Written Answers of 1 May 2001

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  European Commission (State Aid)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list, by country, for each of the past 10 years, the amount of state aid permitted by the European Commission to each EU country by sector. [158326]

  Mr. Hain
  The latest available information on expenditure of compatible state aid by member state can be found in the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th Surveys on State Aid in the European Union on the European Commission website at www.europa.eu.int. Copies of all these surveys will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Social Chapter
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions he has had with EU colleagues on the Social Chapter. [158611]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  Since fulfilling our manifesto commitment to end the UK opt out to the Social Chapter, the Government have participated at EU Council and other meetings at which measures brought forward under the Social Chapter have been discussed. I last met with EU colleagues on 20 December at the Employment and Social Policy Council.

  Refrigerants
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his Department's policy is regarding the purchase of(a) hydrocarbons and (b) other environmentally benign refrigerants to meet the refrigeration and other relevant energy needs of buildings and premises owned and leased by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [160014]

  Dr. Howells
  The Department's policy is to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gasses, and other substances detrimental to the environment, from its buildings.

  When purchasing new or replacement equipment, the Department will therefore consider equipment using less environmentally damaging refrigerants where practicable.

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which London headquarters building or premises owned or leased by his Department use(a) chlorofluorocarbons and (b) hydrochlorofluorocarbons for refrigeration and other relevant energy needs. [160018]

  Dr. Howells
  The Department has one HQ building, Kingsgate House, where a small proportion of the refrigeration and other energy needs are met using chlorofluorocarbons.
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  Three HQ buildings (1 Victoria Street, 151 Buckingham Palace Road and Kingsgate House) have some of their refrigerant and other energy needs met by plant which requires the use of hydrochlorofluorocarbons.

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent his Department's headquarters buildings use hydrofluorocarbons for(a) refrigeration and (b) air conditioning; what amounts of hydrofluorocarbons have been purchased in each year since 1995; and what plans he has to phase out the (i) purchase and (ii) use of hydrofluorocarbons. [160009]

  Dr. Howells
  One building (1 Victoria street) uses a small amount of hydrofluorocarbons for its refrigeration.

  Between the period April 2000 and March 2001, 1 kg of hydrofluorocarbons was purchased. Data for previous years could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  When replacing plant which currently uses hydrofluorocarbons, the Department will consider plant using alternative refrigerants where practicable.

  Maternity Pay and Leave
  Ms Ryan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the current requirements for maternity pay and leave. [160153]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The responses to the consultation on the Green Paper "Work and Parents—Competitiveness and Choice" have confirmed that the existing rules for maternity pay and leave are unnecessarily complex for employers and employees. This complexity is particularly a problem for small businesses.

  Through the consultation process employers, their representatives, working parents and those representing unions and family groups have told us that they want to see simplification of these rules.

  I have responded to these strong calls for simplification by today publishing a framework for a simplified maternity pay and leave system, including an assessment of the likely benefits and costs of any changes.

  This new framework will deliver simplicity, certainty and improved planning time for both employers and employees. It sets out changes to the notification procedures and periods and unified and simpler qualification requirements.

  An integral part of the new system is the Government's decision, following the consultation, to allow mothers the choice to take up to a year's maternity leave in total. This was strongly supported by parents and their representatives. This will be another important step in the process of helping parents balance their work and home lives. It builds on the steps announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Budget Statement and by me, in my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Crawley (Laura Moffatt), on 25 April 2001, Official Report, columns 280–81.

  I welcome comments on the framework and have placed copies of the document in the Library of the House.

  Banana Trade Dispute
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the terms of the settlement reached between the European Community and the United States of America concerning the importation of bananas from associated states of the Community and non-associated producers of bananas, together with the consequential effects on traditional imports from current and former members of the Commonwealth, and the consequent financial and social effects. [158816]

  Ms Quin
  I have been asked to reply.

  We have placed in the Library of the House copies of the "Understanding on Bananas", which sets out the basis of the agreement between the European Commission and the United States of America.

  The new regime will enable Commonwealth banana-exporting countries in the Caribbean which have traditionally supplied the UK market to continue to do so. The precise quantities of bananas imported will depend on commercial decisions by banana traders. However, to the extent that contractions in the Caribbean banana sector which have been seen in recent years continue, it will remain essential that, in these countries, Community funds are used for viable development activities such as restructuring, diversification and safety net schemes to help cope with ongoing changes in the banana sector.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many special advisers worked in her Department from 1997 to date. [160026]

  Clare Short
  Since 1997 I have had two special advisers at any one time and five different individuals have occupied the posts.

DEFENCE

  Nuclear Disarmament
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what successful steps the Government have taken since May 1997 to achieve multilateral nuclear disarmament. [158786]

  Mr. Hoon
  Since May 1997 the UK has:ratified the Treaty of Raratonga (South Pacific Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone) in September 1997:
  ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) in April 1998, worked actively for its entry into force and for its verification arrangements to be established as soon as possible;
  agreed strengthened international safeguards arrangements for the UK with the International Atomic Energy Authority (IAEA) in September 1998, following international agreement of model strengthened international safeguards arrangements for non-nuclear weapon states in May 1998;
  helped ensure a positive outcome to the 2000 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference, and played a key role in the success of the negotiation of a Final Document which both reviewed progress over the last five years and set out an agenda for the next five. Of particular significance in the Document was the "unequivocal undertaking by the
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  nuclear-weapon States to accomplish the total elimination of their nuclear arsenals leading to nuclear disarmament to which all states are committed under Article VI of the NPT".
  engaged in consultations among the Nuclear Weapons States (NWS) leading to the joint NWS announcement in May 2000 that "none of our nuclear weapons are targeted at any State";
  agreed to contribute £70 million over the next 10 years as part of the G8 programmed to help dispose of Russian weapons-grade plutonium announced at the Okinawa summit in July 2000.
  ratified the Treaty of Pelindaba (African Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone) in February 2001.
  The UK has also worked hard internationally to create the broader security environment necessary to enable further nuclear reductions without jeopardising our own security.

  The practical measures on nuclear disarmament in the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) in July 1998 enabled the Government to show the commitment of the UK as a Nuclear Weapon State to make its own contribution to the goal of the global elimination of nuclear weapons. They included the reduction in the size of our deterrent and greater transparency about our nuclear and fissile material stockpiles. These SDR measures will help lay the ground for UK participation in multilateral negotiations when the conditions are right.

  Porton Down
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what inquiries(a) his officials and (b) the Chemical Defence Establishment, Porton Down have conducted since 1 January 1997 into allegations that service personnel were duped into taking part in experiments at Porton Down when they believed that they were taking part in research to find a cure for the common cold; and when each inquiry was conducted. [160061]

  Dr. Moonie
  Some research has been carried out in response to inquiries from former volunteers, parliamentarians and the Wiltshire police.

  Many of the details of the trials that were undertaken at Porton Down are in the public domain, and papers in the Public Record Office. The subject has been covered in numerous publications. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has done selective research of the public record and the Porton archive in support of the Wiltshire police inquiry and the Volunteers helpline. However, there has never been an opportunity for MOD to conduct a full and thorough search of all the sources, in particular the Porton archives, which contain unpublished technical papers, the original experimental books, and other contemporary material.

  Against this background, we will conduct a comprehensive survey of the Volunteer programme. It will:
  Be conducted by MOD officials and will be supervised by Professor Ian Kennedy, an external appointee from the School of Public Policy, University College, London.
  Cover the period 1939 to 1989 because this is the period of most concern to surviving volunteers, and is the period of highest volunteer throughput.
  Attempt to give a full description of the size and shape of the trials programme listing what exposures took place, and how many volunteers were exposed to particular substances, in what manner.

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  The survey will seek, record and analyse all original documentation available relating to the way in which volunteers were recruited; the terms in which the programme was described to them; protocols for informing volunteers of the individual experiments; evidence of how risks were assessed and communicated to participants; evidence of whether and how consent was obtained. The survey will also look at how the relevant internal and external supervision of the programme developed together with evidence of how the practices in the trials reflected contemporary international and national ethical guidelines.

  The findings of the Survey will be published.

  Technology Readiness and Risk Assessment Programme
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the four UK defence contractors which are participating in the Technology Readiness and Risk Assessment Programme. [159804]

  Mr. Hoon
  The four participating contractors are Matra BAe Dynamics (UK), Alenia Mar oni Systems, BAE Systems and Hunting Engineering Ltd.

  Homosexuality and Lesbianism
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what legal advice he sought regarding the guidance on the compatibility of homosexuality and lesbianism with service in HM Armed Forces issued to potential recruits to the armed forces; when the leaflet containing this guidance was last reprinted; how many copies were printed; and if he will make a statement. [159542]

  Mr. Spellar
  There is no specific leaflet offering guidance to potential recruits on the compatibility of homosexuality and lesbianism with service in the armed forces. Such guidance pre-dated the change of policy announced in January 2000. The present version of the armed forces recruiting application form refers instead to standards of personal behaviour expected from all Service personnel. Such behaviour is governed by the Armed Forces Code of Social Conduct.

  In introducing both the new policy towards sexual orientation and the Armed Forces Code of Social Conduct, the Department sought legal advice to ensure that the policies were within the law and respected the rights of the individual.

