with the statutory advisory bodies to ensure that any concerns which they might have are properly addressed in developing detailed designs for the schemes. Every effort will be made to minimise impacts on sensitive sites.

  In addition, I am also able to announce today that, after further studies undertaken since the 1998 Roads Review, the following schemes are being added to the targeted programme of improvements:

  A3 Hindhead Improvement

  A30 Bodmin-Indian Queens Improvement.

  We believe these eight major schemes will be widely welcomed. They will benefit road users by reducing congestion and improving safety, create safer and healthier environments for local communities by the removal of through traffic and, in some cases, contribute
  640W
  to regeneration initiatives. Close co-operation with the statutory advisory bodies in developing scheme designs will ensure that important sensitive sites are protected.

  The Highways Agency will also take forward the following smaller schemes recommended by the regional planning bodies as part of the recent consultation exercise and costing less than £5 million as part of their programme of local network management schemes.

  M40/A404 Handy Cross Junction Improvement

  A l (M) Junction 60–62 Improvement

  A66 Long Newton Grade Separated Junction.

  We are informing the regional planning bodies about our decisions.

  Light Rail Schemes
  Mr. Laxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about light rail schemes. [156078]

  Mr. Hill
  I am today announcing decisions on three schemes, as follows:

  Leeds Supertram

  Following completion of our appraisal of the proposed Leeds Supertram system of three light rail lines, we are satisfied that the project passes the test for Government funding to be made available and that it should be taken forward as a single scheme. We have also agreed a funding package with the promoters which includes a local contribution towards scheme costs.

  Orders have been made under the Transport and Works Act 1992 giving powers for the scheme. However, these cannot come into force until a special parliamentary procedure has been completed, because the orders authorise the compulsory purchase of open space, for which no land is to be given in exchange. Funding approval is given on the assumption that this process is completed satisfactorily.

  South Hampshire Rapid Transit

  Following completion of our appraisal of the South Hampshire Rapid Transit project, we are satisfied that the project passes the tests for Government funding to be made available. Subject to the scheme receiving Transport and Works Act (TWA) powers and no material change to the scheme as submitted, we intend to provide funding and have agreed a package with the promoters which would include a local contribution towards scheme costs.

  This decision is given solely in respect of the economic appraisal of the scheme as submitted to us and the associated funding arrangements. It does not in any way indicate any view that I may take on the TWA application that is currently being considered on its own merits, having regard to the Inspector's report of the inquiry.

  Bristol and South Gloucester Rapid Transit

  In accordance with the policy set out in my Department's Guidance on Local Transport Plans, Bristol City Council and South Gloucestershire Council sought a provisional view on the economic appraisal for the Bristol and South Gloucester Rapid Transit scheme, prior to seeking the necessary powers under the Transport and Works Act (TWA). I am aware that the authorities are continuing to work on some aspects of the proposed scheme. However, I am satisfied that, on the basis of the available information, were the current proposals and their

  641W
  appraisal to be confirmed by the authorities following that further work they would pass our economic appraisal tests for deciding eligibility for funding.

  This provisional view is given solely in respect of the economic appraisal, and does not in any way indicate any view that I may take on any subsequent TWA application. Any such application would be determined entirely on its merits in the light of all the relevant considerations, and only after all interested persons had been given a full opportunity to state their views.

  Should TWA powers be obtained, final approval of the project for funding would depend both on whether an updated economic appraisal, reflecting any changes to the scheme as a result of the TWA process or any other developments, demonstrates that the project still represents good value for money and on conclusions of a satisfactory agreement on funding.

  South East England Development Agency
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will set out the business experience of each member of the South East England Development Agency. [155957]

  Ms Armstrong
  Short biographies of each of the board members of the South East England Development Agency have been placed in the Libraries of the House. These are also available on DETR's website at www.detr.gov.uk and SEEDA's website at: www.seeda.co.uk.

  Greenock Semi-Conductor Plant
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to receive a copy of the report of the Health and Safety Executive's study of employees' health at the National Semi-Conductor plant in Greenock; and if he will make a statement. [155259]

  Mr. Meacher
  This study is being taken forward by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as a matter of priority. Work to trace members of the work force is nearing completion. HSE will then link this to information on deaths and cancer registrations to determine which workers have suffered cancer. The final report is currently expected to be published in late summer 2001.

  Planning Permission
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to speed up the action taken against businesses which operate without planning permission. [155947]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Local planning authorities have a wide range of discretionary enforcement powers to enable them to deal swiftly and effectively with unauthorised development that is harming amenity in the neighbourhood. Last August we announced improvements to enforcement appeal procedures which will increase their speed and efficiency. We are now preparing the necessary statutory instruments and guidance to implement the changes.

  Planning Appeals
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he 642W
  has to allow people who protest against a planning decision to appeal against favourable decisions by local councils. [155948]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Local people already have the opportunity to make their views known on development proposals before local planning authorities determine planning applications. There is also the right to challenge the grant of planning permission by a local planning authority by seeking judicial review. We have no current plans to introduce a third party right of appeal against authorities' decisions to grant planning permission.

  Rent Service
  Kali Mountford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what performance targets he has set the Rent Service for 2001–02. [156138]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  Key targets have been agreed for the Agency. They are included in the Agency's Business Plan, which includes management objectives, performance indicators and key tasks. Copies of the Business Plan will be placed in the Library in due course.

  The key targets for The Rent Service are:
  to deliver Statutory performance targets in 95 per cent. of cases;
  to achieve the following customer service targets against Housing Benefit applications:
  process 80 per cent of Determinations Without an inspection within three working days;
  process 80 per cent. of Determinations With an inspection within 15 working days;
  process 85 per cent. of Pre-Tenancy Determinations within four working days;
  process 70 per cent. of Redeterminations within 15 working days.
  to complete 80 per cent. of Fair Rent Determinations within 40 working days;
  to increase the number of cases determined per employee by a minimum of 5 per cent. per year whilst reducing the cost per case by a minimum of 5 per cent. per year in real terms, with no reduction in the quality of service provided.

  A21
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he has decided to agree to the National Trust's proposals for a bridge across the A21 Lamberhurst Bypass at Scotney. [156140]

  Mr. Hill
  I am pleased to say that following discussion with the Trust over the last few months. I have asked the Highways Agency to develop proposals to maintain the existing access to Scotney Castle and remove the severance caused by the bypass. Further development work will now be undertaken leading to the publication of those proposals in the summer.

  Maritinu, and Coastguard Agency
  Maria Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will announce the key tai gets for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency for 2001–02,. [156141]
  643W
  Mr. Hill
  I will shortly lay in the House library a copy of the Agency's Business Plan which includes its key targets for 2001–02. The key targets are:to complete the review of the statutory safety regime for fishing vessels of 12–24 metres and to prepare a Code of Practice for these vessels by January 2002.
  to implement the internationally agreed revisions to Chapter V (Safety of Navigation) of the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention in time for the implementation date of 1 July 2002;
  to achieve full implementation of the International Convention on Standards of Training. Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW95) by 1 February 2002;
  to complete at least 95 per cent. of the agreed programme of vessel inspections;
  to decide on the search and rescue response to accidents and life-threatening situations, and initiate action if necessary, within five minutes of being alerted in at least 95 per cent. of cases;
  to implement the agreed recommendations of the UK SAR (Search and Rescue) Helicopter coverage and provision review by 31 March 2002;
  to implement the agreed recommendations of the Emergency Towing Vessel (ETV) review by 31 Match 2002;
  to establish measurable efficiency indicators covering: search and rescue activities; the survey and inspection service; and Agency management, by 31 July 2001;
  to undertake customer surveys to assess the level of customer satisfaction with the work carried out by MCA, with particular emphasis on the operational side of the business, and to establish benchmarks for future surveys, by 31 March 2002.

  Planning Inspectorate
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what performance targets he proposed to set the Planning Inspectorate agency for 2001–02. [156323]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Planning Inspectorate continues to play a key role in improving the efficiency and certainty with which the planning system delivers quality services to business and other users 1 have therefore set demanding key performance targets for the Inspectorate for 2001–02. These include tougher targets for handling planning appeals in line with our Public Service Agreement targets.

  The tougher appeals targets I am setting the Inspectorate to continue improving its service to customers makes it essential that all parties to the appeals process play their part by cooperating with the Inspectorate in meeting deadlines and agreeing dates offered for inquiries.

  The targets for 2001–02 are as follows:

  Timeliness

  80 per cent. of all planning appeals decided by written representations to be determined within 16 weeks;
  80 per cent. of all planning appeals decided by hearings to be determined within 22 weeks;
  80 per cent. of all planning appeals decided by inquiries to be determined within 30 weeks;
  to provide an Inspector for development plan inquiries in at least 90 per cent. of cases on the date requested by the local authority, provided that the objection period has ended and at least six months' notice has been given;
  to deliver 90 per cent. of Inspectors' reports on development plan inquiries to local authorities according to timescales agreed under service agreements.

  644W
  The table shows the Planning Inspectorate's performance against its timeliness targets for 1998–99 to 2000–01.

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  80 per cent. of all planning appeals should be decided within the following number of weeks:

  Target

  Written representation

  18

  18

  17

  Hearings

  24

  24

  23

  Inquiries

  36

  36

  33

  Achieved

  Written representation

  17

  18

  17

  Hearings

  27

  22

  20

  Inquiries

  41

  34

  31

  Efficiency
  To generate a 3 per cent. improvement in the use of running costs compared to 2000–01.

  Quality
  To satisfy the Advisory Panel on Standards, and thus the Secretary of State and the National Assembly for Wales, annually and following rigorous monitoring, that the quality of all the Inspectorate's work is being maintained at a high standard, with 99 per cent. of its casework free from justified complaint.

  Information and Guidance
  To survey customer satisfaction with the Inspectorate's performance in handling rights of way cases and to act upon the results.

  Housing PFI Schemes
  Mr. Mudie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will announce the outcome of the second round of applications for housing private finance initiative schemes. [156324]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I am announcing today the names of 12 local authorities with whom my Department will work on the development of a second round of housing PFI schemes.

  The authorities are: Ashford borough council, the London borough of Camden, the London borough of Islington, the London borough of Hackney, Leeds City council, The London borough of Lewisham, Manchester City council, The London borough of Newham, North East Derbyshire district council, Oldham metropolitan borough council, Rochdale metropolitan borough council, and Sandwell metropolitan borough council.

  Whether schemes ultimately proceed will depend on authorities working up business cases which satisfy the scrutiny of the inter-Departmental Project Review Group (PRG), which considers all local government PFI schemes seeking central government support. Endorsement by PRG is essential before schemes can proceed to EU competition.

  These projects are all aimed at tackling the backlog of renovation and repairs in existing council housing and many include wider estate regeneration proposals. They form an important element in authorities' wider housing and regeneration strategies.
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  PFI credits worth £760 million are available to support housing PFI schemes in the current spending review period. There will be a further opportunity for authorities to apply for support later this year.

  Exclusion Zone Footpaths
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance he plans to give relating to the use of footpaths in exclusion zones; and if he will make a statement. [155271]

  Mr. Morley
  I have been asked to reply.

  Government published advice to the general public on countryside activities and visits, based on guidance from the Chief Veterinary Officer, on 16 March. Further guidance for local authorities on use of footpaths will be issued shortly.

TREASURY

  Census 2001
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will break down the publicity budget for publicising the 2001 census; what the timetable is for the publicity campaign; what its objectives are; what initiatives are being taken to target specific ethnic groups and regions; what are the objectives of each; and what initiatives are being prepared to make children aware of the census. [146679]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 23 January 2001]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Kevin McNamara, dated 28 March 2001:

  As National Statistician and Registrar General for England and Wales I have been asked to reply to your question asking for a breakdown of the publicity budget for the 2001 Census and other matters related to the publicity of the Census (146679).

  The breakdown of the paid publicity budget for the period 2000/01 to 2001/02 is:

  Main advertising campaign: £4,728,000

  Other publicity activities: £933,000

  A carefully planned calendar of public relations events has been organised enabling Census Area Managers to run successful local, yet nationally coherent, campaigns.

  The objectives of the overall publicity campaign are to establish the necessary level of advance awareness of the Census across the population and to build up public confidence in the Census as a socially worthwhile exercise that is undertaken in the strictest confidence. The banner logo 'Count Mc In' aims to encourage universal self-inclusion in the Census.

  The campaign encompasses both paid and free media with the latter being instigated at local level by Census Area Managers working to a centrally co-ordinated PR calendar. Local PR in England has also benefited greatly through a strategic partnership with BBC Local Radio.

  The full range of ethnic titles will be used to advertise the Census to ethnic minorities as a component within the main campaign designed to address these communities in a sympathetic and appropriate way.

  The Census form questions and the information leaflet have been translated into 24 commonly used foreign languages—in addition to Welsh in Wales—and will be available from April 1, as will the
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  dedicated Language Helpline which can offer help in 12 languages. In addition, an ethnic version of the promotional video has been produced using an Asian celebrity, which we hope to place in unused air-time on Asian cable TV.

  Customised press notices associated with all the main PR events will be disseminated to all ethnic minority media outlets. For our Recruitment Blitz the Press notice directed at ethnic minority media carried a supporting quote from Civil Service Commissioner Karamjit Singh CBE, and we specifically targeted metropolitan areas at 14 sites around the country where there would be good links with local TV and radio as well as a high concentration of ethnic minority populations. Our partnership with BBC Local Radio has gained us influence over the BBC's Asian Language Network, which has already run a number of Census promotions.

  These several activities complement the Community Liaison Programmes pursued at local level by Census Area Managers with the overall aim of raising general public awareness about the census, facilitating the enumeration to ensure the fullest possible coverage and helping to provide a source of potential field staff.

  The Census2001 Count Me In website contains a wealth of material about the Census in general including a number of factsheets as well as covering specific areas such as recruitment.

  There are two major initiative to make children and teachers aware of the Census:

  CensusAtSchool is au outline census for schoolchildren asking questions with youth appeal (covering topics such as mobile phone/pet ownership; football team; height of children compared with 1830s). There are on-line classroom activities that will enable the findings to be analysed using statistical techniques. The results from CensusAtSchool attracted major national and regional press coverage when released in February. The national findings are available on the website www.censusatschool.ntu.ac.uk for schools to make comparisons of local and national trends.

  Census In School is an educational package for teachers containing modules cleating with the use of Census information which is mapped to the National Curriculum. A CD-ROM version is attached to each pack, and these have been distributed to both junior and secondary schools.

  Minimum Wage
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimates he has made of the number of workers in Scotland who have benefited from the introduction of the statutory minimum wage, broken down by employment sector. [1557771

  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. Douglas Alexander, dated 28 March 2001:

  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question about the number of people in Scotland who have benefited from the National Minimum Wage (NMW) by employment sector (155777).

  The Office for National Statistics has published estimates of the number of jobs paid at less than NMW rates for 1998, 1999 and 2000. These estimates are based on an improved methodology using data from the New Earnings Survey (NES) and Labour Force Survey (LFS). This methodology provides the best estimates for the number of jobs in the UK paid below low hourly rate thresholds. Estimates for the United Kingdom and Government Office Regions, including Scotland, are posted on the National Statistics website at: www.statistics.gov.uk/nsbase/ themes/labour_market/nmw_lowpay_tables.asp

  The new methodology has been developed to overcome the deficiencies inherent in the two surveys, the NFS and LFS, in measuring low pay. Estimates based on this methodology are not available for the number of jobs paid below NMW rates in Scotland broken down by employment sector.
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  Red Diesel
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the annual savings to the(a) quarry, (b) aviation, (c) farming, (d) manufacturing and (e) other industries arising from the rebated rates of duty on red diesel. [154699]

  Mr. Timms
  Data on payments of duty on rebated gas oil do not indicate the end-use; therefore no estimate has been made of the annual savings to different industries resulting from the rebated rates of duty on red diesel.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the annual savings to industry from using red diesel instead of ultra low sulphur diesel. [154700]

  Mr. Timms
  Rebated gas oil, also known as red diesel, is liable for duty at the rate of 3.13 pence per litre and is used in excepted vehicles and as a heating and industrial fuel. Assuming the current level of use, raising the rate of duty on gas oil to the rate applying to Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel would raise additional duty revenues of around £3 billion. In practice the additional revenue would be significantly less than this because a fourteenfold increase in the duty rate would reduce the demand for rebated gas oil.

  Business Costs (Wales)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how much the Treasury estimates that small and medium enterprises in Wales will have to pay under the climate change levy; [154554]

  (2) by how much he estimates that costs to small and medium enterprises in Wales will decrease as a consequence of the reduction in employers' National Insurance Contributions. [154556]

  Mr. Timms
  The climate change levy will be revenue neutral overall, and broadly neutral between services and manufacturing. The levy will raise an estimated £1 billion in its first year, all of which will be recycled back to business via a 0.3 percentage point cut in employers' National Insurance Contributions and through support for business energy efficiency. The effect on any specific business sector or area will depend on a number of factors, including their future energy consumption, their levels of employment, eligibility for discounts, use of exempt renewable energy or combined heat and power, and the extent to which they take up energy efficiency advice and the enhanced capital allowances for energy saving investments.

  Banks
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he has taken in the year since the publication of the Cruickshank report to reduce the excess profits being earned by the leading clearing banks identified by the report. [155594]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the Government's response to the Cruickshank report, which was published on the 4 August 2000, and to Chapter Three of the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report, which was published on 7 March 2001.
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  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what change has taken place in the share of the four leading clearing banks in the current account market since the publication of the Cruickshank report. [155597]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  As I told the Treasury Select Committee on 30 January (ref: para. 452) the share of the four leading clearing banks in the current account market when the Cruickshank report was published was around 68 per cent. It is now around 70 per cent.

  Performance Information
  Mr. Russell Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made on the recommendation in the Performance and Innovation Unit report "Wiring it Up" to develop a strategy for performance information. [156221]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  A strategy for performance information "Improving Performance Information"—setting out the initiatives the Government have put in place to improve performance information—was published today.

  As part of the strategy a guide to performance information: "Choosing the right FABRIC: a Framework for Performance Information" has also been published.

