Written Answers of 30 March 2001

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Art Exports
  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he intends to undertake reviews of the National Museum of Science and Industry, Geffrye Museum/Horniman Museum/Museum of London, National Maritime Museum, Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and the Advisory Committee on the Government Art Collection. [156815]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  As part of the Department's programme of quinquennial reviews of its public bodies, I am today announcing that this summer we will be starting reviews of the National Museum of Science and Industry, Geffrye Museum/Horniman Museum/Museum of London (jointly), National Maritime Museum, Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and the Advisory Committee on the Government Art Collection.

  The reviews will include an evaluation of the role and functions of these bodies and how those functions can best be carried out, and a review of the efficiency and effectiveness of the way in which they deliver services to their users. We estimate that the reviews will be completed next spring. A copy of the announcement has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Departmental Report
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the Solicitor-General when the Law Officer's Departments' Departmental report will be published. [156220]

  The Solicitor-General
  I can confirm that today copies of the report have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Immigration and Asylum Appeals
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will list the average time taken between the receipt of(a) an asylum appeal and (b) an immigration appeal to the Independent Appellate Authority and an appeal decision, for the latest period for which figures are available. [156261]

  Jane Kennedy
  The average time taken by the Immigration Appellate Authority, from receipt to determination in the period 1 April 2000 to 28 February 2001, is 21.2 weeks for an asylum appeal and 28.6 weeks for an immigration appeal.
  788W
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the average annual cost is of employing(a) a full-time adjudicator and (b) a part-time adjudicator to hear immigration and asylum appeals. [156262]

  Jane Kennedy
  The average annual direct cost of an adjudicator, with effect from 1 April 2001, will be £106,201. The fee for a part-time adjudicator is calculated on a pro rata basis from the annual salary cost of a full-time adjudicator. The average cost is therefore identical.

DEFENCE

  Northwood
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the HQ at Northwood will close; what sites are being considered as a replacement; and if he will make a statement. [155802]

  Mr. Spellar [holding answer 27 March 2001]
  I have authorised the start of formal consultations with the departmental trades unions regarding the proposed streamlining and relocation to Portsmouth of elements of the Commander in Chief Fleet's Headquarters. Under these proposals the Commander in Chief Fleet, who also holds key NATO appointments, would remain at Northwood with his national and NATO operations staffs and other site occupants including the Chief of Joint Operations. Northwood will remain a core MOD site for the foreseeable future.

  Service Pensions
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what plans he has to review the levels of service pensions of men and women who retired before 1975; [156116]

  (2) when he will publish the review of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme; and if he will make a statement; [156114]

  (3) what plans he has to increase service pensions to the widows of service men who married after the service man's retirement and before 1978; [156118]

  (4) what steps he is taking to address the differences in widows' service pensions between the widow of a service man who retired in the period up to March 1973, and the widow of a service man who retired after April 1973. [156115]

  Mr. Spellar
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence gave on 16 March 2001,Official Report, column 756W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Eastwood (Mr. Murphy). The review proposals do not include recommendations to introduce changes to the Armed Forces Pension Scheme retrospectively. This is in line with public sector pension policy maintained by successive Governments.

  Police Complaints Authority
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the agreement between the Secretary of State for Defence and the Police Complaints Authority signed on 23 June 1988. [156005]

  Mr. Spellar [holding answer 29 March 2001]
  Yes.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Peerages
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Council how many civil servants and at which grades are charged with carrying out the preliminary sift of applications for a people's peerage. [155588]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I understand that a small team of 10 civil servants, led by a member of the Senior Civil Service, has assisted the Commission in sifting applications for recommendation as a non-political peer.

  Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the President of the Council if the Government will seek to increase the powers of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards(a) to provide independent advice to Ministers on their responsibilities under the Ministerial Code, (b) to appoint independent investigators of alleged breaches of the code and (c) to report to the Prime Minister and the House. [156207]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The Government's position on the provision of independent advice on allegations of breaches of the Ministerial Code is set out in the Government's response to the sixth report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Miners
  Mr. Eric Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to reinstate the miners sacked in 1984–85 into the Miners' Pension Fund. [156110]

  Mr. Hain
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent, North (Ms Walley) on 27 March 2001,Official Report, column 586W.

  Intellectual Property
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what new proposals he has to protect and promote British intellectual property. [156075]

  Dr. Howells [holding answer 29 March 2001]
  Protection for British intellectual property (IP) is central to our objectives for European and international activities in this area. Towards the end of last year the European Commission adopted an Action Plan on Counterfeiting and Piracy. This promises a Directive aimed at strengthening enforcement of intellectual property rights 790W
  across the Community through harmonisation of legislation and procedures, and establishing a general framework for co-operation between member states. The Action Plan is in line with work, especially on promoting co-operation between enforcement bodies, which we have already begun here. Internationally we are working closely with our European partners to ensure that IP rights and their enforcement are available to British industry in all members of the World Trade Organisation, especially in our major trading partners, through full implementation of the Trade Related aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs). Where British interests are disadvantaged by failure to provide the required standards of IP protection we continue to use internationally recognised WTO disputes resolution arrangements.

  We are also strengthening measures to protect IP in the United Kingdom. For example, the Government are supporting a private Member's Bill (The Copyright etc. and Trade Marks (Offences and Enforcement) Bill) currently before Parliament that will bring into line criminal provisions in copyright with those in trade marks law, and so make enforcement actions more effective.

  Promoting IP and its value to us all is a key task. The Patent Office continues to undertake events and workshops aimed at promoting IP, raising awareness in general and in particular communities such as small businesses and business intermediaries. The aim is to create understanding and respect for IP throughout the society and the community. For example last November a new portal website for IP (www.intellectual-property.gov.uk) was launched that provides information for both creators and users of IP and provides links to many other useful sites. The Patent Office's own recently improved website (www.patent.gov.uk) has won an award in the Government Website Awards announced last week. We have also undertaken research into people's understanding of IP to identify the right messages to improve awareness and are exploring how to improve education about IP in both schools and higher education.

  Phoenix Fund
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what financial targets are to be set for community finance initiatives funded from the Phoenix Fund by the Small Business Service; and if he will make a statement. [156259]

  Ms Hewitt
  CFIs can take a variety of forms, in a legal and operational structure as well as operation of different lending models. Combined with the fact that the CFI sector within the UK is still developing and a number are still in their formative stages, the imposition of operational financial targets as part of the Phoenix Fund support is not deemed to be appropriate at this time. All supported CFIs are being actively encouraged to work towards operational sustainability and this was considered as part of the application assessment process.

  The Small Business Service and HM Treasury are currently working with relevant private sector organisations towards formation of a high quality, professional and adequately resourced Trade Association for the community development finance sector. It is

  791W
  envisaged that any Trade Association will, once operational, formulate performance indicators to assist members with comparison of their performance to "best practice" and similar organisations. CFIs supported through the Phoenix Fund will be encouraged to seek membership of any such Trade Association.

  The purpose of the CFI elements of the Phoenix Fund is to encourage entrepreneurship within disadvantaged groups and communities, through stimulating the growth and development of the CFI sector in the UK. CFIs supported through this programme are required to provide quarterly reports in a format prescribed by the Small Business Service, in order to monitor the impact on the disadvantaged target group or community of each CFI.

  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what criteria are used to evaluate bids from community finance initiatives for Challenge Fund support from the Phoenix Fund; and if he will make a statement. [156258]

  Ms Hewitt
  CFI support from the Phoenix Fund is allocated on a competitive challenge basis. The assessment process has two elements being, (i) review by SBS against key criteria stated in the bidding guidance, (ii) an independent assessment panel to advise the SBS Chief Executive on the final award of Phoenix Fund support. In reviewing the bids the panel was concerned with the soundness of each proposal, its impact on entrepreneurship in areas of disadvantage, impact on the growth of the CFI sector in the UK and development of appropriate models and good practice.

  Bidding guidance for the first round of Phoenix Fund support for CFIs was issued in June 2000 and copies are held in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what priority is given to community finance initiatives that are national in scope within the Challenge Fund element of the Phoenix Fund; and if he will make a statement. [156260]

  Ms Hewitt
  CFI support from the Phoenix Fund is allocated on a competitive challenge basis. The assessment process had two elements being, (i) review by SBS against key criteria stated in the bidding guidance, (ii) an independent assessment panel to advise the SBS Chief Executive on the final award of Phoenix Fund support. In reviewing the bids the panel was concerned with the soundness of each proposal, its impact on entrepreneurship in areas of disadvantage, impact on the growth of the CFI sector in the UK and development of appropriate models and good practice.

  Within the context of this challenge process no preference or priority is given to whether an applicant organisation operates at a national or local level. The PAT 3 recommendation which underlies the CFI support programme was to support CFIs in disadvantaged areas and deprived groups. As part of the assessment against key criteria, consideration is given to whether an applicant
  792W
  organisation demonstrates a clear focus on disadvantaged areas or deprivation and how it compares against other applications which have a clear focus on social exclusion and deprived groups.

  Coal Health Compensation Scheme
  Gillian Merron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress there has been on reaching a settlement to enable compensation to be paid to surface only and mixed underground/surface claimants under the Coal Health Compensation Scheme. [156751]

  Mr. Hain
  The Department accepted liability for surface dust in a minute to Parliament dated 10 July 2000. However, questions remained over the extent of that liability.

  The Department's medical advice is that surface-only workers in jobs categorised as 'dusty' may well suffer from chronic bronchitis or temporary exacerbation of asthma because of exposure to the sort of particles which form visible dust. However, it is the much smaller particles of 'respirable dust'—not visible to the naked eye—which cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). At the respirable dust levels recorded by the Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) and using the figures for loss of lung function accepted by the Judge, the Department's medical advice is that there is very little likelihood of men in surface-only 'dusty' work developing COPD, even over a whole working lifetime.

  Claimants' solicitors do not share the Department's position. To move matters forward, the Department and the claimants' solicitors are carrying out a joint study on surface dust issues. The results of the study will be put to each side's medical advisers and will help to inform any final settlement.

  The study is in two parts:

  (i) a study is being carried out of x-ray data from periodic health surveys of an agreed sample of collieries in England, Scotland and Wales; and

  (ii) 100 surface only claimants are being put through the MAP in normal priority order, to establish the prevalence of COPD and its causes among this cohort.

  On 'mixed' (underground/surface) claims, the Department has reached a negotiated agreement with claimants' solicitors and arrangements are being made to incorporate the claims within the terms of the Claims Handling Agreement so that compensation can be paid out as soon as possible. The position on mixed workers is different from surface only workers. The Department's view is that people with mixed claims may well have legitimate claims for dust-related COPD for the surface element of their claim because their exposure to dust underground will have taken them over the 'threshold' after which further exposure to dust will cause them further incremental disability.

  Regional Selective Assistance
  Gillian Merron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on how much regional selective assistance has been offered to companies investing in the English regions since May 1997. [156753]
  793W
  Mr. Caborn
  A total of £581.6 million has been offered as follows:

  £million

  Region/county

  Grant value

  Eastern

  Bedfordshire

  1.4

  Cambridgeshire

  1.1

  Essex

  0.4

  Norfolk

  1.3

  Suffolk

  0.3

  Total

  4.5

  East Midlands

  Derbyshire

  6.6

  Leicestershire

  0.4

  Lincolnshire

  1.5

  Nottinghamshire

  32.2

  Total

  40.7

  London

  North East London

  2.6

  North West London

  3.4

  South East London

  0.4

  Total

  6.4

  North East

  Cleveland

  12.2

  Durham

  25.8

  Northumberland

  9.5

  Tyne and Wear

  106.3

  Total

  153.8

  North West

  Cheshire

  22.1

  Cumbria

  4.8

  Greater Manchester

  28.0

  Lancashire

  6.3

  Merseyside

  89.1

  Total

  150.3

  South East

  East Sussex

  1.8

  Isle of Wight

  3.4

  Kent

  12.4

  Total

  17.6

  South West

  Cornwall

  14.0

  Devon

  22.0

  Dorset

  1.6

  Total

  37.6

  West Midlands

  Hereford and Worcester

  0.9

  Shropshire

  0.9

  Staffordshire

  9.7

  Warwickshire

  25.5

  West Midlands

  63.1

  Total

  100.1

  Yorkshire/Humberside

  Humberside

  15.5

  North Yorkshire

  0.3

  South Yorkshire

  48.9

  West Yorkshire

  5.9

  Total

  70.6

  Grand total

  581.6

  Absence Management
  Gillian Merron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on how employers manage absences. [156752]

  Mr. Byers
  The Green Paper, "Work and Parents:Competitiveness and Choice", indicated that my Department would be undertaking research on how employers manage absence.

  In the absence of that research, the costing of policy options considered in the Green Paper made an assumption about the cost to employers of covering for absences. The specific assumption made was that the cost of a week's absence to an employer was 24 per cent. of labour costs.

  Information gathered during the consultation process and emerging findings from research commissioned by my Department, suggest that this assumption was too high. It is important to distinguish situations where an employer covers absence by taking on a temporary replacement from situations where the employer manages absences by internal reallocation of work. The costs of each will be different. Where a temporary replacement is hired, the employer faces the one-off costs of recruitment. In contrast, if work is reallocated, there are no recruitment costs but there are likely to be recurring costs to the business. The decisions employers take on how to cover for any specific absence will depend upon the length of the absence, its nature (whether planned or unplanned), the size and nature of the business, and the skill level the post requires.

  The partial regulatory impact assessment (RIA) given in answer to question number 156754 explores these issues further. Full details are given in Annexe 2 of this RIA.

  "Work and Parents" Green Paper
  Gillian Merron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will provide a regulatory impact assessment for those measures that have been announced following the end of the consultation on the Green Paper,"Work and Parents: Competitiveness and Choice". [156754]

  Mr. Byers
  I am placing a partial regulatory impact assessment in the Library of the House for those measures which have been announced following the consultation on the Green Paper, "Work and Parents: Competitiveness and Choice". A full regulatory impact assessment will be published when the relevant legislation is presented to Parliament.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Foot and Mouth
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the action being taken by his Department to help people affected by the outbreak of foot and mouth disease. [156749]

  Mr. Darling
  My Department has taken urgent measures to ensure that benefit claims from people who have been affected by foot and mouth disease are dealt with quickly and sensitively.
  795W
  We are preparing an information sheet for people living in affected areas listing the benefits most likely to be available to them, the conditions of entitlement and giving examples of the evidence needed to support their claims to ensure they are completed as quickly as possible.

  Jobseeker's Allowance, administered by the Benefits Agency, can help people whose normal work or business has been interrupted or who are workless. We have issued guidance to local Benefits Agency staff to remind them of the flexibilities in the benefit rules which are likely to apply to people making claims in affected areas. We are also giving local decision-makers direct access to specialist advice and guidance to ensure that any queries on claims are resolved without delay and are working closely with colleagues in the Employment Service.

  Housing Benefit, administered by local councils, is available to help meet the housing costs of people who rent their homes and who are out of work or have insufficient earnings. Social Fund crisis loans are also payable under normal rules to prevent people in affected areas from suffering hardship. We have taken steps to ensure that sufficient funds to meet such need are available to Benefits Agency districts covering affected areas.

  We are receiving regular progress reports from the Benefits Agency on benefit claims in affected areas and are keeping the position under close review.

  Departmental Report
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when his Departmental report will be published. [156750]

  Mr. Darling
  The Social Security Departmental Report, which sets out the Department's expenditure plans for 2001–02 to 2003–04 and the Main Estimate for 2001–02, has been laid before Parliament. A copy has been placed in the Library.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Burma
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received concerning recent attacks upon Rohingya Muslims by Rakhine Buddhist extremists in Arakan State, Burma; and if he will make a statement. [155348]

  Mr. Battle
  I understand that the violence occurred in Northern Rakhine State, a remote part of Burma. Contacts with UNHCR and INGOs have confirmed reports that there was renewed violence in February 2001, which resulted in loss of life and destruction of homes. Intercommunal tension in Rakhine State is just one example of the suffering of the peoples of Burma. We will continue to press for change in Burma to bring about national reconciliation, full respect for human rights and a return to democracy.

  Minister for Europe
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many overseas 796W
  visits, and to which countries, the Minister for Europe has undertaken on official business since assuming his office. [156762]

  Mr. Vaz
  The information is in the table.

  Overseas travel: Keith Vaz MP—Minister forEurope

  Serial number

  Dates

  Location

  01

  14–15 October 1999

  Tampere

  02

  18 October 1999

  Hungary

  03

  19–20 October 1999

  Warsaw

  04

  31 October—01 November 1999

  Yerevan

  05

  08–09 November 1999

  Paris

  06

  15–16 November 1999

  Brussels

  07

  17 November 1999

  Strasbourg

  08

  20–21 November 1999

  Florence

  09

  23 November 1999

  Luxembourg

  10

  09—11 December 1999

  Helsinki

  11

  16–18 January 2000

  Rome

  12

  19–20 January 2000

  Athens

  13

  22 January 2000

  Paris

  14

  24–25 January 2000

  Brussels

  15

  30 January—05 February 2000

  India

  16

  14 February 2000

  Brussels

  17

  18 February 2000

  Zagreb

  18

  28 February—01 March 2000

  Washington

  19

  15–16 March 2000

  Berlin

  20

  23–24 March 2000

  Lisbon

  21

  29–30 March 2000

  Brussels

  22

  10–11 April 2000

  Luxembourg

  23

  15–16 May 2000

  Porto

  24

  18–19 May 2000

  Gibraltar

  25

  23 May 2000

  Brussels

  26

  24–25 May 2000

  Spain

  27

  25–26 May 2000

  Lisbon

  28

  13 June 2000

  Luxembourg

  29

  18–19 June 2000

  Porto

  30

  04–05 July 2000

  Malta

  31

  10 July 2000

  Brussels

  32

  25–26 July 2000

  Athens

  33

  05–06 September 2000

  Slovenia

  34

  07 September 2000

  The Hague

  35

  11–12 September 2000

  Sweden

  36

  18 September 2000

  Brussels

  37

  12–13 October 2000

  Biarritz

  38

  18–19 October 2000

  Italy

  39

  08 November 2000

  Latvia

  40

  09 November 2000

  Lithuania

  41

  19–20 November 2000

  Brussels

  42

  28 November 2000

  Slovakia

  43

  04 December 2000

  Brussels

  44

  07–12 December 2000

  Nice

  45

  15 December 2000

  Brussels

  46

  22 January 2001

  Brussels

  47

  24 January 2001

  Prague

  48

  09 February 2001

  Helsinki

  49

  22–23 February 2001

  Stockholm

  50

  26 February 2001

  Brussels

  51

  28 February 2001

  Austria

  52

  14 March 2001

  Cyprus

  53

  19 March 2001

  Brussels

  54

  22–24 March 2001

  Stockholm

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Horsham (Mr. Maude) of 20 March 2001,Official Report, column 112W, for what reason the responsibilities of the Minister for Europe were expanded to include entry clearance. [156355]
  797W
  Mr. Robin Cook
  The Minister for Europe was asked to take on responsibility for entry clearance because he was the best man for the job. His stewardship of the portfolio since then has been an outstanding success, as has been recognised by many Members of this House. At home and overseas he has delivered a huge improvement in service. He eliminated the backlog of replies to Members' letters on entry clearance cases, and has achieved dramatic reductions in waiting times at overseas posts such as Islamabad.