  RAF Board of Inquiry Reports
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those civilians, including retired Service personnel, who may have access to RAF Board of Inquiry reports held at the Inspectorate of Flight Safety. [159281]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 30 April 2001]: Civilians including retired Service personnel, and Service personnel re-employed as civilians by the Ministry of Defence, whose continuing responsibilities require it, may have access to RAF Board of Inquiry repots held at the RAF Inspectorate of Flight Safety.
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  Where a fatal accident has occurred, a declassified copy of the specific report, if requested, is provided to the next of kin of the deceased. Should they wish to disseminate the report further, this is a matter for them.

ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE

  Promotional Campaigns
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, answering on behalf of the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, how the Electoral Commission proposes to divide the sum of £1.5 million allowed in the Electoral Commission (Limit on Public Awareness Expenditure) Order 2001 between promoting public awareness of(a) electoral systems, (b) systems of Government and (c) the institutions of the European Union; and if he will make a statement. [159974]

  Mr. Beith
  The provisions of section 13 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 do not come into force until 1 July 2001. I understand from the Chairman of the Electoral Commission that, to date, no decisions have been taken as to the division of the £1.5 million available for 2001–02 between the three purposes specified in section 13 of the Act. Information about the Commission's spending plans under section 13 will be published later in the year, and copies placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

WALES

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on how many occasions between 5 June 2000 and 31 March 2001(a) departmental and (b) non-departmental special advisers have travelled abroad in an official capacity. [158553]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Wales Office special advisers have travelled abroad in an official capacity on three occasions between 5 June 2000 and 31 March 2001. I have no non-departmental special advisers.

  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the total cost was of employing special advisers in his Department and its predecessor from 1997 to date. [160051]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Special advisers' salaries are negotiated individually within the three-band range announced to the House by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 16 November 1998,Official Report, column 354W. Individual salaries and pension contributions are confidential to protect the privacy of the individuals concerned, so it is not possible to give the combined costs of employing special advisers.

  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many special advisers worked in his Department and its predecessor from 1997 to date. [160034]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Since 3 May 1997, no more than two special advisers have been in post at any one time in the former Welsh Office and the Wales Office.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Lord Birt
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Solicitor-General, pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Maidstone and The Weald of 25 April 2001,Official Report, column 273W, on Lord Birt, what the emerging findings of Lord Birt's work were; if he will place in the Library a copy of the briefing setting them out; and if he will make a statement. [159977]

  The Solicitor-General
  I refer to the answer given by the Home Secretary, 27 March 2001,Official Report, column 594W.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  PFI Projects
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much money has been paid by his Department to(a) accountancy and (b) legal firms in each year since 1 May 1997 in relation to PFI projects. [153263]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 12 March 2001]: This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Medical school intake targets in England

  Institution

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  University of Birmingham

  213

  232

  332

  332

  332

  372

  Universities of Brighton and Sussex

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  128

  University of Bristol

  155

  169

  169

  169

  230

  249

  University of Cambridge

  254

  276

  276

  296

  296

  296

  University of East Anglia

  0

  0

  0

  0

  110

  100

  Universities of Hull and York

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  130

  Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine

  286

  311

  326

  326

  326

  326

  King's College London

  343

  360

  360

  370

  380

  390

  University of Leeds

  200

  218

  218

  258

  258

  258

  Leicester Warwick Medical School

  175

  190

  239

  303

  303

  403

  University of Liverpool

  200

  218

  218

  268

  268

  308

  University College London

  330

  330

  330

  330

  330

  330

  Universities of Manchester and Keele

  240

  261

  311

  341

  341

  341

  Universities of Newcastle and Durham

  185

  201

  220

  290

  340

  340

  University of Nottingham

  178

  194

  202

  218

  234

  324

  University of Oxford

  104

  113

  113

  160

  170

  180

  Peninsula Medical School

  0

  0

  0

  0

  127

  167

  Queen Mary and Westfield College

  222

  241

  241

  253

  253

  305

  University of Sheffield

  200

  218

  223

  238

  238

  238

  University of Southampton

  157

  171

  200

  200

  200

  200

  St. George's Hospital Medical School

  172

  187

  222

  222

  257

  257

  Total England

  3,614

  3,890

  1,200

  4,574

  4,993

  5,652

  Learning Difficulties
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many people with severe learning difficulties are in work(a) in total and (b) as a percentage of the total number of people with severe learning difficulties; [158102]

  GCSEs (Shropshire)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of school pupils in Shropshire achieved five or more GCSEs in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [157600]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The percentage of pupils in Shropshire who gained five or more GCSEs (or GNVQ equivalents) at grades A*-C are shown in the table:

  Percentage

  1996–97

  —

  1997–98

  53.3

  1998–99

  55.4

  1999–2000

  56.4

  The figures show that there has been an increase of 3.1 percentage points since 1997–98 and that Shropshire has already achieved the national target of 50 per cent. by 2002.

  Medical Schools
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many student places there were in the medical schools of each university in(a) 1998–99, (b) 1999–2000 and (c) 2000–01; and what the projected numbers are for (i) 2001–02, (ii) 2002–03 and (iii) 2003–04. [157903]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 26 April 2001]: The number of medical places in each university, for each year from 1998 to 2001 and the predicted numbers for 2001 to 2004 are as follows:

  (2) how many people with learning disabilities are unemployed. [158091]

  Ms Hodge
  The latest labour force statistics indicate that there are 47,000 people in Great Britain with severe or specific learning difficulties in employment; this accounts for 29 per cent. of the total number of people with severe or specific learning difficulties. The same
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  source indicates that in Great Britain 12,000 people with severe or specific learning difficlties are unemployed; this represents 7 per cent. of the total number. The remaining 64 per cent. of those with severe or specific learning difficulties are classed as economically inactive.

  The White Paper "Valuing People—A New Strategy for Learning Disability for the 21st Century" which was published in March 2001 sets out the Government's commitment to improving the life changes of people with learning difficulties. It states our aim to increase the number of people with learning disabilities in employment and to work towards their achieving parity with other disabled people in the work force.

  Beacon Colleges
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the criteria used for the award of Beacon College status. [159000]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 26 April 2001]: Taking into account the advice of Inspectorates, Ministers have awarded beacon status to colleges that are considered to

  UCAS home accepted applicants (aged 18 or 19): 2000 year of entry cycle by LEA of domicile (England) and social class

  Sum of accepted applicant

  Social class

  LEA

  Professional

  Intermediate

  Skilled non-manual

  Skilled manual

  Partly skilled

  Unskilled

  Total

  Barking

  23

  76

  39

  70

  30

  9

  247

  Barnsley1

  67

  204

  60

  120

  68

  9

  528

  Bedfordshire1

  290

  754

  150

  202

  122

  24

  1,542

  Birmingham

  415

  1,174

  323

  686

  336

  177

  3,111

  Blackburn with Darwen1

  52

  186

  70

  118

  59

  26

  511

  Bolton1

  111

  422

  95

  173

  93

  25

  919

  Bradford

  193

  683

  176

  349

  124

  115

  1,640

  Brent

  186

  491

  240

  324

  118

  42

  1,401

  Brighton and Hove1

  108

  279

  45

  97

  25

  9

  563

  Bristol

  215

  435

  118

  131

  83

  9

  991

  Bromley1

  244

  613

  192

  160

  56

  9

  1,274

  Calderdale1

  80

  310

  56

  98

  40

  17

  601

  Camden

  135

  250

  60

  82

  39

  8

  574

  Cheshire1

  653

  1,567

  280

  382

  232

  22

  3,136

  City of Derby1

  108

  258

  67

  138

  79

  23

  673

  Cornwall1

  250

  821

  183

  304

  152

  33

  1,743

  Coventry1

  137

  380

  84

  219

  148

  31

  999

  Croydon1

  247

  655

  248

  203

  81

  12

  1,446

  Cumbria1

  255

  750

  134

  284

  147

  21

  1,591

  Derbyshire1

  374

  1,134

  235

  379

  204

  42

  2,368

  Dudley1

  104

  423

  113

  199

  82

  32

  953

  Durham1

  215

  652

  163

  228

  140

  40

  1,438

  Ealing

  209

  547

  218

  299

  162

  49

  1,484

  East Riding1

  182

  551

  127

  196

  85

  13

  1,154

  East Sussex1

  312

  863

  170

  246

  89

  17

  1,697

  Essex1

  750

  2,240

  492

  646

  255

  40

  4,423

  Gateshead

  56

  220

  81

  138

  56

  4

  555

  Gloucestershire1

  445

  1,081

  307

  287

  184

  25

  2,359

  Greenwich

  77

  232

  74

  96

  35

  10

  524

  Hackney

  43

  139

  61

  90

  62

  24

  419

  Halton

  27

  132

  37

  86

  48

  7

  337

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  61

  208

  54

  67

  32

  4

  425

  Hampshire1

  970

  2,289

  557

  614

  264

  36

  4,730

  Haringey

  138

  298

  83

  124

  64

  23

  730

  Hartlepool

  26

  91

  28

  72

  29

  10

  256

  Herefordshire1

  113

  380

  72

  88

  42

  12

  707

  Islington

  88

  174

  59

  78

  38

  10

  447

  Kensington and Chelsea

  102

  260

  45

  51

  23

  8

  489

  Kent1

  845

  2,389

  634

  653

  311

  71

  4,903

  Kingston

  152

  291

  104

  80

  38

  2

  667

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  be truly outstanding. Potential candidates were drawn from those colleges that have achieved excellent inspection reports, taking particular account of those serving areas of social deprivation.