  This document is published jointly by the Treasury, the Cabinet Office, the National Audit Office, the Audit Commission, and the Office for National Statistics and contains principles behind performance information.

  I am placing a copy of both documents in the Libraries of both Houses. The documents can also be found on the Treasury website at www.hm-treasury.gsi.gov.uk/ perform_info.

  Economic and Monetary Union
  Mr. Ian Stewart
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the outcome was of the most recent meeting of the Standing Committee on preparations for EMU. [156222]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The most recent meeting of the Standing Committee took place on 22 January 2001. I have arranged for copies of the minutes to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Smuggling
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimates Her Majesty's Customs and Excise has made of the extent of excise duty lost in the smuggling of fuel; and what targets he has set for the reduction of smuggling of tobacco, alcohol and fuel. [155944]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Customs have made no estimates relating specifically to excise duty lost from the smuggling of fuel into the UK.

  Customs' targets for reducing tobacco smuggling and cross-Channel alcohol smuggling are set out in the "Tackling Tobacco Smuggling" document published on 22 March 2000, a copy of which is available in the Library. There is no specific target for fuel.
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TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Bell Canada (Madagascar)
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what investigations(a) he and (b) Oftel have carried out into incidences of a UK-licensed telecommunications operator short-terminating calls in the UK between Bell Canada customers and Madagascar. [155835]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 27 March 2001]: Neither the Government nor Oftel have received any representations about the short termination of calls between Bell Canada customers and Madagascar, and no investigations have been carried out. Oftel will investigate any complaints made to them that an operator licensed under the Telecommunications Act might be acting in breach of its licence.

  Nuclear Power
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from British Energy regarding the future of new nuclear power plant development in(a) Scotland and (b) the rest of the UK. [155848]

  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 27 March 2001]: None.

  Strategic Export Controls
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what provision will be made for parliamentary scrutiny of lists of acceptable destinations for exports under the framework agreement concerning measures to facilitate the restructuring and operation of the European defence industry; [155487]

  (2) if exports with significant United Kingdom participation, agreed under the framework agreement concerning measures to facilitate the restructuring and operation of the European defence industry, and exported from and licensed by another of the parties to the agreement, will be included in the United Kingdom annual report on strategic export controls; [155489]

  (3) what process will be used to draw up a list of acceptable destinations for exports under the framework agreement concerning measures to facilitate the restructuring and operation of the European defence industry; and what role industry will play in this process; [155486]

  (4) if the (a) range, (b) quantity of items and (c) eventual end-users covered by a global project licence will be clearly identified in the annual report on strategic export controls under the framework agreement concerning measures to facilitate the restructuring and operation of the European defence industry. [155488]

  Dr. Howells
  The annual report on strategic export controls will provide details of all export licences issued by the UK relating to framework agreement projects in a similar way to current reporting.

  The process to draw up lists of acceptable destinations or White Lists is set out in Article 13(3) of the framework agreement. The Ministry of Defence, with support from both DTI and FCO is continuing discussions with other participating countries on the modalities of the operation
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  and maintenance of the White Lists. Industry will continue to be consulted on these discussions as proposals are developed. These White Lists will represent declarations of interest in potential export opportunities by the company involved and as such are commercially sensitive. It would not therefore be appropriate to publish these lists. The lists themselves will not function as export licences and exporters will still have to apply for export licences from the country from which the final export will take place. The UK will continue to apply high levels of transparency through our annual reports on strategic export controls to such licensing decisions and will encourage other countries, including other participating countries, who are all signatories to the EU Code of Conduct, to be equally open.

  The publication of this information will mean there will be no reduction in the level of Parliamentary scrutiny of these export licensing decisions.

  Reprocessed Uranium
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what quantities of reprocessed uranium have been sold by British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. and for what purposes in each of the last three years. [154420]

  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 26 March 2001]: Details of BNFL's commercial transactions—including its trade in uranium products—are a matter for BNFL and its customers.

  Departmental Policies (North Devon)
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the North Devon constituency, the effects on North Devon of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [155902]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Department has provided the following support for businesses in North Devon Constituency since May 1997.

  Regional Selective Assistance (RSA)

  RSA is a capital investment grant linked to the creation or safeguarding of jobs in designated areas of need (the Assisted Areas). Five RSA grant offers totalling £0.574 million have been made to businesses in the North Devon Constituency, to support projects with a total capital expenditure of £3.5 million, and to create and safeguard a total of 344 jobs.

  Enterprise Grants

  The Enterprise Grants scheme is a simplified scheme that was introduced in April 2000 to help small firms undertake fi iced capital investment projects. One application for £0.012 million in the North Devon Constituency is currently being appraised.

  Business Link

  PROSPER Business Link has provided services to small businesses in the North Devon Constituency since 1997. These include general and specialised advice to help businesses grow, export development counselling, Information and Communications Technology advice, and a full range of specialist information. From April 2001 these services will be provided by the Small Business Service operating through a franchise awarded to a

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  PROSPER-led partnership. This new service will be more customer focused ensuring that services are driven by local need.

  Central Railway
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) who from(a) regional development agencies, (b) regional assemblies and (c) other organisations was invited by the right hon. Member for Sheffield, Central (Mr. Caborn), to attend his meeting with Central Railway plc on 28 February; who attended the meeting; and if he will make a statement; [155825]

  (2) by what date the right hon. Member for Sheffield, Central, asked regional development agencies and regional assemblies to report their views on the Central Railway project following the meeting of 28 February; [155822]

  (3) what were the conclusions of the meeting of February between the right hon. Member for Sheffield, Central, representatives of Central Railway plc and regional representatives; [155823]

  (4) what contacts there have been between (a) the right hon. Member for Sheffield, Central and (b) other Ministers in his Department and representatives of Central Railway since 1 January; [155824]

  (5) what was the purpose of the meeting on 28 February between the right hon. Member for Sheffield, Central and representatives of Central Railway plc. [155826]

  Mr. Caborn
  [holding answer 27 March 2001]: I have had a number of private meetings with representatives of Central Railways in my capacity as Member for Sheffield, Central.

  Post Offices
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many(a) sub and (b) main post offices there were in the Romsey constituency in (i) 1992, (ii) 1997 and (iii) 2001. [155855]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  I understand from the Post Office that data on the post office network are not held on a parliamentary constituency basis.

  Miners (Compensation)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many ex-miner claims for compensation for respiratory disease there were(a) as at 30 October 2000 and (b) at present. [155643]

  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 27 March 2001]: At 29 October 2000, IRISC, the Department's claims handlers, had registered 124,376 claims in respect of respiratory disease. To date, the number of claims initiated is 141,158 and, on average, 1,000 new claims continue to be registered each week.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the average settlement figure for those ex-miners who have settled their claims under the fast-track procedure. [155644]

  Mr. Hain
  Before September last year, expedited offers of between £1,050 and £5,750 were made to claimants in full and final settlement following spirometry (the first stage of the medical process). As a result of the fast-track 652W
  initiative in September, these offers were increased to between £2,050 and £14,500, the offer being dependent on spirometry results and underground working history with British Coal. In addition, eligibility was broadened to include some claimants who were previously ineligible for an expedited offer. Those who had offers made under the old tariffs received a top-up in line with the new awards. The average settlement figure is £4,700.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the time-scale is for processing claims for compensation from ex-miners and their families in each of the centres in Wales; and what the target date is for the completion of this work for existing cases in each such location. [154839]

  Mr. Hain
  It is difficult to say how long it will take before the last claim is assessed in Wales. New claims can still be made and nationally there are about 1000 new claims each week. We aim to assess the remainder of the most injured and eldest miners and widows by spring 2002.

  MAP resources within South Wales are being increased. We recently opened a new centre in Ammanford, and I will be attending the opening of a further new centre in Ystrad Mynach on 30 March. In North Wales, as the right hon. Member is aware, Healthcall have been asked to cease assessments in May at the centre in Wrexham. They are, however, investigating alternative sites in the area for the Portakabin modular unit with the help of the local council. In addition, Healthcall are in the process of equipping mobile testing units to be used as and when the need arises. With these changes in prospect it is difficult to set targets now for handling the existing claims.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the number of claims for compensation for(a) chronic bronchitis and emphysema and (b) asthma his Department will receive from ex-miners and their families in Wales in the next 12 months. [154819]

  Mr. Hain
  It is difficult to forecast the number of further claims of compensation for respiratory disease, including those with chronic bronchitis and emphysema, expected in Wales. Nationwide, there are currently around 1,000 new claims initiated in respect of respiratory disease each week. The number of claims is currently about 140,000.

  As to claims for asthma, this is not a condition for which British Coal were found liable and it is therefore not compensable under the British Coal
  Respiratory Disease Litigation.

  Electronic Signatures
  Kali Mountford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on how the Government propose to implement the EU' s framework directive on electronic signatures. [156223]

  Mr. Byers
  I have today issued a consultation document on how this Directive should be implemented in the UK. Copies of the document have been placed in the Library of the House and are available on the DTI web site.
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  Late Payments
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many payments were made by his Department in each of the last five years to suppliers in which compensation was paid due to late payment. [R] [155791]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 27 March 2001]: This information is not held centrally and could therefore be answered only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps his Department has taken to improve its late payment record. [R] [155789]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 27 March 2001]: The Department has put in place tighter controls in order to improve its performance on the prompt payment of invoices.

  Departmental Policies (Newbury)
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Newbury constituency, the effects on Newbury and west Berkshire of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [154576]

  Mr. Caborn
  [holding answer 20 March 2001]: West Berkshire has benefited from a broad range of initiatives that have been implemented since May 1997.

  The Thames Valley Business Link

  The Thames Valley Business Link receives funding from the Department to assist businesses at all stages of development. The Business Link also has an independent income stream. The Business Link covers both Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. Initiatives are aimed to reach groups of businesses that have shown a need for a more direct approach. It would not be possible to dis-aggregate the benefit for west Berkshire and the figures shown are for the whole region covered by the Business Link.

  The Business Link's services are widely marketed and include the following initiatives.

  DTI Funding for Business Link

  Financial year

  £000

  1997–98

  2,288

  1998–99

  2,108

  1999–2000

  2,938

  2000–01

  n/a

  Diagnostic Consultancy Service—This scheme is aimed at businesses to help them find and rectify problems within the company.

  Farmer's Advisory Service—This scheme supports farmers to develop and manage their businesses. The rural nature of west Berkshire has led that area in particular to benefit from this initiative.

  Business Advisory Service

  The Business Advisory Service gives easy access to a wide range of quality business services, initial business diagnosis at no extra cost, impartial expert advice on business issues, and practical value-for-money support tailored to make the most of individual business potential.
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  Export Counselling Services—This was a scheme initiated in 1997 to aid local businesses to develop an export market. (Funds were in addition to those given.)

  Financial year

  £

  1997–98

  52,500

  1998–99

  50,000

  1999–2000

  25,000

  Other initiatives include:

  British Trade International—a separately funded unit dealing with expanding the export and raising the profile of British goods abroad.

  SMART awards—four west Berkshire businesses have been awarded funds to develop innovative technological ideas to improve their business.

  The Berkshire Small Business Service

  The Small Business Service will take over from the current Business Link in April 2001 and will deliver a sharper and more focused service by acting as a gateway to the wide range of services available to local businesses.

  Export Licences
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to speed up the granting of Export licences; and if he will make a statement. [155637]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 27 March 2001]: Licences to export arms and other goods whose export is controlled for strategic reasons are issued by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry acting through the DTI's Export Control Organisation (ECO). All relevant individual licence applications are circulated by the DTI to other Government Departments with an interest as determined by those Departments in line with their policy responsibilities. These include FCO, MOD and DfID. There ate regular meetings between officials in these Departments to identify specific ways of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the export licensing system, as well as to discuss particular licence applications.

  The Government take very seriously their responsibilities for exercising effective export controls. All relevant export licence applications to export strategic goods are rigorously assessed on a case-by-case basis against the consolidated EU and national arms export licensing criteria.

  The Government, are working hard to reduce processing times for export licence applications. We have set demanding targets for processing Standard Individual Export Licence (SIEL) applications. The aim is to provide a substantive response to such applications within 20 working days. The targets are set out in a Service and Performance Code published by the ECO, and information on performance against these targets is set out in the Government's Annual Reports on Strategic Export Controls. However, these targets do not apply to applications concerning Iran, Iraq or to applications for licences to export goods which are subject to control

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  solely because of UN Sanctions. This is because there are special licensing procedures for those destinations, which reflect the Government's concerns.

  Strategic export licensing is and must be a joined-up process. All applications are processed expeditiously and with care. However, some cases raise particularly difficult issues and these may take longer to process. But, where cases are outstanding with other departments for longer than the relevant target period the ECO systematically monitors and reminds them so that cases are resolved as quickly as possible.

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to review the list of products which must obtain licences for export; and if he will make a statement. [155638]

  Dr. Howells [holding answer 27 March 2001]
  The lists of goods which are subject to export control are continuously under review as part of the UK's obligations under the various International Proliferation and Arms Control Conventions and Regimes. These organisations conduct periodic or continuous reviews of their lists and changes are negotiated, and agreed, as necessary.

  The UK's implementation of these changes is carried out by means of amendments to national secondary legislation (the Export of Goods (Control) Order and the Dual Use Items (Export Control) Regulations 2000) or amendments to EC Council Regulations.

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will make decisions on export licence application numbers 19065, 19460. 19856 and 19679, submitted by P.W. Allen and Company, Tewkesbury. [155636]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer, 27 March 2001]: Licences to export arms and other goods whose export is controlled for strategic reasons are issued by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade, and Industry acting through the DTI's Export Control Organisation (ECO). A decision has been reached on application 19065, and the company was informed of that decision by the ECO on 2 March 2001.

  A decision has not yet been reached on the other three applications. Decisions will be taken as quickly as possible consistent with the need to give full consideration to the issues involved.

  Fireworks
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the local authorities with the worst record for(a) injuries and (b) death due to fireworks in the UK. [155994]

  Dr. Howells
  Information on firework injuries and deaths is broken down by NHS Trust area rather than local authority area. As such, therefore, it is not possible to identify local authorities in the way my hon. Friend requests.

  Statistical surveys commissioned from NOP since 1 May 1997

  Title

  Date originated

  Name of contractor

  Business Information Security Survey 1998

  13 October 1997

  NOP Business>

  Benchmarking Development of the Information Age

  29 September 1998

  NOP/Spectrum Strategy Consultants

  Business Information Security Survey

  11 October 1999

  NOP

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  Details of 1999 injuries (there were no deaths) have been placed in the Library of the House and can be interrogated on the DTI website http://www2.dti.gov.uk/. Figures for 2000 should be available shortly.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to promote energy from offshore wind. [155762]

  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 26 March 2001]: The Government are taking a number of steps to promote the development of offshore wind. We believe that this technology will have an important role to play in helping us to meet our renewables targets.

  Offshore wind will be eligible for the new Renewables Obligation that the Government are proposing to introduce in October this year. In addition, in view of the early stage of development of offshore wind, the Government are planning to provide capital grants to support its development. Of the £250 million allocated for renewables support over the next three years, at least £49 million has been allocated specifically for offshore wind and further sums may be allocated in the light of the recommendations of the Performance and Innovation Unit, due to be published later this year.

  The grants will be used to fund a number of early demonstration projects for offshore wind. The aim is that these will reduce the costs involved to a more acceptable level, and provide those involved with a bank of knowledge and experience to enable them to pursue more ambitious projects on a commercial basis.

  The Government are also determined to provide a more streamlined consents process for offshore wind. The existing arrangements are fragmented and the proposal is for DTI to act as a "one-stop-shop" for planning and consents. I launched a consultation paper of 20 February and views are sought by 23 April.

  Opinion Polling
  Mr. St. Aubyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what(a) quantitative and (b) qualitative analytical work his Department has commissioned from GGC/NOP since 1 May 1997; and what was (i) the cost of the contract and (ii) the specific nature of the work commissioned. [155663]

  Dr. Howells
  Our records show that the Department, since 1 May 1997, has commissioned no statistical surveys from GGC/NOP. However, the following table lists all statistical surveys that the Department has commissioned from NOP and partnerships since 1 May 1997. The table provides the nature of the work commissioned and the date of origin but excludes contractual costs as a matter of commercial confidence between parties under Exemption 13 of the code of Practice on Access to Public Information.
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  BNFL
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what dates regulatory approval was given for the reprocessing of irradiated MOX fuel by BNFL at Sellafield; and if he will make a statement. [155549]

  Mr. Hain
  BNFL has not sought regulatory approval to reprocess irradiated MOX at Sellafield.

  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much irradiated MOX fuel has been transported to Sellafield from each of BNFL's foreign customers in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [155554]

  Mr. Hain
  Irradiated MOX has been received by BNFL at Sellafield from BNFL customers in Switzerland and Germany. Details of the quantities involved and the timing of these deliveries are a commercial matter for BNFL and its customers.

  Better Regulation Task Force
  Mr. Bruce George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations the Better Regulation Task Force has received regarding the consultation paper on the Government's proposals for regulation of the private security industry in England and Wales opposing the(a) regulation of in-house employees, (b) regulation of security system installers and (c) security companies; and if he will list the organisations making representations in each case. [155465]

  Mr. Stringer
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Better Regulation Task Force in its report, `Fit Person Criteria', which was published in May 1999, made recommendations on the regulation of the private security industry.

  Organisations contacted by the Better Regulation Task Force, as part of its study, are listed in Annexe F of the report, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  Subsequent to publishing the report, the Task Force received one letter referring to the Government's consultation paper on the regulation of the private security industry. It came from the Association of Chief Police Officers Intruders Alarm Group and it supported the Government's proposals.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Magistrates Courts
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many employees of the Magistrates Courts Service have(a) had their salaries cut and (b) been downgraded as a consequence of his reorganisation of the magistrates courts. [155456]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Department does not collect data on either aspect of this question. The staffing arrangements for magistrates courts are for individual magistrates courts committees.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the longest distance is that an accused person is expected to travel to attend a658W
  magistrates court; and what this distance will be under the new administrative arrangements being considered by her Department. [155455]

  Jane Kennedy
  I am not considering any "new administrative an arrangements". I understand West Yorkshire Magistrates Courts Service have consulted on possible changes to Petty Sessions Areas within the county. The consultation period is now closed and the magistrates courts committee (MCC) met yesterday to discuss the outcome.