  Iraq (Export Controls)
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what goods subject to strategic export controls have been approved for export to Iraq in the last three months. [156755]

  Mr. Battle
  Following consultation with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence, the Department of Trade and Industry recently approved licences to export 30 electronic exploder and four Hook and Line Kits, controlled under the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, as amended, to the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) for use in a humanitarian mine clearance programme in Northern Iraq under the UN Oil for Food Programme. The export of these goods to Iraq has been approved by the UN Sanctions Committee.

  East Timor
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his policy on the deaths of newsmen in Balibo, East Timor in 1975. [156198]

  Mr. Battle
  The British Government continue to take an active interest in this case. When I met Sergio Vieira de Mello, Head of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET), in London on 6 March, I asked him about the UN investigation into the deaths. Mr. de Mello confirmed that the UN police report had been submitted to Mr. Othman, the UN Prosecutor General, who has said that there are grounds to continue with the investigations but that the case is not yet ready for trial. We will continue to monitor developments closely.

  Foot and Mouth
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) on what date(i) an official and (ii) a Minister from his Department first informed(a) an official and (b) a Minister in another EU member state that the UK had its first (1) suspected and (2) confirmed case in the foot and mouth disease outbreak; [156384]

  (2) on what date (i) an official and (ii) a Minister in his Department first informed (a) an official and (b) a Commissioner in the European Commission that the UK had its first (1) suspected and (2) confirmed case in the foot and mouth disease outbreak. [156385]
  798W
  Mr. Vaz
  The Government Chief Veterinary Officer confirmed the presence of foot and mouth on the night of 20 February. The Government were immediately in close contact with the European Commission and other member states. As lead Department, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has since then been in constant contact with European colleagues and the Commission. The FCO has supported through Embassies and Ministerial contacts. The Government have taken every step possible to protect our own industry and farming across Europe.

  Mapesbury Communications
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many(a) present and (b) former (i) employees and (ii) directors of Mapesbury Communications have served as political aides or advisers to the Minister for Europe. [156077]

  Mr. Vaz
  None.

HEALTH

  Interest-free Mortgages (NHS Staff)
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to promote interest-free mortgages to(a) ambulance service staff, (b) nurses, (c) professions allied to medicine and (d) other NHS staff, who are based in London. [142201]

  Mr. Denham
  The National Health Service housing co-ordinator in support of the recruitment and retention campaign is developing affordable accommodation for NHS staff. He is examining a range of options for supporting low-cost housing for NHS staff.

  Operations
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for(a) Great Britain and (b) each health authority in England, the number of operations (i) cancelled and (ii) cancelled with the patient not readmitted within one month, for each year since 1995. [149434]

  Mr. Denham
  The Department of Health in England monitors performance against the standard covering "last minute cancelled operations" for non-medical reasons which requires patients to be admitted (or readmitted) within one month following such cancellations. Monitoring in England is carried out on a quarterly basis at health authority level, and the results are routinely placed in the Library. The latest results cover the period quarter 3 1999–2000 to Quarter 3 2000–01. Quarterly results from 1994–95 are available in the Library.

  Information on cancelled operations for the rest of the United Kingdom should be obtained from the respective Health Departments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

  Hospital Beds
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many beds were available in(a) Great Britain and (b) each NHS trust in (i) 1979, (ii) 1990 and (iii) each year from 1992 to the latest date for which figures are available. [149433]
  799W
  Mr. Denham
  The average daily number of available beds in England for 1979 and 1990–91 to 1999–2000 are given in the table. The first National Health Service trusts were established in 1991–92. Prior to this, information on bed numbers was collected from district health authorities and not individual units. Detailed information on the average daily number of beds in England is published annually in "Bed Availability and Occupancy, England", copies of which are available in the Library. Questions for Scotland and Wales are matters for the devolved administrations.

  Average daily number of available beds in wards open overnight, all specialties, England, 1979 and 1990–91 to 1999–2000

  Total beds

  1979

  361,670

  1990–91

  255,479

  1991–92

  242,677

  1992–93

  232,201

  1993–94

  219,476

  1994–95

  211,812

  1995–96

  206,136

  1996–97

  198,848

  1997–98

  193,625

  1998–99

  190,006

  1999–2000

  186,290

  Source

  Department of Health form KH03, SH3

  Latest figures collected on 1 December 2000 show an increase of general and acute beds. The NHS Plan will provide 7,000 extra beds nationally by 2004, including 2,100 on general and acute wards. Within this expanded bedstock, there will also be a 30 per cent. increase in adult critical care beds over the next three years.

  General Practitioners
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many GPs left practice in 2000–01; and how many of these were(a) part-time and (b) full-time equivalents; [152803]

  (2) how many new GPs were appointed in the financial year 2000–01; and how many of these were (a) part-time and (b) full-time equivalents; [152802]

  (3) what the net change in the number of full-time equivalent GPs was between 1999–2000 and 2000–01. [152804]

  Mr. Denham
  Between 1999 and 2000 there was a net increase of 410 general practitioners or 190 on an estimated whole time equivalent basis. In addition, the number of GP registrars (trainees) continues to rise from its low point of 1,305 in 1996 to 1,659 at 31 September 2000. These are the GPs of the future.

  The table gives more details of joiners and leavers. It shows that, 203 unrestricted principal and equivalent GPs joined practice and 1,090 left. Within these totals the table identifies the numbers of full and part-time GPs in each category. It does not however show how many GPs who
  800W
  have stopped working as an unrestricted principal or equivalent continue to practise as, for example, locums, as part of the salaried doctor scheme, or retainers. That information is not held centrally.

  Unrestricted Principals and Equivalents (UPEs)1:Joiners and Leavers2

  England

  Number (headcount)

  1999

  1999–2000

  2000

  UPEs1

  27,591

  —

  27,704

  All Joiners

  —

  1,203

  —

  of which:

  Full-time

  —

  723

  —

  Part-time

  —

  480

  —

  of which:

  New Joiners

  —

  958

  —

  of which:

  Full-time

  —

  597

  —

  Part-time

  —

  361

  —

  Rejoiners

  —

  245

  —

  of which:

  Full-time

  —

  126

  —

  Part-time

  —

  119

  —

  Leavers

  —

  1,090

  —

  of which:

  Full-time

  —

  748

  —

  Part-time

  —

  342

  —

  1UPEs includes Unrestricted Principals, PMS Contracted GPs and PMS Salaried GPs.

  2Leavers are defined as UPEs recorded in the 1999 census but not in the 2000 census Joiners are defined as UPEs recorded in the 2000 census but not in the 1999 census although Rejoiners have been employed at some time prior to 1999 and new joiners are doctors who have not previously held a UPE post. Part time is a combination of three-quarter time, half time and job share.

  Source

  Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics.

  Nurses
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the impact of Project 2000 upon nurse recruitment. [153793]

  Mr. Denham [holding answer 16 March 2001]
  Between 1997 and 2000 the number of qualified nurses working in the National Health Service has increased by 17,100.

  Nurse recruitment is influenced by a range of factors including pay and working conditions and it is not possible to identify the impact of Project 2000 on this separately.

  NHS Computer Systems
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many draft Full Business Cases for NHS hospital trust computer systems(a) are now held in each regional office of the NHS Executive and (b) were first submitted in (i) 1999, (ii) 2000 and (iii) 2001, broken down by regional office. [153095]

  Mr. Denham [holding answer 9 March 2001]
  Six draft full business cases (FBC) for National Health
  801W
  Service hospital trust computer systems are currently held by regional offices. None of these were submitted in 1999, four of the six were submitted in 2000.and the remaining two in 2001. Details are given in the table.

  Regional office

  Number of draft FBCs Currently held

  Trust(s) submitting draft FBC

  Type of investement

  Draft FBCs submitted in 2000

  Draft FBCs first submitted in 2001

  North West

  3

  Bury Health Care NHS Trust and Rochdale Healthcare NHS Trust South Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust

  Electronic Patient Records

  Yes

  —

  Tamside Acute Services NHS Trust

  Electronic Patient Records and Picture Archiving and Communication System Electronic Patient Records

  Yes

  —

  Trent

  1

  Scunthorpe and Goole Hospitals NHS Trust

  Pathology system

  —

  Yes

  West Midlands

  1

  Wolverhampton Health Care NHS Trust

  Radiology/Picture Archiving and Communication System

  —

  Yes

  South East

  1

  Kettering General Hospital NHS Trust

  Electronic Patient Records

  Yes

  —

  Correspondence
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire of 19 January on behalf of his constituent Mr. Ball. [154728]

  Mr. Denham
  A reply to the right hon. Member's letter was sent on 27 March 2001.

  Dentists
  Mr. Linton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists in Battersea have expanded their practice to treat more NHS patients through the Commitment Payment Scheme since April 2000. [154832]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information required is not held centrally in the format requested. Information on dental practices is held by health authority.

  The number of General Dental Service (GDS) dentists in Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth Health Authority receiving commitment payments at the different levels for the June 2000 quarter and December 2000 quarter are shown in the table.

  Number of dentists

  Level of Payments

  April to June 2000

  October to December 2000

  Level 1–£25

  24

  18

  Level 2–£112.50 or £168.75

  8

  12

  Level 3–£222 or £333

  17

  12

  Level 4–£334 or £501

  32

  30

  Level 5–£445 or £667.50

  7

  12

  Level 6–£556 or £834

  16

  15

  Total

  104

  99

  The value of a commitment payment paid to a dentist in the GDS depends on their level of commitment. Those who qualify may get a payment ranging from £25 for those doing some work within GDS to £834 for those aged 45 or over who have the highest levels of commitment.
  802W
  Four regional offices (Northern and Yorkshire, Eastern, London and South and West regional offices) currently hold no draft FBC for NHS hospital trust computer systems.

  Doctors and Nurses
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if the targets in the NHS Plan for additional doctors and nurses relate to additional whole-time equivalent doctors and nurses; [155399]

  (2) if he will place in the Library on the first anniversary of the publication of the NHS Plan and on each subsequent anniversary, figures indicating the Government's progress towards achieving the NHS Plan targets for additional (a) doctors and (b) nurses, expressed as whole-time equivalents; [155406]

  (3) by what specific date the NHS Plan targets for extra doctors and nurses are to be achieved. [155400]

  Mr. Denham
  The targets for doctors and nurses in the NHS Plan are all expressed in headcount as was made plain at the time of publication. We will provide 7,500 more consultants, 2,000 more general practitioners and 20,000 more nurses by 2004.

  The Department's annual workforce censuses collect headcount and whole time equivalent figures as at 30 September each year and are routinely published and placed in the library.

  Looked-after Children
  Ms Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review the statutory right to advocacy for looked-after children. [155467]

  Mr. Hutton [holding answer 26 March 2001]
  Following the recent consultation exercise on social services complaints procedures, we are considering whether it is possible to introduce a statutory right of access to an advocate under the Children Act procedures.

  Listening to the voices of looked-after children and young people is an integral part of the Quality Protects programme. The programme encourages the growth of high quality independent advocacy services in every council and allocates special grant funding for this

  803W
  purpose. There are already many good examples of advocacy in social services and we recognise how vital it is to listen to children and young people.

  The local authority circular (LAC(2000)22), issued on 13 November 2000 continues to place listening to children as a priority area for 2001–02 and requires local councils to involve young people collectively and to enhance their individual voices through, for example, the development of independent advocacy services. In addition, local councils are encouraged to speed up the complaints procedures, so that children's concerns can be dealt with promptly and sympathetically.

  Paramedics
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase the pay of paramedics. [155952]

  Mr. Denham
  All ambulance staff on national terms and conditions, including paramedics will receive an above inflation increase of 3.7 per cent. from 1 April 2001. Increases of 3.7 per cent. are also made to on call, standby and London allowances. Advance letters promulgating the pay award were issued to National Health Service employers on 1 March to allow increases to be paid in April salaries

  Drugs
  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will publish the Government's response to the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs report on Reducing Drug Related Deaths. [156547]

  Ms Stuart
  The Government are publishing their response to the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs report today. Copies will be placed in the Library. This is the first stage of our response—we are also preparing an Action Plan to reduce drug misuse related deaths which we intend to publish this summer. This action plan will set targets for agencies and Government departments.

  Child Welfare Guidance
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will issue guidance to local authority social services departments on the(a) residence and (b) family circumstances under which a local authority is financially responsible for a child whose mother has been murdered by his father. [156008]

  Mr. Hutton
  Under Section 17(1) of the Children Act 1989 the duty of every council with social services responsibilities is to safeguard and promote the welfare of children within their area who are in need; and, so far as is consistent with that duty, to promote the upbringing of such children by their families, by providing a range and level of services appropriate to those children's needs. Section 23(2) of the Children Act requires such councils to provide accommodation and maintenance for any child whom they are looking after by placing them with a family; a relative; or any other suitable person, on such terms as to payment as the council may determine. The Benefits Agency may have a role to play in providing financial assistance for a person caring for a child in such circumstances.
  804W
  Ten volumes of guidance accompanied the Children Act. The "Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and Their Families," published in 2000, provides vital new guidance in assessing the development needs of children and the capacity of their families to respond to these needs in the short and longer term. This guidance was developed to assist councils with social services responsibilities to assess and provide effective services for children in need and their families.

  It is not therefore anticipated that further guidance is necessary.

  NHS Plan
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what representations he has received on the cost of production and distribution of the NHS Plan document; [155912]

  (2) what the cost is of (a) publication and (b) distribution of the NHS Plan Document; and if he will make a statement. [155752]

  Mr. Denham
  To my knowledge no representations have been received on the cost of production and distribution of the NHS Plan document.

  The publication and distribution of the NHS Plan cost £175,050 and £268,856 respectively.

WALES

  Opinion Polling
  Mr. St. Aubyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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. [155669]

  Mr. Paul Murphy [holding answer 28 March 2001]
  The Wales Office has not commissioned any quantitative or qualitative analytical work from GGC/NOP since it was established on 1 July, 1999.

  Information for the period 1 May 1997 to 30 June 1999 is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what precautions are taken by his Department's vets and officials to avoid spreading foot and mouth disease when they move from farm to farm. [154995]

  Ms Quin [holding answer 22 March 2001]
  All officials and contractors must observe stringent cleansing and disinfection procedures when entering or leaving a premises where disease has been confirmed or suspected. Any official or contractor who enters a premises where disease has been confirmed may not enter another premises which contains susceptible species for a period of three days. In certain areas of the country, and in very limited circumstances, this period has just been reduced
  805W
  to 24 hours. In these cases, the risk of spreading foot and mouth disease from the person concerned is far less than the risk that would result front the delayed identification of other infected premises.

  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when his Department was first informed of the possibility of a suspected case of foot and mouth disease at Heddon-on-the-Wall, Northumberland. [154956]

  Ms Quin [holding answer 22 March 2001]
  The Ministry first became aware of a suspected case of footland mouth in pigs at a farm in Heddo-on-the-Wall on 22 February and confirmed disease on the following day.

  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the recommended permitted time is from the culling of an animal to the disposal of its carcase. [153953]

  Ms Quin
  Our objective is to slaughter affected animals within 24 hours of disease having been confirmed, and then to dispose of the carcases within a further 24 hours. There have been problems in achieving these targets, primarily in areas of high disease incidence particularly with the disposal of carcases. Extra operational support has been brought in, in particular logistical help from the armed forces to improve the planning, co-ordination and management of the slaughter and disposal process.

  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for what reason it is taking five days for pigs in some areas to be slaughtered after being diagnosed as infected with the foot and mouth virus. [155077]

  Ms Quin [holding answer 26 March 2001]
  We are not aware of any occasion where it has taken five days to slaughter pigs after disease has been confirmed. If the hon. Member can provide me with details of cases he has in mind, we will look into the matter further.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the reason is for the length of time taken for tests on livestock for foot and mouth disease to be completed and reported. [154994]

  Ms Quin [holding answer 22 March 2001]
  Currently, well over 90 per cent. of foot and mouth cases are being confirmed on the basis of clinical evidence by the veterinary officer who inspects the animals concerned. Where it is necessary to take samples for testing, these are collected, packaged and despatched to the Institute for Animal Health (IAH) at Pirbright in Surrey. The IAH carry out an ELISA test which takes about 5–6 hours to complete. Positive results are then faxed to MAFF's Emergency Control Centre in London for immediate action. The ELISA test can give false negative results and so all negatives are checked by attempting to isolate the foot and mouth virus in a cell culture. This process can take 4–5 days to complete.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received on the amount of information available to farmers concerning the foot and mouth disease outbreak; and what steps he is taking to ensure that farmers are kept fully informed. [155018]
  806W
  Ms Quin
  Since the beginning of the outbreak Ministers have held regular, wide ranging meetings with farming and other organisations to ensure they are kept informed of developments. These meetings have provided the Ministry with direct feedback on the information that farmers need to help them cope with the outbreak.