  The future of Beacon Colleges and the criteria used to assess them will be reviewed in light of recent changes in the post-16 sector, including the new inspection framework.

  Excellence Challenge
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list those areas which are currently participating in the Excellence Challenge; and what percentage of undergraduate entrants from those areas are from social categories III, IV and V. [159001]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 26 April 2001]: The percentage of young accepted undergraduate applicants from social categories III, IV and V from each of the areas participating in the Excellence Challenge is shown in the following table.
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  UCAS home accepted applicants (aged 18 or 19): 2000 year of entry cycle by LEA of domicile (England) and social class

  Sum of accepted applicant

  Social class

  LEA

  Professional

  Intermediate

  Skilled non-manual

  Skilled manual

  Partly skilled

  Unskilled

  Total

  Knowsley

  17

  119

  40

  85

  58

  23

  342

  Lambeth

  87

  268

  114

  102

  53

  19

  643

  Lancashire1

  675

  1,968

  497

  728

  360

  92

  4,320

  Leeds

  383

  964

  228

  370

  159

  31

  2,135

  Leicester

  127

  298

  131

  220

  249

  64

  1,089

  Lewisham

  106

  273

  111

  83

  49

  10

  632

  Liverpool

  143

  491

  166

  256

  101

  33

  1,190

  Manchester

  126

  387

  110

  197

  89

  21

  930

  Medway Towns1

  80

  320

  103

  145

  63

  9

  720

  Middlesbrough

  68

  168

  40

  107

  50

  17

  450

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  171

  336

  101

  133

  64

  10

  815

  Newham

  63

  297

  134

  209

  139

  45

  887

  Norfolk1

  387

  1,021

  246

  356

  155

  28

  2,193

  North East Lincolnshire1

  44

  161

  52

  106

  47

  7

  417

  North Somerset1

  154

  333

  96

  80

  33

  1

  697

  North Tyneside

  101

  267

  118

  104

  58

  8

  656

  Northamptonshire1

  304

  1,049

  237

  342

  180

  41

  2,153

  Northumberland1

  238

  589

  142

  160

  108

  13

  1,250

  Nottingham

  74

  198

  58

  115

  47

  26

  518

  Nottinghamshire1

  361

  1,212

  284

  384

  172

  35

  2,448

  Oxfordshire1

  592

  1,184

  227

  293

  125

  22

  2,443

  Plymouth1

  94

  229

  92

  145

  62

  10

  632

  Redcar and Cleveland

  45

  153

  50

  110

  34

  16

  408

  Rochdale

  79

  284

  74

  127

  66

  28

  658

  Rotherham

  78

  299

  71

  129

  52

  14

  643

  Salford

  61

  209

  53

  84

  42

  6

  455

  Sandwell1

  44

  178

  80

  207

  103

  70

  682

  Sefton

  147

  524

  188

  228

  90

  19

  1,196

  Sheffield

  282

  598

  159

  198

  78

  19

  1,334

  Shropshire1

  192

  613

  103

  157

  78

  15

  1,158

  Slough1

  48

  132

  55

  102

  90

  35

  462

  Solihull2

  186

  475

  95

  126

  58

  6

  946

  Somerset1

  278

  878

  203

  235

  125

  23

  1,742

  South Tyneside

  39

  155

  57

  96

  46

  7

  400

  Southend on Sea1

  69

  208

  71

  61

  26

  7

  442

  Southwark

  102

  208

  91

  71

  42

  14

  528

  St. Helens1

  66

  265

  78

  155

  58

  12

  634

  Stockton on Tees

  105

  301

  84

  135

  60

  7

  692

  Stoke-on-Trent

  50

  194

  50

  128

  56

  18

  496

  Sunderland

  68

  310

  96

  149

  70

  13

  706

  Telford and the Wrekin1

  58

  213

  65

  74

  46

  15

  471

  Tower Hamlets

  18

  94

  40

  168

  74

  40

  434

  Trafford1

  168

  423

  106

  130

  66

  13

  906

  Wakefield1

  108

  373

  91

  160

  69

  8

  809

  Waltham Forest

  63

  279

  121

  177

  76

  27

  743

  Wandsworth

  142

  345

  133

  90

  39

  5

  754

  Westminster

  91

  211

  71

  61

  34

  10

  478

  Wigan1

  93

  394

  104

  128

  74

  13

  806

  Wirral

  240

  569

  125

  239

  105

  26

  1,304

  Wolverhampton1

  93

  289

  86

  208

  114

  74

  864

  Accepted applicant percentage

  Social class

  LEA

  Professional

  Intermediate

  Skilled non-manual

  Skilled manual

  Partly skilled

  Unskilled

  Total percentage

  Barking

  9.31

  30.77

  15.79

  28.34

  12.15

  3.64

  100

  Barnsley1

  12.69

  38.64

  11.36

  22.73

  12.88

  1.70

  100

  Bedfordshire1

  18.81

  48.90

  9.73

  13.10

  7.91

  1.56

  100

  Birmingham

  13.34

  37.74

  10.38

  22.05

  10.80

  5.69

  100

  Blackburn with Darwen1

  10.18

  36.40

  13.70

  23.09

  11.55

  5.09

  100

  Bolton1

  12.08

  45.92

  10.34

  18.82

  10.12

  2.72

  100

  Bradford

  11.77

  41.65

  10.73

  21.28

  7.56

  7.01

  100

  Brent

  13.28

  35.05

  17.13

  23.13

  8.42

  3.00

  100

  Brighton and Hove1

  19.18

  49.56

  7.99

  17.23

  4.44

  1.60

  100

  Bristol

  21.70

  43.90

  11.91

  13.22

  8.38

  0.91

  100

  Bromley1

  19.15

  48.12

  15.07

  12.56

  4.40

  0.71

  100

  558W 559W

  Accepted applicant percentage

  Social class

  LEA

  Professional

  Intermediate

  Skilled non-manual

  Skilled manual

  Partly skilled

  Unskilled

  Total percentage

  Calderdale1

  13.31

  51.58

  9.32

  16.31

  6.66

  2.83

  100

  Camden

  23.52

  43.55

  10.45

  14.29

  6.79

  1.39

  100

  Cheshire1

  20.82

  49.97

  8.93

  12.18

  7.40

  0.70

  100

  City of Derby1

  16.05

  38.34

  9.96

  20.51

  11.74

  3.42

  100

  Cornwall1

  14.34

  47.10

  10.50

  17.44

  8.72

  1.89

  100

  Coventry1

  13.71

  38.04

  8.41

  21.92

  14.81

  3.10

  100

  Croydon1

  17.08

  45.30

  17.15

  14.04

  5.60

  0.83

  100

  Cumbria1

  16.03

  47.14

  8.42

  17.85

  9.24

  1.32

  100

  Derbyshire1

  15.79

  47.89

  9.92

  16.01

  8.61

  1.77

  100

  Dudley1

  10.91

  44.39

  11.86

  20.88

  8.60

  3.36

  100

  Durham1

  14.95

  45.34

  11.34

  15.86

  9.74

  2.78

  100

  Ealing

  14.08

  36.86

  14.69

  20.15

  10.92

  3.30

  100

  East Riding1

  15.77

  47.75

  11.01

  16.98

  7.37

  1.13

  100

  East Sussex1

  18.39

  50.85

  10.02

  14.50

  5.24

  1.00

  100

  Essex1

  16.96

  50.64

  11.12

  14.61

  5.77

  0.90

  100

  Gateshead

  10.09

  39.64

  14.59

  24.86

  10.09

  0.72

  100

  Gloucestershire1

  19.11

  46.41

  13.18

  12.32

  7.90

  1.07

  100

  Greenwich

  14.69

  44.27

  14.12

  18.32

  6.68

  1.91

  100

  Hackney

  10.26

  33.17

  14.56

  21.48

  14.80

  5.73

  100

  Halton

  8.01

  39.17

  10.98

  25.52

  14.24

  2.08

  100

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  14.32

  48.83

  12.68

  15.73

  7.51

  0.94

  100

  Hampshire1

  20.51

  48.39

  11.78

  12.98

  5.58

  0.76

  100

  Haringey

  18.90

  40.82

  11.37

  16.99

  8.77

  3.15

  100

  Hartlepol

  10.16

  35.55

  10.94

  28.13

  11.33

  3.91

  100

  Herefordshire1

  15.98

  53.75

  10.18

  12.45

  5.94

  1.70

  100

  Islington

  19.69

  38.93

  13.20

  17.45

  8.50

  2.24

  100

  Kensington and Chelsea

  20.86

  53.17

  9.20

  10.43

  4.70

  1.64

  100

  Kent1

  17.23

  48.73

  12.93

  13.32

  6.34

  1.45

  100

  Kingston

  22.79

  43.63

  15.59

  11.99

  5.70

  0.30

  100

  Knowsley

  4.97

  34.80

  11.70

  24.85

  16.96

  6.73

  100

  Lambeth

  13.53

  41.68

  17.73

  15.86

  8.24

  2.95

  100

  Lancashire1

  15.63

  45.56

  11.50

  16.85

  8.33

  2.13

  100

  Leeds

  17.94

  45.15

  10.68

  17.33

  7.45

  1.45

  100

  Leicester

  11.66

  27.36

  12.03

  20.20

  22.87

  5.88

  100

  Lewisham

  16.77

  43.20

  17.56

  13.13

  7.75

  1.58

  100

  Liverpool

  12.02

  41.26

  13.95

  21.51

  8.49

  2.77

  100

  Manchester

  13.55

  41.61

  11.83

  21.18

  9.57

  2.26

  100

  Medway Towns1

  11.11

  44.44

  14.31

  20.14

  8.75

  1.25

  100

  Middlesbrough

  15.11

  37.33

  8.89

  23.78

  11.11

  3.78

  100

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  20.98

  41.23

  12.39

  16.32

  7.85

  1.23

  100

  Newham

  7.10

  33.48

  15.11

  23.56

  15.67

  5.07

  100

  Norfolk1

  17.65

  46.56

  11.22

  16.23

  7.07

  1.28

  100

  North East Lincolnshire1

  10.55

  38.61

  12.47

  25.42

  11.27

  1.68

  100

  North Somerset1

  22.09

  47.78

  13.77

  11.48

  4.73

  0.14

  100

  North Tyneside

  15.40

  40.70

  17.99

  15.85

  8.84

  1.22

  100

  Northamptonshire1

  14.12

  48.72

  11.01

  15.88

  8.36

  1.90

  100

  Northumberland1

  19.04

  47.12

  11.36

  12.80

  8.64

  1.04

  100