  There is no set distance someone is expected to travel to attend a magistrates court. The concept of "local justice" will differ depending on the MCC area concerned. As a locally managed service, each magistrates courts committee is responsible for providing an efficient and effective service to court users. It is for the committee to decide whether its number and location of courthouses meet its needs as it has the best knowledge of the local area.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what representations she has had from the Magistrates Association and other groups involved in the civil justice system expressing concern over plans to rationalise the court areas of the magistracy. [155454]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Lord Chancellor's Department has not received any representations from either the Magistrates Association or other groups involved in the civil justice system expressing concern over plans to rationalise the court areas of the magistracy either in West Yorkshire magistrates courts committee area or any other magistrates courts committee area.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Police
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent representations he has received concerning the implementation of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000. [154343]

  Mr. Ingram
  The most significant recent exchange on this issue was at Hillsborough on 8 March when the two Governments met all pro-Agreement parties on this and other matters.

  Mr. David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will announce the Government's plans ill relation to compensation for pre-1982 police widows and their families. [154344]

  Dr. Reid
  On 21 March I was pleased to announce that the Government had decided to double the amount of the lump sum payments recommended in the Steele Report to be made to the pre-November 1982 police widows.

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland it he will make a statement on the reforms of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. [154347]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Government are committed to the implementation of the recommendations of the Patten report on policing in Northern Ireland. A major programme of change is under way, and I want to pay tribute to the commitment with which the police service
  659W
  is taking it forward. As the joint statement issued by the British and Irish Governments on 8 March said, we hope that discussions with political parties will result in agreement on remaining issues in June.

  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress he has made in implementing reform of the Northern Ireland Police Authority. [154350]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Government are grateful to members of the Police Authority for Northern Ireland for agreeing to stay on for a short period. This will ensure police accountability while we continue discussions before establishing the new Policing Board.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to promote exchanges between the police service in Northern Ireland and the Garda Siochana. [154353]

  Mr. Ingram
  The issue of exchanges will be addressed through the framework of a formal Agreement on policing co-operation between the British and Irish Governments.

  Matters of North-South co-operation on policing covered by the Patten Report have already been discussed in a number of meetings with the Irish Government.

  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress on recruitment to the new police service in Northern Ireland. [154363]

  Mr. Ingram
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland gave earlier to the hon. Member for Bury St. Edmunds (Mr. Ruffley).

  Paramilitary Violence
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make statement on violent incidents related to paramilitary groups in the last four weeks. [154345]

  Mr. Ingram
  During the period 15 February until 15 March there have been two deaths, 26 shooting incidents and nine bombing incidents relating to the security situation. During the same period there have been 18 paramilitary style shootings, nine attributed to Loyalist and nine attributed to Republican groups. Twenty-six paramilitary assaults have taken place, 16 attributed to Loyalist groups and 10 attributed to Republican groups.

  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the incidents of terrorist violence which have taken place so far this month. [154354]

  Mr. Ingram
  The following tables provide the information requested.

  Security situation statistics from 1 March 2001 to 15 March 2001

  Number

  Deaths

  1

  Shooting incidents

  16

  Bombing incidents

  4

  660W
  Shootings

  The following types of incidents are included:

  Shots fired by terrorists

  Shots fired by the security forces

  Paramilitary style attacks involving shootings

  Shots heard (and later confirmed)

  Other violent incidents where shots are fired (e.g. armed robbery)

  Bombings

  An individual bombing incident may involve one or more explosive devices. Incidents recorded include explosions and defusings. Incidents involving hoax devices, petrol bombings or incendiaries are excluded.

  Casualties as a result of paramilitary style attacks

  By Loyalist

  By Republican

  Shootings

  6

  6

  Assaults

  9

  8

  Note:

  Figures for 2000–01 are provisional and may be subject to minor adjustment.

  Peace Process
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the peace process. [154346]

  Mr. Pound
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the implementation of the Good Friday agreement. [154348]

  14. Dr. Palmer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the peace process in Northern Ireland. [154352]

  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the peace process. [154360]

  Dr. George Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress on the peace process. [154364]

  Dr. Reid
  Substantial progress has been made in implementing the Belfast Agreement. There remain several outstanding issues to be resolved if the institutions are to flourish as we wish, principally policing reform, decommissioning and the normalisation of security arrangements. The constructive all-party discussions at Hillsborough on 8 March provided a basis on which I believe that these issues can be addressed and resolved in the coming months.

  Judy Mallaber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the impact on the peace process of a stable economy in Northern Ireland. [154365]

  Dr. Reid
  The strength and stability of the Northern Ireland economy in recent years has been an important factor in creating the right conditions for advancing the peace process. Political progress has in turn had a positive effect on the economy, bringing tangible benefits to everyone and so helping to encourage support for further progress.
  661W

  Decommissioning
  Mr. Day
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made on the decommissioning of illegally held arms and explosives in Northern Ireland. [154349]

  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the decommissioning of illegally held weapons in Northern Ireland. [154351]

  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the prospects for removing illegally-held weapons in Northern Ireland. [154355]

  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made on the decommissioning of illegally held arms and explosives in Northern Ireland. [154357]

  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many illegally held arms and explosives have been decommissioned in Northern Ireland since 10 April 1998. [154361]

  Mr. Ingram
  I welcome the report issued by the Decommissioning Commission last week announcing its re-engagement with the IRA and I see this renewed contact as the basis for further progress. Discussion can now move forwards, away from talking about whether decommissioning will happen to how it will happen. It is vital that all the paramilitary groups on ceasefire engage fully and actively with the Commission so that the issue of illegally held arms can be resolved once and for all, and I look forward to early and positive reports from the Decommissioning Commission that progress is being made. I am confident that with the steps the Government are taking to implement all of the outstanding elements of the Belfast Agreement, we are creating the right context for such progress to be made.

  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many illegally held arms and explosives have been decommissioned in Northern Ireland since 10 April 1998. [154358]

  Mr. Ingram
  Since the signing of the Belfast Agreement on 10 April 1998, the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning has reported carrying out one decommissioning event.

  Nine weapons were included in the list of items belonging to the Loyalist Volunteer Force that was decommissioned in accordance with Commission procedures on 18 December 1998.

  Also included was a quantity of ammunition, five detonators, two pipe bombs, two weapons stocks, and assorted magazines.

  Foot and Mouth
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the First Minister regarding compensation for non-farm enterprises affected by the foot and mouth outbreak. [154356]
  662W
  Dr. Reid
  I have discussed a range of issues relating to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease with Cabinet colleagues, including the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and with Northern Ireland Ministers, including the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development.

  The Northern Ireland Executive is fully involved in the Government's Rural Task Force, which has been set up to consider the wider economic impact of the current foot and mouth outbreak. The Minister for the Environment announced a package of measures on 20 March and the Executive will be considering how that package will apply in Northern Ireland.

  Security Situation
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the current security situation. [154359]

  Mr. Ingram
  The main paramilitary groups are maintaining their ceasefires; however, there remains a continued threat from dissident paramilitaries as evidenced by the recent 1,100 lb bomb discovered in South Armagh and recent attacks on the Belfast to Dublin railway line. The security forces continue to thwart the attempts of these groups to destroy the peace process.

  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his policy is regarding the normalisation of security in Northern Ireland. [154362]

  Mr. St. Aubyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his policy is regarding the normalisation of security in Northern Ireland. [154366]

  Mr. Ingram
  Government remain committed to normalisation of security as quickly as the threat allows. Major progress has already been made. Since the ceasefire 42 military bases have been demolished, closed or vacated. There are currently under 13,500 troops in Northern Ireland, the lowest level since 1970. Over 3,000 troops have left the Province since the current ceasefires were declared.

  In the longer term, the number of army bases will reduce to no more than 20, to include sites in Londonderry, Belfast, Coleraine and Dungannon. However, these further measures will very much depend on the removal of the threat from dissident republicans and continued progress towards a normal civil society.

  Robert Hamill
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what further investigations have been undertaken into the death of Robert Hamill. [154367]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Royal Ulster Constabulary is conducting an ongoing investigation, under the supervision of the Office of the Police Ombudsman, into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Hamill.

CABINET OFFICE

  Opinion Polling
  Mr. St. Aubyn
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what(a) quantitative and (b) qualitative analytical

  663W
  work her Department has commissioned from GGC/NOP since 1 May 1997; and what was (i) the cost of the contract and (ii) the specific nature of the work commissioned. [155667]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The Cabinet Office has not commissioned any such work from CGC/NOP.

  Ministerial Meetings
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Minister fur the Cabinet Office how many ministerial meetings with hon. Members have been cancelled by Ministers since 1 January. [155246]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  Meetings between Ministers and hon. Members are sometimes postponed, but they are rarely cancelled.

  Since 1 January this year we have no record of any Cabinet Office Minister cancelling a bilateral meeting with an hon. Member.

  Modernising Government
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the Government's policy is towards incorporating public feedback via the internet into the process of policy formation and the taking of decisions; and if she will make a statement. [155318]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  In line with our published Code of Practice on written consultations, it is our policy that from January 2001 all written consultations are published online and that responses can be made via
  email. A register of all consultations is published on ukonline.gov.uk.

  In addition to online written consultations, ukonline.gov.uk also provides a number of discussion forums on a range of issues. Registered users of ukonline.gov.uk may submit their opinions to these discussion groups and comment on the other opinions published online.

  We are currently considering how best to make use of the internet in terms of broadening and deepening participation in the democratic process. We will be consulting widely on our policy in this area, including via the internet, as it develops.

SCOTLAND

  Carpet Manufacturing
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions she has had with(a) industry and (b) others about the future of Scottish carpet manufacturing. [153578]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I meet with a wide range of organisations to discuss Scottish industry in general including the future of the manufacturing sector. Financial support for specific industries is primarily the responsibility of the Scottish Executive.

  The carpet manufacturing industry is of great importance to the Scottish economy and therefore has been granted the maximum level of support allowed under State Aid rules. I understand further financial support may, however, be available in the next financial year.
  664W
  I remain available for any further discussion that may be valuable to the industry.

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. [155369]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 23 March 2001]: No work of my Department has been adversely affected by foot and mouth disease.

  Opinion Polling
  Mr. St. Aubyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what(a) quantitative and (b) qualitative analytical work her Department has commissioned from GGC/NOP since 1 May 1997; and what was (i) the cost of the contract and (ii) the specific nature of the work commissioned. [155668]

  Mrs. Liddell
  No work has been commissioned from GGC/NOP.

HEALTH

  Surgical Instruments (Sterilisation Techniques)
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to receive the results of the research he commissioned into the effective sterilisation of surgical instruments by alkaline hydrolysis at elevated temperature. [147865]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 30 January 2001]: The results of our research into the effects of alkaline hydrolysis at elevated temperatures on the sterilisation of surgical instruments are expected this summer.

  "Don't Give up Giving up" Campaign
  Siobhain McDonagh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the extent to which the "Don't Give up Giving up" campaign has achieved its objectives. [148855]

  Yvette Cooper
  Quarterly surveys of smoking attitudes and awareness of the campaign are being carried out and results indicate that the "Don't Give up Giving up" campaign is well recalled and is communicating effectively with the target audience.

  In the period before the advertising was resumed (1 June 2000 to 20 August 2000) calls to the NHS smoking helpline averaged 4,497 per month. Since advertising began again on 21 August 2000 the monthly call average has been 16,600.

  The website "givingupsmoking.co.uk" has had over 39,000 distinct individual visitors since its launch in December 1999. More than 7,000 of these were in January of this year.

  This information is shared regularly with those working in tobacco control and cessation through regular campaign updates.
  665W
  Preliminary results of the general household survey of smoking prevalence in 2000 will be available later this year.

  Our tobacco education campaign, launched in December 1999, is aimed at persuading smokers to give up and non-smokers, particularly children, not to start. As part of the broader campaign we are planning dedicated sub-campaigns aimed at pregnant women, ethnic minorities etc.

  Retained Organs Commission
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the delay in the publication by the Retained Organs Commission of national guidance; and when he expects hospitals to be able to answer the inquiries being made by next of kin. [151566]

  Mr. Denham
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire (Sir B. Mawhinney) on 26 February 2001,Official Report, column 452W. The guidance referred to was published on 9 March and details are available on the Commission's website at www.nhs.uk/ retainedorgans.

  NHS Dentists
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists were employed by the National Health Service in each of the last three years in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) Devon. [153737]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 14 March 2001]: The number of dentists employed by the National Health Service at 30 September in each of the years 1998 to 2000 is given in table 1 for each of the dental services for England and Devon. Issues relating to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are matters for the devolved authorities.

  Table 1: Number of dentists (head count) at 30 September each year

  1998

  1999

  2000

  England

  Hospital Dental Service1

  2,220

  2,250

  2,190

  Community Dental Service1

  1,380

  1,370

  1,340

  Personal Dental Service2

  0

  148

  326

  Salaried Service

  186

  137

  131

  Total1.3

  3,800

  3,900

  3,990

  Devon

  Hospital Dental Service1.4

  40

  30

  40

  Community Dental Service1

  20

  30

  20

  Personal Dental Service2

  0

  0

  0

  Salaried Service

  18

  18

  17

  Total1.3.4

  80

  80

  80

  1Figures rounded to the nearest ten

  2Includes some self-employed dentists and their dentist employees

  3Some dentists work in several services and are counted in each service

  4Clinical assistants are excluded from the Devon figures. They are employed on a sessional basis and generally work less than one day a week

  666W
  Dentists providing dental services in the General Dental Services are not employees of the NHS. The number of principal dentists who were on health authority lists to provide dental services and their assistants and vocational dental practitioners are shown in table 2.

  Table 2: Number of General Dental Service dentists (head count) at 30 September each year

  1998

  1999

  2000

  England

  17.247

  17,721

  18,049

  Devon

  397

  424

  445

  Cancer Centre (Yorkshire)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on the selection of York is an intermediate frequency cancer centre; and if he will make a statement. [154705]

  Yvette Cooper
  I understand the Department has received representations at a local level which are currently being considered and will be responded to accordingly.

  The National Health Service guidance for upper gastrointestinal cancer was published in January 2001. It recommends, in line with previous guidance for breast, colorectal, lung and gynaecological cancer, that care should be delivered by specialist multidisciplinary teams. Recommendations about the appropriate catchment population for services for individual cancers are in line with their incidence

  The Yorkshire cancer network is currently reviewing the implications of the implementation of the national guidance across the county. York is a cancer unit which provides diagnostic and treatment services for the more common cancers to the local population.

  The network wishes to ensure that the high level of surgical expertise available in cancer units such as York are harnessed within the specialist multidisciplinary teams. While it is probable that all surgery for the rarer sites such as cancer of the pancreas will be undertaken in the cancer centre in Leeds, the recommendations for the configuration of services for upper gastrointestinal cancer have still to be agreed by the network.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which intermediate frequency cancer centre will be intended for use by patients living in north Yorkshire. [154706]

  Yvette Cooper
  Access to cancer centre services is based upon the area of residence for individual patients. Residents of Hambleton and Richmondshire are served by the Middlesbrough cancer centre. Residents in the eastern coast area of north Yorkshire are served by the Hull cancer centre and residents for the remainder of north Yorkshire are served by the Leeds cancer centre.

  Modernisation Fund
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much is in the Modernisation Fund; how it is proposed that local health organisations can access it; and if he will make a statement. [155108]
  667W
  Mr. Denham
  The modernisation fund was set up following the comprehensive spending review in 1998. Since then, investment in the National Health Service under the modernisation fund has totalled almost £4 billion.

  The modernisation fund has been superseded by the additional funding secured as part of the spending review 2000 for investment in the delivery of the NHS Plan.

  NHS Shared Services Project
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been allocated to the NHS shared services project; how much has been top-sliced from allocations to health authorities to pay for it; what this project comprises of; if he will indicate the cost of each component; and if he will make a statement. [155110]

  Mr. Denham
  For the financial year 2001–02, £31.5 million has been allocated to the shared services in the National Health Service project. This sum was transferred out of health authority allocations. The project comprises two elements. Firstly, the establishment of two shared service centre pilots, and secondly the procurement of a national integrated human resources and payroll system. The shared service centre pilots are expected to cost £8.5 million and the national integrated human resources and payroll system £23 million in 2001–02. The benefits to the NHS of a shared services approach will be better, more relevant and more timely information, with resources being released for frontline care. Shared services is an important platform it the modernisation programme for the NHS.

  Non-residential Services
  Mr. Linton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will issue the statutory guidance on charges for non-residential services; and if he will publish the non-residential charges for services for the elderly applied by London boroughs. [155125]

  Mr. Hutton
  We plan to issue thy: statutory guidance on charges for home care and other non-residential social services later this summer. Publication of a local council's charges policy for non-residential social services is a matter for the council concerned.

  Multiple Sclerosis Nurses
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his policy on the employment by the NHS of MS nurses whose salaries are paid by drugs companies. [155248]

  Mr. Denham
  Employers have to satisfy themselves that sponsorship arrangements are properly conducted and are in the best interests of the National Health Service. Guidance entitled "Commercial Sponsorship: Ethical Standards for the NHS" was issued by the Department in November 2000. This guidance supplemented and updated "Health Service Guidance 1993(5) Standards of Business Conduct for NHS Staff" which was issued in January 1993.

  Copies of the "Commercial Sponsorship: Ethical Standards for the NHS" guidance are being placed in the Library—a copy of HSG 1993(5) is already there.

  NHS Staff Registration
  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will extend the state registration period for NHS staff beyond one year to allow NHS staff from overseas to obtain work permits valid for over a year. [155275]

  Mr. Denham
  Registration periods for health professionals are a matter for the relevant regulatory bodies. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment informs me that work permits are issued for the length of the contract of employment, up to a maximum of five years.