  MAFF has a foot and mouth website which is updated at least twice a day to provide the latest news and information. A helpline is open seven days a week from 8 am to 11 pm to answer queries from farmers and members of the public. We have also produced a series of fact sheets on foot and mouth disease which have been sent to every farmer in England, Scotland and Wales. Supplies are held in Animal Health Offices and copies placed in Libraries of both Houses.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consultations he has held with the Department for Education and Employment about(a) closure of schools and other education institutions,(b) enforced absence of pupils and the provision of education by other means and (c) staff absence, owing to residence in areas affected by foot and mouth disease. [154674]

  Ms Quin [holding answer 21 March 2001]
  From the beginning of the outbreak Ministry officials have maintained close contact with officials from the Department for Education and Employment, for example over the advice which the Department for Education and Employment provided to local education authorities on school closures, and staff and pupil absences resulting from the outbreak.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if foot and mouth disease can be spread by exposure to plants and grains; and if he will make a statement. [154949]

  Ms Quin
  Plants and grains do not become contaminated if they grow on land which had previously been grazed by animals affected by the disease. Their surfaces can become contaminated if they have been in physical contact or close proximity with an infected animal.

  MAFF has posted on its website a general assessment of the implications of the foot and mouth outbreak for the grain trade. No movement of grain is permitted from UK farms where foot and mouth is suspected or has been confirmed. There are no restrictions on the drilling of crops on premises where disease is known or thought to exist. There are, however, restrictions on the movement of plant and machinery to or from such premises.

  Sir John Morris
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has established the cause of the current foot and mouth outbreak. [155040]

  Ms Quin
  Detailed epidemiological investigations are being undertaken into the source of the outbreak. Initial findings suggest that the earliest outbreak was at a pig premises in north-east England and that infection spread from there through the movement of animals, particularly sheep, before the first case was found in Essex on 19 February. However, it is still unclear how the infection entered the United Kingdom. Information on the initial epidemiological findings will be published.
  807W
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to bring in extra veterinary surgeons from other countries to assist with the foot and mouth disease outbreak. [154950]

  Ms Quin
  Over 100 veterinary staff have arrived or are due to arrive from the official veterinary services of 11 different countries. There are now over 1,200 veterinarians involved in controlling the foot and mouth disease outbreak.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when his Department was first notified of a possible outbreak of foot and mouth disease at Wick Farm, Laye-de-la-Haye, Essex; when the outbreak was confirmed; when the slaughter of livestock was(a) commenced and (b) completed; when the destruction of carcases was (i) started and (ii) completed; and if he will make a statement. [154720]

  Ms Quin [holding answer 20 March 2001]
  The information requested is as follows:

  8 March 2001—A MAFF Veterinary Of leer visited Wick Farm, Layer-de-la-Haye, Essex as part of a foot and mouth disease tracing from an export animal collection centre in Kent.

  9 March 2001—Foot and mouth disease confirmed.

  9–10 March 2001—All susceptible livestock slaughtered.

  11 March 2001—The fire was started. The carcases would have been destroyed within 24 hours. The fire remained under supervision throughout.

  Mr.Öpik
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will request the suspension of non-essential maintenance work by utility companies which involves work on farm land during the outbreak of foot and mouth disease; and if he will make a statement. [154789]

  Ms Quin
  The utility companies have suspended non-essential work within foot and mouth infected areas.

  Advice and precautions to be exercised by people working in the countryside has been posted on MAFF's website www.maff.gov.uk. Central to this advice is that people should follow strict cleansing procedures which would include leaving vehicles outside the farm, disinfecting boots and wearing boots or clothing supplied by the farm. People working in the countryside should ensure that all mud, slurry and manure is washed off before they leave the premises.

  It is essential that all visits to farms and possible contacts with animals are recorded, The records should include the date and time of the visit. Should disease occur on a farm then these records will be used to trace movements and possible spread of the disease.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what his departmental policy was during 2000 in respect of the disinfecting of lorries used for movement of animals, between such movements. [154666]

  Ms Quin [holding answer 20 March 2001]
  The rules covering the cleansing and disinfection of vehicles used for animal transport were consolidated in the Transport of Animals (Cleansing and Disinfection) (England) (No. 2) Order 2000 (SI 2000/1618), which came into force on 6 July 2000. This Order requires that, subject to certain 808W
  exemptions, livestock transports should be cleansed and disinfected after each use. It also requires livestock transports that have become soiled, which may give rise to a risk of transmission of disease since last being cleansed and disinfected, to be cleansed and disinfected again before they are next used.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when farmers will be compensated for the problems faced due to the foot and mouth epidemic. [154030]

  Ms Quin [holding answer 16 March 2001]
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Chorley (Mr. Hoyle) on 13 March 2001,Official Report, column 565W.

  The Department aims to pay compensation for animals slaughtered to control foot and mouth disease as soon as possible after valuation, confirmation of slaughter and checking of claims. As at 3.30 pm on Friday 23 March, 121 claims which total £12.7 million have been paid and a further 138 claims which total £10.5 million have been approved and will be paid shortly.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what level of compensation he will give to farmers affected by the recent foot and mouth outbreak, with particular reference to(a) farmers having infected animals slaughtered, (b) farmers affected by the ban on movement and (c) farmers suffering loss of income through lack of bed and breakfast bookings; and if he will make a statement. [154285]

  Ms Quin
  Compensation is payable for the market value of animals slaughtered to control foot and mouth disease. It is not payable for the consequential losses for example caused by movement restrictions. There are no plans to make such payments in response to the current outbreak, but the situation will be kept under review. On 22 March we opened the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme to deal with livestock facing serious welfare problems as a result of foot and mouth disease control measures. Where the welfare issue can not be resolved by other means, livestock farmers may enter the animals into this voluntary scheme for removal and disposal at the Government's expense, and receive a payment.

  My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment has also announced measures to assist businesses affected by the outbreak. The Taskforce which he is chairing will continue its work and the Government will want to consider any further response in the light of the latest developments.

  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if Lacock falls within a restricted foot and mouth area. [155332]

  Ms Quin [holding answer 23 March 2001]
  Lacock falls within the foot and mouth infected area defined in the Foot and Mouth Disease Declaratory (No 30) Order 2001. A copy of the Order and a map of the infected area has been posted on the Ministry's website http:// www.maff.gov.uk/.
  809W
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice his Department is giving to farmers about drilling crops on holdings that(a) have been or (b) may have been affected by foot and mouth; and if he will make a statement. [155334]

  Ms Quin [holding answer 23 March 2001]
  MAFF has posted on its website a general assessment of the implications of the foot and mouth outbreak for the grain trade. No movement of grain is permitted from UK farms where foot and mouth is suspected or has been confirmed. There are no restrictions on the drilling of crops on premises where disease is known or thought to exist. There are, however, restrictions on the movement of plant and machinery to or from such premises.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when his Department was first notified of a possible outbreak of foot and mouth disease on Boydale's Farm, Neatherfield, Essex; when the case was confirmed; when the slaughter of livestock was(a) commenced and (b) completed; when the destruction of carcases was (i) commenced and (ii) completed; and if he will make a statement. [155376]

  Ms Quin [holding answer 23 March 2001]
  The information requested is as follows:

  14 March 2001—A MAFF Veterinary Officer visited Boydale's Farm as a result of an animal movement tracing.

  14 March 2001—Disease confirmed.

  14–15 March 2001—Livestock slaughtered.

  15 March 2001—Fire started. The carcases would have been destroyed within 24 hours. The fire remained under supervision throughout.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what investigations he has carried out, with what results, into the sources of meat used in meals served by schools in(a) Sunderland and (b) Gateshead from which the outbreak of foot and mouth disease may have emerged; and if he will make a statement. [154713]

  Ms Quin
  Investigations into the source of the foot and mouth outbreak are continuing. When we are in a position to draw firm conclusions they will be published.

  Veterinary Investigation Centres
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the veterinary investigation centres which were closed between 1980 and 1997. [155602]

  Ms Quin [holding answer 27 March 2001]
  I refer the to the letter from the Chief Executive of the Veterinary Laboratories Agency which lists the number of closures between 1980 and 1997.

  Letter from Steve Edwards to Mr. Richard Livsey, dated 30 March 2001

  The Minister has asked me to reply to your request for a list of Veterinary Investigation Centres (VICs) that were closed in each year between 1980 and 1997.

  The attached table lists the VICs that were closed between these dates as well as new ones opened.

  In 1995 the VICs were renamed regional Laboratories (RLs) when they merged with the Central Veterinary Laboratory to become the Veterinary Laboratories Agency.

  Centres were closed and new ones opened as follows:
  810W

  Centres were closed and new ones opened as follows:

  Centre

  Closed/opened

  Centre

  Closed/opened

  1980

  —

  Aberystwyth

  —

  Bangor

  —

  Barton Hall (Preston—moved from Liverpool)

  Cambridge

  —

  Cardiff

  —

  Carmarthen

  —

  Gloucester

  —

  Langford (Bristol)

  —

  Leeds

  —

  Lincoln

  —

  Moulton (Northampton)

  —

  Newcastle

  —

  Norwich

  —

  Penrith

  —

  Reading

  —

  Shrewsbury

  —

  Starcross (Exeter)

  —

  Sutton Bonington (Loughborough)

  —

  Thirsk

  —

  Truro

  —

  Weybridge

  —

  Winchester

  —

  Worcester

  —

  Wye (Kent)

  —

  Total

  24

  1981

  Weybridge

  Closed

  Total

  23

  1982

  Chester (Sub centre of Shrewsbury)

  Opened

  Total

  24

  1983–1985

  —

  Total

  24

  1986

  Cardiff

  Closed

  Chester

  Closed

  Gloucester

  Closed

  Leeds

  Closed

  Moulton (Northampton)

  Closed

  Total

  19

  1987–1990

  —

  Total

  19

  1991

  Bangor

  Closed

  Lincoln

  Closed

  Wye (Kent)

  Closed

  Total

  16

  1992

  —

  Total

  16

  1993

  Cambridge

  Closed

  Norwich

  Closed

  Worcester

  Closed

  Bury St. Edmunds

  Opened

  Luddington (Stratford-upon-Avon)

  Opened

  Total

  15

  811W

  Centres were closed and new ones opened as follows:

  Centre

  Closed/opened

  1994

  Reading

  Closed

  Total

  14

  1995–2001

  Aberystwyth

  —

  Barton Hall (Preston)

  —

  Bury St. Edmunds

  —

  Camarthen

  —

  Langford (Bristol)

  —

  Luddington (Stratford-upon-Avon)

  —

  Newcastle

  —

  Penrith

  —

  Shrewsbury

  —

  Starcross (Exeter)

  —

  Sutton Bonington (Loughborough)

  —

  Thirsk

  —

  Truro

  —

  Winchester

  —

  Total

  14

  Abattoir Closures
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what studies he has undertaken to assess the effects of closure of abattoirs on(a) direct farm sales and farmers' market sales, (b) the viability of independent butchers, (c) the viability of (i) small, (ii) medium and (iii) large livestock farms, (d) the animal welfare implications and the costs of transporting livestock extra distances to abattoirs and (e) the number of jobs lost through closure. [151821]

  Ms Quin [holding answer 28 February 2001]
  The Ministry has undertaken no studies to assess the above effects of abattoir closures.

  As announced in the Rural White Paper published on 28 November, Agriculture Departments in England, Scotland and Wales have agreed to transfer £8.7 million to the Foods Standards Agency for the three financial years 2001–02 to 2003–04; this will enable the FSA to implement the principal recommendation of the Taskforce chaired by Colin Maclean, to revise the method of charging for Meat Hygiene Service inspections in abattoirs and cutting plants.

  Vets
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many vets were employed by his Department in(a) 1971, (b) 1975, (c) 1980, (d) 1985, (e) 1986, (f) 1987, (g) 1988, (h) 1989, (i) 1990, (j) 1992, (k) 1994, (l) 1996, (m) 1998, (n) 2000 and (o) 2001. [155623]

  Ms Quin [holding answer 26 March 2001]
  The number of veterinary surgeons (full-time equivalents) employed by the State Veterinary Service since 1979, the earliest date for which we have accurate figures, is given in the table. The hon. Member may wish to know that since 1980 the State Veterinary Service has changed several times. The Central Veterinary Laboratory (CVL), which previously formed part of the State Veterinary Service, became the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) in April 1990. The CVL figures are incorporated 812W
  in this return for the years 1 January 1980 to 1 January 1990. From 1 June 1990 the figures do not include the CVL. The Veterinary Investigation Service became part of the VLA on 1 October 1995 and is not included in these figures from that date. In 2000, there were 99 veterinarians employed by VLA. Much of the information presented was previously given in the answer of 27 February 1997, Official Report, columns 323–24W.

  Of the 285 full-time equivalent veterinarians employed by the State Veterinary Service in 2001 as a whole, 220 veterinarians are employed as field veterinary officers. The work of these officers is supplemented by about 100 Temporary Veterinary Inspectors (TVIs) from the private sector in normal times.

  Year

  Number of vets

  1979

  597.5

  1980

  580.5

  1985

  527.5

  1986

  506.5

  1987

  464.5

  1988

  444.5

  1989

  422.0

  1990

  430.5

  1992

  414.5

  1994

  408.3

  1996

  301.2

  1997

  289.5

  2000

  284.0

  2001

  286.0

  Livestock Farms
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many livestock farms there were in the St. Ives constituency in(a) 1992, (b) 1997 and (c) 2001. [155740]

  Ms Quin [holding answer 26 March 2001]
  There were 815 main agricultural holdings in the St. Ives constituency with livestock (cattle, sheep, pigs or goats) in the June 2000 Agricultural and Horticultural census. Parliamentary constituency level data are not available for June 1992 or June 1997.

  Pig Movements
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if healthy pigs can be moved to abattoirs for killing(a) under the Welfare Destruction Scheme and (b) for normal food purposes; and if he will make a statement. [155621]

  Ms Quin [holding answer 26 March 2001]
  Pigs and other livestock experiencing serious, insurmountable welfare problems due to foot and mouth disease control measures would be eligible for the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme (LWDS). Livestock entered into LWDS would normally be slaughtered in specially designated abattoirs but, where this is not possible they would be killed on-farm. Through the Slaughter Under Licence Scheme, around 80 per cent. of typical slaughter levels of pigs for normal food purposes are currently being achieved.

  Farm Incomes
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the average income per farm for(a) the United Kingdom and (b) the region including the Lewes constituency in each year since 1979 was in current prices. [155600]

  Ms Quin [holding answer 26 March 2001]
  The information requested is given in the table. The Eastern region is the smallest regional level covering the Lewes constituency for which figures are available. However, the East covers a large area of England from Lincolnshire to Hampshire and therefore is not necessarily representative of farming in the Lewes constituency.

  Average net farm income for all types of full-time farm businesses in the United Kingdom and the East (current prices)1, 2

  £000/farm

  UK

  East

  1979–80

  6.7

  9.4

  1980–81

  7.0

  10.1

  1981–82

  10.0

  11.1

  1982–83

  11.3

  14.8

  1983–84

  10.7

  16.5

  1984–85

  11.8

  18.2

  1985–86

  6.7

  5.4

  1986–87

  10.0

  13.5

  1987–88

  10.4

  5.9

  1988–89

  12.0

  7.9

  1989–90

  15.1

  18.7

  1990–91

  13.7

  19.0

  1991–92

  14.8

  20.2

  1992–93

  19.6

  23.5

  1993–94

  20.7

  25.5

  1994–95

  23.7

  33.5

  1995–96

  31.9

  46.8

  1996–97

  24.6

  36.6

  1997–98

  10.7

  16.3

  1998–99

  7.3

  13.2

  1999–2000

  5.7

  n/a

  2000–01³

  5.4

  n/a

  n/a = Not available

  1Estimates for the Eastern region before 1988–89 and for the United Kingdom throughout the period, exclude horticulture.

  2There have been a number of methodological changes which mean that the data are not directly comparable over the full period. A significant change is the move from an 'as received' to an 'as due' basis for livestock subsidies effective from 1994–95.

  3Forecast.

  Source

  Figures for the UK are derived from information from the Farm Business Surveys supplied for 'Farm Incomes in the United Kingdom'. Figures for the Eastern region are published in 'Farm Accounts in England'

  Foot and Mouth (Compensation)
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what powers his officials have to speed up the destruction of livestock affected by foot and mouth disease, and in particular to deal with cases whereby owners have delayed settlement of compensation. [154317]

  Ms Quin [holding answer 19 March 2001]
  The power to slaughter animals affected with foot and mouth disease is contained in the Animal Health Act 1983. The Act does 814W
  not specify how slaughter should be carried out, but, in the vast majority of cases animals are slaughtered very quickly following confirmation of disease.

  An Order has been made to change the valuation procedure for animals slaughtered for foot and mouth disease. This Order gives farmers the option of receiving payments at standard rates or of having animals valued by a valuer. This is intended to help speed up the valuation process and so ensure that animals can be slaughtered as quickly as possible. Where matters are delayed because an owner has disputed the valuation, all animals clearly affected with the disease are slaughtered without any further delay. The valuation of these animals is resolved after slaughter.

  There have been some localised problems. Officials are working with a number of experts, including those from the armed forces to improve the planning, co-ordination and management of the slaughter and disposal process.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will make a statement on the procedures for compensating farmers whose stock have had to be destroyed because of foot and mouth disease; [154315]

  (2) if he will investigate the administration mechanism which applies where agreement has not been reached as to the amount of compensation to be paid to stock owners for animals destroyed because of foot and mouth disease. [154316]

  Ms Quin [holding answer 19 March 2001]
  The normal process of paying compensation involves an independent valuation of the animals which are to be slaughtered. Valuers are employed by the Ministry for this purpose, and where appropriate this can mean a specialist in the particular class or breed of animals involved.

  If the owner disputes the valuation prior to slaughter, he may call his own valuer so that evidence is available when the matter goes to arbitration.

  We have introduced arrangements to streamline this process by using a flat rate method wherever possible. The farmer will however retain the right to seek a specific valuation.