  Nottingham

  14.29

  38.22

  11.20

  22.20

  9.07

  5.02

  100

  Nottinghamshire1

  14.75

  49.51

  11.60

  15.69

  7.03

  1.43

  100

  Oxfordshire1

  24.23

  48.47

  9.29

  11.99

  5.12

  0.90

  100

  Plymouth1

  14.87

  36.23

  14.56

  22.94

  9.81

  1.58

  100

  Redcar and Cleveland

  11.03

  37.50

  12.25

  26.96

  8.33

  3.92

  100

  Rochdale

  12.01

  43.16

  11.25

  19.30

  10.03

  4.26

  100

  Rotherham

  12.13

  46.50

  11.04

  20.06

  8.09

  2.18

  100

  Salford

  13.41

  45.93

  11.65

  18.46

  9.23

  1.32

  100

  Sandwell1

  6.45

  26.10

  11.73

  30.35

  15.10

  10.26

  100

  Sefton

  12.29

  43.81

  15.72

  19.06

  7.53

  1.59

  100

  Sheffield

  21.14

  44.83

  11.92

  14.84

  5.85

  1.42

  100

  Shropshire1

  16.58

  52.94

  8.89

  13.56

  6.74

  1.30

  100

  Slough1

  10.39

  28.57

  11.90

  22.08

  19.48

  7.58

  100

  Solihull2

  19.66

  50.21

  10.04

  13.32

  6.13

  0.63

  100

  Somerset1

  15.96

  50.40

  11.65

  13.49

  7.18

  1.32

  100

  South Tyneside

  9.75

  38.75

  14.25

  24.00

  11.50

  1.75

  100

  Southend on Sea1

  15.61

  47.06

  16.06

  13.80

  5.88

  1.58

  100

  Southwark

  19.32

  39.39

  17.23

  13.45

  7.95

  2.65

  100

  St. Helens1

  10.41

  41.80

  12.30

  24.45

  9.15

  1.89

  100

  Stockton on Tees

  15.17

  43.50

  12.14

  19.51

  8.67

  1.01

  100

  Stoke-on-Trent

  10.08

  39.11

  10.08

  25.81

  11.29

  3.63

  100

  Sunderland

  9.63

  43.91

  13.60

  21.10

  9.92

  1.84

  100

  Telford and the Wrekin1

  12.31

  45.22

  13.80

  15.71

  9.77

  3.18

  100

  560W 561W

  Accepted applicant percentage

  Social class

  LEA

  Professional

  Intermediate

  Skilled non-manual

  Skilled manual

  Partly skilled

  Unskilled

  Total percentage

  Tower Hamlets

  4.15

  21.66

  9.22

  38.71

  17.05

  9.22

  100

  Trafford1

  18.54

  46.69

  11.70

  14.35

  7.28

  1.43

  100

  Wakefield1

  13.35

  46.11

  11.25

  19.78

  8.53

  0.99

  100

  Waltham Forest

  8.48

  37.55

  16.29

  23.82

  10.23

  3.63

  100

  Wandsworth

  18.83

  45.76

  17.64

  11.94

  5.17

  0.66

  100

  Westminster

  19.04

  44.14

  14.85

  12.76

  7.11

  2.09

  100

  Wigan1

  11.54

  48.88

  12.90

  15.88

  9.18

  1.61

  100

  Wirral

  18.40

  43.63

  9.59

  18.33

  8.05

  1.99

  100

  Wolverhampton1

  10.76

  33.45

  9.95

  24.07

  13.19

  8.56

  100

  1 Denotes Education Action Zones. Only schools within LEAs who are part of the Education Action Zone are participating in the Excellence Challenge

  2This Excellence in City Partnership consists of only three of the LEA's schools

  Teacher Training
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the initial teacher training providers that have not, in their admissions policy, accepted the equivalence to GCSE English and Maths of Curriculum 2000 Level Two Key Skills Qualifications in Communications and Application of Numbers. [159287]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 30 April 2001]: This information is not held centrally. We do not require that initial teacher training (ITT) providers publish a list of those qualifications they accept as equivalent to GCSE English and maths. It is the responsibility of ITT providers to decide whether an applicant holds qualifications that meet the Secretary of State's entry requirements for courses of ITT, including those relating to the key skills of communication and the application of number. Qualifications must, however, be of the equivalent standard to a GCSE grade C, or above.

  New Teaching Posts
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how the 20,000 new teaching posts to be created by 2002 will be allocated between(a) key stage 1, (b) key stage 2 and (c) key stages 3 and 4; and if he will make a statement. [159439]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  I assume that the hon. Gentleman is referring to our target to increase by 20,000 the number of teaching assistant posts by 2002. Between 1999–2002 we are making available to local education authorities in England around £350 million to meet the cost of recruiting and training the equivalent of 20,000 new teaching assistants. We have met our target a year earlier than expected—there has been a rise of over 25,000 full-time equivalent teaching assistants between 1999 and 2001. The appointment, training and deployment of teaching assistants are matters for schools and local education authorities to consider in the light of local needs and circumstances.

  Student Loans
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Truro and St. Austell (Mr. Taylor) of 9 February 2001,Official Report, column 764W, on student loans, if he will estimate the nominal rate of
  562W
  interest required to hold the net present value of student loans at £590 million, if the threshold of student loans repayment were increased to £13,000. [159543]

  Mr. Wicks
  The net present value of the estimated £982 million income contingent loans issued in 1999–2000 to students domiciled in England and Wales is estimated to be £590 million. The nominal rate of interest required to maintain this net present value with a threshold for repayment of £13,000 per year is estimated to be around 3½ per cent. It should be noted that such calculations should be treated with caution, due to their dependence on the estimates of the resource cost of income-contingent loans. Any interest rate calculated will consequently be subject to some fluctuation.

  Vocational Programmes
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make it his policy to extend the funding available for vocational programmes to allow young people to develop craft and technical skills. [159673]

  Mr. Wicks
  From September 2002, there will be a significant expansion of vocational opportunities for young people at Key Stage 4, with additional developmental funding of £18 million in 2002–03 rising to £20 million in 2003–04 being made available.

  Vice-chancellors
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will take steps to require vice-chancellors to be subject to election by the university community. [159797]

  Mr. Wicks
  My right hon. Friend has no such plans. The appointment of a vice-chancellor is a matter for the governing body of an individual university to determine.

  Education Maintenance Allowances
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many students in each English local education authority area are in receipt of educational maintenance allowances. [159812]

  Mr. Wicks
  In England, as of 16 March 2001, there were almost 70,000 students receiving EMAs in the 56 pilot local education authorities (LEAs). This number is constantly increasing as applications continue to be received by LEAs. Following is the information:
  563W

  Local education authority

  Number of students in receipt of EMA1

  Birmingham

  3,005

  Bolton2

  2,098

  Bradford

  1,938

  Brent

  435

  Camden

  367

  Cornwall2

  5,501

  Coventry

  868

  Doncaster2

  2,282

  Ealing

  281

  East Lancashire

  1,409

  Gateshead2

  1,774

  Greenwich2

  985

  Hackney

  577

  Halton

  444

  Haringey

  330

  Hartlepool

  351

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  264

  Islington

  359

  Kingston on Hull

  918

  Knowsley

  868

  Lambeth2

  779

  Leeds2

  3,074

  Leicester City

  1,304

  Lewisham2

  841

  Liverpool

  2,365

  Luton

  653

  Manchester

  1,988

  Middlesbrough2

  1,603

  North East Lincolnshire

  716

  Newham

  680

  North Tyneside

  794

  Northumberland

  1,231

  Nottingham2

  2,136

  Oldham2

  2,410

  Salford

  435

  Sandwell

  745

  Sheffield

  1,763

  South Tyneside

  750

  Southampton2

  1,434

  Southwark2

  792

  St. Helens

  643

  Stoke on Trent2

  2,328

  Suffolk

  1,249

  Sunderland

  923

  Tameside

  1,005

  Tower Hamlets

  1,159

  Wakefield

  1,068

  Walsall2

  2,192

  Waltham Forest

  626

  Wandsworth

  186

  Wigan

  1,277

  Wirral

  1,204

  Wolverhampton

  986

  Worcestershire

  1,570

  1 As at 16 March 2001

  2 First year pilots started in September 1999

  School Uniforms
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the proportion of maintained(a) primary and (b) secondary schools which require the wearing of school uniform. [159953]

  Jacqui Smith
  We do not collect information about schools' uniform policies. The Government believe that school uniforms can make a valuable contribution to the identity and discipline of schools. It is, however, for school governors to decide whether there should be a uniform, and we believe that this should remain the case.