  Clinical Educators
  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to(a) increase the number of supervisory allowances for NHS clinical educators and (b) invest in additional post-graduate training for educators and locum cover for their existing caseload. [155274]

  Mr. Denham
  National Health Service staff participate in education and training as clinical educators as part of their overall duties. Separate fees are not therefore payable but some staff are employed for additional sessions to enable them to cover duties associated with training. General practitioners receive a trainers grant where they undertake training responsibilities. This will increase to £6,100 per year from 1 April.

  We have invested £3 million over the past two years in providing training for trainers in medicine. We are working with key stakeholders to support trainers for all health professionals.

  Employers arrange locum cover where they feel it is necessary.

  Nurses
  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make ward allowance awards available to out-patient department and rehabilitation/clinical unit nurses. [155276]

  Mr. Denham
  Ward Environment Budgets were introduced on 1 October last year. Each budget will be worth a minimum of £5,000 in 2001–02. The budgets can be spent on whatever the ward sisters and charge nurses who manage the ward consider will best enhance and humanise patient care or improve the working lives of staff.

  All wards can have a budget. No types of ward are excluded. In the vast majority of cases it will be clear which units within a hospital are a ward. At the margins there may however be some doubt whether a particular unit constitutes a ward for the purposes of these budgets. Where there is doubt, the hospital managers will decide how a ward is defined within their hospital with a view to delivering the spirit of this initiative.

  NHS Training
  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to use recently retired senior clinical NHS staff to assist in the training of new NHS recruits. [155277]
  669W
  Mr. Denham
  We shall continue to ensure that new staff/students have appropriate, high quality support and are taught by those with practical and recent experience of their professions. National Health Service trusts have been asked to establish "keep in touch" schemes whereby a register is kept of retiring staff willing to do casual work or assist with the mentoring of students.

  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what resources he plans to allocate to employ locum cover for NHS staff undertaking development training. [155273]

  Mr. Denham
  The allocation of resources to employ locum cover for NHS staff undertaking development training is a matter for NHS employers to determine in the light of local service priorities.

  Osteopaths Act
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress his Department is making in its investigation of the General Osteopathic Council; and if he will make a statement on the implementation of the Osteopaths Act 1993. [155423]

  Yvette Cooper
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for North Thanet (Mr. Roger Gale) on 26 March 2001,Official Report, column 451W.

  General Practitioners
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the dates of the meetings between the Department of Health and the National Assembly for Wales where the knock-on effects of providing additional funding to each general practitioner practice in England for(a) doctors' pay and (b) extra doctors in Wales were discussed. [155630]

  Mr. Denham
  Ministers and officials meet representatives of the National Assembly for Wales and of the other devolved Administrations routinely to liaise on devolved policy matters.

  NHS (St. Ives)
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS registered dentists there were in the St. Ives constituency in(a) 1992, (b) 1997 and (c) 2001. [155745]

  Ms Stuart
  This information is not held centrally and has been provided by Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Health Authority.

  The table shows the numbers of dentists employed in the St. Ives and Carbis Bay area of Cornwall:

  St. Ives and Carbis Bay

  Year

  Dentists employed

  1992

  5

  1997

  5

  2001

  6

  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) private and (b) public sector residential nursing homes there were in the St. Ives constituency in (a) 1992, (b) 1997 and (c) 2001. [155747]
  670W
  Mr. Hutton
  The table shows the number of private nursing homes for the health authority of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Health Authority at 31 March in each of the years 1992, 1997 and 2000. Information is not available at constituency level and is not yet available for 2001. There are no public sector nursing homes.

  Number of private t nursing homes in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Health Authority, 1992, 1997 and 2000—as at 31 March

  Year

  Number

  1992

  81

  1997

  82

  2000

  73

  Source

  RH(N) Form A 2000, K036 form 1992 and 1997

  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how n any patients there were per general practitioner in the St. Ives constituency in(a)(b) 1992, (c) 1997 and (d) 2001. [155746]

  Ms Stuart
  The information requested is in the table.

  Unrestricted Principals and Equivalents (UPEs)1 in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Health Authority (HA)2—average list size

  UPEs

  Patients

  Average list size

  1987

  264

  473,231

  1,793

  1992

  298

  481,625

  1,616

  1997

  306

  489,202

  1,599

  20003

  312

  497,968

  1,596

  1UPEs include Unrestricted Principals, Personal Medical Services (PMS), contracted General Practitioners (GPs) and PMS salaried GPs.

  2Data relate to Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Family Practitioner Committee for 1987, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Family Health Services Authority for 1992 arid Cornwall and Isles of Scilly HA for 1997 and 2000. The HA boundaries between 1987 and 1992 may not be coterminous.

  3Latest available data. Data for 2000 relate to 30 September; earlier years relate to 1 October.

  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many vacancies for general practitioners there were in the St. Ives constituency in(a) 1992, (b) 1997 and (c) 2001. [1557421

  Ms Stuart
  This information is not held centrally and has been provided by Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Health Authority.

  There have been no unfilled vacancies in St. Ives during the past 10 years.

  Primary Care Trusts
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many appointees to the boards of primary care trusts have declared political activity for(a) the Labour Party, (b) the Conservative Party, (c) the Liberal Democrats and (d) other parties; and in each case what percentage this represents of the total number of appointments made [155812]

  Ms Stuart
  [holiling answer 27 March 2001]: The number of people who have accepted appointment as a chair or non-officer member of the 164 primary care trusts that will be operational from April 2001 and who have declared political activity is given in the table.
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  Political Party

  Number of appointees

  Percentage of total number of appointees

  None declared

  391

  66.72

  Conservative

  35

  5.97

  Independent

  7

  1.19

  Labour

  119

  20.31

  Liberal Democrat

  28

  4.78

  Other

  6

  1.02

  Doctors' Performance Monitoring (Racial Bias)
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received regarding allegations of racial bias in the investigation of performance of doctors; and if he will make a statement. [155922]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 27 March 2001]: I am only aware of the independent report by the Policy Studies Institute, commissioned by the Genet al Medical Council (GMC) and published in July 2000. This concluded that there was no evidence of overt or covert racial discrimination or bias in the actions of individual members of staff. However there were some criticisms on some aspects of GMC processes particularly on consistency and transparency.

  The GMC are currently considering this, as part of their proposals to reform its procedures.

  Mobility Product
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce a statutory code of practice governing the sale of mobility products for elderly people; and if he will make a statement. [155880]

  Mr. Hutton
  We have no plans to Introduce a statutory code of practice. However, the British Healthcare Trades Association, which represents most organisations involved in manufacturing or selling disability equipment,

  General and Personal Dental Service: Number of dentists by health authority at 30 September each year

  Health authority

  General Dental Service1

  Personal Dental Service2

  Total

  1992

  Hampshire FHSA

  512

  —

  512

  1997

  North and Mid Hampshire HA

  181

  —

  181

  Portsmouth and South East Hampshire HA

  166

  —

  166

  Southampton and South West Hampshire F A

  185

  —

  185

  Total

  532

  —

  532

  2000

  North and Mid Hampshire HA

  201

  —

  201

  Portsmouth and South East Hampshire HA

  187

  —

  187

  Southampton and South West Hampshire IHA

  202

  20

  222

  Total

  590

  20

  610

  1The General Dental Service (GDS) includes principals on a HA list, assistants and vocational dental practitioners.

  2The Personal Dental Service (PDS) cover; dentists working in the PDS who are not working in the GDS.

  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients there were per GP in the Romsey constituency in(a) 1987, (b) 1992, (c) 1997 and (d) 2001. [155854]
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  recently launched a voluntary registration scheme for those working in this field. We have given our strong endorsement to this scheme.

  Health Services (Romsey)
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nursing homes there were in the Romsey constituency in(a) 1992, (b) 1997 and (c) 2001. [155859]

  Mr. Hutton
  The table shows the number of private nursing homes for the Southampton and South West Hampshire Health Authority at 31 March in each of the years 1992, 1997 and 2000.

  Information is not available for the Romsey constituency and is not yet available for 2001.

  Private nursing homes in Southampton and South West Hampshire health authority, 1992, 1997 and 2000 — as at 31 March

  Year

  Number

  1992

  40

  1997

  50

  2000

  47

  Source:

  RH(N) Form A 2000, K036 form 1992 and 1997

  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS dentists there were in the Romsey constituency in(a) 1992, (b) 1997 and (c) 2001. [155853]

  Ms Stuart
  Information on the number of dentists is available by health authority rather than by constituency.

  Romsey constituency was located in Hampshire Family Health Service Authority (FHSA) at September 1992. From April 1996 Hampshire FHSA split into three health authorities, and Romsey is now included in Southampton and South West Hampshire Health Authority.

  The number of dentists in the General Dental Services and Personal Dental Services at 30 September is shown in the table for Hampshire FHSA for 1992 and for the three successor HAs for 1997 and 2000.

  Ms Stuart
  Data at a constituency level are not available. Data have been provided for Southampton and South West Hampshire Health Authority.
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  Unrestricted principals and equivalents (UPEs)1 in Southampton and South West Hampshire HA2 — average list size

  UPEs

  Patients

  Average list size

  1987

  293

  563,799

  1,924

  1992

  309

  557,011

  1,803

  1997

  316

  563,446

  1,783

  20003

  329

  571,286

  1,736

  1UPEs includes unrestricted principals, personal medical service contracted general practitioners and PMS salaried GPs.

  2Data relate to Hampshire FPC for 1987, Hampshire FHSA for 1992 and Southampton and South West Hampshire HA for 1997 and 2000. The HA boundaries between 1987 and 1992 may not be coterminous.

  3Latest available data. Data for 2000 relate to 30 September; earlier years relate to 1 October.

  Social Services (Hampshire)
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the standard spending assessment allocation for social services and the expenditure per head of population in Hampshire was for each year from 1996—97 to date. [155857]

  Mr. Hutton
  Hampshire's social services standard spending assessment allocations for 1996–97 to 2001–02 are:

  £million

  1996–97

  189.430

  1997–98

  137.052

  1998–99

  140.713

  1999–2000

  145.063

  2000–01

  153.051

  2001–02

  160.724

  The gross expenditure on social services by Hampshire per head of population from 1996–97 to 1999–2000 is:

  £

  1996–97

  145.61

  1997–98

  138.87

  1998–99

  147.47

  1999–20001

  160.25

  1Provisional

  Portsmouth and Southampton became unitary authorities in April 1997 and while the 1996–97 figures in the tables include their allocations and expenditure the figures for subsequent years exclude them.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to ensure that sheep within the exclusion zones can be moved for lambing purposes. [153187]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 12 March 2001]: Sheep in infected areas can be moved under the various schemes we have introduced over the last two weeks, provided that such moves are justified on welfare grounds and not
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  assessed to be a disease risk. If moves are not possible, then farmers can make use of the Animal Welfare Disposal Scheme.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from the tourist industry on the losses due to the restrictions imposed as a result of the outbreak of foot and mouth disease; and if he will make a statement. [154181]

  Mr. Meacher
  I have been asked to reply.

  Members of the tourist industry have made representations about the severe losses their industry is facing as a result of foot and mouth disease. We estimate that the current loss of revenue to the tourist industry in England is of the order of £100 million a week but it could rise to as much as £250 million a week.

  Sand Eels
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. pursuant to his answer of 21 March 2001,Official Report, column 259W, concerning industrial fishing for sand eels, how many industrial fishing vessels are allowed to fish for sand eels in the spawning cod close I areas; how frequently such vessels are inspected while fishing these grounds; and if he will make a statement. [155881]

  Mr. Morley
  As with pelagic fishing in the closed areas, there is no limit on the number of vessels which may fish for sand eels. However, observers must be on board for at least 50 vessel trips per member state. Their responsibilities are set out in Article 3 of Commission Regulation 259/2001.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Education Information
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many(a) consultation documents, (b) regulations, (c) revised or corrected regulations,(d) guidance notes, (e) requests for statistical information in addition to form 618G and form 7 and (f) letters from Ministers, have been sent to local education authorities by his Department since May 1997. [153489]

  Jacqui Smith
  Since May 1997 this Department has sent local education authorities communications on the following topics. Very few of these items were sent to schools.

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  Consultation documents

  Topic

  Early Years

  1

  6

  3

  0

  0

  Further and Higher Education:

  17

  16

  20

  2

  1

  Literacy and Numeracy

  1

  1

  3

  0

  0

  Primary schools

  2

  3

  3

  1

  0

  Secondary Schools

  6

  6

  5

  5

  0

  School Curriculum

  5

  1

  5

  1

  0

  School Discipline

  4

  6

  3

  1

  0

  School Finance

  9

  14

  17

  7

  0

  School Governance

  2

  5

  4

  3

  1

  School Health and Safety

  1

  3

  2

  5

  0

  School — Miscellaneous

  4

  10

  18

  5

  1

  School Organisation

  1

  3

  5

  2

  0

  School Premises

  0

  1

  7

  2

  1

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  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  School Standards

  6

  3

  4

  0

  0

  Special Education

  5

  1

  5

  —

  1

  Teaching Profession

  9

  ll

  7

  13

  1

  Regulations

  35

  132

  191

  57

  6

  Guidance

  Topic

  Early Years

  1

  4

  11

  19

  5

  Further and Higher Education

  13

  12

  22

  9

  5

  Literacy and Numeracy

  0

  4

  19

  17

  1

  Primary schools

  2

  8

  11

  7

  0

  Secondary Schools

  9

  9

  17

  8

  1

  School Curriculum

  0

  2

  3

  13

  5

  School Discipline

  0

  2

  4

  4

  0

  School Finance

  5

  15

  33

  18

  5

  School Governance

  1

  4

  11

  4

  2

  School Health and Safety

  0

  2

  6

  6

  4

  School—Miscellaneous

  3

  3

  9

  32

  0

  School Organisation

  0

  7

  12

  3

  0

  School Premises

  5

  4

  8

  5

  3

  School Standards

  3

  9

  26

  1

  1

  Special Education

  6

  3

  7

  9

  2

  Teaching Profession

  7

  17

  11

  23

  7

  Data collection

  Topic

  Early Years

  0

  3

  3

  6

  1

  Further and Higher Education

  4

  4

  28

  8

  0

  Literacy and Numeracy

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Primary schools

  1

  1

  2

  0

  0

  Secondary Schools

  2

  4

  1

  4

  0

  School Curriculum

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  School Discipline

  0

  0

  2

  6

  0

  School Finance

  1

  0

  3

  8

  3

  School—General

  4

  8

  15

  10

  1

  School Premises

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  School Standards

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Special Education

  1

  1

  1

  1

  0

  Teaching Profession

  1

  4

  5

  8

  0

  Letters front Ministers

  1

  2

  4

  6

  2

  Modern Apprentices hips
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will take steps to encourage headteachers and careers and guidance staff to become more involved in placing suitable young people in modern apprenticeships. [154401]

  Mr. Wicks
  The Government are determined to ensure that all young people receive high quality, impartial advice about all the learning opportunities available to them. To deliver this we are setting up the new Connexions Service starting in 12 areas in England from April this year, which will ensure that young people who could benefit are actively encouraged to consider vocational options, including Modurn Apprenticeships. Connexions Personal Advisers will provide careers advice to all young people about their learning options. Those Personal Advisers based in schools still work as part of a team under the management of headreachers.

  Further Education Students (London)
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people in each London borough were in further and higher education(a) in 1996 and (b) at the latest date for which figures are available. [155003]
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  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 26 March 2001]: Information on the numbers of students from London who were enrolled in Higher Education institutions is not available in the form requested. In the 1999–2000 academic year, there were 267,200 full and part-time students from the Greater London area who were registered at Higher Education Institutions in the United Kingdom. This compares with a figure of 206,500 for the 1995–96 academic year.

  Information on the numbers of students from London who were registered at Further Education institutions in the United Kingdom during the 1996–97 and 1999–2000 academic years is shown in the following table.

  Student numbers1 in further education institutions by London local education authorities (LEAs) 1996 – 97 and 1999 – 2000 academic years

  1996–97

  1999–2000

  LEA

  all students

  all students

  City of London

  487

  478

  Camden

  12,265

  15,478

  Greenwich

  12,256

  18,195

  Hackney

  16,266

  17,790

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  8,420

  10,774

  Islington

  12,721

  15,531

  Kensington and Chelsea

  8,006

  12,169

  Lambeth

  20,437

  25,696

  Lewisham

  17,491

  20,042

  Southwark

  17,562

  22,196

  Tower Hamlets

  15,613

  12,327

  Wandsworth

  14,544

  15,833

  Westminster

  11,488

  14,390

  Barking and Dagenham

  7,647

  8,521

  Barnet

  20,058

  22,122

  Bexley

  11,896

  12,323

  Brent

  20,390

  23,674

  Bromley

  14,516

  13,654

  Croydon

  21,511

  22,037

  Ealing

  18,367

  20,521

  Enfield

  15,920

  18,176

  Haringey

  14,707

  19,487

  Harrow

  15,024

  15,886

  Havering

  13,637

  14,326

  Hillingdon

  11,552

  12,367

  Hounslow

  14,593

  14,630

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  6,823

  6,893

  Merton

  10,191

  10,292

  Newham

  17,626

  23,127

  Redbridge

  13,874

  14,053

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  9,907

  11,609

  Sutton

  10,108

  10,545

  Waltham Forest

  17,498

  19,260

  Total London LEAs

  453,401

  514,402

  1Includes data for FEFC funded and non-funded FEFC funded students in FE sector colleges and FEFC funded students in external Institutions (EIs) and in Specially Designated Institutions (SDIs).

  Note:

  FEFC funded students in higher education institutions (HEIs) are not included.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of households have children in further and higher education in each London borough who do not have to pay full fees. [155004]
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  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 26 March 2001]: The information requested is not available.

  In England and Wales, students on undergraduate courses and their families are expected to make a contribution towards their tuition fees only if they can afford to do so.

  In academic year 1998–99, the latest year for which data are available, for Inner London as a whole, the proportion of higher education students who are dependent on their parents and are liable for fees under the Education (Student Support) Regulations and who do not have to pay full fees is estimated to be 81 per cent. Of these, an estimated 66 per cent. were assessed to make no contribution towards fees and an estimated 15 per cent. made a partial contribution towards fees.