  If agreement can not be reached quickly on the value of animals due to be slaughtered, all animals that are clearly affected with the disease are slaughtered without any further delay. The valuation of these animals is resolved after slaughter.

  Procedures are in place to fast track the processing and payment of claims, a soon as they are received. We aim to pay compensation within a week of slaughter taking place.

  Pig Swill
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ban the feeding of pig swill to pigs. [155078]

  Ms Quin
  My right hon. Friend the Minister announced on 27 March that we could consult on the principle and detailed application of a ban on the use of pig swill. Copies of the consultation document are available in the Libraries of the House.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Departmental Spending Plans
  Mr. Purchase
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will set out detailed future spending plans for his Department. [156816]

  Mr. Prescott
  I have today published my Department's Annual Report for 2001, and copies have been placed in the House Libraries. The Report sets out the Department's achievements over the last year and its detailed plans to continue to meet our over-arching; aim of improving everyone's quality of life, now and for the future.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many responses were received to the public consultation on proposals to permit technetium-99 radioactive discharges from licensed nuclear reprocessing sites. [156398]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Environment Agency published a consultation document on 30 November 2000 outlining proposals for the future regulation of technetium-99 discharges from the British Nuclear Fuels plant at Sellafield. The Agency has advised that it received 97 responses to its consultation which ended on 5 March 2001.

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has held with(a) MAFF and (b) the Environment Agency, in respect of the environmental hazards posed by the burial of animal carcases arising from the animal slaughter undertaken because of the spread of foot and mouth disease. [156403]

  Mr. Meacher
  My Department is working in close co-operation with MAFF and the Environment Agency to ensure the fulfilment of the environmental requirements of Article 3(2) of the Animal Waste Directive (90/667/EEC) on the burial of animal carcases. Each proposal for the burial of carcases is the subject of a site-specific risk assessment carried out by the Agency. No carcase burial has been carried out at a site where, in the view of the Agency, there is an undue risk of environmental pollution (eg contamination of groundwater).

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will include Stafford Borough Council in the list of authorities able to give relief from business rates to rural businesses affected by the foot and mouth outbreak. [156255]

  Mr. Meacher
  Any local authority can give discretionary hardship rate relief and the Government underwrite 75 per cent. of the cost. As part of the package of measures to help business meet the costs imposed by the effects of the foot and mouth outbreak, Government have agreed to increase their support by underwriting 95 per cent. of the costs of hardship rate relief in 151 rural local authorities for properties below £12,000 rateable value. The list of rural local authorities, which does not include Stafford Borough Council, is based on sparsity of population, a standard definition of rurality.
  816W
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish a summary of the measures he is taking to promote economic recovery from the effects of foot and mouth disease. [156201]

  Mr. Meacher
  I set out a package of short term practical measures to help rural business in my statement to the House on 20 March 2001,Official Report, columns 191–210, which included the deferral and rearrangement of payments to Customs, Inland Revenue and of business rates. I also announced a new scheme to enable rural local authorities to offer discretionary hardship rate relief of which further details were given in my answer to the hon. Member for Mid-Worcestershire (Mr. Luff) on 26 March 2001, Official Report, columns 425–26W. The Rural Task Force is continuing to look at the scope for additional measures to help rural businesses severely affected by the effects of foot and mouth disease.

  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what basis he set the limit of rateable value for businesses able to claim serious hardship as a result of foot and mouth disease. [156117]

  Mr. Meacher
  There is no such limit. All businesses irrespective of their size that are adversely affected by the foot and mouth outbreak, or are suffering hardship for other reasons, may be granted rate relief at the discretion of local authorities. The authority granting rate relief on these grounds is required to fund 25 per cent. of the cost of providing that relief with central government meeting the rest.

  On 22 March, the Government announced an increase in the central government contribution from 75 per cent. to 95 per cent. of the cost of giving hardship rate relief to small businesses which are suffering from the adverse effects of the outbreak of foot and mouth disease. This financial help is being made available to local authorities and targeted at vulnerable small businesses, where rates liabilities represent a greater proportion of turnover and profits than for larger firms.

  This additional funding is available for relief granted in 151 rural local authorities in England to properties with a rateable value of up to and including £12,000. This will embrace 77 per cent. of the total number of 494,000 business properties located in these areas. This level of rateable value is used in targeting relief on small businesses in other parts of the rating system. Discretionary relief is made available under the village shop rate relief scheme for properties within that threshold, and it is also used to define a small property outside London for the purposes of the transitional relief scheme introduced following the revaluation on 1 April 2000.

  Access to Ports Services
  Mr. Purchase
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish a consultation paper on the proposed European Directive on access to ports services; and if he will make a statement. [156825]

  Mr. Hill
  I have today launched a consultation paper on the recently published European Commission Communication on Ports, which included a Proposal for
  817W
  a Directive on Access to Ports Services. The consultation seeks views on the Communication and, in particular, on the potential impact of the proposed Directive.

  The consultation paper has been sent to some 300 people and organisations including ports, port users, port service providers, trade associations, trade unions and others with an interest in the ports industry. It is also available on the DETR website and copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House. The deadline for responses is 30 June 2001.

  The Commission's proposals raise a number of important issues including:
  Whether the proposed Directive helps to further the government's aims of a successful, sustainable and safe ports which benefits its customers and the wider UK economy;
  Whether the proposed directive would help to achieve the Commission's objectives in an appropriate and proportionate way;
  Whether the proposed directive takes sufficient account of the structure of the UK ports industry; and
  Whether the proposed Directive adequately addresses the issues of public funding and state aid.

  Considerable clarification of the proposed Directive, and the intention behind specific requirements, will be needed before an accurate assessment can be made of the full potential impact on the port sector and its users.

  The responses received as a result of this exercise will be used to inform a detailed Regulatory Impact Assessment on how the proposed Directive might affect the ports industry and to formulate the Government's response to the Commission on its Communication.

  Sellafield MOX Plant
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 12 February 2001,Official Report, column 11W, on the Sellafield MOX plant, if he will list the consultants which have been chosen to undertake the review of the revised BNFL economic case for SMP; and if he will place a copy of the BNFL submission in the Library. [151603]

  Mr. Meacher
  I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 28 March 2001,Official Report, columns 629–30W. I shall publish the name of any consultants once they are appointed.

  Byker Incinerator
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library the documents that have been used to identify the sites where Byker ash has been deposited. [155392]

  Mr. Meacher [holding answer 23 March 2001]
  The Environment Agency used the following documents to identify the sites where ash from the Byker Reclamation Plant has been deposited:

  (a) Newcastle City Council's response to the Agency's letter of 2 February 2000 seeking details of the dates, locations and quantities of ash used;

  (b) Correspondence between the Agency and the City Council clarifying details; and

  (c) Copies of the records kept by the City Council under the duty of care imposed by section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

  818W
  The Agency advise that they are unable to release the documents referred to in (a) and (b) because of the need to avoid prejudicing their current prosecution of the City Council and Contract Heat and Power Ltd. I am arranging for copies of (c) to be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the sites which have(a) received and (b) been cleared of Byker ash. [155378]

  Mr. Meacher [holding answer 23 March 2001]
  The Environment Agency sought details from Newcastle city council of the sites which had received ash from the Byker Reclamation Plant; and these sites are listed. I have been informed that the ash has now been cleared from all of these sites. However, while the city council's records indicated that ash had been sent to the path beside Feversham School, site inspections by the Agency and the city council did not identify any ash at that site.

  Paths/Bridleways

  Blayney Row, Newburn

  Coronation Road, North Walbottle

  Dinnington Recreation Ground

  Feversham School, Walbottle

  Reigh Burn and Coach Lane, Throckley

  Stamfordham road (link with North Walbottle road)

  Three Hills, Hazelrigg

  UFAMS, Newburn

  Walbottle Dene. Walbottle

  Jesmond Dene

  Welbeck road (derelicted land)

  Leightwood Avenue, Scotswood

  Allotments

  Blayney Row, Newburn

  Blucher Terrace, Walbottle

  Braxton B, Walker

  Christen road, Gosforth

  Coxlodge

  Denton Bank

  Denton Dene

  Fenham Model

  Hulne Terrace, Lemmington

  Jesmond Premier/Vale

  Keeledale Pigeons, Walker

  Little Moor (off Jesmond Dene road)

  Ridgewood Crescent

  Salters Lane, S. Gosforth (off Hollywood Avenue)

  St. Michaels A, Walker

  St. Michaels B, Walker

  Union Hall road, Lemmington

  Walkergate Hospital. Walker

  Walkergate 3A (Welbeck road)

  Walkergate 3B (Spinney Terrace)

  Westmacott street. Newburn

  Whinneyfield road, Walker

  Moorside, Fenham

  Nu's Moor, Cowgate

  Tweedstreet

  Hexham Avenue, Walker

  St. Gabriels, Heaton

  Farms

  Anfield Plain

  N. E. Mason Farm and Bigg Waters, Brunswick.

  819W
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many tonnes of Refuse Derived Fuel pellets from the Byker waste plant were delivered to the Cruddas Park residential and shopping complex in Newcastle in each year between 1979 and 2000; and what investigations have been undertaken into the combustion, air emissions and ash-handling at the Cruddas Park complex. [155343]

  Mr. Meacher [holding answer 26 March 2001]
  The manufacture of fuel pellets at the Byker Refuse Derived Fuel plant ceased in December 1998. I understand that approximately 1,000 tonnes per annum of refuse derived fuel, from the Byker plant, was burned at Cruddas Park between 1989 and 1996. I will write to the hon. Member with specific details as soon as more information is available.

  The only investigations into the combustion, air emissions and ash-handling at the Cruddas Park complex were carried out by the operator at the commissioning stage in 1989. I understand that these records no longer exist.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Leominster (Mr. Temple-Morris) of 1 February 2001,Official Report, column 253W, on waste disposal, if he will list the incinerators which exceeded authorised emission limits, indicating the number of times they exceeded the limits for each type of breach; and if he will list successful prosecutions by the Environment Agency in relation to these breaches. [155393]

  1 January 1996 to 31 December 1998

  Air

  HCl

  SO2

  NOx

  CO

  Particulate matter

  Temperature

  Iodine

  Metals

  HF

  Dioxins

  Dudley MES

  58

  1

  0

  0

  8

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Wolverhampton MES

  28

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cleveland

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Coventry

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Tyseley

  90

  0

  23

  19

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Nottingham

  13

  2

  3

  1

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Sheffield

  7

  4

  7

  42

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Stoke MES

  12

  1

  1

  3

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Edmonton

  1

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Lewisham, SELCHP

  93

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Bolton (not operating)

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  302

  11

  34

  65

  16

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Annual average1

  101

  4

  12

  22

  6

  —

  —

  —

  0.3

  —

  1Data rounded up to nearest whole number except HF

  1 January 1999 to 31 December 1999

  Air

  HCl

  SO2

  NOx

  CO

  Particulate matter

  Temperature

  Iodine

  Metals

  HF

  Dioxins

  Dudley MES

  54

  6

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Wolverhampton MES

  23

  13

  0

  4

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cleveland

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Coventry

  8

  0

  12

  33

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Tyseley

  4

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Nottingham

  6

  8

  8

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Sheffield

  17

  8

  6

  64

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Stoke MES

  19

  5

  2

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  820W
  Mr. Meacher [holding answer 23 March 2001]
  The data upon which the answer was provided for my hon. Friend are presented in the following tables.

  The Agency successfully prosecuted Sheffield city council, in respect of its Bernard Road municipal waste incinerator, for failure to comply with an enforcement notice served on 11 January 1999. Following a succession of breaches, the Notice required the Operator to reliably comply with the emission limits into air by 31 March 1999. The Operator was unable to reduce the number of breaches to a level acceptable to the Agency and therefore failed to comply with the Notice. The Operator was successfully prosecuted in Sheffield magistrates court on 8 December 1999. The breaches of emission limits were principally in relation to carbon monoxide although releases of nitrogen oxides and hydrogen chloride also exceeded the limits. The breaches were of short duration and unlikely to have given rise to any measurable environmental impact.

  The Environment Agency initially categorises incidents in accordance with environmental impact on four levels, major, significant, minor or none. The enforcement response is driven in general by this judgment of severity. Most breaches of authorisation have minor or no impact and in these cases prosecution has only been used as a last resort where other more proportionate methods, for example serving enforcement notices have not proved successful. However, the Environment Agency appreciates that repeated minor breaches can demonstrate a lack of control and is revising its guidance accordingly. Under this guidance prosecutions will normally be pursued for minor incidents where the operator has shown a history of non-compliance sufficient to call into question the effective management of the site/operation or to prevent effective regulation by the Agency.
  821W

  1 January 1999 to 31 December 1999

  Air

  HCl

  SO2

  NOx

  CO

  Particulate matter

  Temperature

  Iodine

  Metals

  HF

  Dioxins

  Edmonton

  7

  0

  0

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Lewisham, SELCHP

  4

  2

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Bolton (not operating)

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  142

  42

  29

  107

  3

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1 January 2000 to 31 December 2000

  Air

  HCl

  SO2

  NOx

  CO

  Particulate matter

  Temperature

  Iodine

  Metals

  HF

  Dioxins

  Dudley MES

  12

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Wolverhampton MES

  1

  1

  1

  4

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cleveland

  1

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Coventry

  7

  0

  0

  4

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Tyseley

  5

  0

  1

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Nottingham

  7

  6

  16

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Sheffield

  15

  3

  5

  22

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Stoke MES

  9

  3

  1

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Edmonton

  0

  0

  0

  6

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Lewisham SELCHP

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Bolton

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  60

  13

  27

  41

  5

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the sites which received Byker incinerator ash for use(a) in building bricks, blocks, paving stones and building materials, (b) in public and private roads and streets, (c) in compost, potting soil, growing medium and fertiliser and (d) on farms, livestock/poultry holding sites and feedstuffs companies, indicating the dates on which materials were received and the quantities involved. [155337]

  Mr. Meacher [holding answer 26 March 2001]
  I have separately provided the hon. Member with a list of the sites which have received ash from the Byker Reclamation Plant (ie paths/bridleways, allotments and farms). I have been advised by the Environment Agency that it has no knowledge of ash from the Plant being used in(a); no knowledge of its use in (b) other than paths/bridleways; and no knowledge of its use in (c) other than where it has become entrained in soil on allotments at which ash has been used for path construction.

  In relation to (d), the Agency understands that poultry may have been kept by the plot holders at some of the allotments at which ash was received. Ash was also received at the following farms:
  N E Mason Farm, where 80 tonnes was deposited in 1996–1997; and
  Anfield Plain, where 30 tonnes was deposited (year not known).

  Heavy Goods Vehicles
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many foreign-registered heavy goods vehicles were involved in road accidents in Britain in(a) 1996, (b) 1997, (c) 1998, (d) 1999 and (e) 2000. [155989]

  Mr. Hill
  Data on foreign-registered vehicles involved in road accidents are not available.

  GM Maize (Shropshire)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the GM maize plantings in Shropshire by Ordnance Survey grid reference; and if he will make a statement. [155968]

  Mr. Meacher
  EU Directive 90/220, on the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to the environment, recognises two types of release. The first, known as Part B releases, are carried out for research purposes and must be notified to the Government. Their location must be advertised locally and made publicly available through the register of releases held by my Department. The second type of release, known as a Part C release, is for commercial purposes. Such releases do not have to be notifited to the Government, as the crops have undergone detailed safety assessments at European level and been approved for commercial use. However, where such releases are carried out as part of the farm scale evaluations or as part of the National Seed List trials then their location is notified to Government and made publicly available.

  The public register of releases shows that no GM maize is presently being grown in Shropshire under Part B consents. I also understand that no National List trials of GM maize are presently taking place in Shropshire and that no GM maize is presently under cultivation as part of the farm scale evaluations. However, the locations of the next round of GM maize sites for the evaluations will be announced shortly by my Department. The sites are likely to be sown from the end of April. Details of their locations, including Ordnance Survey grid references, will be placed on our website at www.detr.gov.uk. We will also write to parish councils in whose area an evaluation is to be sited to provide information about the release.

  Department Policies (Luton, South)
  Ms Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effects on the Luton, South constituency of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [156165]

  Ms Armstrong
  The principal funding that this Department has provided to Luton borough council from 1997–98 is shown in the table. These figures include grants and borrowing approvals for revenue and capital expenditure.

  £million

  Nature of funding

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  12001–02

  Revenue Support Grant

  75.478

  81.382

  82.804

  89.299

  —

  Income from National Non-Domestic Rates

  41.033

  42.769

  46.379

  51.567

  —

  Local Government Reorganisation

  Supplementary Credit Approval

  3.575

  2.160

  0.186

  —

  —

  Housing Investment Programme

  3.337

  2.978

  1.843

  5.920

  2.952 +

  (MRA of 5.691)

  Housing Revenue Account Subsidy

  6.939

  6.262

  5.889

  5.597

  —

  Capital Receipts Initiative

  0.481

  1.664

  1.843

  —

  —

  Cash Incentive Scheme

  0.250

  0.106

  –

  —

  —

  SRB funding

  1.430

  1.570

  2.000

  1.250

  2.900

  New Deal for Communities Funding

  —

  —

  —

  0.300

  20.100

  Neighbourhood Renewal Funding

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.754

  ERDF funding

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3—

  Transport Supplementary Grant

  0.224

  0.268

  0.307

  0

  0

  Transport Annual Capital Guideline

  0.224

  0.268

  0.307

  0

  0

  Transport Block Supplementary Credit Approval

  2.704

  0.913

  3.730

  2.574

  4.919

  1Where known

  2The NDC funding is for the Marsh Farm estate, a project in the Luton, North constituency.

  3Not yet known—13 wards in Luton have been designated for assistance under the new Objective 2 Programme (2000–06). Formal approval of the programme is expected soon.