  Trainee Teachers
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what financial help he plans to make available to postgraduate trainee teachers whose courses started too early for them to be eligible for training bursaries. [160151]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  On 30 March, my noble Friend the Minister for Education and Employment in the Lords made regulations allowing the Teacher Training Agency to make payments to any postgraduate currently in teacher training who did not qualify for a £6,000 training bursary and who, in the Agency's opinion, has suffered financial hardship as a result. However, the Agency has since informed my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State that unforeseen difficulties in setting up the hardship scheme would lead to any payments under the Regulations being delayed significantly beyond the start of the summer 2001 term.

  The Regulations were designed to allow help to be offered this term to postgraduate trainee teachers whose courses began during the 1999–2000 academic year and who remain in training now, but are not eligible for any training bursary payments. Hon. Members from all sides of the House have made representations to my right hon. Friend about the hardship that this group of trainees has suffered as a result of being ineligible for the training bursaries. In view of this evidence, my right hon. Friend believes that it would be wrong to allow financial assistance to be delayed to an extent that might cause further disadvantage. Accordingly, he has decided that the trainees in question should be made eligible to receive full £6,000 training bursaries with immediate effect, subject to the same conditions that apply to trainees whose courses began on or after 1 September 2000. My Department and the Teacher Training Agency are contacting training providers with details of these new arrangements.

TREASURY

  Audio Visual Equipment
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what change there has been in the retail price of audio visual equipment in(a) the last year and (b) the last five years. [159964]

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

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Christopher Chope, dated 1 May 2001:
  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question on changes in the retail price of audio visual equipment in the last year and the last five years (159964).
  The Retail Prices Index (RPI) measures the average change from month to month in the prices of goods and services purchased by most households in the UK. Audio visual equipment is one of the published components within the leisure goods group of the RPI. It includes representative items such as televisions, sound systems, PCs and accessories and electronic instruments. The latest published data refers to March 2001.
  The following table gives the RPI index for audio visual equipment for March, in each of the last six years, together with the percentage change over each of the 12 month periods:
  565W

  Retail Prices Index: Audio visual equipment

  Year

  Index (1987=100)

  Annual percentage change

  March 1996

  70.6

  —

  March 1997

  65.9

  -6.7

  March 1998

  59.8

  -9.3

  March 1999

  49.4

  -17.4

  March 2000

  42.5

  -14.0

  March 2001

  36.4

  -14.4

  Between March 1996 and March 2001, the audio visual index fell by 48.4%. This information is published every month in the Consumer price indices First Release and on the National Statistics website (www.statistics.gov.uk).

  Chester Street Insurance Holdings
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will hold an inquiry into Chester Street Insurance Holdings and associated companies. [155894]

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will order an inquiry by his Department into the conduct of Chester Street Insurance Holdings and related companies prior to liquidation. [155895]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 29 April 2001]: In pursuing their duties to creditors of identifying, protecting and maximising assets, the Government would expect a provisional liquidator to report any suspicions of impropriety to the appropriate authorities.

  The Companies Investigation Branch in the Department of Trade and Industry is responsible for receiving and acting on information relating to suspicions or evidence of company improprieties.

  Investors' Compensation
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what criteria are applied by the investors' compensation scheme to determine if a decision on an application for compensation can be referred to a panel of non-executive directors for review; [159758]

  (2) if he will conduct a review of the effectiveness of the appeals mechanisms of the investors' compensation scheme; and whether an independent appeals procedure should be established. [159757]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Complaints about maladministration may be addressed, successively: to the investors compensation scheme manager responsible or to a more senior member of staff; to the Chief Executive or to the board; to the scheme's Independent Investigator. The criteria for all stages in this review process are whether the claim has been handled properly and fairly. If deficiencies in the scheme's handling of a claim or in its conduct are found, these are assessed to check if the decision itself should be reviewed. The criteria for the review of a decision itself are whether the scheme's rules have been applied properly and fairly. A decision is reviewed by, successively: the manager responsible; a more senior manager; the Chief Executive. In addition, any investor may challenge the scheme's decision by judicial review.
  566W
  There are no plans to review the effectiveness of these arrangements. They were introduced after the financial services compensation scheme assumed operational control of the investors compensation scheme on 1 February. The new scheme reviewed the complaints arrangements and removed the stage of the panel of non-executive directors before a complaint could reach the independent investigator.

  Capital Gains Tax
  Sir Nicholas Lyell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on(a) accountancy and (b) other professional charges incurred by taxpayers in calculating and submitting tax returns in respect of capital gains tax; and if he will make a statement. [159576]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government receive a wide range of representations on a number of issues.

  IT-embedded Investments
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to introduce 100 per cent. first-year capital allowances for IT-embedded investments. [159671]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government keep all taxes under review and decisions will be made as part of the normal Budget process. There are currently no plans to introduce 100 per cent. first-year allowances for IT-embedded investments.

  Tax Relief
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to reform sections 589A and 589B of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 with regard to(a) extension of the relief to an employee's spouse, (b) extension of the relief to part-time employees and (c) changing the minimum two year employment period for qualification. [159677]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government keep all taxes under review and decisions will be made as part of the normal Budget process. There are currently no plans to reform sections 589A and 589B of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988.

  Export Control
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were sentenced to seven years' imprisonment for export control offences in each of the years 1996 to 2000. [159252]

  Dawn Primarolo
  No one was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment for export control offences during the years 1996 to 2000.

  Arms Control
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were convicted of arms control offences in(a) 1996, (b) 1997, (c) 1998, (d) 1999 and (e) 2000; and what the average sentence was. [159251]
  567W
  Dawn Primarolo
  During the relevant periods the following people were convicted for arms export control offences:(a) 2, (b) 1, (c) 1, (d) nil, (e) nil. For those given a custodial sentence, the average was 30 months. The average fine was £15,000.

  PFI/PPP Projects
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the PFI and PPP totals envisaged for all projects, including London Underground, indicating how much in each case the proposed public spending content is. [159246]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The latest Budget statement contained a breakdown by Department of the estimated private sector investment resulting from signed contracts, and those expected to reach preferred bidder stage within the next three years. A more detailed breakdown of these investments can be found in table C16 and table C17 of the FSBR 2001.

  In addition to these PFIs, there are two major public-private partnerships envisaged, London Underground (LU) and National Air Traffic Services. The financial requirements of London Underground under the public-private partnership will not finally be known until negotiations with preferred bidders have been completed. It is still too early to give the precise investment associated with NATS.

  Table C18 of FSBR 2001 shows a forecast of estimates by the public sector flowing from private sector investment in signed projects over the next 25 years.

HEALTH

  National School Fruit Scheme
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to inform schools involved in the national school fruit scheme about the advice from the Chief Medical Officer, issued in 1997 and 1998, about pesticide residues and the peeling of fruit and vegetables. [147043]

  Yvette Cooper
  Fruit for the national school fruit scheme (NSFS) will be sourced from growers whose produce is grown according to the principles of integrated crop management, where pesticide inputs are minimised. In the case of United Kingdom fruit, only that from producers who meet the standards of the assured produce scheme will be used. Imported fruit used by the scheme will be required to meet similar standards.

  The Food Standards Agency (FSA) was established in April 2000 to protect public health from risks which may arise in connection with the consumption of food, including risks caused by the way in which it is produced or supplied, and otherwise to protect the interests of consumers in relation to food. We have consulted the FSA extensively on the detail of the NSFS including details on the preparation of the fruit. The FSA and Chief Medical Officer have approved the development of the NSFS, and in particular the FSA has advised that it would not agree to the use of any pesticide if fruit or vegetables treated with it have to be washed or peeled to make them safe to eat.
  568W
  The Chief Medical Officer's original precautionary advice about washing and peeling fruit and vegetables was issued in 1997 in the light of research and surveillance on pesticide residues conducted at the time. The long-standing advice to wash fruit before consumption is to ensure that it is clean, and this still holds. However, the situation with pesticides has moved on and many of the pesticides of particular concern have been withdrawn or are undergoing review.

  The FSA is currently considering up-to-date advice on washing and peeling fruit and vegetables, and will be consulting the Government's independent advisory committee on pesticides.

  Abattoirs
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recommendations in the Maclean report on abattoirs the Government have decided not to implement. [153240]

  Ms Stuart
  I am advised by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) that the revised meat inspection charging system that came into force on 2 April 2001 implements all the recommendations of the meat inspection charges task force (Maclean report) with one exception.

  The exception was the recommendation that the FSA should carry out a full risk assessment of green offal inspection and veterinary involvement in ante-mortem inspection of young stock. The underlying intention was the removal of unnecessary burdens and costs (subject to amendment of the European Union Fresh Meat Directive) if the proposed assessment indicated that the procedures did not offer increased public health protection.