  These students were also eligible for maintenance support, around 25 per cent. of which was subject to income assessment.

  1996

  2000

  Day nurseries

  Playgroups

  Day nurseries

  Playgroups

  Providers

  Places

  Providers

  Places

  Providers

  Places

  Providers

  Places

  North East

  136

  4,554

  380

  9,275

  189

  8,027

  482

  12,399

  Darlington1

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  10

  439

  24

  580

  Durham

  29

  1,059

  145

  3,197

  32

  1,406

  81

  1,777

  Cleveland

  23

  677

  88

  2,761

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  Gateshead

  15

  562

  39

  988

  21

  845

  32

  794

  Hartlepool2

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  8

  358

  4

  103

  Middlesbrough2

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  14

  585

  21

  532

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  22

  914

  65

  1,372

  25

  1,152

  57

  1,264

  North Tyneside

  6

  189

  4—

  4—

  19

  770

  29

  593

  Northumberland

  14

  376

  4—

  4—

  1

  78

  128

  2,909

  Redcar and Cleveland2

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  11

  506

  15

  2,052

  South Tyneside

  5

  117

  13

  255

  7

  240

  32

  568

  Stockton-on-Tees2

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  19

  853

  28

  671

  Sunderland

  22

  660

  30

  702

  22

  795

  31

  556

  1From 1 April 1997

  2From 1 April 1996

  3Not applicable

  4Not available

  Postal Status (Unemployed Claimants)
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people were awarded postal status due to hardship incurred by travel expenses to sign on at the nearest job centre in the last five years, broken down by region. [155094]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 26 March 2001]: Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Clare Dodgson to Ms Roseanna Cunningham, dated 28 March 2001

  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked Leigh Lewis to reply to your question about the number of people awarded postal status due to hardship incurred in attending Jobcentres. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to Mr Lewis as Chief Executive of the Agency. I am replying as Chief Operating Officer for the Employment Service.
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  In further education, 16 to 18-year-olds are not required to pay fees. For those aged 19 and over, colleges charge or waive fees according to their own policies. However, there is full fee remission for disadvantaged groups including those on means-tested state benefits.

  Education Statistics (Northern Region)
  Mr. Kemp
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many(a) registered nursery and (b) playgroup places there were in the Northern Region in (i) 1996 and (ii) at the latest date for which figures are available. [155011]

  Ms Hodge
  The available information is contained in the following table. This includes information on day nurseries and playgroups for March 1996 and March 2000.

  Since September 1998 there has been a free part-time early education place for all four-year-olds, whose parents want one, and a steadily increasing number of free places for three-year-olds. From September 2004 all three-year-olds will be entitled to a free early education place.

  I am afraid it is not possible to provide a count of the number of people being awarded postal status due to hardship incurred by travel expenses to sign on at the nearest Jobcentre. People are required to attend the Jobcentre each fortnight as part of maintaining their claim for Jobseeker's Allowance. However, depending on circumstances, some people are allowed to maintain their claim by post—those who would have to spend an unreasonable amount of time travelling to the Jobcentre, and those who have a mental or physical disability which restricts their mobility.

  Postal status is not usually awarded on the basis of costs incurred for attending the Jobcentre. However, Jobcentre Managers do have some discretion in offering this facility if someone's journey would involve the use of a form of transport which they could not be expected to use on a regular basis, for example, a ferry.

  I hope this is helpful.

  Higher Education Funding
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what response he has made to the final report from the Funding Options Review
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  Group of Universities UK, with particular reference to their calculation of the funding requirements for higher education. [155164]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 23 March 2001]: The Government have welcomed the report from the Funding Options Review Group of Universities UK as a helpful contribution to the debate about the funding of higher education. The Government are increasing funding to universities and higher education colleges in England by £1.7 billion over the six years to 2003–04; funding per full-time equivalent student will increase in real terms in 2001–02 for the first time in over a decade. The funding shortfall identified in the Universities UK report is for 2003–04. The Government will address the funding needs of the sector from 2003–04 in the next Spending Review.

  Computers
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when the Computers Within Reach programme will be introduced throughout the United Kingdom. [155249]

  Mr. Wills
  Computers Within Reach is a Capital Modernisation Fund (CMF) scheme. Such schemes are intended to provide funding for piloting new policy approaches and are not designed to fund full national schemes. It was therefore never intended that the existing CMF funds allocated, £15 million, would be rolled out as a national scheme. We are currently in phase 1 of the scheme working in certain areas of England. The scheme is an England-only rather than a UK pilot.

  We will be evaluating the impact of this, and other pilot CMF schemes such as "Wired. Up Communities", alongside our existing policies on "digital divide" issues before we make decisions on our next steps.

  Veterinary and Medical Students
  Mr. Borrow
  To ask the Secretary of. State for Education and Employment what his policy is on the number of choices of course made available to veterinary and medical students applying to higher education [155354]

  Mr. Wicks
  The admissions procedures for higher education courses are determined by the higher education institutions themselves and applied by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. Ministers are precluded by legislation from involvement in admissions although the number of medical places is set by the Government.

  Sure Start
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment for what reasons Warrington was not included in the most recent round of Sure Start projects; and what assessment was made of the levels of deprivation in Warrington, North prior to the decision being taken. [155458]

  Yvette Cooper
  Sure Start districts are identified on the basis of levels of need and deprivation. Once a district has been selected by the Government, it is for a partnership of local stakeholders within the district to choose the precise catchment area. To date 260 Sure Start areas over four waves have now been identified and invited to develop programmes.Warrington was invited to develop a Sure Start programme as part of the third wave.
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  In selecting districts for the fourth wave, an assessment of levels of deprivation and the number of existing Sure Start programmes in Warrington was made alongside assessments for other districts in England. Taking into account these factors, Warrington was not invited to develop a second programme at this stage.

  As a result of the 2000 Spending Review, the number of Sure Start programmes will be increased to 500 by 2003–04 and will reach at least a third of poor children under four in England. The next 240 areas, although not yet decided, will be identified using similar criteria to those used previously, namely levels of deprivation and poverty. There is a possibility that Warrington may be selected for a further programme at some time in the future.

  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much Sure Start money has been allocated to the Romsey constituency. [155861]

  Yvette Cooper
  None. Sure Start targets children under four living in disadvantaged areas as part of the Government's drive to tackle poverty and social exclusion. Local authority districts are identified by the Government on the basis of their levels of need and deprivation and then invited to develop programmes. The Romsey constituency includes parts of the Test Valley, Eastleigh and Southampton districts. Test Valley and Eastleigh have not been selected for Sure Start. Southampton has been invited twice to develop Sure Start programmes, first in the Trailblazer wave and then, most recently, in the fourth wave. Following invitation, it is for local stakeholders within the district to choose the precise catchment area, and for both Southampton programmes the areas chosen are outside the Romsey constituency.

  As a result of the 2000 Spending Review, the number of Sure Start programmes will be increased to 500 by 2003–04 and will reach at least a third of poor children under four in England. The next 240 areas, although not yet decided, will be identified using similar criteria to those used previously ie. levels of deprivation and poverty. In addition, small pockets of deprivation in otherwise generally affluent areas may be targeted.

  School Funding
  Mrs. Humble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the cash resources paid directly to Blackpool, North and Fleetwood schools, by sector, in each financial year since 2 May 1997, indicating the schools that benefited and the sum involved in each case. [155459]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Most funding provided by the Department is distributed via local education authorities. Allocations for schools in the Blackpool, North and Fleetwood constituency between the years 1997–98 and 2000–01 under the New Deal for Schools scheme are set out in the table. The Department does not hold information on other support provided to Blackpool, North and Fleetwood schools since 2 May 1997. The Secretary of State wrote to my hon. Friend on 16 February setting out the total funding for her local education authorities (Blackpool and Lancashire) for the years 1996–97 to 2001–02.
  681W

  New Deal for Schools (NDS): Allocation for schools in the Blackpool, North and Fleetwood Constituency

  Year/School

  Project

  Grant awarded (£)

  1997–98

  1—

  1998–99

  May have been included in LEA wide project of 189 schools

  Installation of safety glazing

  2400,000

  May have been included in LEA wide project of 17 schools

  Replacement of deteriorating boiler systems

  2637,000

  May have been included in LEA wide project of 10 schools

  Repair or deteriorating roofs

  2622,000

  Anchorsholme Primary

  Treatment of flat felt roof surfaces with liquid plastics Decothane Gamma 15 system

  58,200

  Claremont Primary

  Re-roofing of ground floor teaching area

  21,500

  Moor Park Junior

  Completion of the over roofing

  21,500

  Norbreck Primary

  Upgrade outside toilets

  8,600

  Montgomery High

  Development of hard-standing on site

  50,410

  1999–2000

  Included within a 10 school package: Montgomery High

  Re-roofing project

  2367,500

  Included within a 14 school package: Great Arley Thornton-Cleveleys Burn Naze Primary Fleetwood Chaucer Community Primary

  Window repairs and replacement

  3516,000

  Included within a 13 school package: Thornton-Cleveleys Burn Naze Primary

  Roof works

  3549,700

  Included within a 25 school package: Thornton Cleveleys Sacred Heart Catholic Primary

  Playground repairs

  3300,000

  2000–01

  Included within a six school package: Cardinal Allen Catholic High

  Refurbishment of CDT

  31,502,992

  Included within a three school package: Montgomery High

  Replacement of temporary classrooms

  3570,688

  Included within a four school package: Montgomery High

  Replacement windows

  3220,000

  Included within a 13 school package: Great Arley

  Replacement windows

  3566,350

  1Nil allocation for schools within this constituency

  2Local education authorities (LEAs) were not required to specify individual schools include I within projects for phase 2 of the NDS programme, so the amount shown is the total project allocation to the LEA. Lancashire or Blackpool local education authorities hold project level information

  3Denotes total allocation made to package projects covering more than one school. Lancashire or Blackpool local education authorities will be able to advise the value of projects at schools which have benefited from these allocations.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what recent studies he has conducted into the impact of in-year changes in pupil numbers in the per capita funding of individual schools. 1155875]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The Financing of Maintained Schools Regulations give local education authorities wide discretion as to the timing and extent of funding changes for in-year pupil number changes. The Regulations are kept under regular review in order to ensure that they enable schools' needs to be met; and furthermore my right hon. Friend has power to approve alternative arrangements if these are needed in particular circumstances. The Department has not conducted any specific studies of the working of in-year pupil number funding changes.

  Buildings (Climate Change)
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what consideration he gives to the effects of climatic change on building new(a) school and (b) university buildings. [155617]
  682W
  Jacqui Smith
  The Department gives guidance on the environmental performance of new school buildings in Building Bulletin 87, "Guidelines for Environmental Design in Schools". This recommends a number of measures for conserving energy. It also contains targets for limiting the amount of carbon dioxide produced by new buildings for both primary and secondary schools, thereby limiting their environmental impact.

  The building or a adaptation of university buildings is a matter for each university. Universities are independent autonomous institutions who will take investment decisions based on longer term strategic objectives approved by the governing body of that institution. Where this may involve put lie funding, investment appraisal and business case review will be undertaken by the Higher Education Funding Council for England to ensure that the project is in line with established investment criteria. Each university has an estates strategy which fully considers environmental issue.
  683W

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the average class sizes for Key Stages(a) 1, (b) 2 and (c) 3 were in (i) 1992, (ii) 1997 and (iii) 2001 in the St. Ives constituency. [155744]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The available information is shown in the table. Information on class sizes by parliamentary constituency is not available prior to 1997. The January class size data for the academic year 2000–01 are currently being analysed and provisional national estimates are expected to be published in April.

  Average class size—St. Ives parliamentary constituency

  January

  September

  1997

  2000

  2000

  Key Stage 1

  25.8

  24.3

  21.8

  Number of pupils in Key Stage 1 classes of size 31 or more

  978

  701

  34

  Key Stage 2

  27.9

  29.4

  n/a

  Pupils aged mainly under 14 in maintained secondary schools

  24.8

  26.4

  n/a

  Note:

  Classes taught by one teacher

  January 2000 saw a fall in the size of the average junior class in England; and a continuing fall in the size of the average primary class, after rising for a decade. The size of the average secondary class nationally, at 22.0, is still five below the average primary class. In 2001–02 secondary headteachers will receive an average of £70,000 and primary headteachers £24,000 in direct grant to spend as they choose, including on reducing class sizes if that is their priority.

  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the average class size was for Key Stage(a) 1, (b) 2 and (c) 3 in (i) 1992, (ii) 1997 and (iii) 2001 in the Romsey constituency. [155852]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The available information is shown in the table. Information on class sizes by parliamentary constituency is not available prior to 1997. The January class size data for the academic year 2000–01 are currently being analysed and provisional national estimates are expected to be published in April.

  Average class size—Romsey parliamentary constituency

  January

  September

  1997

  2000

  2000

  Key Stage 1

  27.7

  27.0

  24.5

  Number of pupils in Key Stage 1 classes of size 31 or more

  1,080

  487

  129

  Key Stage 2

  27.6

  29.2

  n/a

  Pupils aged mainly under 14 in maintained secondary schools

  22.7

  23.7

  n/a

  Note:

  Classes taught by one teacher

  January 2000 saw a fall in the size the average junior class in England; and a continuing fall in the size of the average primary class, after rising for a decade. The size of the average secondary class nationally, at 22.0, is still five below the average primary class. In 2001–02 secondary headteachers will receive an average of £70,000 and primary headteachers £2 4,000 in direct grant to spend as they choose, including on reducing class sizes if that is their priority.
  684W

  Prisons (Education and Training)
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to extend provision of resources to HM prisons for the purposes of education and training. [155769]

  Mr. Wicks
  The Prison Service's budget for education and libraries is planned to increase from £50 million to at least £63 million by 2003–04, an increase of over 17 per cent. in real terms. This is on top of the resources being invested in vocational training by the Prison Service. From April 2001 the new Prisoners' Learning and Skills Unit will support DfEE and Home Office Ministers in the development of education and training for prisoners. The Unit will at an early stage review the delivery, funding and procurement of education and training in prisons as a basis for further development through the partnership.

  Music and Ballet Fees
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if the proposed scale revisions for contributions to fees under the music and ballet scheme will lead to greater proportional changes in contributions from parents with children at day schools than at boarding schools; and what representations he has received on this. [155863]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The revised parental contribution scale for day pupils under the music and ballet scheme will require greater contributions than at present from families whose annual income exceeds £25,000 in order to bring it into line with the scale for boarding pupils in terms of affordability and equity. Greater contributions will be required from the parents of boarding pupils where family income exceeds £45,000. However, the income threshold below which the parents of day pupils receive a free place will be higher, at £12,148 per annum, than that for boarding pupils, at £9,798 per annum, in recognition of the costs of keeping day pupils at home. Overall, about 85 per cent. of families using the music and ballet scheme will gain from the package of changes.

  We have received representatives from 15 families affected by the proposed changes, seven of which are families of pupils holding day places under the scheme.

  Careers Guidance
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of current recruitment to courses training careers guidance professionals. [155866]

  Mr. Wicks
  We are working with the Institute of Career Guidance to develop a new qualification, the Qualification in Careers Guidance for people moving into the careers guidance profession. This is currently being piloted and will be available nationally from autumn 2001.

  Information provided to us by the Institute of Career Guidance, the awarding body for the Diploma in Careers Guidance and the pilot Qualification in Careers Guidance shows that 303 students were registered for careers adviser initial training in 1999–2000 and currently 311 students are registered in 2000–01.
  685W
  In addition, we have made available funding in 2000–01 to support 46 students on the NVQ level 4 in Guidance.

  To support people moving into the guidance profession in 2000–01, we made available £745,000.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what action he is taking to ensure that careers guidance under his Connexions Strategy is given by advisers who have undergone full training in careers work. [155867]

  Mr. Wicks
  The Connexions Service will offer at least the same level of impartial careers information, advice and guidance for 13 to 19 year-olds as is currently provided by careers services. However, in order to remove the significant barriers to learning that many young people face, the range of information, advice and guidance provided by the Connexions Service will be extended to cover matters relating to, for example, housing and health.

  Personal Advisers will operate as multi-disciplinary teams and will include a range of people offering specialist support to young people. Personal Advisers providing careers guidance will have appropriate professional qualifications.

  Single Regeneration Budget
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what amounts were made available in the last three years to education and business partnerships, under each of the six programmes of the Single Regeneration Budget; and what arrangements are being made to replace this funding. [155868]

  Mr. Wills
  On the first point, this information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. On the second, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend, the Minister for Local Government and the Regions, 9 March 2001,Official Report, column 370W.

  Student Loans
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if proposals for write-offs of student loans initiated by his Department(a) require extension to European students and (b) require approval by the European Union. [155871]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Detailed proposals for the write-off of student loans are still being developed by my Department. We do not believe that they require European Union approval, but we will naturally take full account of relevant EU legislation.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if comparable incentives to the proposed write-offs of student loans for trainee teachers are planned for trainees without loan debt. [155869]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  No directly comparable incentives are planned for trainees without loan debt. Other measures to encourage more people into teaching, especially in shortage subjects, include improved pay and training, Golden Hellos, and our recently-announced Back To Work bonus for returners to teaching. The number of teachers in England and Wales has increased by 7,400 since 1998, and we hope that this rise will continue.
  686W

  Further and Higher Education Act
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on progress in implementing changes in funding for external qualifications consequent on the coming repeal of Schedule 2 to the Further and Higher Education Act 1999. [155876]

  Mr. Wicks
  Until 31 August 2001 the Learning and Skills Council will continue to consider as eligible for funding, qualifications currently funded by the Further Education Funding Council. On 29 December 2000, the Department published the first list, under section 96 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000, of external qualifications that will be approved for use from 1 September 2001 by those under 19. The LSC will draw on this list for those aged 19 or over until 2002–03 when a list under section 97 of the Act will be published.