  Roadway Drainage
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidelines he issued and responsibilities he has for ensuring that roadway drainage systems and ditches are maintained, particularly in relation to rural roads in England, Wales and Scotland. [156074]

  Mr. Hill [holding answer 29 March 2001]
  Guidance on the maintenance of drainage systems and ditches on all local authority roads in England is contained in the local authorities' Code of Good Practice for Highway Maintenance. The responsibility for maintenance of these roads rests with the local highway authorities.

  The Secretary of State is directly responsible for trunk roads and this responsibility is exercised through the Highways Agency. Appropriate guidance has been issued to the Highways Agency's contractors.

  £million

  Nature of funding

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Revenue Support Grant1

  63.8

  73.0

  75.5

  72.5

  78.7

  Income from National Non-Domestic Rates1

  63.4

  66.2

  71.9

  81.5

  79.3

  Housing Investment Programme

  4.9

  4.6

  4.8

  7.2

  10.5

  Housing Revenue Account Subsidy

  —

  —

  7.7

  —

  —

  Capital Receipts Initiative

  0.6

  1.9

  1.9

  —

  —

  Cash Incentive Scheme

  0.2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Transport Supplementary Grant

  0.7

  0.5

  0.6

  —

  —

  824W
  It is not possible to determine how much of this money has been spent on Luton, South. It is for the local authority to decide where within its boundary these resources are applied.

  The transport allocations shown are for the Luton/Dunstable conurbation, which includes part of South Bedfordshire district. Similarly, the Single Regeneration Budget partnership operates across the conurbation—the figures given are an estimate of the amount going into Luton.

  Road maintenance in Wales and Scotland is the responsibility of the devolved administrations.

  Departmental Policies (Hazel Grove)
  Mr. Stunell
  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 Hazel Grove constituency, the effects on Hazel Grove of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [156178]

  Ms Armstrong
  The principal kinds of funding which this Department has provided to Stockport in 1997–98 to 2000–01 are shown in the table. These include grants and borrowings approvals for revenue and capital expenditure.

  It is not possible to determine how much money has been spent on Hazel Grove. It is for the local authority to decide where within its boundary these resources are invested.
  825W

  £ million

  Nature of funding

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1959–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Transport Annual Capital Guideline

  0.9

  0.5

  0.6

  —

  —

  Transport Block Supplementary Credit Approval

  1.4

  0.7

  0.8

  1.9

  3.2

  Capital Challenge:

  Supplementary Credit

  0.7

  0.5

  —

  —

  Basic Credit Approvals

  —

  1.5

  1.0

  —

  —

  1 These figures have not been adjusted to make year on year comparisons possible

  Heathrow Airport
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the underground railway being built at Heathrow Airport between Terminal 4 and the proposed Terminal 5. [156170]

  Mr. Hill
  No London Underground railway is currently being built between Terminal 4 and the proposed Terminal 5 at Heathrow. The proposed extension of the Piccadilly Line to the proposed fifth terminal at Heathrow was considered at the Terminal 5 Inquiry. The Inquiry Inspector's report has been received and a decision on Terminal 5 will be issued as soon as possible consistent with full and careful consideration of the report.

  Business Rates (Tourism)
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to delay the introduction of supplementary business rates on businesses in the tourism industry. [156332]

  Ms Armstrong
  In our Green Paper, "Modernising Local Government Finance" (September 2000) we sought views on the details of a scheme which would give local authorities limited freedom to vary the business rate in their areas. A summary of the responses to the Green Paper has been published on the DETR website. We are currently considering the issues raised in the responses with representatives of business and local authorities.

  Key outputs resulting from the schemes over the period

  Sandwell SRB

  Sandwell Learning

  Rounds 1, 2 and 3

  Smethwick SRB

  Plus SRB

  Jobs created

  1,006

  115

  —

  Residents accessing employment through training, advice etc.

  2,429

  419

  —

  Number of business start-ups

  234

  33

  —

  Private sector leverage

  £48,194,000

  £3,750,000

  —

  Note:

  There are no "headline" outputs from the Sandwell Learning Plus scheme yet as it commenced in December 2000 and is still in its development phase. One of the main objectives of the scheme is to increase the number of adults in Sandwell studying for a qualification from the current level of 17 per cent. to 30 per cent.

  £.million

  Nature of funding

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–021

  Revenue Support Grant2

  133.47

  146.27

  153.25

  150.62

  160.34

  Income from National Non-Domestic Rates2

  64.12

  66.51

  71.80

  80.88

  78.68

  Local Government Reorganisation Supplementary Credit Approval

  0.000

  0.000

  0.000

  0.000

  0.000

  Housing Investment Programme

  9.04

  7.98

  8.75

  24.02

  8.36

  Additional PSRG3

  —

  2.64

  3.775

  —

  —

  Housing Revenue Account Subsidy

  47.27

  43.41

  41.77

  40.62

  6—

  Departmental Policies (Sandwell)
  Mr. Bailey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the borough, the effects of his Department's policies and actions on the metropolitan borough of Sandwell since 2 May 1997. [1563791

  Ms Armstrong
  The principal funding that this Department has provided to Sandwell since 2 May 1997 is shown in the table. These include grants and borrowing approvals for revenue and capital expenditure.

  SRB

  There are currently five SRB schemes in Sandwell:
  a merged SRB Rounds 1, 2 and 3 scheme which covers the entire borough, with broad based regeneration objectives, which commenced in 1995
  a Round 4 scheme which is targeted at Smethwick, which commenced in 1998
  a Round 6 scheme, Sandwell Learning Plus, which aims to promote lifelong learning in Sandwell and which also covers the entire borough, and Which commenced in 2000.

  SRB funding targeted at Sandwell under these schemes over the

  period April 1997 to March 2001

  £ million

  Sandwell SRB Rounds 1, 2 and 3

  28.885

  Smethwick SRB Round 4

  3.750

  Sandwell Learning Plus SRB Round 6

  0.350

  Total

  32.985

  827W

  £ million

  Nature of funding

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–021

  Capital Receipts Initiative

  1.89

  6.54

  6.63

  —

  —

  Cash Incentive Scheme

  0.3

  0.26

  —

  —

  —

  Major Repair Allowance

  —

  —

  —

  —

  19.77

  SRB funding (see previous)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  New Deal for Communities funding

  —

  —

  0.4

  2.5

  5.2

  Neighbourhood Renewal Funding

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4.03

  ERDF funding (Obj 2)

  1.99

  3.19

  2.56

  4.10

  1.97

  Transport Supplementary Grant

  1.82

  1.15

  0.95

  —

  0.45

  Transport Annual Capital Guideline

  1.82

  1.15

  0.95

  1.43

  1.20

  Transport Block Supplementary Credit Approval

  1.34

  1.33

  1.57

  6.54

  9.46

  Rural Bus Challenge Grant4

  —

  —

  —

  0.42

  n/k

  Rural Bus Subsidy Grant5

  —

  .08

  .07

  .08

  0.11

  Capital Challenge (Supplementary Credit a and Basic Credit Approvals)

  0.95

  3.37

  4.72

  —

  —

  Notes

  1 Where known

  Revenue Support Grant:

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

  Housing:

  The Housing subsidy figure for 2000–01 is still provisional.

  The reduction in HIP resources for 2001–02 is due to the introduction of the new Major Repair Allowance i.e. a new way of allocating resources for works to Council stock; the table shows Sandwell's indicative figure for 2001–02.

  We have no data for Loan Charges Defective Housing.

  3PSRG = Private Sector Renewal Grant Resources (programme ended in 1999–2000)

  ERDF:

  Future budgets are allocated on a competitive basis and we cannot predict how much will be drawn into the area at this time from the new programmes. (Note the figures quoted for 1001 are from old programme projects spending in the final year.)

  Transport:

  4Rural Bus Challenge figures represent awards—actual spend profiles for the schemes awarded funding may cover more than one year.

  5Rural grants paid to West Midlands PTA/E

  6Not available

  Economic and Physical Regeneration
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions in what ways the region-by-region allocation of the Department's funds for economic and physical regeneration initiatives is influenced by the availability of previously developed land and buildings. [156197]

  Ms Armstrong
  A formula was used to allocate 80 per cent. of the Land and Property Programme for 2001–02 to the Regional Development Agencies. The allocation criteria was designed to reflect the economic, social and physical needs within each region, and the anticipated level of support from local business to build upon public sector investment. Seven equally weighed indicators were used in the formula:

  GDP per capita;

  Those not in employment;

  The number of people living in the most deprived local authority districts;

  The amount of derelict land;

  North Cornwall District Council

  £ million

  Nature of funding

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  72001–02

  Revenue Support Grant1

  3.435

  3.162

  3.262

  3.231

  3.544

  Income from National Non-Domestic Rates1

  2.468

  2.524

  2.738

  3.072

  3.040

  SSA Reduction Grant (SSA Review)

  0

  0.040

  0

  0

  0

  Housing Investment Programme

  21.024

  0.944

  1.018

  32.300

  43.018

  Housing Revenue Account Subsidy

  1.908

  1.665

  1.435

  81.295

  —

  828W

  The amount of previously developed land as a proportion of all urban land;

  The number of housing transactions; and

  The level of VAT registrations and survival rates of business.

  Departmental Policies (North Cornwall)
  Mr. Tyler
  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 Cornwall constituency, the effects of North Cornwall of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [156122]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  The principal funding that this Department has provided to North Cornwall district and Restormel borough councils and to Cornwall county council in the years 1997–98 to 2001–02 is shown in the tables. These include grants and borrowing approvals for revenue and capital expenditure.

  It is not possible to determine how much of this money has been spent on North Cornwall constituency. It is for the local authority to decide where within its boundary these resources are applied.
  829W

  North Cornwall District Council

  £ million

  Nature of funding

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  72001–02

  Capital Receipts Initiative

  0.170

  0.549

  0.553

  n/a

  n/a

  Cash Incentive Scheme

  0.026

  0.025

  0

  n/a

  n/a

  Loan Charges Defective Housing

  0.005

  0.005

  0.005

  90.005

  90.005

  Restormel Borough Council

  £ million

  Nature of funding

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  72001–02

  Revenue Support Grant1

  4.386

  3.784

  3.836

  3.672

  4.057

  Income from National Non-Domestic Rates1

  2.863

  2.870

  3.110

  3.476

  3.477

  SSA Reduction Grant (SSA Review)

  0

  0.252

  0.055

  0

  0

  Housing Investment Programme

  21.047

  1.005

  1.007

  32.123

  41.063

  Housing Revenue Account Subsidy

  2.383

  2.514

  2.053

  5n/a

  5n/a

  Capital Receipts Initiative

  0.212

  0.630

  0.564

  n/a

  n/a

  Cash Incentive Scheme

  0.080

  0.080

  0

  n/a

  n/a

  Loan Charges Defective Housing

  0.007

  0.007

  0.007

  90.007

  90.007

  Cornwall County Council

  £ million

  Nature of funding

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  72001–02

  Revenue Support Grant1

  129.412

  133.560

  139.493

  135.599

  146.727

  Income from National Non-Domestic Rates1

  93.491

  98.020

  107.287

  122.050

  120.054

  Transport Supplementary Grant

  3.474

  1.205

  1.631

  0

  0

  Transport Annual Capital Guideline

  3.474

  1.205

  1.631

  0

  0

  Transport Block Supplementary Credit Approval

  0.875

  0.994

  2.472

  7.138

  14.920

  Rural Bus Challenge Grant6

  0

  0

  0.157

  0.845

  n/a

  Rural Bus Subsidy Grant

  0

  1.098

  1.115

  1.221

  1.559

  Capital Challenge (Supplementary Credit and Basic Credit Approvals)

  2.057

  2.830

  3.013

  0

  0

  Notes:

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

  2 1997–98 HIP allocation inherited from the previous Government's spending plans. Present Government introduced CRI from 1997–98.

  3Single Housing Pot introduced from 2000–01 resulting in CRI being merged with HIP.

  4Resource 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. North Cornwall's MRA allocation for 2001–02 is £1.793 million and, for comparison purposes, is included in the 2001–02 HIF allocation above. Restormel is a transfer authority and is not entitled to MRA.

  5Restormel borough council completed the transfer of its housing stock in February 2000.

  6Rural Bus Challenge figures represent awards—actual spend profiles for schemes may cover more than one year.

  7Where known.

  8Provisional.

  9Estimated.

  Single Regeneration Budget (SRB)

  Parts of the constituency are included in two SRB schemes. Funding provided for these schemes since1997–98 is included in the table.

  £ million

  SRB scheme

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  12001–02

  Cornwall Developing in Partnership

  1.196

  1.218

  1.466

  1.323

  1.540

  RADICAL

  0.050

  0.021

  0.029

  n/a

  n/a

  1Where known.

  European Funding

  North Cornwall constituency was included in the South West Objective 5b programme that closed for new applications at the end of 1999. Major projects in the constituency which have received funding since 1997–98 include Bodmin Town Centre Environmental Enhancements (£0.2 million grant), Newquay Town Centre
  830W
  Enhancements (£0.2 million),Bude-Stratton Business Park (£0.3 million) and Bude Canal Sea Lock (£0.2 million).

  Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have been designated an Objective 1 area, of which North Cornwall constituency is a part, and stands to benefit from £315 million of European Funds over the next seven years.

  Non-native Species
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the review of non-native species policy outlined in the Government's rural White Paper will commence. [156758]

  Mr. Meacher
  A review group, consisting of Government and non-Government organisations, will start work early next month to carry out the review of non-native species policy. The review process will:

  Evaluate the effectiveness of current statutory or non-statutory procedures for dealing with the introduction and establishment of non-native species and identify examples of current best practice within the United Kingdom and abroad.
  Identify the main vectors for the introduction and spread of non-native species.
  Put forward practical and proportionate costed proposals for improving measures to limit the ecological and economic impact of non-native species in Great Britain and recommend measures to limit the impact of the introduction of native species beyond their natural range. These could include proposals for statutory or non-statutory measures in areas of research and monitoring, trade, and control of non-native species.
  Identify appropriate organisations to take forward any measures recommended.

  The review should be completed by the end of 2001.

  Water Industry
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the progress of the Government's review of competition in the water industry in England and Wales. [156760]

  Mr. Meacher
  Following further work on the options for extending competition in the water industry in England and Wales, the Government have decided to boost the opportunities for competition. Our proposals will bring customers the prospect of more choice, keener prices and better services. We propose to license new entrants into the market for production and retail activities, while the incumbent water companies will remain vertically integrated statutory undertakers, retaining their important strategic water resource and environmental duties. Companies will be given clearer rights to enter the water market, providing the opportunity for innovation and efficiency gains to give customers better deals. We will continue to ensure that public health, the natural environment, and the high quality of drinking water is safeguarded, and that water services remain affordable for customers. We will publish a consultation paper on the proposed legislative and regulatory framework in the summer.

  Local Authority Housing
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on arm's length management of local authority housing in response to the consultation paper,"Arms Length Management of Local Authority Housing". [156817]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I am today placing in the Library of the House the text of guidance on arm's length management of local authority housing and on the availability of the additional resources made available in 832W
  the spending review. This will very shortly be made available on the Department's website, and printed copies will be available in due course.

  I am grateful to those who responded to the consultation paper; I am placing a summary of responses in the Library of the House. We have made a number of changes to the proposals set out there in the light of comments.

  Many authorities asked for a pre-allocation of resources so that they could proceed to plan and to consult their tenants in the knowledge that, if they meet all the requirements, a known amount of additional resources will be available. We will be setting up such a system, and will be making the resources available over two years so that authorities will have longer to spend the resources they have been allocated. The guidance suggests that authorities wishing to seek resources for 2002–03 should aim to let the Department have an early indication of their intention to seek a place on the list by July 2001 and full supporting information by the end of September.

  Many authorities have expressed concern that the requirement to obtain a 3* (excellent) rating from the Housing Inspectorate is very demanding. We are, however, quite clear that additional resources should be linked to the highest standards of service. But we recognise that those authorities that develop the first arm's length proposals will face a particularly challenging task, and are prepared, for 2002–03, to make a part payment to those authorities that demonstrate that services are well on the way to achieving a 3* rating. In such cases a 2* (good) rating together with an assessment of "likely to improve" or "will improve" will attract 50 per cent. of the full amount subject to an agreed plan to achieve 3* standard. The full amount will be payable once the 3* standard is reached.

  We have made a number of other changes to the proposals in the consultation paper to reflect concerns expressed in responses and to give further detail on some points. In particular, the guidance makes clear that there will be some flexibility in the limit of 12,000 dwellings for an individual company; that tenant representatives on company boards should be elected; and that there should be clearly defined responsibilities between a local authority and a company in relation to the authority's strategic functions.

  I believe that arm's length management is an exciting new opportunity for authorities and tenants. I am encouraged by the enthusiasm with which the idea has been received, and I hope that many authorities will give it serious consideration. The Department will be working closely to establish template documentation with those who are looking to be the leaders in this field.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Physical Education
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many students graduated from a physical education teaching course in each year since 1995. [154481]
  833W
  Ms Estelle Morris
  The numbers of people obtaining qualified teacher status in England who had physical education as a recorded subject in their teaching courses are as follows:

  Year

  BEd

  PGCE

  1995

  737

  721

  1996

  747

  678

  1997

  847

  711

  1998

  684

  848

  19991

  678

  769

  1Provisional

  The numbers of regular teachers (excluding short-term supply) in the maintained schools sector in England at January 2000 was 404,600, the highest for 10 years and 6,900 higher than January 1998.

  There was a growth of 2,300 in the number of people recruited to train as teachers between 1999–2000 and 2000–01, the first such increase since 1992–93.

  From April 2001 new graduate recruits can expect to earn £17,000 a year (up 6 per cent. from the previous year) and starting salaries in Inner London will rise to £20,000 (up 9 per cent. from the previous year).

  Education (St. Ives)
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many vacancies for teachers there were in the St. Ives constituency in(a) 1992, (b) 1997 and (c) 2001. [155741]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The information requested is not held centrally. The number of vacancies at January each year and the vacancy rate for the local authorities Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, in which the constituency of St. Ives lies, are given in the table.

  Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

  Year

  Number of vacancies

  Vacancy rate (Percentage)

  1992

  3

  0.1

  1997

  10

  0.3

  2000

  11

  0.3

  The number of regular teachers (excluding short-term supply) in the maintained schools sector in England at January 2000 was 404,600, the highest for 10 years and 6,900 higher than January 1998.

  There was a growth of 2,300 in the number of people recruited to train as teachers between 1999–2000 and 2000–01, the first such increase since 1992–93.

  From April 2001 new graduate recruits can expect to earn £17,000 a year (up 6 per cent. from the previous year) and starting salaries in Inner London will rise to £20,000 (up 9 per cent. from the previous year).

  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of full time students stayed in education in the St. Ives constituency after the age of(a) 16 and (b) 18 in (i) 1992, (ii) 1997 and (iii) 2001. [155743]

  Mr. Wicks
  At the heart of our drive to improve participation and attainment is the new Connexions Service which we will be phasing in from April this year.834W
  The service will provide information, advice, support and access to personal development opportunities for all 13–19 year olds, whatever their needs and circumstances, to keep them learning. Latest figures show that the numbers of 16 to 18 year olds not in education, employment or training in England fell by 28,000 from 185,000 in 1998 to 157,000 1999.

  Data on the percentage of students continuing in post-compulsory education at age 16 are not calculated for areas smaller than LEAs, and participation rates by LEA are only available for 16 and 17 year olds.

  The percentage of 16 year olds in full-time education for Cornwall LEA, which includes the constituency of St. Ives, was 78 per cent. in 1992–93, 75 per cent. in 1997–98 and 76 per cent. in 1998–99, the latest year for which figures are available.

  Post-16 Education (Romsey)
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of full time students remained in education in the Romsey constituency after the age of(a) 16 and (b) 18 years in the last year for which figures are available. [155851]

  Mr. Wicks [holding answer 28 March 2001]
  At the heart of our drive to improve participation and attainment is the new Connexions Service which we will be phasing in from April this year. The service will provide information, advice, support and access to personal development opportunities for all 13–19 year olds, whatever their needs and circumstances, to keep them learning. Latest figures show that the numbers of 16 to 18-year-olds not in education, employment or training in England fell by 28,000 from 185,000 in 1998 to 157,000 in 1999.

  Data on the percentage of students continuing in post-compulsory education at age 16 are not calculated for areas smaller than LEAs, and participation rates by LEA are only available for 16 and 17-year-olds.

  In 1998–99 (the last year for which figures are available) the percentage of 16-year-olds in full-time education for Hampshire LEA, which includes the constituency of Romsey, was 70 per cent.

  Teacher Vacancies (Romsey)
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many vacancies for teachers there were in the Romsey constituency in(a) 1992, (b) 1997 and (c) 2001 at (i) Key Stage 1, (ii) Key Stage 2 and (iii) Key Stage 3. [155862]

  Ms Estelle Morris [holding answer 28 March 2001]
  The information requested is not held centrally. The number of vacancies in January each year and the vacancy rate for the local authorities Hampshire and Southampton, in which the constituency of Romsey lies, are given in the table.

  Southampton and Hampshire

  Number of vacancies

  Vacancy rate (Percentage)

  1992

  53

  0.5%

  1997

  76

  0.7

  2000

  167

  1.8

  835W
  The number of regular teachers (excluding short-term supply) in the maintained schools sector in England at January 2000 was 404,600, the highest for 10 years and 6,900 higher than January 1998.

  There was a growth of 2,300 in the number of people recruited to train as teachers between 1999–2000 and 2000–01, the first such increase since 1992–93.

  From April 2001 new graduate recruits can expect to earn £17,000 a year (up 6 per cent. from the previous year) and starting salaries in Inner London will rise to £20,000 (up 9 per cent. from the previous year).

  Student Loans
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if proposals for write-off of student loans for student teachers initiated by his Department are planned to extend to all shortage subjects. [155870]

  Ms Estelle Morris [holding answer 28 March 2001]
  Detailed proposals for the write-off of student loans are still being developed by my Department. Current plans are that they will not extend beyond trainee teachers in shortage subjects—for secondary schools, these are Maths, Science, Technology, Modern Languages and English.

  Higher Education Students
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of higher education students had independent status in each of the past five years. [155873]

  Mr. Wicks [holding answer 28 March 2001]
  In England and Wales students eligible for support under the Education (Mandatory Awards) Regulations or the Education (Student Support) Regulations were assessed for contribution on the basis of the income of, for dependent students, themselves and/or their parents and, for independent students, themselves and/or their spouse.

  The proportion of students who had independent status in each of the past five years is shown in the table.

  Percentage

  Proportion of eligible

  students with

  Academic Years

  Independent Status1

  1994–95

  23

  1995–96

  23

  1996–97

  22

  1997–98

  21

  1998–99

  Mandatory Awards Scheme students2

  18

  Student Support Scheme students3

  19

  All students

  18

  1Independent students are assessed for a contribution towards support based on their own income and that of their spouse. A student is regarded as independent if he/she is aged 25 or over on the first day of the academic year for which they are applying; if both parents have died; if he/she has been self-supporting from earnings for 3 years; or if he/she is irreconcilably estranged from his/her parents.

  2Students who entered higher education up to 1997–98 and those who entered in 1998–99 to whom existing arrangements applied.

  3Students starting their course in 1998–99 under the new arrangements. Data include an estimated 600 students who, because they did not expect to receive a contribution to their fees from public funds, did not make an application to their authority.

  Source

  F503G survey

  Sport (Further Education)
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance he issues in respect of participation in sport in further education colleges and sixth forms in addition to the academic timetable. [155910]

  Mr. Wicks
  We have offered no specific guidance to further education colleges or to schools with sixth forms on the place of sporting activities for their students.

  Day Places
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many day places were available for(a) children with emotional and behavioural difficulties and (b) autistic children in the United Kingdom(i) from 1990 to 2000 and (ii) in 2000–01. [155954]

  Jacqui Smith
  Information is not collected on the available places for children with particular categories of special educational needs. This would be impracticable because the majority of these children are educated in mainstream schools which respond to the unique needs of each of their pupils. Special schools will often also comnionly include a diverse range of pupils.

  School Admissions Policy
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if grammar schools are permitted to object to appeal panels which consider issues other than those defined by the school's admission policy; and if appeal panels are able to consider levels of prior and projected academic attainment of pupils. [156001]

  Ms Estelle Morris [holding answer 29 March 2001]
  Appeal panels should consider whatever evidence is presented to them by appellants in support of their case. They may also request from the admission authority whatever additional information they themselves consider necessary to aid them in reaching their decision. Although there are statutory matters that must be taken into account by the appeal panel, such as the school's admission criteria, they may consider that other factors are also relevant to an individual case; this is for them to decide. The decisions of appeal panels must be complied with by all parties to the appeal; they can be challenged only through the courts. Guidance on appeal panel procedures is given in our Code of Practice on School Admission Appeals, to which all involved in the admissions process must have regard.

  Threshold Assessment
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the cost is of recruitment, training and management of the Threshold Assessment; and what the cost is of delivery of the assessment as a service to schools. [156099]

  Ms Estelle Morris [holding answer 29 March 2001]
  The DfEE holds a contract with Cambridge Education Associates for the provision of threshold assessors and external advisers.

  The value of the contract in each year of operation is subject to the volume and quality of assessor and adviser activity. The first threshold round will be much larger

  837W
  than in following years because of the large number. We expect the costs to come down significantly in future years.

  In the first 18 months of operation we expect the total contract costs to be in the range of £22 million to £24 million. Around half of this relates to adviser provision and half to assessors, and includes start-up and administration costs.

  The DfEE also holds a contract with Centre for British Teachers for the training and accreditation of threshold assessors, external advisers and performance management consultants; and the training of headteachers in the introduction of the threshold and new performance management arrangements.

  The value of the contract in each year of operation is subject to the volume and quality of the training provided. Costs for the first round of training will be significantly higher, as they include set up costs and cover the vast majority of training required to introduce the new arrangements. Again, we expect costs to come down in future years.

  In the first phase of operation we expect the overall cost to be in the range of £12 million to £14 million, including start-up and administration costs.

  Astra Pension Scheme
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will ensure that the calculation by the State Pension Scheme Office of the Guaranteed Minimum Pension for members of the Astra Pension Scheme is completed as a matter of urgency. [156109]

  Mr. Wicks
  The National Insurance Contributions Office is in contact with the trustees of the Astra Group Pension Scheme and is dealing with these calculations as a matter of urgency.

  Departmental Policies (North Cornwall)
  Mr. Tyler
  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 Cornwall constituency, the effects on North Cornwall of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [156124]

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

  Sure Start

  Sure Start Kerrier was established in Camborne in September 2000 to provide support services to families using the facilities and expertise provided by the Children's Society, Cornwall Association for the Blind, and the local Education Action Zone. As well as offering advice on general family problems, specialists offer guidance on playgroup locations, speech and learning difficulties, as well as providing a playbus and sensory trail for blind children.

  Beacon Schools

  Delabole Community primary school—was awarded Beacon status on 1 September 2000 for leadership and management, early years provision, literacy and numeracy, geography, parental and community involvement, and special educational needs.
  838W
  Schools with specialist status designated since 1997

  Launceston College—technology college

  Newquay Tretherras school—technology college.

  School Achievement Awards

  Eleven schools in the constituency were among 51 in Cornwall to be allocated a total of £343,750 in March 2001. Awards were around £5,000 for a typical primary school and £25,000 for a typical secondary school. Staff at the 11 schools received Improvement Awards because pupil performance in 2000 was substantially better than in 1997, or because schools had come out of special measures.

  Education Action Zone

  Camborne, Pool, and Redruth Success Zone includes one special school, 26 primary, and three secondary schools. It commenced in May 2000, and is intended to raise standards, motivate pupils, reduce exclusions, and involve parents directly in their children's education.

  Key activities include: a new Early Years curriculum, greater parental involvement and guaranteed child care provision. Increased computing for Key Stage 1,2, and 3 pupils. Development of community learning centres. New approaches to teaching and learning and a new career structure for "para-professionals". Key partners in the Zone include Barclays Bank, Cornwall and Devon Careers, Cornwall Social Services, the local education authority, and 49 national and local businesses.

  Class Size Plan

  The September 2000 figures show that there are now only 255 (1.7 per cent.) pupils remaining in infant classes of 31 or more. The figure in January 1997 was 4,667 (29.5 per cent.).

  Cornwall Performance Data

  Percentage

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  Key Stage 2, percentage of pupils achieving level 4

  English

  LEA

  67

  66

  73

  76

  England

  63

  65

  71

  75

  Maths

  LEA

  67

  62

  72

  72

  England

  62

  59

  69

  72

  Science

  LEA

  74

  74

  82

  85

  England

  69

  69

  78

  85

  GCSE—percentage of pupils achieving

  5+A*-C grades

  LEA average

  48.8

  51.1

  51.6

  52.6

  England average

  45.1

  46.3

  47.9

  49.2

  5+A*-C grades

  LEA average

  91.4

  93.2

  92.7

  92.4

  England average

  86.0

  87.5

  88.5

  88.9

  No passes

  LEA average

  4.0

  2.6

  3.4

  3.3

  England average

  7.7

  6.6

  6.0

  5.6

  Average point score

  LEA average

  n/a

  39.9

  40.2

  40.5

  England average

  n/a

  37.0

  38.1

  38.9

  839W

  A/AS Level and Advanced GNVQ

  1998

  1999

  2000

  Average points for 2 or more A/AS levels

  LEA average

  17.8

  18.9

  17.8

  England average

  17.8

  18.2

  18.5

  A/AS average per entry

  LEA average

  5.2

  5.3

  5.1

  England average

  5.4

  5.5

  5.5

  Cornwall LEA Capital funding

  £000

  Credit approvals

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Total

  ACG

  6,372

  6,251

  6,573

  7,445

  7,100

  33,741

  SCA

  355

  724

  520

  280

  —

  1,879

  PFI Credits

  —

  —

  —

  51

  —

  51

  Grants

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  NDS

  1,019

  1,501

  2,803

  5,923

  —

  11,246

  NDS Condition Funding

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,291

  1,291

  NGfL

  —

  979

  651

  1,763

  —

  3,393

  VA Grant

  225

  176

  160

  388

  532

  1,481

  Devolved Formula Capital

  —

  —

  —

  3,828

  2,060

  5,888

  Science Lab

  —

  —

  —

  275

  275

  550

  Access Initiative

  —

  —

  —

  —

  465

  465

  Energy

  —

  145

  —

  —

  —

  145

  AMP Support

  —

  —

  80

  —

  —

  80

  SEED Challenge

  —

  —

  —

  274

  310

  584

  Class Size Initiative

  —

  55

  834

  340

  —

  1,229

  Outside Toilets

  —

  538

  —

  —

  —

  538

  Schools Security at 75 per cent.

  137

  171

  175

  176

  125

  784

  SSLU's

  —

  —

  —

  106

  92

  198

  Total

  12,250

  20,849

  11,796

  10,540

  8,108

  63,543

  Space for Sport and the Arts scheme

  Kilkhampton Junior and Infants and Warbstow County Primary are to benefit from this scheme, details of which were announced on 27 March 2001. A joint DCMS and DfEE national initiative offering up to £130 million means that these two schools can now develop plans to meet local community needs for sport, arts, and social activities that will benefit pupils, teachers and their communities. A further six schools throughout Cornwall have also been included in the scheme.

  New Deal for Schools allocations for schools in the North Cornwall constituency

  Year/School

  Project details

  (£000 Grant awarded)

  1998–99

  Bodmin Community Primary

  General building repairs

  66

  Camelford Primary

  Upgrade classroom block

  51

  St. Petroc's CE Primary

  General improvements

  15

  1999–2000

  Bodmin Community College

  Fire precautions

  43

  Budehaven Community

  Fire precautions

  33

  Budehaven Community

  Structural repairs

  32

  Launceston College

  Fire precautions

  37

  Launceston College

  Structural repairs

  32

  Launceston College

  Replace temporary classrooms

  473

  Summercourt Primary

  Fire precautions

  2

  Treviglas Community College

  Fire precautions

  24

  Treviglas Community College

  Dust extraction

  32

  Wadebridge School

  Fire precautions

  32

  Newquay Tretherras

  Fire precautions

  46

  Sir James Smith Community

  Fire precautions

  25

  Sir James Smith Community

  Replacement of time expired temporary classrooms

  28

  Sir James Smith Community

  Replace failing window walling

  23

  840W

  A/AS Level and Advanced GNVQ

  1998

  1999

  2000

  Average point score GNVQs

  LEA average

  10.1

  10.5

  10.5

  England average

  9.6

  9.9

  10.1

  Funding per pupil

  In Cornwall LEA, funding per pupil has increased by £370 in real terms between 1997–98 and 2000–01.

  Classroom of the future

  Cornwall LEA was allocated £624,000 in February 2001. The project will be based at Camborne School and Community College, but will be accessible electronically and physically to all schools in the Camborne, Pool, Redruth (CPR) Success Zone. The project offers a space mission control centre and real time night astronomy during daylight hours in the UK—through remote control of satellites on the dark side of the planet and international links. Collaboration is taking place with the National Space and Science Centre in Leicester. Input is also promised from the Royal Navy.
  841W

  New Deal for Schools allocations for schools in the North Cornwall constituency

  Grant

  awarded

  Year/School

  Project details

  (£000)

  2000–01

  Blisland Community

  Part of 36 school package for primary fire precautions

  169

  Bodmin Community Primary

  Boscastle Community

  Cardinham School

  Berrycoombe School

  Part of 16 school package for playground repairs

  1139

  Bodmin Community Primary Junior

  Bodmin Community College

  Camelford Primary

  Indian Queens Primary

  St. Merryn School

  2000–01

  Bodmin Community College

  Part of 13 school package for structural repairs

  1435

  Trevisker Primary

  Part of 8 school package for electrical works

  1210

  Berrycoombe School

  Part of 37 school package for flame failure devices on school kitchen ovens

  1115k

  St. Mary's CA Primary

  Bude Infant

  St. Columb Minor School

  Trenance Infant

  Beacon Infant and Nursery

  1Denotes total allocations made to Cornwall LEA for package projects covering a number of schools throughout Cornwall, including those shown in the constituency

  Further Education

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

  1996–97 to 1999–200

  16–18

  Adult

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Full-time

  Part-time

  FEFC funded

  1996–97

  616

  398

  180

  5,089

  1996–98

  587

  379

  210

  4,831

  1998–99

  583

  346

  249

  4,538

  1999–2000

  621

  336

  251

  4,444

  Non-FEFC funded

  1996–97

  30

  92

  29

  318

  1997–98

  29

  120

  43

  340

  1998–99

  30

  141

  76

  658

  1999–2000

  30

  143

  111

  534

  Modern Apprenticeships

  Information on Modern Apprenticeships for all English constituencies will be placed in the Library by the end of March.

  New Deal for Young People

  In the North Cornwall constituency, 1,219 young people have joined the New Deal to end December 2000. 745 have found jobs, 609 of which are sustained.

  Labour market statistics

  The working age employment rate in Cornwall in autumn 2000 was 71.8 per cent., below the UK rate of 74.7 per cent. The rate in autumn 1997 was 75.6 per cent., in autumn 1998 70.9 per cent., and in autumn 1999 69.9 per cent. These figures are volatile at this level, and our best interpretation of the trend in the employment rate for Cornwall since 1997 is that it has been broadly flat.
  842W
  The claimant unemployment rate has fallen from 8.2 per cent. in February 1997 to 5.0 per cent. in February 2001 in the North Cornwall constituency.

  School Achievement Awards
  Laura Moffatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many schools have won school achievement awards; and if he will make a statement. [156759]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  About 7,000 schools have won Achievement Awards worth about £5,000 for a typical primary school and about £25,000 for a typical secondary school. These will enable schools to pay bonuses to staff teams.