  In its consultation package on the measures required to implement the recommendations of the Maclean task force, the FSA explained that the EU scientific steering committee is undertaking a risk assessment relating to all aspects of meat inspection in all member states. Any action that the European Commission proposes to take will depend on the committee's findings, and European legislation will be amended if required. In these circumstances the FSA considered that it would be unwise to act ahead of Europe on these issues. In addition, the FSA considered that the types of meat plants that would benefit from the removal of unnecessary inspections would, in any case, include those likely to benefit from the introduction of a revised inspection charging system based on headage payments.

  The FSA's proposal in this respect did not attract any opposition from respondents to the consultation exercise.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice he has given abattoir operators regarding meat inspection charges post 1 April. [155114]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 23 March 2001]: I am advised by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) that a copy of their proposals for changes to the meat inspection charging system from 2 April 2001 in order to implement the recommendations of the meat inspection charges task force was sent to all licensed meat plant operators in Great Britain in January 2001 as part of the FSA's public consultation exercise.

  Subsequently, the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) wrote to all plant operators on 29 March 2001 to inform them of the outcome of the consultation exercise and to provide

  569W
  details of the revised charging system to apply from 2 April. The letter also provided the contact details for MHS regional customer liaison officers should plant operators require further information.

  The FSA also wrote to meat industry representative organisations on 2 April 2001 with a summary of the comments received during the consultation exercise, together with the FSA' s response, and with details of the new charging system.

  These letters are available on the FSA website, www.foodstandards.gov.uk, and I have also arranged for copies to be placed in the Library.

  The revised meat inspection charging system came into effect, as proposed, on 2 April 2001.

  Mastectomy
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of recent reports on the numbers of mastectomy operations in(a) London and (b) the north-east and north-west regions of England. [156236]

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the reason for the variation in the number of mastectomies carried out in different parts of the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [156252]

  Yvette Cooper
  We are aware that there are variations in access to treatment across England. These may affect the number of mastectomies undertaken. The NHS Plan and the NHS Cancer Plan make clear our targets to improve services to reduce variations. We have made available an additional £255 million in this financial year to support the appointment of new consultants and help implement the National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidance to end the postcode lottery of care. In addition new equipment for diagnosis and radiotherapy is being targeted to reduce geographic variations in levels of service provision. Information relating to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are matters for the devolved assemblies.

  NHS Walk-in Centres
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS walk-in centres have been established in(a) the UK and (b) the city of Coventry. [157816]

  Sefton health authority: Waiting times for suspected breast cancer patients, 2000–01

  Quarter 1

  Quarter 2

  Quarter 3

  Quarter 4

  Number seen during quarter by a specialist within 14 days of the decision to refer by their GP

  296

  300

  318

  1—

  Number seen during quarter by a specialist within 28 days of the decision to refer by their GP

  310

  300

  318

  1—

  Total number seen during quarter

  310

  300

  321

  1—

  Percentage seen during quarter by a specialist within 14 days of the decision to refer by their GP

  95.5

  100.00

  99.1

  1—

  Percentage seen during quarter by a specialist with 28 days of the decision to refer by their GP

  100.0

  100.0

  100.0

  1—

  1 Available June 2001

  Source:

  QMCW quarterly returns
  570W
  Yvette Cooper
  A total of 40 National Health Service walk-in centres have been established across England. With the exception of Southampton, which will open in autumn 2001, all are now open.

  One NHS walk-in centre has been set up in Coventry. It opened on 11 December 2000 and is located at Stoney Stanton road, Coventry.

  BSE
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money is being allocated per annum to research into human health aspects of BSE. [157965]

  Yvette Cooper
  Key areas for the health related Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE) research programme are epidemiology, diagnostics, therapeutics, the investigation of different strains of TSEs, potential risks from blood and blood products and the decontamination of surgical instruments. Our total funding on TSE research for 2000–01 was in excess of £30 million, of which £4.0 million was for the Department's projects. For 2001–02, £5.3 million has been allocated for the Department's funded research.

  The research strategy is kept under review and is updated and amended in the light of emerging scientific findings. A detailed list of Government-funded projects into TSEs is available on the Medical Research Council website at http://www.mrc.ac.uk/tse—tb2c.htm.

  Cancer Referrals (Sefton)
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people presenting with symptoms of(a) breast cancer and (b) colo/rectal cancer were seen by a specialist within (i) two weeks and (ii) four weeks during (A) 2000–01 and (B) 1996–97 in Sefton health authority. [158514]

  Yvette Cooper
  In April 1999, we introduced the standard that patients with suspected breast cancer referred urgently by their general practitioners should be offered an appointment with a specialist within two weeks of requesting an appointment. Central monitoring of this information began in April 1999. The table gives the number of urgent breast cancer referrals seen in Sefton health authority between 1 April 2000 and 31 December 2000. Data for 1 January 2001 to 31 March 2001 will be available in June 2001.

  Central monitoring on all other urgent suspected cancer referrals, including bowel cancer, began on 1 January 2001 and the first data will be available later this year.

  Meningitis C
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost of the Meningitis Group C vaccination programme has been. [158531]

  Yvette Cooper
  The meningitis C immunisation programme, launched in November 1999, has offered vaccine routinely to babies and, in a catch-up programme, to everyone aged under 18. The total cost in England from the start of the programme to the end of the latest financial year (2000–01) is estimated at £290 million (total includes vaccine cost, moneys for general practitioners and nurses to administer the vaccines, publicity and information and changes to computer systems).

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the secretary of State for Health how many cases of Meningitis C have been reported in the United Kingdom in each year since 1996. [158530]

  Yvette Cooper
  Figures for the number of laboratory confirmed cases of meningococcal group C disease provided by the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) meningococcal reference unit (MRU) (for England, Wales and Northern Ireland), Cardiff Public Health Laboratory (Wales) or the Scottish Pneumococcal and Meningococcal Reference Laboratory (Scotland) are shown in the table.

  Laboratory confirmed cases of meningococcal Group C disease

  Year

  England

  Wales

  Scotland

  Northern Ireland

  United Kingdom

  1996

  556

  49

  48

  13

  666

  1997

  762

  51

  56

  13

  882

  1998

  766

  45

  63

  16

  890

  1999

  910

  72

  95

  35

  1,112

  20002

  676

  40

  65

  41

  822

  1 Scottish data include a small number of cases confirmed by serology only

  2 2000 data provisional

  About 50 per cent. of all cases of meningococcal disease are laboratory confirmed, the rest are clinically diagnosed on the basis of symptoms only by the doctors treating the patient. Clinically diagnosed cases must also be reported to the PHLS and other laboratories and this enhanced surveillance allows estimates to be made of the total burden of meningococcal disease caused by each group.

  The best estimate of the burden of group C meningococcal disease just before the introduction of the meningitis C conjugate vaccine, adjusted for underreporting and non-typing, was 1,530 cases and 150 deaths in England and Wales in 1998–99. The vaccine has had a huge impact on the disease. During the last six months of 2000, cases in all under 18 years of age were reduced by 71 per cent. with reductions of up to 90 per cent. in those age groups immunised first.

  Heart Disease
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list in descending order the 10 parliamentary constituencies which had(a) the highest rate of heart disease and (b) the highest rates of death due to heart disease indicating the reasons for major discrepancies in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [158746]
  572W
  Yvette Cooper
  We recognise the importance of better information, not least to ensure that we are able to identify, treat and prevent heart disease. That is why one of the early priorities for the National Service Framework for coronary heart disease (CHD) is the systematic development and maintenance of practice-based CHD registers.

  Data for the 25 health authorities with the highest rates of mortality from all circulatory disease, which includes all forms of heart disease, for men and women, for the latest available year are shown in the table. Information at parliamentary constituency level on rates of death from specific causes is not collected centrally.

  Standardised Mortality Ratio (SMR) for all circulatory disease (ICD9 390–459), 1997–99–25 health authorities with highest
  (worst) mortality rates

  Health authority

  Number

  Men

  West Pennine

  130

  Manchester

  128

  Rotherham

  128

  Liverpool

  125

  Sandwell

  124

  Wigan and Bolton

  122

  St. Helens and Knowsley

  122

  East Lancashire

  121

  County Durham

  119

  Bury and Rochdale

  118

  Northumberland

  118

  Barnsley

  117

  Wolverhampton

  116

  Tees

  116

  Gateshead and South Tyneside

  114

  North Staffordshire

  114

  Doncaster

  113

  Salford and Trafford

  113

  Sunderland

  113

  Birmingham

  112

  East London and the City

  112

  Bradford

  111

  Coventry

  110

  Wakefield

  110

  North Cheshire

  110

  Women

  West Pennine

  128

  East Lancashire

  126

  Bury and Rochdale

  123

  County Durham

  123

  Northumberland

  122

  Doncaster

  121

  Wigan and Bolton

  120

  Rotherham

  119

  Manchester

  119

  North Cumbria

  119

  St. Helens and Knowsley

  116

  Gateshead and South Tyneside

  116

  North Cheshire

  116

  Tees

  114

  North Derbyshire

  113

  Sunderland

  113

  Sandwell

  112

  Barnsley

  112

  Morecambe Bay

  111

  Coventry

  111

  South Lancashire

  111

  North Staffordshire

  111

  South Staffordshire

  110

  Liverpool

  110

  Dudley

  110

  Source:

  Department of Health Compendium of Clinical and Health Indicators 2000.