  Departmental Policies (North Devon)
  Mr. Harvey
  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 North Devon constituency, the effects on North Devon of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [155903]

  Mr. Wills
  Outlined are details of the effects of a range of the Department's policies on the North Devon constituency and Devon LEA.

  Beacon Schools

  The Park Community School—awarded Beacon status from 1 September 1998 for working with the home to foster a positive approach to school—home school contracts, personal student development, mentoring and academic tutoring, special educational needs, initial teacher training, and continuous professional development.

  School Achievement Awards

  Eighteen schools in the constituency were among 108 in Devon to be allocated a total of £728,400 in March 2001. Staff at 16 of the 18 schools in the constituency received Improvement Awards because pupil performance in 2000 was substantially better than in 1997, or because schools had come out of special measures. The remaining two schools received Excellence Awards, because pupil performance in 2000 was better than most schools in similar circumstances. Awards were worth around £5,000 for a typical primary school and £25,000 for a typical secondary school.

  Classroom of the Future

  Devon LEA was awarded £900,000 as part of the above initiative in February 2001. The stated aim is, in the context of recent educational research, to provide life long learning opportunities that broaden experiences for pupils and the whole community. It will be an inclusive project that provides greater educational opportunities for those living in rural communities, so that social exclusion in isolated rural areas to longer exists. The proposal is to set up units in two primary schools and a community college within an existing cluster of schools, and to work with three technology colleges. The potential of information and communications technology is fully explored, in combination with sustainable design. Partners include Exeter and Plymouth Universities and the Timber Research and Development Association.
  687W

  Infant Class Sizes

  £000

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Total

  Revenue Funding

  1,000

  1,831

  2,596

  5,427

  Capital Funding

  523

  732

  719

  1,974

  The September 2000 figures show that in Devon there are now 62 (0.3 per cent.) pupils remaining in infant classes of 31 or more. The figure in January 1998 was 5,639 (26 per cent.).

  Performance Indicators

  England averages include independent schools.

  Key Stage 2, percentage of pupils achieving level 4

  19971

  1998

  1999

  2000

  English

  LEA

  62

  66

  72

  75

  England

  63

  65

  71

  75

  Maths

  LEA

  62

  60

  70

  72

  England

  62

  59

  69

  72

  Science

  LEA

  67

  72

  80

  86

  England

  69

  69

  78

  85

  GCSE—percentage of pupils achieving: 5+A*-C grades

  LEA average

  44

  47

  48

  49

  England average

  45

  46

  48

  49

  Devon LEA Capital funding

  £000

  Credit approvals

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Total

  ACG

  10,890

  6,788

  6,727

  9,467

  10,072

  43,944

  SCA

  2,771

  857

  1,200

  328

  1,400

  6,556

  Grants

  New Deal for Schools

  1,018

  2,397

  4,763

  7,536

  —

  15,714

  NDS Condition Funding

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,520

  1,520

  National Grid for Learning

  —

  979

  1,213

  2,342

  3,620

  8,154

  Voluntary Aided Grant

  1,002

  187

  251

  387

  1,768

  3,595

  Devolved Formula Capital

  —

  —

  —

  5,013

  4,101

  9,114

  Science Labs

  —

  —

  —

  327

  327

  654

  Energy

  —

  175

  —

  —

  —

  175

  AMP Support

  —

  —

  108

  —

  —

  108

  SEED Challenge

  —

  —

  —

  341

  395

  736

  Class Size Initiative

  —

  247

  1,001

  664

  —

  1912

  Outside toilet removal

  —

  972

  —

  —

  —

  972

  Schools Security at 75 per cent.

  262

  219

  231

  233

  165

  1,110

  SSLU's

  —

  —

  —

  114

  99

  213

  Schools Access Initiative at 85 per cent.

  —

  —

  —

  22

  581

  603

  Total

  15,943

  12,821

  15,494

  26,774

  24,048

  95,080

  Further Education

  Student numbers at all FEFC funded institutions where home postcode is in the Local Authority District of North Devon.

  1996–97 to 1999–2000

  16–18

  Adult

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Full-time

  Part-time

  FEFC funded

  1996–97

  1,273

  268

  268

  5,378

  1997–98

  1,250

  298

  278

  5,520

  1998–99

  1,272

  295

  214

  4,985

  1999–2000

  1,318

  261

  225

  5,288

  688W

  Key Stage 2, percentage of pupils achieving level 4

  19971

  1998

  1999

  2000

  5+A*-G grades

  LEA average

  90

  91

  91

  91

  England average

  86

  88

  89

  89

  No passes

  LEA average

  5

  4

  4

  4

  England average

  8

  7

  6

  6

  Average point score

  LEA average

  N/A

  38.4

  38.7

  39.2

  England average

  N/A

  37.0

  38.1

  38.9

  1Results prior to 1998 include Plymouth and Torbay

  A/AS level and Advanced GNVQ

  Average points for 2 or more A/AS levels

  1998

  1999

  2000

  LEA average

  16.3

  17.3

  17.9

  England average

  17.8

  18.2

  18.5

  A/AS average per entry

  LEA average

  5.2

  5.5

  5.3

  England average

  5.4

  5.5

  5.5

  Average point score GNVQs

  LEA average

  10.5

  10.7

  10.6

  England average

  9.6

  9.9

  10.1

  Funding per pupil

  In Devon LEA, funding per pupil has increased by £240 in real terms between 1997 –98 and 2000 –01.

  1996–97 to 1999–2000

  16–18

  Adult

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Non–FEFC funded

  1996–97

  50

  172

  43

  929

  1997–98

  58

  154

  65

  955

  1998–99

  59

  207

  127

  1,370

  1999–2000

  57

  175

  1ll

  987

  Modern Apprenticeships

  Information on Modern Apprenticeships for all English constituencies will be placed in the Library by the end of March 2001.
  689W
  New Deal for Young People

  In the North Devon constituency, 786 young people have joined the New Deal to end December 2000. 450 have found jobs, 349 of which are sustained.

  Labour Market Statistics

  The working age employment rate in Devon in Autumn 2000 was 77.8 per cent., above the UK rate of 74.7 per cent. The rate in Autumn 1997 was 77.3 per cent.

  The claimant unemployment rate has fallen from 5.8 per cent. in February 1997 to 4.0 per cent. in February 2001 in the North Devon constituency.

  Learning and Skills Council
  Ms Blears
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when the Learning and Skills Council will be operational; and if he will make a statement. [156061]

  Mr. Blunkett
  On 26 March, the LSC assumed the responsibilities it is taking over from the Training and Enterprise Councils, and from 1 April it will assume the full range of its initial responsibilities, including those which it is taking over from the Further Education Funding Council.

  I am today announcing a significant real terms increase in the Learning and Skills Council's budget for its third year of operation. The Council will have an additional £434 million in 2003–04 compared with 2002–03, an increase in real terms of 5 per cent., bringing planned resources available for 2003–04 to £6.4 billion (excluding funding for school sixth forms, which will from April 2002 flow through the Learning and Skills Council to local education authorities). The total including this money will come to over £7.4 billion.

  These increased resources, which are in addition to those already announced, will for 2003–04 include, compared with 2002–03:
  an additional £102 million to support further increases in participation by young people in Further Education;
  an additional £67 million to widen participation in learning and drive up basic skills levels among adults;
  a further step change in investment in Further Education infrastructure, with an increase of £52 million in FE capital spending.

  The 47 local arms of the Learning and Skills Council are today announcing the expenditure the Council will be investing in their local areas in 2001–02 to meet local learning and skills needs. I am writing to hon. Members with further details of these announcements.

  Further Education (Funding)
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what funding he will make available to further education and sixth form colleges for pay; and if he will make a statement. [156060]

  Mr. Blunkett
  Last year I announced that £50 million would be available in 2001–02 and £100 million in 2002–03 for further education and sixth form colleges' pay, subject to satisfactory proposals coming forward from the sector. As testimony to the strength of the proposals that have now come forward, we have earmarked an additional £15 million for further education and sixth form college pay within the resources available
  690W
  in 2001–02. £100 million will be available in 2002–03. In 2003–04, there will be a further increase to £135 million. Further education 2nd sixth form colleges will be able to implement their proposals from 1 April 2001.

  By 2003–04, the proposals will allow the majority of teachers in further education and sixth form colleges to qualify for increases in salary of up to £2,000, or the pro rata equivalent for part-time staff. Staff in all colleges will also have new Opportunities for further salary progression for good teaching. Further education colleges will have additional resources to improve the quality of work delivered by part-tine staff, particularly for basic skills.

  I will also ensure: that teachers of shortage subjects in further education and sixth form colleges will benefit from golden hellos comparable to those already available in schools, and from the arrangements we are piloting to help new entrants to the profession to pay off their student loans over a set period of time. Funding for these new recruitment and retention measures will be additional to the sums I have announced for further education pay.

  We are publishing today "Raising Standards: Teaching in Further Education", copies of which have been placed in the Library and are available from the Vote Office.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Zimbabwe
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what sanctions have been considered by(a) the UK Government and (b) the Commonwealth in respect of Zimbabwe; and if he will list those which have been adopted. [155022]

  Mr. Wilson
  In light of the deteriorating situation in Zimbabwe, we imposed a national arms embargo last May. And we are withdrawing the British Military Advisory and Training Team at the end of this month. The Commonwealth acts by consensus. It is not for us to speak on behalf of the Commonwealth.

  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on the suspension of Zimbabwe from the Commonwealth. [155023]

  Mr. Wilson
  Zimbabwe is clearly in breach of the Harare Commonwealth Declaration, particularly in terms of respect for the rule of law and independence of the judiciary. But a country may be suspended from the Commonwealth only under certain narrowly-defined circumstances, namely the overthrow of an elected government. Such a decision is taken by consensus by all members. The UK is seeking as a member of the High Level Review Group on reform of the Commonwealth, to expand the remit of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) so that it can intervene before the breakdown of democracy, to promote adherence to Commonwealth core values.

  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action his Department has taken in respect of the murder of farmers and other civilians in Zimbabwe. [155024]
  691W
  Mr. Wilson
  We have regularly urged the Government of Zimbabwe to take urgent action to restore the rule of law. We have also raised our concerns at the decline in law and order in Zimbabwe in international forums.

  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Zimbabwe on behalf of UK citizens whose Zimbabwean pensions have been frozen. [155882]

  Mr. Wilson
  We regularly remind the Zimbabwean authorities of their commitment to pay .pensions to eligible British nationals living outside Zimbabwe. A lack of foreign exchange is making it difficult for Zimbabwe to meet that commitment.

  Sudan
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current resolution adopted on Sudan by the UN Commission on Human Rights with special reference to slavery. [154908]

  Mr. Wilson
  At last year's UN Commission on Human Rights, the EU sponsored a resolution on Sudan which set out its concerns about violations of human rights. In particular, the resolution addressed the distressing problem of abduction of women and children, an issue which remains high on our agenda It called on the Government of Sudan to continue to co-operate with the Committee for the Eradication of Abduction of Women and Children (CEAWC), and to help facilitate the return of affected individuals.

  The CEAWC is working in close co-operation with UNICEF and Save the Children Fund UK) and has so far facilitated the return of over 550 abductees.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on recent military activity around the oil concession areas of Sudan and the rate of civilian displacement and deaths in the last 12 months. [155146]

  Mr. Wilson
  There has been a great deal of forced displacement from the oil concession areas in south Sudan in the last year. We do not know how many civilian deaths there have been, but there have undoubtedly been many.

  All parties to the conflict are to blame in some measure for this. The continued fighting does not help matters. That is why achieving a lasting ceasefire and finding a solution to the conflict remains a priority for this Government.

  Africa (Franco-British Policy)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he wil1 make a statement on joint Franco-British policy on Africa, as set out at St. Malo and Cahors, with special reference to(a) the visit of Robert Mugabe to Paris and (b ) French policy on Zimbabwe. [155555]

  Mr. Wilson
  We exchange information on African countries regularly with the French Government. They share our concerns on the situation in Zimbabwe, and took the opportunity of President Mugabe's visit to raise internal issues.

  Lebanon
  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the number of Syrian troops stationed in Lebanon. [155453]

  Mr. Wilson
  We believe that under the terms of the Treaty of Friendship, Co-operation and Co-ordination signed by the Lebanese and Syrian Governments in May 1991, there are between 21,000 and 22,000 Syrian troops in Lebanon.

  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his European counterparts regarding the presence of Hezbullah in Southern Lebanon. [155759]

  Mr. Wilson
  We work closely with our EU partners on Middle East issues. We and the EU are in constant dialogue with the Lebanese Government calling on it to"assert its effective authority and maintain law and order throughout its territory up to the line identified by the United Nations"

  As stated in the UN Secretary General's report on the United Nations Interim force in Lebanon of 22 January 2001.

  Diplomatic Service
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the average salary of a United Kingdom national employed in the Diplomatic Service and based in an overseas post is. [155085]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 23 March 2001]: Salaries of Diplomatic Service staff are based on a common set of pay ranges whether they are serving at home or overseas. The median average basic salary of all Diplomatic Service staff is £23,181. Diplomatic Service staff serving overseas are additionally paid varying rates of allowances to compensate for the additional costs of having to live and work abroad.

  "Spaces in Between" Project
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the(a) cost and (b) purpose of the "Spaces in Between" project of the British Council was; for what reason an asylum centre was targeted in this project; what UK asylum centres have been targeted; and if he will make a statement. [155556]

  Mr. Wilson
  This programme was the British Council's contribution to "Brussels 2000 European City of Culture", the focus of which was projects with long-term social benefits. One project targeted the children of displaced persons at an asylum centre in Brussels and took the form of three short residencies by British artists who worked in photography, garden-design and painting. The purpose was to demonstrate how such activities can alleviate the effects of displacement and post-conflict trauma among children.

  No UK asylum centres were involved: all activity took place in Belgium. The total budget was approximately £10,700.

  "Your Britain, Your Europe"
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow) of 31 January 2001,Official Report, column 247W, what further expenditure has been incurred on, and how many extra copies have been distributed of, the "Your Britain, Your Europe" publication. [154827]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has distributed 17,000 copies of the "Your Britain, Your Europe" leaflet since November 1999. A number of the copies dispatched to Middlesbrough before my visit to the north-east on 1 February were, in the event, not deployed. We subsequently distributed these with several hundred copies of the winter edition of the "Your Britain, Your Europe" newsletter in early March. The total design and printing costs for the leaflet therefore remains at £3,862.51.

  General Affairs Council
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the outcome was of the General Affairs Council held in Brussels on 19 and 20 March; what the Government's voting record was at the Council; and if he will make a statement. [155101]

  Mr. Vaz
  The General Affairs Council (GAC) on 19–20 March adopted the 23 "A" points listed in document no. 7061/01. It also noted the resolutions, decisions and opinions adopted by the European Parliament in its sessions of 12–15 February in Strasbourg and of 28 February and 1 March 2001 in Brussels listed in document nos. 5793/01 and 5796/01 respectively. Copies of these documents have been placed in the House Libraries.

  1. Preparations for the Stockholm European Council: Internal

  The GAC reviewed the Commission's and Council's work on the Lisbon agenda since the Nice European Council. The Lisbon agenda aims to transform the Union into the most competitive and knowledge-based economy in the world by 2010. The Presidency confirmed the agenda and ran through its aims for Stockholm

  2. Preparations for the Stockholm European Council: External

  The GAC agreed that discussions with Putin over lunch on 23 March would focus on economic issues, in particular the progress of Russia's reforms, World Trade Organisation accession and bilateral trade relations. Foreign Ministers would cover international issues in a separate meeting with FM Ivanov. The European Council would also discuss the Western Balkans, middle east and Korea that evening.

  3. European Security and Defence Policy

  The GAC took note of progress made so far to develop civilian crisis management capabilities, and looked forward to the 10 May police conference to assess progress towards achievement of the concrete target for international civilian policing capabilities set at the Feira European Council.

  4. Western Balkans

  The GAC expressed deep concern over the escalating violence in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and called on ethnic Albanian extremists to
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  cease their attacks immediately. The Council reiterated its strong attachment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of FYROM as a single, multi-ethnic state. It also invited the High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy (Javier Solana) and Commission to take forward urgently assistance aimed at promoting inter-ethnic relations and. improving border security.

  The GAC welcomed the signature of the ceasefire by Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY)/Serbian and ethnic-Albanian representatives. It also welcomed NATO's decision to authorise FRY forces to go back into the Ground Safety Zone (GSZ). The GAC also welcomed the decision of the High Representative for CFSP to substantially increase the number of monitors from the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) in south-east Serbia following assurances from NATO on the security arrangements for EUMM personnel.

  The GAC strongly supported the efforts of Wolfgang Petritsch, High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), to ensure implementation of the Dayton/Paris Accords. It also stressed the urgent need for Bosnia to implement the steps set out in the EU Road Map which would permit a feasibility study to take place on a possible Stabilisation and Association Agreement. The GAC condemned the unilateral actions of the Croat National Congress (HDZ) of BiH which would disrupt the Dayton/Paris Accords.

  5. Human Rights: General

  The GAC unanimously agreed the Council Conclusions on Human Rights of 10 December 1998, endorsed by the Vienna European Council, which highlighted the importance of human rights as a corner stone of EU foreign policy. The GAC took stock of ongoing initiatives, notably the preparation of EU Guidelines against Torture, which will enhance EU actions aimed at the eradication of this abhorrent violation of human rights. The GAC also noted that the European Commission had prepared a Communication on electoral assistance and observation, on which the GAC will adopt conclusions shortly. Finally, the GAC highlighted the opening of the 57th session of tie Commission on Human Rights in Geneva on 19 Match. It noted the EU resolve to play an active role at the Commission on Human Rights, and to closely co-ordinate and co-operate with other participants with a view to contributing to its success.

  6. Human Rights: Dialogue with China

  The GAC agreed conclusions assessing the human rights situation it China and progress made in the EU/China human tights dialogue. The GAC also agreed, and made public the following common approach towards China at the 57th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights ( UNCHR):
  EU member states of UNCHR will vote in favour of the US tabled resolution if it is pug to a vote; but the EU will not co-sponsor it.
  EU member states of UNCHR will vote against a no-action motion, should one be presented, and the EU will actively encourage other CHR member states to do likewise.