  About 5,000 of these schools have been awarded improvement awards. There have been some amendments to the original list of improvement awards because of a statistical error in the calculation of the 1997 average point score for Key Stage 2 tests. The final lists have been placed in the Library. The lists also update answers previously given to the hon. Member for Christchurch (Mr. Chope) about School Achievement Awards on 20 March 2001, Official Report, columns 160W, 165W and 168W, and provide rankings of improvement award winners by the differences between their average point scores in 1997 and 2000. Schools that had improved, but with the statistical change would not have merited an improvement award, will not lose financially as a result of these changes.

  Schools (Finance)
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to standardise the financial information required of schools. [156546]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  I am pleased to announce that we have today, in partnership with Ofsted and the Audit Commission, published a consultation document seeking
  843W
  views on the introduction of consistent financial reporting for schools maintained by local education authorities in England. The exercise closes in July. Copies of the consultation paper have been placed in the Library. Copies can also be obtained from the DfEE's publications centre and on-line from the Department's Consultation Unit website www.dfee.gov.uk/consultations.

PRIME MINISTER

  Ministerial Code
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Prime Minister when the Government will respond to the recommendations of the Third report of the Select Committee on Public Administration,'The Ministerial Code: Improving the Rule Book'. [156208]

  The Prime Minister
  The Third Report of the Public Administration Select Committee,"The Ministerial Code: Improving the Rule Book", was published on 14 February. The Government will respond in due course.

TREASURY

  Taxation
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out the amounts(a) in current prices, (b) in constant 2000–01 prices and (c) as percentages of personal income, taken by (i) income taxes, (ii) national insurance contributions, (iii) value-added tax, (iv) other central Government indirect taxes, (v) the aggregate of (i) to (iv), (vi) average council tax payments and (vii) the aggregate of (i) to (iv) and (viii) for (1) a single person,(2) a married couple without children, both working and(3) a married couple with two children, husband in work, wife not working, in each case at 50, 75, 100, 150 and 200 per cent. of average earnings for the financial year 2000–01, taking account of changes announced in his Budget Statement and previously announced changes and for each of the years (v) 1996–97, (w) 1997–98, (x) 1998–99, (y) 1999–2000, (z) 2000–01. [153381]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The available information, which shows income tax (including Child Benefit and Working Families Tax Credit from its first full year of implementation) and National Insurance Contributions, at multiples of median full-time earnings of all employees is given in the table. The figures are shown in current prices and as percentages of income, for the years 1996–97 to 2001–02, and take account of changes announced in the Budget. Estimating the impact of indirect taxes on these very specific family types is meaningless because spending patterns vary considerably between households of the same type and income. The level of council tax payments will also vary depending on where families live.

  The figures use median all-employee earnings. However, the data are only available since 1983. Looking over a longer time period, using male mean earnings, the series shows that the direct tax burden on a single earner family on average earnings and with two children in 2001–02 will be the lowest since 1972.
  844W

  Multiples of median earnings

  50%

  75%

  100%

  150%

  200%

  Single person

  1996–97

  £ per week

  Gross income

  153.98

  230.97

  307.96

  461.94

  615.92

  Income Tax

  16.58

  35.06

  53.53

  90.49

  135.94

  NICs

  10.52

  18.22

  25.92

  40.62

  40.62

  Percentage of gross earnings

  Income Tax

  10.8

  15.2

  17.4

  19.6

  22.1

  NICs

  6.8

  7.9

  8.4

  8.8

  6.6

  Tax and NICs

  17.6

  23.1

  25.8

  28.4

  28.7

  1997–98

  £per week

  Gross income

  160.37

  240.55

  320.73

  481.10

  641.46

  Income Tax

  16.63

  35.07

  53.51

  90.40

  137.78

  NICs

  11.08

  19.09

  27.11

  41.54

  41.54

  Percentage of gross earnings

  Income Tax

  10.4

  14.6

  16.7

  18.8

  21.5

  NICs

  6.9

  7.9

  8.5

  8.6

  6.5

  Tax and NICs

  17.3

  22.5

  25.1

  27.4

  28.0

  1998–99

  £ per week

  Gross income

  166.35

  249.53

  332.70

  499.05

  665.40

  Income Tax

  17.22

  36.36

  55.49

  93.75

  142.81

  NICs

  11.52

  19.83

  28.15

  43.38

  43.38

  Percentage of gross earnings

  Income Tax

  10.4

  14.6

  16.7

  18.8

  21.5

  NICs

  6.9

  7.9

  8.5

  8.7

  6.5

  Tax and NICs

  17.3

  22.5

  25.1

  27.5

  28.0

  1999–2000

  £ per week

  Gross income

  172.23

  258.34

  344.45

  516.68

  688.90

  Income Tax

  16.69

  36.49

  56.30

  95.91

  146.93

  NICs

  10.62

  19.23

  27.85

  43.40

  43.40

  Percentage of gross earnings

  Income Tax

  9.7

  14.1

  16.3

  18.6

  21.3

  NICs

  6.2

  7.4

  8.1

  8.4

  6.3

  Tax and NICs

  15.9

  21.6

  24.4

  27.0

  27.6

  2000–01

  £ per week

  Gross income

  179.98

  269.96

  359.95

  539.93

  719.90

  Income Tax

  17.53

  37.33

  57.13

  96.72

  152.41

  NICs

  10.40

  19.40

  28.40

  45.90

  45.90

  Percentage of gross earnings

  Income Tax

  9.7

  13.8

  15.9

  17.9

  21.2

  NICs

  5.8

  7.2

  7.9

  8.5

  6.4

  Tax and NICs

  15.5

  21.0

  23.8

  26.4

  27.5

  2001–02

  £ per week

  Gross income

  188.07

  282.11

  376.15

  564.22

  752.30

  Income Tax

  17.85

  38.54

  59.23

  100.60

  159.93

  NICs

  10.11

  19.51

  28.91

  47.72

  48.80

  Percentage of gross earnings

  Income Tax

  9.5

  13.7

  15.7

  17.8

  21.3

  NICs

  5.4

  6.9

  7.7

  8.5

  6.5

  Tax and NICs

  14.9

  20.6

  23.4

  26.3

  27.7

  Two earner married couple, no children

  1996–97

  £ per week

  Gross income

  153.98

  230.97

  307.96

  461.94

  615.92

  Income Tax

  0.00

  12.07

  28.96

  64.95

  101.90

  NICs

  5.64

  13.34

  21.04

  36.43

  51.83

  Percentage of gross earnings

  Income Tax

  0.0

  5.2

  9.4

  14.1

  16.5

  NICs

  3.7

  5.8

  6.8

  7.9

  8.4

  Tax and NICs

  3.7

  11.0

  16.2

  21.9

  25.0

  1997–98

  per week

  Gross income

  160.37

  240.55

  320.73

  481.10

  641.46

  Income Tax

  0.00

  11.72

  28.83

  64.86

  101.74

  NICs

  6.12

  14.13

  22.15

  38.19

  54.23

  845W

  Multiples of median earnings

  50%

  75%

  100%

  150%

  200%

  Percentage of gross earnings

  Income Tax

  0.0

  4.9

  9.0

  13.5

  15.9

  NICs

  3.8

  5.9

  6.9

  7.9

  8.5

  Tax and NICs

  3.8

  10.7

  15.9

  21.4

  24.3

  1998–99

  £ per week

  Gross income

  166.35

  249.53

  332.70

  499.05

  665.40

  Income Tax

  0.00

  12.16

  29.88

  67.23

  105.49

  NICs

  6.40

  14.71

  23.03

  39.67

  56.30

  Percentage of gross earnings

  Income Tax

  0.0

  4.9

  9.0

  13.5

  15.9

  NICs

  3.8

  5.9

  6.9

  7.9

  8.5

  Tax and NICs

  3.8

  10.8

  15.9

  21.4

  24.3

  1999–2000

  £ per week

  Gross income

  172.23

  258.34

  344.45

  516.68

  688.90

  Income Tax

  0.00

  10.94

  29.59

  69.20

  108.81

  NICs

  4.02

  12.63

  21.25

  38.47

  55.69

  Percentage of gross earnings

  Income Tax

  NICs

  2.3

  4.9

  6.2

  7.4

  8.1

  Tax and NICs

  2.3

  9.1

  14.8

  20.8

  23.9

  2000–01

  £ per week

  Gross income

  179.98

  269.96

  359.95

  539.93

  719.90

  Income Tax

  2.37

  15.94

  35.07

  74.66

  114.26

  NICs

  3.20

  11.80

  20.80

  38.79

  56.79

  Percentage of gross earnings

  Income Tax

  1.3

  5.9

  9.7

  13.8

  15.9

  NICs

  1.8

  4.4

  5.8

  7.2

  7.9

  Tax and NICs

  3.1

  10.3

  15.5

  21.0

  23.8

  2001–02

  £ per week

  Gross income

  188.07

  282.11

  376.15

  564.22

  752.30

  Income Tax

  2.56

  16.28

  35.70

  77.08

  118.46

  NICs

  2.58

  10.81

  20.21

  39.02

  57.83

  Percentage of gross earnings

  Income Tax

  NICs

  1.4

  3.8

  5.4

  6.9

  7.7

  Tax and NICs

  2.7

  9.6

  14.9

  20.6

  23.4

  Single-earner married couple, two children

  1996–97

  £ per week

  Gross income

  153.98

  230.97

  307.96

  461.94

  615.92

  Income Tax

  11.41

  29.89

  48.37

  85.33

  130.78

  NICs

  10.52

  18.22

  25.92

  40.62

  40.62

  Child Benefit (CB)

  19.60

  19.60

  19.60

  19.60

  19.60

  Percentage of gross earnings

  Net income tax

  7.4

  12.9

  15.7

  18.5

  21.2

  NICs

  6.8

  7.9

  8.4

  8.8

  6.6

  Net income tax + NICs—CB

  1.5

  12.3

  17.8

  23.0

  24.6

  1997–98

  £per week

  Gross income

  160.37

  240.55

  320.73

  481.10

  641.46

  Income Tax

  11.35

  29.79

  48.23

  85.12

  132.50

  NICs

  11.08

  19.09

  27.11

  41.54

  41.54

  Child Benefit (CB)

  20.05

  20.05

  20.05

  20.05

  20.05

  Percentage of gross earnings

  Net income tax

  7.1

  12.4

  15.0

  17.7

  20.7

  NICs

  6.9

  7.9

  8.5

  8.6

  6.5

  Net income tax + NICs—CB

  1.5

  12.0

  17.2

  22.2

  24.0

  1998–99

  £ per week

  Gross income

  166.35

  249.53

  332.70

  499.05

  665.40

  Income Tax

  11.74

  30.87

  50.00

  88.27

  137.33

  NICs

  11.52

  19.83

  28.15

  43.38

  43.38

  Child Benefit (CB)

  20.75

  20.75

  20.75

  20.75

  20.75

  Percentage of gross earnings

  Net income tax

  7.1

  12.4

  15.0

  17.7

  20.6

  NICs

  6.9

  7.9

  8.5

  8.7

  6.5

  Net income tax + NICs–CB

  1.5

  12.0

  17.3

  22.2

  24.0

  846W

  Multiples of median earnings

  50%

  75%

  100%

  150%

  200%

  1999–2000

  £ per week

  Gross income

  172.23

  258.34

  344.45

  516.68

  688.90

  Income Tax

  12.90

  32.71

  52.51

  92.12

  143.14

  NICs

  10.62

  19.23

  27.85

  43.40

  43.40

  Child Benefit (CB)

  24.00

  24.00

  24.00

  24.00

  24.00

  Percentage of gross earnings

  Net income tax

  7.5

  12.7

  15.2

  17.8

  20.8

  NICs

  6.2

  7.4

  8.1

  8.4

  6.3

  Net income tax + NICs—CB

  –0.3

  10.8

  16.4

  21.6

  23.6

  2000–01

  £ per week

  Gross income

  179.98

  269.96

  359.95

  539.93

  719.90

  Income Tax

  17.53

  37.33

  57.13

  96.72

  152.41

  NICs

  10.40

  19.40

  28.40

  45.90

  45.90

  Child Benefit (CB)

  25.00

  25.00

  25.00

  25.00

  25.00

  Working Families Tax Credit

  82.27

  48.62

  14.96

  0.00

  0.00

  Percentage of gross earnings

  Net income tax

  –36.0

  –4.2

  11.7

  17.9

  21.2

  NICs

  5.8

  7.2

  7.9

  8.5

  6.4

  Net income tax + NICs—CB

  –44.1

  –6.3

  12.7

  21.8

  24.1

  2001–02

  £ per week

  Gross Income

  188.07

  282.11

  376.15

  564.22

  752.30

  Income Tax

  7.85

  28.54

  49.23

  90.60

  156.57

  NICs

  10.11

  19.51

  28.91

  47.72

  48.80

  Child Benefit (CB)

  25.85

  25.85

  25.85

  25.85

  25.85

  Working Families Tax Credit

  79.98

  44.81

  9.64

  0.00

  0.00

  Percentage of gross earnings

  Net income tax

  –38.4

  –5.8

  10.5

  16.1

  20.8

  NICs

  5.4

  6.9

  7.7

  8.5

  6.5

  Net income tax + NICs—CB

  –46.7

  –8.0

  11.3

  19.9

  23.9

  Notes

  1. Income tax payments are calculated on the basis that the households receive no tax reliefs other than the standard allowances and only have income from employment. All earners, including wives, are assumed to pay Class 1 National Insurance contributions at the contracted-in rate.

  2. Earnings are taken to be the median gross weekly earnings of all full-time employees on adult rates with pay unaffected by absence. (Median earnings are more representative of the population as a whole than mean male full-time earnings.)

  3. A family with two children is assumed to have both children aged under 11.

  4. In line with the convention in the Tax Benefit Reference Manual, Child Benefit is treated as negative income tax.

  5. Working Families Tax Credit is included from its first full year of implementation in 2000–01.

  6. For the two earner family it is assumed that earnings are split 60%:40%.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will answer the Question tabled by the hon. Member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton for answer on 9 March (Ref 153381). [156436]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I have done so today.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Passport Agency
  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to change the name of the United Kingdom Passport Agency; and when he will publish the Agency's framework document. [156761]
  847W
  Mr. Straw
  Following a Quinquennial Review in January 2001, an announcement was made that Ministers had agreed that the Passport Agency should retain its status as an Executive Agency for another five years and that it should continue to manage the Criminal Records Bureau. The Agency will be changing its name to reflect its broader responsibilities and will now be called the Passport and Records Agency. The Agency's Framework document has been published today. Copies of the revised document will be placed in the library.

  Immigration
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will make authorisations under section 19D of the Race Relations Act 1976 (as amended) in respect of the carrying out of immigration functions. [156766]

  Mrs. Roche
  I have today placed a copy of the authorisation made under section 19D of the extended Race Relations Act in the Library, together with a brief explanatory note. Decisions on immigration and asylum applications will continue to be made on the merits of each individual case in accordance with immigration legislation and policies approved by Ministers. The authorisation mainly concerns the process by which such decisions are reached, and covers the following areas:Examination of passengers by the Immigration Service at ports of entry;
  Persons wishing to travel to the United Kingdom (to enable the operation of a flexible immigration control, including pre-clearance overseas);
  The setting of removal directions; Asylum work streaming;
  Permission to work in relation to the British Universities North America Club programme, the Japan Youth Exchange Scheme and certain British Dependent Territories citizens;
  Translation of documents.

  Additional authorisations will be made by Ministers as and where necessary, including, where justified by intelligence or statistical evidence of a threat to the immigration control by those seeking to enter the United Kingdom by deception, specific authorisations to immigration officers at ports to examine passengers more closely in limited circumstances on the basis of ethnic or national origin. The Race Monitor to be appointed under section 19E of the Race Relations Act (as amended) will report to Parliament via the Secretary of State on the likely effect of authorisations made by Ministers and on how they are operated in practice by officials.

  National Technical Assistance Centre
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the development of the National Technical Assistance Centre. [156765]

  Mr. Straw
  I announced my intention to establish a Government Technical Assistance Centre, using £25 million of Capital Modernisation Funding, in a written reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Coventry, South (Mr. Cunningham) on 27 March 2000,Official Report, column 1W.
  848W
  The facility will now be known as the National Technical Assistance Centre (NTAC). This is to reflect clearly that it will provide technical assistance to law enforcement agencies nationwide. NTAC will be a 24 hour centre operated by the Home Office on behalf of all the law enforcement, security and intelligence agencies, to process lawfully intercepted communications and lawfully acquired material and make it intelligible to intelligence analysts. It will also support criminal investigations through the provision of evidential material derived from electronically protected data.

  Although, for reasons of physical security, NTAC will be located within the headquarters of the Security Service, the Home Office will retain responsibility for the day-to-day management of NTAC beyond when it acquires an initial operating capability. Once the operation of NTAC is firmly established, that decision will be reviewed.

  NTAC will handle material obtained under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 and be subject to review by the Interception of Communications Commissioner and the Intelligence Services Commissioner. It will also be subject to the safeguards contained in that Act.

  NTAC may also process material lawfully acquired under the Security Service Act 1989, the Intelligence Services Act 1994 and the Police Act 1997 for which it will be subject to review by the Intelligence Services Commissioner and the Surveillance Commissioners. It will also be subject to the scrutiny of the courts in respect of its handling of lawfully seized material and material lawfully acquired through the exercise of other statutory powers.

  The first head of NTAC will be Assistant Chief Constable, Ian Humphreys, who has joined the Home Office on secondment from Kent County Constabulary where he was Head of Criminal Investigation.

  Active Community Grants
  Mr. Hope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will announce the Active Community grants to voluntary and community organisations for 2001–02. [156764]

  Mr. Boateng
  I am today announcing grants of over £18 million that have been allocated to boost the work of 149 voluntary and community organisations across the country.

  For 2001–2002 a total of £18,060,937 will be awarded to cover a wide range of volunteering and employee volunteering schemes, and community development projects. Forty-seven organisations will receive grants for the first time.

  The amount available for these grants has been increased by £8 million over the next three years, with organisations sharing an extra £1 million this year, a further £3 million in 2002–03 and an extra £4 million in 2003–04.

  A list of the successful applicants has been placed in the Library.