  New Hospital (Worcester)
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy not to approve a name for the new hospital under construction in Worcester before conducting a local consultation on the issue; and if he will make a statement. [158482]

  Yvette Cooper
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has a duty to consult in regard to significant changes to services, and will take account of all representations made to him regarding any such issues. However, in most circumstances the naming of a hospital is not generally viewed as a significant change, and is therefore usually a matter for local management.

  Where the proposed name of the hospital includes a royal name or title, including the title "Royal", sovereign approval must be received. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary is responsible for offering advice to Her Majesty The Queen in this regard, taking account of views and information received from other appropriate Government Departments, as well as all other representations made to him.

  Mental Health Services
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of the money allocated for mental health services for the years 1999–2000 to 2001–02 has been allocated for the pilot assessment projects for those with dangerous severe personality disorder. [159159]

  Mr. Hutton
  Money allocated to fund pilot assessment projects for those with dangerous severe personality disorder in the years 1999–2000 to 2001–02 is as follows:

  £

  1999–2000

  0

  2000–01

  70,000

  2001–02

  15,350,000

  1 Allocation will take place during 2001–02

  Food Supplements
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the action being taken by the EU Commission to harmonise regulations on food supplements in member states. [159180]

  Ms Stuart
  The European Commission published an amended draft directive1 on food supplements on 19 March which takes into account a number of amendments proposed by the European Parliament. The directive would establish a framework for harmonised legislation covering the composition (vitamins and minerals which can be used and levels of use) and labelling of food supplements sold under food law. It would have no effect on products classified as medicines.

  Our view is that, in the interests of consumer choice, the market should be open to all food supplements which are safe and properly labelled. It also believes that the law should not prevent provision of true information unless it might mislead consumers. The Food Standards Agency, which is representing the Government in discussions on the proposal, is pressing this case in negotiations.
  1 Document 2000/0080(COD)—[COM(2001) 159 Final]

  Council of Europe Public Health Committee
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the proposed agenda for the meeting of the public health committee of the Council of Europe scheduled for 30 and 31 May on the subject of nutrition, food safety and consumer health; and if he will be represented at those meetings. [159178]

  Mr. Hutton
  The next meeting of the Council of Europe's committee of experts on nutrition, food safety and consumer health will take place on 30 and 31 May 2001. The agenda indicates that functional food, energy drinks, food supplements, nutrition in hospitals, stored product protection, new food processing technologies and food quality management are among the subjects that will be discussed. The representation from the United Kingdom will be decided once subject papers have been circulated and in the light of other priorities.

  Domestic Violence
  Ms Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the measures he has taken to tackle domestic violence since May 1997. [159419]

  Mr. Hutton
  We are committed to raising awareness of domestic violence and its impact on children, to tackling domestic violence on every front, and to ensuring that women and children are safeguarded and protected from abuse.

  In March 2000 we launched the "Domestic violence: A resource manual for health care professionals", and we are providing funding (from 2000–01 to 2002–03) under the Section 64 Scheme to the Women's Aid Federation of England for their health and domestic violence awareness project to help implement the resource manual.

  Our NHS Direct East Midlands domestic violence pilot project aims to produce protocols for good practice, and train staff to be able to deal with victims of domestic abuse sensitively and refer them to appropriate agencies.

  We have also held preliminary discussions with representatives of the Royal Colleges to discuss a programme of education and training on aspects of domestic violence for health professionals.

  Recent work by the Department in relation to child protection in the context of domestic violence includes the "Making an impact—children and domestic violence training pack" which we published in 1998 to raise awareness about the impact on children of domestic violence and to develop professional understanding of how best to offer help and support.

  There is an undertaking in "Working together to safeguard children" our revised inter-agency guidance to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, published in 1999, to commission overview reports at least every two years, drawing out key findings of case reviews and their implications for policy and practice. The first overview report will have child protection in the context of domestic violence as its central theme. We have commissioned this report and it will be published later this year.
  575W
  In addition, we have provided Section 64 funding to a number of voluntary organisations for a range of projects designed to assist survivors of domestic violence and children caught up in such violence.

  TB Vaccine
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the effect of shortages of the TB vaccine on the number of cases of TB; and if he will make a statement. [158972]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 26 April 2001]: Our recommendation for the use of BCG vaccine is based on the advice of an independent expert advisory committee, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). They have advised that the degree of delay in children receiving their BCG would not be accompanied by significant public health risk.

  The recent outbreak in Leicester is one such example. Nearly all the children involved in this outbreak had been immunised with BCG as babies or later. Unimmunised children in Years 10 and 11 had also been vaccinated in 1998 and 1999 before the national schools immunisation programme was interrupted. The temporary suspension of the schools BCG immunisation programme has not therefore been a factor.

  CFS/ME Working Group
  Mr. Lepper
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress made to date by the CFS/ME working group and its sub-groups. [159560]

  Yvette Cooper
  The chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis working group, supported by a sub group looking at children's issues and a wider reference group is making good progress. The working group has completed its year long scoping exercise and work is currently under way on the drafting of the final report.

  Children's Rights Director
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health who the Children's Rights Director is; and what the terms of reference for the post are. [159562]

  Mr. Hutton
  Provision is made in Schedule 1 of the Care Standards Act 2000 for the functions of the Children's Rights Director to be prescribed by regulation. We plan to publish draft regulations covering the work, key tasks and responsibilities of the Children's Rights Director for consultation in the near future. The Children's Rights Director position has been advertised. An appointment will be made later this year.

  Hepatitis C
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which Minister has responsibility for the policy issue of haemophilia patients infected by NHS products with hepatitis C. [159764]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 30 April 2001]: The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Lord Hunt of Kings Heath, has this responsibility.

PRIME MINISTER

  Royal Family
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the occasions in the past two years when he attended(a) official and (b) other meetings with members of the Royal Family. [159954]

  The Prime Minister
  With the exception of those occasions when Her Majesty has not been in London or I have been abroad or in Northern Ireland, I have been received in audience on the usual weekly basis since May 1997. I meet other members of the Royal Family on a regular basis.

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will hold a public inquiry into the foot and mouth outbreak once it is concluded; and if he will make a statement.[159844]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to the right hon. Member for Tonbridge and Mailing (Sir J. Stanley) on 5 April 2001,Official Report, column 251W.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Prime Minister how many special advisers worked at 10 Downing Street from 1997 to date. [160038]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 1 April 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for Truro and St. Austell (Mr. Taylor), on 28 July 2000, Official Report, columns 971–74W. James Purnell, Geoff Mulgan and Phil Murphy are no longer employed as special advisers. Roz Preston, Pat McFadden, Tim Allan, Lance Price, and Dr. lain Anderson left their appointments before 24 July 2000.

  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Prime Minister what was the combined cost of employing special advisers at 10 Downing Street from 1997 to date. [160047]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given him by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet office today,Official Report, column 607W.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Kensington Palace
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 26 April 2001,Official Report, column 336W, how many bedrooms and living rooms make up the apartment at Kensington Palace occupied by Prince Michael of Kent; on what date he started making a contribution to the cost of maintenance; for what reason he was granted the apartment; and if he is allowed to conduct business from these premises. [159958]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The apartment occupied by Prince Michael of Kent has seven bedrooms and nine reception rooms. He started making a contribution to the cost of maintenance with effect from 1 April 1994. No reasons are documented for the granting of the licence. No commercial business is conducted from the apartment.
  577W
  (Prince Michael's commercial activities are conducted from offices in Oxfordshire.) Prince Michael does carry out charitable work at Kensington Palace and receives invitations and correspondence there as a member of the Royal Family.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Israel
  Mr. Laxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Israel and the occupied territories. [158619]

  Mrs. Ann Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in Israel and the occupied territories. [158624]

  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in Israel and the occupied territories. [158627]

  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Israel and the occupied territories. [158630]

  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about peace initiatives in the middle east. [158637]

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on prospects for peace in the middle east. [158645]

  Mr. Wilson
  Despite continuing contacts in the region over the weekend, the situation remains grim. It is essential to restore a political process leading to an agreement based on United Nations Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338, the principle of "land for peace", security for Israel within recognised borders and an end to occupation. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I have been directly engaged with all the parties to encourage an end to violence and a return to the negotiating table.

  Sierra Leone
  Mr. Wells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the role of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Sierra Leone. [158621]

  Mr. Wilson
  The main objectives of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) are to assist the Government of Sierra Leone in their efforts to extend their authority and to restore law and order progressively throughout the entire country. UNAMSIL is also tasked with assisting the Sierra Leone Government in promoting a renewed democratic political process, which should lead, in due course, to the holding of free and fair elections.

  We fully support UNAMSIL's efforts to help the people of Sierra Leone in their search for lasting peace and stability. This reflects our commitment both to Sierra Leone and to UN peacekeeping in general.

  China (Human Rights)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to meet President Jiang Zemin to discuss the human rights situation in China. [158622]

  Mr. Battle
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has no current plans to meet President Jiang Zemin.

  We seek to discuss our concerns about the human rights situation in China through the UK/China Human Rights Dialogue process and during ministerial level contacts with Chinese Ministers. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed human rights in depth with Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan when they met in New York on 12 September.