  7. MEP

  Over lunch, the Presidency reported on the EU Troika visit to the middle east. Ministers agreed that the parties must break the spinal of violence and start new talks on security, as initial steps towards a renewed peace process. Ministers also discussed the humanitarian situation in the
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  Palestinian areas and renewed their call on Israel to end the closure policy and immediately transfer to the Palestinian Authority the tax revenues withheld.

  8. Kidnapping in Cabinda Province, Angola

  The GAC, over lunch, heard a report from the Portuguese Foreign Minister on the kidnapping of eight Portuguese citizens in the Angolan province of Cabinda. The Council expressed concern over the humanitarian situation of the Portuguese hostages, strongly condemned their abduction and called on those responsible to release all hostages immediately. The GAC recalled its condemnation of such practices and stressed the importance of the strict observance of the principles of humanitarian law.

  9. UK Voting Record

  No formal or informal votes were taken on any of the issues under discussion at the GAC The only issues requiring unanimous agreement, being subject to the Common Foreign and Security Policy, were the Council's conclusions on human rights and its human rights dialogue with China (as indicated).

  Iran
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he(a) has made and (b) plans to make regarding the imprisonment of members of the Jewish community and others from Shiraz; what plans he has to visit Iran; and if he will make a statement. [155474]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 26 March 2001]: We and our European partners have taken every opportunity to raise with Iran our concerns about the unsatisfactory nature of the case, and will continue to do so. My hon. Friend the Minister for Energy and Competitiveness in Europe most recently did so with the Iranian ambassador on 22 January. While noting the reductions in sentence on appeal, we continue to hope that the Iranian judiciary will show clemency. We understand that one of the accused is now due to be released following completion of his two-year sentence. The EU sponsored the 4 December General Assembly Resolution expressing concern about discrimination against people who belong to religious minorities and Iranian failure to comply with international standards on the administration of justice.

  When he last met his Iranian counterpart Dr. Kharrazi in New York in September, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary welcomed Dr. Kharrazi's invitation that he visit Iran in 2001. No date has yet been set.

  Pakistan
  Mr. Andy King
  To ask the secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations have been made to the Pakistani
  Government concerning the recent kidnap and gang rape of Naira Nadia; [155330]

  (2) what representations have been made to the Pakistani Government concerning the increase in violent attacks perpetrated upon Christian women by Muslim extremists in Pakistan. [155329]

  Mr. Wilson
  We raised our concerns about the reports of the recent kidnap and rape of Naira Nadia with the Pakistani authorities on 22 March. We called for a full
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  investigation into the reports. If they are substantiated, we look to the appropriate authorities in Pakistan to ensure that the perpetrators are swiftly brought to justice.

  We continue to monitor closely the position of religious minorities in Pakistan as well as the increasing infringements of women's human rights, and will continue to raise our concerns with the Pakistani authorities.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent changes have been made to the rules affecting claims to Disability Living Allowance from people with mental health problems. [155415]

  Mr. Bayley
  There have been no recent changes to the rules for Disability Living Allowance specifically in respect of people with mental health problems.

  Chemical Warfare Experiments
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will send a team from the War Pensions Agency to the United States of America to evaluate the system under which the US Government provide pensions to former military personnel who have experienced illnesses as a result of taking part in chemical warfare experiments. [154764]

  Mr. Bayley
  There are no plans to send a team from the War Pensions Agency to the USA.

  Work/Pensions Ratio
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the ratio was between the number of people in work and the number of recipients of State Retirement Pension in(a) 1971, (b) 1981, (c) 1991 and (d) 2001; and what the projected ratio is for 2011. [155122]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.

  Number of people in work compared with number of recipients of State Retirement Pension: Great Britain

  People of working age in employment 1.2.3

  People in receipt of State Retirement Pension (RP)6.7.8.9

  Ratio between number of people in work and number receiving RP

  1971

  —

  7,647

  n/a

  19814

  22,767

  9,080

  2.5

  19914.5

  25,030

  9,991

  2.5

  2001

  —

  11,000

  n/a

  2011

  —

  12,370

  n/a

  1Source: ONS Labour Force Survey figures, taken in the spring of each year, not seasonally adjusted. 1971, 2001 and 2011 figures are not available.

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

  3People aged 16 or over who did some paid work in the reference week (whether as an employee or self-employed); and those who had a job they were temporarily away from (eg on holiday); those on Government-supported training and employment programmes (from spring 1983); and those doing unpaid family work (from spring 1992).

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  4Includes those whose status was not stated.

  5Includes those on Government-supported training and employment programmes.

  6Source: 1971, 1981 and 1991 RP figures from DSS ASD, and are December, June and March respectively, based on a 10 per cent. sample taken from the Pension Strategy Computer System 2001 and 2011 figures are GAD mix-tax year projections, and are consistent with December 2000/Budget 2001 PES estimates.

  7Historic RP figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand, projections (2001 and 2011) to the nearest ten thousand.

  8Includes Overseas RP Cases.

  9RP figures exclude Additional Pension only and Graduated Pension only cases—about 150,000 cases in 1981—except for 1971 figure, which includes such cases.

  Pensions
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the annual cost of(a) administering weekly payments in cash for State Pensions, including payments to the Post Office and (b) making payments of pensions to pensioners by Automated Credit Transfer. [153753]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is not available in the format requested.

  From available information we are able to estimate that the total annual cost for 1999–2000 of the respective methods of payment for Retirement Pension and Widows Benefit customers (the relevant data are not collated separately) was as follows:

  £ million

  Automated Credit Transfer

  11

  Order Book

  167

  Giro

  1

  1 In the region of

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the total annual cost to public funds if, on the death of a spouse, the surviving widow or widower were to receive their deceased spouse's full State Pension for a period of 90 days following bereavement. [155878]

  Mr. Rooker
  In 2001–02, widows and widowers of pensionable age will continue to be able to inherit both basic State Pension and gross additional pension (SERFS) at up to 100 per cent. of their deceased spouse's entitlement. The additional annual cost of paying inherited graduated Retirement Pension at 100 per cent. instead of 50 per cent. for 90 days following bereavement is estimated to be £3 million.

  Note:

  Estimates provided by the Government Actuary's Department and rounded to nearest £1 million.

  Grants (London Boroughs)
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list(a) each category of grant and (b) the amount of each grant paid by his Department to each London borough in (i) 1997–98, (ii) 1998–99, (iii) 1999–2000 and (iv) 2000–01; and what the projected figure is for 2001–02. [155432]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Department pays a number of subsidies to local authorities. Information has been placed in the Library.

  Pension Credits
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what legal advice his Department has received on the payment of pension credits to men and women at different ages; and if he will place that advice in the Library; [154818]

  (2) at what age the pension credit will be payable for (a) men and (b) women. [154775]

  Mr. Rooker
  In developing the detailed design of the Pension Credit consideration will be given to the treatment of men and women, with a view to ensuring that the rules taken comply with our obligations under the European Convent on of Human Rights and community law.

  NIRS2
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 6 March 2001,Official Report, columns 167–68W, on NIRS2, how many cases received by Benefit Agency offices from NIRS2 were awaiting review on 31 January. [153168]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 12 March 2001]: As at 31 January 2001, the Department had processed over 2.9 million of the total referrals (3 million) from NIRS2 since 19 April 1999. Our latest figures show that, as at 28 February, 74,739 cases remain under review.

  Carers (Shrewsbury and Atcham)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many carers in Shrewsbury and Atcham will gain from the carer premium; and if he will make a statement. [154651]

  Mr. Bayley
  It is estimated that in around 2001–02 around 200 people will benefit from the increase in the carer premium in the income-related benefits in the Shrewsbury and Atcham constituency.

  Notes:

  I. The figures are based on data taken from the November 2000 5 per cent. scans of he Income Support computer systems, and from 1999 1 per cent. samples of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit claims.

  2. Due to the small sample sizes involved these figures are subject to a high degree of sampling error and should be used only as a guide.

  Opinion Polling
  Mr. St. Aubyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what(a) quantitative and (b) qualitative analytical work his Department has commissioned from GGC/NOP since 1 May 1997; and what was (i) the cost of the contract and (ii) the specific nature of the work commissioned. [155659]

  Angela Eagle
  Details of all social research commissioned by the Department, including costs, contractor and nature of the work commissioned are listed in the DSS Social Security Research Yearbook published annually. Copies ant available in the Library.
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  DSS Corporate Communications have commissioned the following research from NOP since 1 May 1997 at a total cost of around £100,000:

  Project Access: Targeting Benefits to the public;

  Project Access: Phase 2 Product Research;

  Project Access: Strategy Phase 2 Letters;

  Project Access: Consultation with customer representatives;

  New Deal 50plus: Advertising research.

  NOP were also commissioned to conduct the DSS Internal Communications Qualitative Research during 1999–2000 at a cost of £62,240.

  GGC is not an organisation with which the Department has had contact.

  Larynx Cancer
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to classify cancer of the larynx as an industrial disease; an I if he will make a statement. [155443]

  Mr. Bayley
  We have no plans to prescribe cancer of the larynx as an industrial disease.

  Diseases are prescribed in relation. to the Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit scheme in respect of particular occupations where a causal link is established
  700W
  between the occupation and an increased risk of contracting the disease. The Secretary of State is advised on such matters by the independent Industrial Injuries Advisory Council. If my hon. Friend has evidence which would suggest that the Council should consider this matter he may care to write with that evidence or details of his concerns to the Chairman of the Council, Professor Anthony Newman Taylor, Industrial Injuries Advisory Council, Room 605, The Adelphi, 1–11 John Adam Street, London WC2N 6HT.

  Lone Parents
  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures he is taking to help and encourage lone parents on Income Support into work. [156368]

  Angela Eagle
  From 30 April 2001 we are introducing Personal Adviser meetings for lone parents making claims to, or already receiving, Income Support. Personal Adviser meetings are an opportunity for lone parents to talk about their own circumstances, and find out about the help available to start or prepare for work through the New Deal for Lone Parents.

  Full information is contained in "Personal Adviser Meetings and the New Deal for Lone Parents: A Guide to Policy and Practice". Copies have been placed in the Library and are available on the internet at www.dss.gov.uk.
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HOME DEPARTMENT

  Border Controls
  Mr. Paul Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will respond to the Home Affairs Select Committee's report on border controls. [156063]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Government have submitted their response to the report to the Chairman of the Home Affairs Committee and a copy has been placed in the Library. I understand that the Home Affairs Committee has decided to publish this today as its fourth special report HC 375 and this will be available on the Home Affairs Committee website at www.parliament.uk/ commons/selcom/hmafhome.htm.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons personal possessions are removed from young asylum seekers when they arrive in the United Kingdom. [155929]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 27 March 2001]: An immigration officer may remove and detain a passport or other document establishing a person's nationality and identity until leave to enter is granted or leave is refused and the person removed. An immigration officer may also examine any documents relevant to a person's request for leave to enter.

  The possessions of young asylum seekers are not regarded differently to any other passenger. Where a young asylum seeker is subject to further examination it is possible that if, following a baggage examination, articles which could be used to harm them or others are found, these may be detained by immigration service contractors while the person remains at the port of entry.

  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish his Department's review into the voucher system for asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement. [155595]

  Mrs. Roche
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Walthamstow (Mr. Gerrard) on 8 January 2001,Official Report, column 413W.

  Press Officers
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many vacancies exist for press officers in his Department on(a) the newsdesk and (b) the proactive press team; what the budgeted size of his Department's press office is; and if he will make a statement. [155818]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 27 March 2001]: The current number of vacancies is:

  (a) One—newsdesk

  (b) Two—proactive press teams

  The budget for the Home Office press office for the financial year 2000–01 is approximately £1.6 million based on staffing levels of: five Senior Information Officers, 20 Information Officers, three Assistant Information
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  Officer trainees, one Chief Immigration Officer, one Higher Executive Officer, seven administrative grades and three senior manages.

  Asylum Seekers (Scotland)
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will open a dedicated facility for asylum seekers in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [155877]

  Mrs. Roche
  A new immigration detention centre at Dungavel, South Lanarkshire, will open in two phases. The first 90 places will be available in August 2001 and up to a further 60 places will be available from November 2001.

  Departmental Policies (Romsey)
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Romsey constituency, the effects on Romsey of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [155856]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Home Office is working to build a safe, just and tolerant society in which the rights and responsibilities of individuals, families and communities are properly balanced, and the protection and security of the public are maintained. Detailed information on the impact of Home Office policies across the full range of responsibilities is set out in Home Office Annual Reports. A copy of the most recent report 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 n the way requested although set out are examples relating to the Romsey constituency or the immediate locality:

  Youth Offending

  Romsey is part of the area covered by the South West Hampshire Youth Offending Team (YOT), which is one of seven teams that make up the Wessex YOT. Due to the rural nature of Romsey and the distance from the YOT office, work with young people who live in Romsey usually occurs in the home. Romsey is not a high crime area in terms of youth offending. Over the past year five young people have been worked with for offences of arson/criminal damage, theft/handling and a road traffic offence.

  The South West Hampshire YOT is a multi-agency team comprising staff from the probation service, social services, health authority, an education officer and a parent support co-ordinator. All young people who come to the attention of the YOT are assessed using the ASSET assessment tool and work is allocated on the basis of criminogenic need. This enables the team to identify specific needs for young people and concentrate on the particular area of concern for the individual, for example education. There are two specialist drug workers within

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  the South West Hampshire YOT, which has been made possible due to close partnership working with the Drugs Advisory Service. An accredited Cognitive Behavioural Programme is run at the YOT office, and transport can be arranged for the young person to attend if required.

  In addition, a Motor Offending Programme is being run, which is specific to the South West Hampshire YOT. This has been achieved through links with the Crime and Disorder Partnership and identifying car crime as an area that needs targeting. One of the YOT officers has developed a 16 session programme which young offenders involved in car crime are required to attend.

  The YOT aims to give victims a consistently good service and places victim issues at the top of their working agenda. The team aims to make all young offenders responsible for the consequences of their actions and reparation takes place wherever possible. The YOT has formed a cohesive multi-agency approach which is making progress on tackling youth offending.

  More generally, all of the policies of the Home Office will impact on the residents of Romsey 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 03,495 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.

  Percentage

  Ethnicity

  White

  Mixed

  Asian or Asian British

  Black or Black British

  Chinese or Other ethnic group

  Not known

  London boroughs

  Barking and Dagenham

  76.00

  0.00

  0.00

  20.00

  0.00

  4.00

  Barnet

  90.91

  9.09

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Bexley

  100.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Brent

  63.64

  0.00

  9.09

  27.27

  0.00

  0.00

  Bromley

  100.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Camden

  52.38

  4.76

  0.00

  38.10

  4.76

  0.00

  Croydon

  60.00

  0.00

  5.00

  30.00

  5.00

  0.00

  Ealing

  65.52

  0.00

  0.00

  34.48

  0.00

  0.00

  Enfield

  75.00

  5.00

  0.00

  15.00

  5.00

  0.00

  Greenwich and Eltham

  65.0

  0.00

  0.00

  35.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Hackney

  42.86

  0.00

  0.00

  51.79

  0.00

  5.36

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  70.37

  7.41

  0.00

  22.22

  0.00

  0.00

  Haringey

  60.00

  0.00

  0.00

  40.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Harrow

  62.50

  0.00

  12.50

  18.75

  0.00

  6.25

  Havering

  85.71

  0.00

  0.00

  14.29

  0.00

  0.00

  Hillingdon

  70.59

  0.00

  17.65

  5.88

  0.00

  5.88

  Hounslow

  80.00

  0.00

  6.67

  13.33

  0.00

  0.00

  Islington

  73.33

  0.00

  0.00

  26.67

  0.00

  0.00

  Kensington and Chelsea

  50.00

  0.00

  0.00

  50.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Kingston upon Thames

  68.42

  0.00

  0.00

  10.53

  0.00

  21.05

  Lambeth

  41.67

  0.00

  0.00

  58.33

  0.00

  0.00

  Lewisham

  53.49

  13.95

  0.00

  18.18

  0.00

  0.00

  Merton

  66.67

  0.00

  0.00

  33.33

  0.00

  0.00

  Newham

  52.94

  0.00

  11.76

  35.29

  0.00

  0.00

  Redbridge

  66.67

  0.00

  16.67

  16.67

  0.00

  0.00

  Richmond upon Thames

  66.67

  0.00

  0.00

  33.33

  0.00

  0.00

  Southwark

  66.67

  0.00

  0.00

  33.33

  0.00

  0.00

  Sutton

  80.00

  0.00

  0.00

  20.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Tower Hamlets and City of London

  67.74

  0.00

  6.45

  25.81

  0.00

  0.00

  Waltham Forest

  64.86

  0.00

  0.00

  27.03

  0.00

  8.11

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

  Remand Prisoners
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many females under 21 years of age were received on remand; and what percentage(a) did not subsequently receive a custodial sentence and (b) were subsequently acquitted in 2000; [154640]

  (2) how many (a) adult females (b) adult males and (c) under 21 year old males were received on remand; and what percentage of each category (i) did not subsequently receive a custodial sentence and (ii) were subsequently acquitted in 2000. [154652]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The available information is published in "Prison Statistics, England and Wales 1999" (Table 2.6 and Table 2.9 refer). A copy is in the Library.

  Information for 2000 is not yet available.