  Intrusive Surveillance
  Mr. White
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who will authorise the use of intrusive
  849W
  surveillance by Her Majesty's Prison Service under Part II of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000; who in the Prison Service may apply to use the power; and if he will make a statement on the use of intrusive surveillance in private prisons. [156763]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Secretary of State will authorise the use of intrusive surveillance carried out by Her Majesty's Prison Service under Part II of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) on application by persons holding an office, rank or position in Her Majesty's Prison Service itself. In practice, the Governor in charge of the relevant prison will make the case for such an application to be made. This case will be submitted to a Senior Civil Servant with operational experience within Prison Service Headquarters who will be a Gold Commander (in the case of a hostage situation) or, otherwise, an Area Manager or the Head of Security, one of whom will formally make the application to the Home Office. This process will be laid down in the Security Manual followed by Her Majesty's Prison Service. Within the Home Office, applications will be scrutinised by a dedicated warrants unit, headed up by a Senior Civil Servant charged with providing advice to the Secretary of State. A full audit trail will be available to the Chief Surveillance Commissioner who has a statutory responsibility to oversee the use of intrusive surveillance by Her Majesty's Prison Service.

  Intrusive surveillance may be used in private prisons, and will be regulated by Part II of RIPA. A Senior Civil Servant with operational experience at Gold Commander, Area Manager or Head of Security level within Prison Service Headquarters will make an application to the Home Office in response to a case made by the Director of the relevant prison. Authorisations will be given by the Secretary of State. Private prisons are contractually obliged to follow the procedures set out in the Prison Service Security Manual which will set out how the application process will operate.

  Volunteering
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Government's plans to encourage and enable people aged 50 years and over to volunteer and become involved in their communities. [156756]

  Mr. Boateng
  I have received the report of the advisory group of experts, drawn mainly from the voluntary sector and chaired by my noble Friend Baroness Greengross of Notting Hill, whom the Government asked last year to develop a plan to enable those aged 50 and over to become or continue to be involved with their local communities.

  The report recommends the establishment of an independent Experience Corps Company to take forward action. The Government warmly welcome this proposal and will be providing funding of £19 million over the next three years to facilitate it. We will be working with Baroness Greengross, as the company Chairman, to develop an agreed way forward. A copy of the group's report has been placed in the Library.

  Police Numbers (Wales)
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) funded and (b) actual police
  850W
  officers were in post in each of the Welsh constabularies on (i) 31 March 1997 and (ii) the latest date for which figures are available. [154812]

  Mr. Charles Clarke [holding answer 22 March 2001]
  The information requested is set out in the table. The figures for funded officers have been provided by the Chief Officers of Police of the four Welsh forces.

  The Chief Constable of North Wales Police has devolved decisions on police numbers to divisional commanders and therefore cannot provide information on funded numbers. However, it is the policy of the force to replace all leavers with new recruits.

  31 March 1997

  31 January 2001

  Actual

  Actual

  Funded

  number of

  Funded

  number of

  Force

  officers1

  officers1

  officers1

  officers1

  Dyfed-Powys

  1,007

  1,005

  1,067

  1,063

  Gwent

  1,241

  1,243

  1,270

  1,265

  North Wales

  n/a

  1,369

  n/a

  1,432

  South Wales

  2,994

  2,976

  3,036

  3,103

  Total

  n/a

  6,593

  n/a

  6,863

  1All figures are full-time equivalents.

  Departmental Policies (North Devon)
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the North Devon constituency, the effects on North Devon of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [155904]

  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 House of Commons Library. The recorded crime statistics include information on recorded crime by Basic Command Unit and Crime and Disorder partnerships.

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

  Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)

  North Devon district council was awarded approximately £153,000 for a 13-camera system covering crime hotspots in the Barnstaple area, including two car parks that are not covered by the current CCTV system. The scheme aims to significantly reduce violent crime, disorder and vehicle crime, also reducing the number of repeat victims and generally improving the quality of life for local residents.
  851W
  Youth Offending

  Devon Youth Offending Service (YOS) was one of the initial pilot areas for Youth Offending Teams (YOTs) and also piloted Parenting Orders and Child Safety Orders. The Devon YOT is one of the largest in the country and is divided into a three team structure: North Devon (North Devon, Torridge, West Devon districts); East Devon (Exeter, Mid Devon, East Devon districts); South Devon (Teignbridge, South Hams districts). With regard to habitual re-offending it is still early days for measurement, but a re-offending figure of 9 per cent. with all Final Warnings has been achieved since June 2000, (compared with a figure of 40 per cent. for all cautions over the previous two years). In addition a drop of 23 per cent. in youth crime for the period of October to December 2000 has been recorded Intervention with young offenders is occurring earlier resulting in the teams having worked with over 1,000 young people by the end of this financial year against approximately 450 in the last full year pre YOT (1998).

  Overall youth crime in Devon is lower than the National and Regional average with one offence per one 106 of the 10–17 year old population. There was a reduction in 10 out of the 13 categories of crime from quarter 2 to quarter 3 2000–2001. Racially aggravated youth crime is very low (only nine offences) despite a Devon and Cornwall Constabulary figure that has grown by over 100 per cent. in the last year post recommendations following the Stephen Lawrence inquiry encouraging greater reporting of racial incidents.

  The YOS has installed a dedicated Information Technology (IT) network and database— "Youth Offending Information Systems" (YOIS). Over 2,500 records have been inputted onto this system. Full data return have been made to the Youth Justice Board (YJB) for all three first quarters. An electronic 'ASSET' assessment tool has also been installed and electronic case management training is scheduled for 2001.

  The YOS has successfully integrated into the strategy groups of all eight District Crime Reduction Partnerships. The YOS is also involved in the Cornwall and Devon `CONNEXIONS' pilot with 'personal advisers' working in all three units. This scheme is a Department for Education and Employment (DFEE) and Government initiative to provide young people between the age of 13–19 with advice regarding education and careers and is based in schools, particularly targeting those at risk of underachieving. The YOS Manager is on the new Devon Drug Action Team and YOS team staff are involved with all eight district Drug Reference Groups/Drug Strategy Groups. Staff from all three teams have been trained in Restorative Justice techniques, victim awareness and Cognitive Behavioural work. The Devon YOS are currently operating with an average arrest to sentence time for persistent young offenders of 65 days (below the Government target of 71 days and the second best figure in the country). The YOS are implementing five YJB grant aided projects: `Mentoring' (North Devon); `Restorative Justice', 'Intensive Supervision and Support', `Parenting' and 'Bail Supervision and Support' across all three YOS teams.
  852W
  More generally, all of the policies of the Home Office will impact on the residents of North Devon to a greater or lesser extent. For example:
  376 Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships have been established;
  racial harassment and racially motivated crimes have been made criminal offences by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998;
  the asylum backlog has been cut from 103,495 at the end of January 2000 to 66,195 by the end of December 2000; and
  good progress is being made in reducing the incidence of fire deaths in England and Wales. They have dropped from 605 in 1997 to 534 in 1999.

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

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average time taken was to make(a) an initial decision and (b) a final decision on asylum applications, in total and for (i) individual and (ii) family applications last year; what the average time for initial decisions was in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [155574]

  Mrs. Roche [holding answer 26 March 2001]
  The majority of new substantive family applications lodged between 1 April 2000 and 31 December 2000 had an initial decision within two months.

  Information regarding the average time taken to make an initial decision is not available for the whole of 2000. The table provides an average for the period of October to December 2000. The average decision times have been calculated using all decisions made for which data are available, including a number of cases decided under the backlog criteria, as well as new cases. These data are still subject to revision following quality checking. Data for earlier months are not available.

  Information relating to the final decision is not available.

  Average time to initial decision1,2 for the period October 2000 to

  December 20005

  Months

  All initial decisions3,4

  14

  of which:

  Family

  5

  Individual

  14

  1The average length of time (in months) is calculated from date application is lodged to the date of initial decision, and relates to the month in which the decisions were made.

  2Figures are estimates based on cases for which information is recorded.

  3Based on data from ACID (Asylum Cases Information Database).

  4Excluding dependants.

  5Provisional Figures.

  Average time to initial decision 4, in months, 1991–19991,2,3

  Applications

  Applications

  All

  lodged pre

  lodged post

  Year of decision

  applications

  July 1993

  July 1993

  1991

  16

  16

  n/a

  1992

  20

  20

  n/a

  1993

  20

  20

  n/a

  853W

  Average time to initial decision 4, in months, 1991–19991,2,3

  Applications

  Applications

  All

  lodged pre

  lodged post

  Year of decision

  applications

  July 1993

  July 1993

  1994

  17

  26

  6

  1995

  18

  41

  9

  1996

  17

  52

  11

  1997

  22

  64

  14

  1998

  17

  78

  12

  19995

  35

  91

  16

  n/a = Not applicable

  1Excluding dependants.

  2Figures are estimates based on cases for which information is recorded.

  3Based on data from Refugee Index.

  4The average length of time (in months) is calculated from date application is lodged to the date of initial decision, and relates to the year in which the decisions were made.

  5As at the end of December 1999, excluding cases waiting an initial decision.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to achieve his targets for the time taken to process asylum applications(a) for initial decisions and (b) final decisions; and if he will make a statement. [155575]

  Mrs. Roche [holding answer 26 March 2001]
  In line with the 1998 White Paper, we expect to be making 60 per cent. of initial decisions in new substantive asylum cases within two months from April 2001.

  The Court Service is aiming to complete 65 per cent. of asylum appeals through both tiers of the Immigration Appellate Authorities within four months from April 2001.

  Chief Constables
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what(a) general guidance and (b) specific instructions are issued to chief constables on the contacts they may have with hon. Members in the run up to a General Election by (i) him and (ii) other organisations. [155733]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  No such guidance or instructions are issued by the Home Office. I understand that the President of the Association of Chief Police Officers has written to Chief Constables' colleagues requesting that they facilitate visits to forces and local police stations by parliamentary candidates during a general election campaign.

  Asylum Support
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the review into the workings of the asylum support system will be concluded; and if he will make a statement. [156092]

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

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers are being supported by NASS in each area of the country; and if he will make a statement. [156089]
  854W
  Mrs. Roche
  The number of asylum seekers (including dependants) allocated support by National Asylum Support Service (NASS), as at the end of February 2001, were as follows:

  Allocated

  voucher

  Allocated

  support

  Region

  accommodation

  only

  Total

  East Midlands

  1,200

  220

  1,420

  East England

  40

  810

  840

  Greater London

  420

  8,120

  8,540

  North East

  4,010

  30

  4,040

  North West

  5,100

  220

  5,320

  North Ireland

  40

  1—

  40

  Scotland

  2,280

  160

  2,440

  South Central

  270

  1,530

  1.790

  South West

  520

  180

  700

  Wales

  30

  70

  100

  West Midlands

  2,330

  210

  2,540

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  5,180

  100

  5,280

  Total

  21,410

  11,630

  33,040

  1Indicates between 1 and 4. All figures rounded to the nearest ten so may not add up to totals.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the fraudulent use of vouchers will be part of the review of the working of the voucher support system; and if he will make a statement. [156090]

  Mrs. Roche
  A number of respondents to the review of the operation of the asylum voucher scheme have commented on the fraudulent use of vouchers and their comments will be taken into consideration.

  Thouria Zaghali
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department received an application from Mrs. Thouria Zaghali (reference B469820–2) for leave to settle in the United Kingdom as the spouse of a British citizen; and when he will take decision on the application. [156085]

  Mrs. Roche
  Mrs. Zaghali's current application for leave to remain was made in December 1999. It has now been decided to grant her leave to remain on the basis of marriage.

  Passports
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask, the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to establish a more secure method of delivering passports to UK citizens who have had their passports renewed. [156000]

  Mrs. Roche [holding answer 22 March 2001]
  The United Kingdom Passport Agency regularly reviews the methods it uses to send passports to its customers. The vast majority of the five million passports the Agency issues annually by first class post arrive safely at their destinations. The Agency has no plans to change its present arrangements, but is working closely with the Royal Mail to improve security of passports in the post.

  Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his current policy is with regard to the licensing under the Animals (Scientific
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  Procedures) Act 1986 of the production of monoclonal antibodies by the ascites method; and if he will make a statement. [156757]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We announced in November 1997 our decision to phase out the licensing under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 of monoclonal antibody production using ascitic mice unless exceptional scientific justification exists. Under this policy, new licences are not issued unless clear evidence is presented that in vitro attempts at production have failed or that the use of animals is justified for specific diagnostic or therapeutic products. An outright ban is not possible without primary legislation, and it is recognised that monoclonal antibodies have particular value in the diagnosis of infectious diseases and in the treatment of some types of cancer.

  Only three new authorities have been issued for this work since this policy came fully into effect on 1 January 1999. I shall personally consider any future proposal to grant a licence using this procedure.

  Departmental Policies (North Cornwall)
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the North Cornwall constituency, the effects on North Cornwall of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [156125]

  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 in the way requested although set out are examples relating to the North Cornwall constituency or the immediate locality:

  Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)

  Restormel borough council in partrmship with Devon and Cornwall Constabulary were awarded £70,000 under round 1 of the CCTV Initiative for a mobile scheme consisting of one vehicle and two cameras. This will compliment the existing town centre schemes at Newquay and St Austell allowing crime and anti-social issues to be targeted in a borough council area which is predominantly rural.

  Targeted Policing Initiative

  Devon and Cornwall Constabulary were awarded £950,000 under round 2 of the Targeted Policing Initiative for a project to reduce violent crime linked to alcohol abuse (Operation Amethyst). The project will provide
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  immediate support to victims of domestic violence at hospital Accident and Emergency Departments. It will tackle on and off licensed premises selling alcohol to those under the legal age limit. A media campaign will be launched to publicise the negative effects of alcohol. Youth workers will be provided to work with those people misusing alcohol. Other aims of the project include:creating an Alcohol Assessment Stabilisation Programme in conjunction with an arrest referral scheme; management of the licensing environment; creation of a Safety Advisory Group to provide guidance and advice, and provide education about alcohol.

  Reducing Burglary Initiative

  Devon and Cornwall Constabulary in partnership with North Cornwall District Council were awarded approximately £5,000 for a project in Launceston aimed at elderly residents. The proposed interventions include training for dealing with callers, a media campaign, life-line alarms and other security upgrades and community awareness training.

  Youth Offending

  North Cornwall is covered by the Cornwall Youth Offending Team (YOT). The YOT directly provides assessment and intervention work in support of: final warnings; bail support and supervision services; supervision of youth court orders and throughcare and post release supervision for young people sentenced to custody. The YOT also provides responsible officers for child safety and parenting orders. The YOT also manage the delivery of services supplied by other agencies including: drugs misuse assessment and intervention accessed through the RAPIDLY project. which is funded with the assistance of the Youth Justice Board (YJB) and the Health Action Zone; and the Hot Spot project dealing with young fire setters, which operates as a collaborative venture involving the Fire Service, Dreadnought and Social Services. The YJB are contributing approximately £197,000 to the RAPIDLY project. This project aims to reduce youth offending by rapid intervention with persons who are offending through substance misuse. The objective is to reduce young people's involvement in substance abuse, directly and indirectly related to youth offending, improve their health, education and employment. The level of intervention varies ranging from information and education, counselling and an activity based programme to medical treatment. The YJB is also contributing £125,000 to a Bail Support Scheme. This project aims to enable more young offenders to remain in the community or in non-secure accommodation prior to sentencing.

  More generally, all of the policies of the Home Office will impact on the residents of North Cornwall to a greater or lesser extent. For example:
  376 Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships have been established;
  racial harassment and racially motivated crimes have been made criminal offences by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998;
  the asylum backlog has been cut from 103,495 at the end of January 2000 to 49,690 by the end of February 2001; and
  good progress is being made in reducing the incidence of fire deaths in England and Wales. They have dropped from 605 in 1997 to 534 in 1999.

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

CABINET OFFICE

  Regulatory Impact Assessments
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will list the regulatory impact assessments published during the latest six month period. [156748]

  Mr. Stringer
  The Government are committed to ensuring that regulations are necessary, give effective protection, balance cost and risk, are fair and command public confidence. In accordance with this, we require Departments to produce and publish Regulatory Impact Assessments for all regulatory proposals likely to have an impact on business.

  I have presented to Parliament today a Command Paper listing Regulatory Impact Assessments published between 1 July and 31 December 2000. Copies of those listed have been placed in the House Libraries. This is the fourteenth such Command Paper.

  Drug Addicts
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will estimate the number of drug addicts in the UK. [156203]

  Mr. Stringer
  The number of problematic drug users—usually characterised as'addicts'—in the mid-to-late 1990s, has been estimated at 266,000 for England, Scotland and Wales.

  Foot and Mouth
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what discussions she has had with(a) the Prime
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  Minister and (b) other Cabinet colleagues on whether the foot and mouth epidemic would justify declaring a state of emergency; and if she will list the dates of such discussions. [156205]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  Under Exemption 2 of Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, information about internal discussions is not disclosed.

  Absenteeism
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to her answer of 12 March 2001,Official Report, column 472W, if she will reconcile her statement concerning the classification of the requested data by public and private sector with the answer from the Chancellor of the Exchequer of 20 March 2001, Official Report, columns 196—97W. [155397]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The answer I gave to the hon. Member on 12 March 2001,Official Report, column 472W. was partly inaccurate. The correct position has been 5 out in a letter to him dated 20 March 2001 from the Director of Social Statistics in ONS, Official Report, column 197W.

  Chief Scientific Adviser
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will make a statement on the role of the Government Chief Scientific Adviser in the work of the Hawley Group. [154517]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Chief Scientific Adviser has been kept fully informed of key developments stemming from the work of the Hawley Group.

  Voluntary and Community Organisations:Grants
  Voluntary and Community Organisations:Grants
  Zimbabwe: Arms Embargo
  Zimbabwe: Arms Embargo
  Council of the European Union: Forthcoming Business
  Council of the European Union: Forthcoming Business
  Visas: Correspondence
  Visas: Correspondence
  Iraq: Export of Controlled Goods
  Iraq: Export of Controlled Goods
  Operation Granby: Vaccination Materials
  Operation Granby: Vaccination Materials