  Youth Offending Teams
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the ethnic origin breakdown of each youth offending team in England and Wales. [155154]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  This information is set out in the table. It is based on Youth Offending Teams' annual plans for 1999–2000, as submitted to the Youth Justice Board.
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  Percentage

  Ethnicity

  White

  Mixed

  Asian or Asian British

  Black or Black British

  Chines or Other ethnic group

  Not known

  Wandsworth

  68.35

  0.00

  6.33

  25.32

  0.00

  0.00

  Westminster

  78.26

  0.00

  0.00

  21.74

  0.00

  0.00

  Regional total

  68.32

  1.26

  2.88

  25.05

  0.46

  1.58

  South East

  Bracknell Forest

  80.00

  0.00

  10.00

  10.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Brighton and Hove

  100.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Buckinghamshire

  100.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Kent

  93.33

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  6.67

  Maidenhead and Windsor

  90.91

  0.00

  0.00

  9.09

  0.00

  0.00

  Medway

  100.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Milton Keynes

  100.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  West Berkshire/Newbury

  100.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Oxfordshire

  100.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Reading and Wokingham

  90.00

  0.00

  0.00

  10.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Slough

  60.00

  0.00

  4.00

  36.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Surrey

  90.91

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  9.09

  East Sussex

  100.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  West Sussex

  100.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Wessex

  97.71

  0.00

  0.00

  2.29

  0.00

  0.00

  Regional total

  93.52

  0.00

  0.93

  4.49

  0.00

  1.05

  Eastern region

  Bedfordshire

  77.78

  0.00

  7.41

  11.11

  0.00

  3.70

  Cambridgeshire

  90.32

  0.00

  0.00

  9.68

  0.00

  0.00

  Essex

  69.05

  2.38

  0.00

  4.76

  0.00

  23.81

  Hertfordshire

  93.94

  0.00

  0.00

  6.06

  0.00

  0.00

  Luton

  85.19

  0.00

  3.70

  11.11

  0.00

  0.00

  Norfolk

  57.14

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  42.86

  Peterborough

  80.00

  0.00

  5.00

  15.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Southend

  41.67

  8.33

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  50.00

  Suffolk

  94.29

  0.00

  0.00

  5.71

  0.00

  0.00

  Thurrock

  90.00

  0.00

  0.00

  10.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Regional total

  77.94

  1.07

  1.61

  7.34

  0.00

  12.04

  South West

  Bath and North East Somerset

  90.91

  9.09

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Bristol

  85.56

  3.61

  0.00

  10.83

  0.00

  0.00

  Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

  100.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Devon

  79.43

  0.00

  0.00

  7.71

  12.85

  0.00

  Dorset

  100.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Gloucestershire

  80.95

  4.76

  0.00

  7.14

  0.00

  0.00

  North Somerset

  83.33

  0.00

  0.00

  16.67

  0.00

  0.00

  Plymouth

  96.43

  3.57

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Poole and Bournemouth

  91.89

  0.00

  5.40

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Somerset

  100.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Swindon

  100.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  South Gloucestershire

  97.47

  0.00

  2.53

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Torbay

  91.67

  8.33

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Wiltshire

  100.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Regional total

  92.69

  2.10

  0.57

  3.02

  0.92

  0.00

  West Midlands

  Birmingham

  52.54

  5.51

  8.05

  33.90

  0.00

  0.00

  Coventry

  81.82

  3.64

  3.64

  10.91

  0.00

  0.00

  Dudley

  72.73

  0.00

  0.00

  13.64

  0.00

  13.64

  Sandwell

  73.68

  10.53

  5.26

  10.53

  0.00

  0.00

  Solihull

  87.50

  0.00

  6.25

  6.25

  0.00

  0.00

  Staffordshire

  95.35

  0.00

  0.00

  4.65

  0.00

  0.00

  Stoke on Trent

  100.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Wrekin and Shropshire

  90.63

  0.00

  0.00

  6.25

  0.00

  3.13

  Walsall

  96.67

  0.00

  0.00

  3.33

  0.00

  0.00

  Warwickshire

  100.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Wolverhampton

  70.00

  0.00

  20.00

  10.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Worcestershire and Herefordshire

  97.06

  0.00

  0.00

  2.94

  0.00

  0.00

  Regional total

  84.83

  1.64

  3.60

  8.53

  0.00

  1.40

  706W 707W

  Percentage

  Ethnicity

  White

  Mixed

  Asian or Asian British

  Black or Black British

  Chinese or other ethnic group

  Not known

  East Midlands

  Derby City

  56.00

  0.00

  4.00

  12.00

  0.00

  28.00

  Derbyshire

  87.50

  12.50

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Leicestershire (+ Rutland 106510)

  61.54

  0.00

  23.08

  15.38

  0.00

  0.00

  Leicester City

  65.00

  2.50

  25.00

  7.50

  0.00

  0.00

  Lincolnshire

  100.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Northamptonshire

  94.34

  1.89

  0.00

  3.77

  0.00

  0.00

  Nottinghamshire

  68.63

  0.00

  1.96

  0.00

  3.92

  25.49

  Nottingham City

  96.40

  1.63

  1.63

  4.90

  0.00

  0.00

  Regional total

  78.68

  2.31

  6.96

  5.44

  0.49

  6.69

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Barnsley

  100.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Bradford

  79.25

  0.00

  7.55

  0.00

  0.00

  13.21

  Calderdale

  89.29

  0.00

  3.57

  7.14

  0.00

  0.00

  Doncaster

  96.15

  0.00

  3.85

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  100.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Kingston upon Hull

  95.24

  0.00

  0.00

  4.76

  0.00

  0.00

  Kirklees

  91.67

  0.00

  5.56

  2.78

  0.00

  0.00

  Leeds

  91.38

  0.00

  1.72

  6.90

  0.00

  0.00

  North Lincolnshire

  100.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  North East Lincolnshire

  100.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  North Yorkshire

  92.86

  0.00

  7.14

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Rotherham

  91.30

  4.35

  0.00

  4.35

  0.00

  0.00

  Sheffield

  89.20

  0.00

  0.00

  10.80

  0.00

  0.00

  Wakefield

  96.67

  0.00

  0.00

  3.33

  0.00

  0.00

  York

  90.00

  0.00

  10.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Regional total

  93.53

  0.29

  2.63

  2.67

  0.00

  0.88

  North West

  Blackburn

  96.43

  0.00

  3.57

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Blackpool

  96.15

  3.85

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Bolton

  90.00

  0.00

  5.00

  5.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Bury

  100.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Cheshire

  96.30

  0.00

  0.00

  3.70

  0.00

  0.00

  Cumbria

  100.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Halton/Warrington

  100.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Knowsley

  94.44

  0.00

  0.00

  5.56

  0.00

  0.00

  Lancashire

  91.55

  0.00

  0.00

  2.82

  5.63

  0.00

  Liverpool

  88.24

  0.00

  0.00

  9.80

  1.96

  0.00

  Manchester City Council

  65.96

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  34.04

  Oldham

  100.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Rochdale

  83.61

  0.00

  0.00

  16.39

  0.00

  0.00

  Salford

  100.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Sefton

  97.40

  0.00

  2.60

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Stockport

  100.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  St. Helens

  100.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Tameside

  93.75

  6.25

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Trafford

  86.67

  0.00

  6.67

  6.67

  0.00

  0.00

  Wigan

  87.07

  0.00

  0.00

  4.31

  0.00

  8.62

  Wirral

  94.59

  0.00

  0.00

  5.41

  0.00

  0.00

  Regional total

  93.44

  0.48

  0.85

  2.84

  0.36

  2.03

  North East

  Darlington

  88.24

  5.88

  0.00

  5.88

  0.00

  0.00

  Durham

  98.17

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  1.83

  0.00

  Gateshead

  100.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Hartlepool

  100.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland/South Tees

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  16.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  84.00

  North Tyneside

  55.26

  5.26

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  39.47

  Northumberland

  100.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  South Tyneside

  100.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Stockton

  100.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Sunderland

  97.83

  2.17

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Regional total

  77.77

  1.21

  0.00

  0.53

  0.17

  11.22

  708W 709W

  Percentage

  Ethnicity

  White

  Mixed

  Asian or Asian British

  Black or Black British

  Chinese or Other ethnic group

  Not known

  Wales

  Bridgend

  91.67

  0.00

  0.00

  8.33

  0.00

  0.00

  Caerphilly and Blaunau Gwent

  96.00

  0.00

  0.00

  4.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Cardiff

  93.62

  2.13

  0.00

  4.26

  0.00

  0.00

  Carmarthen

  100.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Ceredigion/Dyfed and Powys/Mid Wales

  100.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Conwy and Denbighshire

  100.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Flintshire and Wrexham

  96.15

  0.00

  10.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Gwynedd and Ynys Mön

  100.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Merthyr

  100.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Monmouthshire and Torfaen

  94.12

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  5.88

  Neath Port Talbot

  92.31

  0.00

  7.69

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Newport

  100.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Pembrokeshire

  100.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Rhondda Cynon Taff

  100.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Swansea

  73.33

  3.33

  3.33

  0.00

  0.00

  20.00

  Vale of Glamorgan

  91.67

  0.00

  0.00

  8.33

  0.00

  0.00

  Total for Wales

  95.55

  0.34

  1.31

  1.56

  0.00

  1.62

  1No information

  Private Security Industry
  Mr. Bruce George
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations have been received regarding the consultation paper on the Government's proposals for regulation of the private security industry in England and Wales opposing the(a) regulation of in-house employees, (b) regulation of security system installers and (c) security companies; and if he will list the organisations making representations in each category. [155466]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Around 180 responses were received to the White Paper "The Government's proposals for Regulation of the Private Security Industry in England and Wales" (CM 4254) published in March 1999. Those respondents opposed to the regulation of in-house employees were:

  Theatrical Management Association and Society of London Theatre

  Museums and Galleries Commission

  The National Trust

  Association of Leading Visitor Attractions

  A member of the public.

  The Theatrical Management Association and Society of London Theatre was also opposed to the regulation of security system installers. No respondents indicated that they were opposed to the regulation of security companies.

  HM Inspectors
  Mr. Linton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who will appoint the next HM Inspector of Prisons and HM Inspector of Probation. [155104]

  Mr. Boateng
  Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons is appointed by Her Majesty the Queen, who is advised on the appointment by the Home Secretary. Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Probation is appointed by the Home Secretary. We are following the guidelines of the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments in recruiting for the two posts.
  710W
  Mr. Linton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has revised the terms of reference of HM Inspector of Prisons to include the inspection of the Prison Service. [155105]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The remit of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons is fixed by statute. In summary it is to inspect prisons in England and Wales, reporting on the treatment of prisoners and conditions in prisons, and to report to the Home Secretary on related matters as the Home Secretary directs. The inspection of the Prison Service as a whole, including Prison Service Headquarters, falls outside the Chief Inspector's statutory remit. The proposed terms of reference for Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons, which have been sent to the Chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee and other Members of this House, do however make clear that the Chief Inspector's responsibilities include reporting on the impact of management decisions within the Prison Service on prison conditions and the treatment of prisoners and, as the Home Secretary directs, on matters concerning Prison Service Headquarters which could impact on prison conditions.

  Ministerial Meetings
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many ministerial meetings with hon. Members have been cancelled by Ministers since 1 January. [155240]

  Mr. Straw
  Ministerial meetings with hon. Members that I and Ministers in my Department have had to cancel since 1 January 2001 are as
  follows:

  Date

  Meeting

  9 January 2001

  Home Secretary meeting with John McDonnell MP, Alan Keen MP and Peter Bottomley MP

  1 February 2001

  Lord Bassam meeting with Gwyn Prosser MP

  26 February 2001

  Charles Clarke meeting with Dr. Julian Lewis MP

  27 February 2001

  Charles Clarke meeting with Sir Richard Body MP

  20 March 2001

  Mike O'Brien meeting with Gerry Steinberg MP

  711W
  Other meetings with hon. Members have had to be rescheduled from their original date but have subsequently taken place.

  Police Funding
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list funding allocations from his Department to(a) the Metropolitan police and (b) the Borough of Camden for each year since May 1997. [150960]

  Mr. Charles Clarke [holding answer 26 February 2001]
  The Home Department has made, or for 2001–02 will make, the following funding to the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) in each year singe April 1997:

  Home Office specific grant

  Financial year

  £

  1997–98

  900,344,546

  1998–99

  931,229,096

  1999–2000

  949,070,118

  2000–01

  956,094,652

  2000–02

  1,007,548,948

  In addition, Revenue Support Grant is paid by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR).

  Loan charge grant

  Financial year

  £

  1997–98

  6,049,591

  1998–99

  5,916,813

  1999–2000

  4,783,118

  2000–01

  4,331,583

  2001–02

  4,387,349

  Capital grant

  Financial year

  £

  1997–98

  24,774,000

  1998–99

  21,892,000

  1999–2000

  21,892,000

  2000–01

  22,554,000

  2001–02

  22,803,000

  Crime Fighting Fund

  Financial year

  £

  2000–01

  12,004,571

  2001–02

  37,365,685

  An allowance for training costs of £7,000 per new Metropolitan Police Service recruit is included in the figure for each year.

  Payments due in 2001–02 will change to reflect the actual pattern of recruitment, if it is different from the even distribution assumed for the put poses of the table. The Metropolitan Police Service is deferring 108 Crime Fighting Fund recruits from its 2000–01 allocation into 2001–02.
  712W

  Other Grants

  Date

  £

  24 August 1999

  Beacon scheme

  94.000

  3 October 2000

  Robbery grant

  9,100,000

  4 December 2000

  Execution of warrants1

  924,557

  1Responsibility for the execution of warrants was to transfer to the Lord Chancellor's Department in October 2000. The transfer was deferred until April 2001 and appropriate grant was distributed to all police authorities.

  Firearms Grant

  Date

  £

  1997–98

  133,128

  1998–99

  44,772

  Grants were paid to each force to help meet costs incurred in collection and destruction of handguns.

  Crime Reduction Programme

  Date

  £

  1999–2000 to 2001–02

  8,395,460

  This is the total allocation to the Metropolitan Police Service under the Reducing Burglary Initiative (£6.84 million) and the Targeted Policing Initiative (£1.55 million) rounds 1 and 2.

  Allocation of funds within the Metropolitan police area is a matter for the Commissioner. The Commissioner has informed me that the budget provided to the local commander for the borough of Camden is to help meet the priorities identified in the Metropolitan Police Service policing and performance plan such as the reduction of crime and disorder and diversity objectives.

  Camden borough Budgets

  Date

  £

  1997–98

  34,160,000

  1998–99

  34,140,000

  1999–2000

  35,342,000

  2000–01

  36,482,000

  The devolved budget for the borough of Camden in 2001–02 is not yet available.

  In addition, policing in Camden, and in all other boroughs, draws on a large number of specialist services and support controlled centrally such as scientific support, murder review, inspection and review, territorial policing support, public order, specialist search dogs and criminal justice.

  From the Crime Reduction Programme provision, several schemes are associated with the borough of Camden—the Camden Safety Net violence against women project (£275,000); Camden Town centre extension and centralised control room (£598,000); a further three reductions in burglary schemes (£1517,000). Camden will also benefit from a portion of £598,000 allocated to a multi-borough project covering Camden, Islington and Southwark under the Targeted Policing Initiative and from £287,000 allocated to a scheme of the Targeted Policing Initiative that will benefit all boroughs.
  713W

  S. P. Hinduja
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have benefited from the change in naturalisation policy announced in paragraph 10.7 of the White Paper, 'Fairer, Faster, Firmer: a Modern Approach to Immigration and Asylum'. [155820]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 27 March 2001]: As I indicated in answer to questions from the hon. Member on 5 February 2001, Official Report, column 434W, the change of policy foreshadowed in paragraph 10.7 of the White Paper has yet to be introduced. No statistics are kept which would enable identification of any cases which might have benefited from anticipation of this change.
  714W
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will conduct an investigation into how Mr. S. P. Hinduja knew of the announcement on naturalisation policy in paragraph 10.7 of the White Paper, 'Fairer, Faster, Firmer: A Modern Approach to Immigration and Asylum' prior to the White Paper's publication, as set nit in paragraph 5.21 of the Hammond report (HC 287); if a Minister or official in his Department informed Mr. Hinduja of the announcement prior to publication; and if lie will make a statement. [155816]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 27 March 2001]: Sir Anthony Hammond has already carried out a thorough review of the issues surrounding the application for naturalisation of Mr. S. P. Hinduja. I do not think any further inquiry would be fruitful.

  Intelligence and Security Committee: Interim Report
  Intelligence and Security Committee: Interim Report
  Local Authority Employees: Transfer to Private Firms
  Local Authority Employees: Transfer to Private Firms
  "El Nino" Forecast
  "El Nino" Forecast
  A.303, Wincanton: Noise Reduction
  A.303, Wincanton: Noise Reduction
  Road Traffic Noise
  Road Traffic Noise
  A.21 Lamberhurst Bypass
  A.21 Lamberhurst Bypass
  Trunk Road Improvement Programme
  Trunk Road Improvement Programme
  Light Rail Schemes
  Light Rail Schemes
  European Central Bank Communications Under Treaty Article 110
  European Central Bank Communications Under Treaty Article 110
  Exchange Rate Stability
  Exchange Rate Stability
  Fifty-metre Swimming Pools: Provision
  Fifty-metre Swimming Pools: Provision
  Royal Parks Constabulary: Review
  Royal Parks Constabulary: Review
  Special Educational Needs Placing: Referrals to the Sheriff
  Special Educational Needs Placing: Referrals to the Sheriff
  BSE: Cost
  BSE: Cost
  Transport of Live Animals: Monitoring
  Transport of Live Animals: Monitoring
  EU Tobacco Subsidies
  EU Tobacco Subsidies
  Crime Strategy: Lord Birt's Role
  Crime Strategy: Lord Birt's Role
  Haslar Detainees
  Haslar Detainees
  Zimbabwean Asylum Seekers
  Zimbabwean Asylum Seekers
  Animal Rights Extremists
  Animal Rights Extremists
  Applications to Remain in UK: New Forms
  Applications to Remain in UK: New Forms
  Border Controls
  Border Controls
  Human Reproductive Cloning
  Human Reproductive Cloning
  Mobile Phone Mast Emissions: Health Assessment
  Mobile Phone Mast Emissions: Health Assessment
  RAF Feltwell: Purpose of US Use of Facilities
  RAF Feltwell: Purpose of US Use of Facilities
  Meat Consumed by Services Personnel: Percentage Purchased from Overseas
  Meat Consumed by Services Personnel: Percentage Purchased from Overseas
  Countries Supplying Meat to Ministry of Defence
  Countries Supplying Meat to Ministry of Defence