  Drugs
  Mr. Roy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the role of his Department in combating the international drugs trade. [158625]

  Mr. Battle
  This Government are at the forefront of international efforts to combat the drugs trade. Our aim, as stated in the 10-year drugs strategy, is to halve the availability on UK streets of those Class A drugs which cause the greatest harm, particularly heroin and cocaine, by 2008. The FCO Continues co-ordinate the international elements of this strategy.

  We are active in international drugs forums to strengthen the global policy framework for tackling the illegal drugs trade, including in the EU, UN and the G8. As members of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, we continue to play a leading role in pressing for improved management of the UN International Drugs Control Programme. In June the FCO is organising an international conference on the Global Economy of Illegal Drugs—an initiative by the Prime Minister at the G8 Summit in Okinawa last year.

  Our programme of counter-drugs assistance overseas is directed at key producer and transit countries. In the last financial year we provided bilateral assistance for law enforcement capacity building and anti-money laundering trading in Iran, UAE, Colombia, Bolivia, the Caribbean, Croatia and Slovenia. And, multilaterally through the UN, we helped to fund drugs crops surveys in Afghanistan and Bolivia, law enforcement co-operation in S.E. Europe and Iran, and demand reduction projects in Iran and Turkey.

  IGC (2004)
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with member states of the European Union on the agenda for the 2004 intergovernmental conference. [158628]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Declaration on the Future of the Union attached to the Treaty of Nice states that the 2004 Intergovernmental Conference will address, inter alia, the delimitation of powers between the European Union and member states, simplification of the Treaties, the status of the Charter of Fundamental Rights and the role of national parliaments. It also calls for a deep and wide debate on the future of the EU involving the people of Europe. We welcome this.

  Cyprus
  Sir David Madel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress in the proximity talks concerning the future of Cyprus. [158629]

  Mr. Vaz
  The UK continues to believe that the current UN settlement process, launched in December 1999 by the UN Secretary-General, offers the best chance of achieving both a just and lasting settlement in Cyprus and one which can take into account the vital concerns of both sides. We regret the current lack of progress in the talks but are confident that the UN will find a way to move the process forward. To that end we will continue to urge all those involved to be fully and positively engaged in the search for a solution.

  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Cyprus. [158639]

  Mr. Vaz
  Cyprus is an important partner for the UK. Our relationship is underpinned by common membership of the Commonwealth, Cyprus' EU candidacy, our close trading links, significant tourism and frequent contacts at ministerial and official level. My visit to the island in March allowed me to have valuable meetings with President Clerides, Foreign Minister Kasoulides and Chief EU Negotiator Vassiliou during which I reiterated UK support for the UN settlement process and Cyprus' EU accession.

  Kosovo
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his EU partners on the future status of Kosovo; and if he will make a statement. [158631]

  Mr. Vaz
  We have regular discussions with EU colleagues on matters relating to Kosovo. The agreed EU position on the future status is clear and remains unchanged. We believe that a Kosovo remaining within FRY represents the best option for stability in the region. But this is not an issue for today. The important thing now is to focus on the forthcoming elections, on establishing interim institutions and building Kosovo's capacity for self-government. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary made our views clear during his visit to Kosovo on 24 April.

  Naira Nadia (Pakistan)
  Mr. Andy King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response he has received to the representations made by the Government to the Pakistani authorities on 22 March concerning the kidnap and rape of Naira Nadia. [158632]

  Mr. Wilson
  We understand that charges have now been brought against three men and a woman in the Lahore High court in relation to the Naira Nadia case. The first hearing was on 19 April. The hearing has been adjourned until 22 May to give the police more time to complete their investigations.

  We will continue to monitor the court proceedings closely.

  Conflict Diamonds
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on developments in controlling the sale of conflict diamonds. [158633]

  Mr. Wilson
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today in the House to my hon. Friend the Member for Milton Keynes, North-East (Mr. White),Official Report, column 748.

  EU (Belgian Presidency)
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the agenda for the forthcoming Belgian presidency. [158634]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Belgian Government take over the presidency on 1 July 2001. They have not yet announced their programme. But the Belgian presidency have been mandated to take forward the wide public consultation on the future of Europe called for in the Nice Treaty and launched on 7 March. In the enlargement process, it is scheduled to tackle nine chapters of the "acquis communautaire", thereby sustaining the pace of the enlargement negations. It will carry forward the implementation of the Lisbon economic reform agenda to deliver more and better jobs. Discussion of external trade will focus on efforts to launch a new WTO trade round. The Belgian presidency will also take forward work on the European Security and Defence Policy, preparing a decision by Heads of State and Government for the EU to become operational in military crisis management, by the December Summit in Laeken at the latest. The Laeken Summit will also review progress on the Justice and Home Affairs work programme set at Tampere in October 1999. The Belgian presidency will also witness the final preparations to introduce euro notes and coins in January 2002.

  Syria
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's relations with Syria. [158635]

  Dr. Vis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's relations with Syria. [158642]

  Mr. Wilson
  The UK and Syria enjoy good and friendly bilateral relations, based on an active and broadening programme of co-operation in support of Syria's stated objective of modernisation. We also conduct a full and wide-ranging dialogue with Syria on regional issues, as part of our broader aim to promote regional stability and encourage the constructive engagement of all parties in pursuit of a just, comprehensive and lasting peace.

  EU Enlargement
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with colleagues from other member states of the European Union relating to enlargement of the EU.[158636].
  581W
  Mr. Vaz
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed enlargement with all of his EU colleagues at the General Affairs Council on 9 April and expects to do so again on 14 May. Since January, we have had separate discussions on enlargement with many of our colleagues in the EU and candidate countries, and will continue to do so.

  Turkey
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Turkish Government on allegations of rape and other human rights abuses by state agencies. [158638]

  Mr. Vaz
  On 23 March our Embassy in Ankara raised with the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs the case of nineteen people who made allegations about rape and torture in police custody, and have since been charged with insulting the security forces. We regularly raise specific human rights cases with the Turkish authorities.

  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Turkey. [R] [158644]

  Mr. Vaz
  The UK enjoys good bilatrial relations with Turkey. Turkey is an important partner for Britain and the EU, a key NATO ally, a candidate for membership of the EU and a major market for UK exporters.

  Sweden
  Mr. Linton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the relations between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Sweden. [158641]

  Mr. Vaz
  Relations remain close and substantial. Sweden is running an effective and impartial EU presidency. Our aim is to support the Swedish Government in this task. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, I and many other British Ministers meet or talk to our Swedish counterparts on a regular and frequent basis.

  Belize Telecommunications
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the dispute between the British high commission in Belmopan and Belize Telecommunications has been resolved. [158643]

  Mr. Battle
  No. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 10 April 2001,Official Report, column 532W. The issue is now in the hands of the Belize Public Utilities Commission and the Belizean Government. We hope that it will be resolved soon.

  India
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on bilateral relations with India. [158646]

  Mr. Wilson
  We enjoy excellent relations with India. Ministers regularly discuss issues of mutual interest with their Indian counterparts and a number of successful visits have taken place over the last year. We are aware of the 582W
  hon. Member's interest in the case of Peter Bleach, a British national in prison in Calcutta. We continue to raise this case at the highest level with the Indian authorities.

  EU (Accountability)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to increase the democratic accountability of the European Union. [158614]

  Mr. Vaz
  European democracy is strongest in the Parliaments within the member states. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister set out in his Warsaw speech a new proposal for the institutional involvement of the national parliaments through delegations to a second chamber of the European parliament. We secured agreement at Nice that the role of national parliaments would be one of the agenda items for the next intergovernmental conference.

  At Nice we were also successful in securing the first ever increase in the voting strength of the UK in the Council of Ministers and acceptance of the democratic principle that votes should more fairly reflect population size.

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. Wells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the areas funded by his Department in Zimbabwe. [159568]

  Mr. Wilson
  We are currently funding, from our Human Rights Project Fund, a project carried out by a Zimbabwean NGO which is designed to offer support to victims of torture. The same NGO is also working on the prevention of torture in Zimbabwe.

  West Timor
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what support his Department is providing to long-term relief efforts aimed at solving the refugee crisis in West Timor; and what steps are being taken to ensure a secure environment for refugees and humanitarian agencies in West Timor; [159925]

  (2) what discussions his Department has had with the office of UNHCR on their decision to cease operations in West Timor at the end of the year. [159926]

  Mr. Battle
  We remain deeply concerned about the situation in the refugee camps. We maintain regular contact with UNHCR and I discussed West Timor with Mr. Lubbers, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, in Geneva on 22 March. Representatives from the British Embassy in Jakarta visited West Timor on 16–17 April to assess the situation there. Acquiring information in the field strengthens HMG's ability to influence the key players towards resolving the situation. We are also encouraging the UN to keep the situation in West Timor under review, so that UN agencies can resume operations in the camps as soon as possible.

  The Indonesian Government have announced that from 21–24 May they will conduct a registration of the refugees remaining in West Timor with the aim of speeding up the

  583W
  repatriation of those who wish to return. On 10 April, five international NGOs agreed to work in the camps in West Timor.

  Council of the European Union (Business)
  Mr. Hopkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union for May and the major European Union events for the period between 31 May and October. [160152]

  Mr. Vaz
  The information is as follows:May 7—ECOFIN—Brussels

  1. Adoption of the provisional agenda

  2. (poss.) Approval of the list of "A" items

  3. Follow-up of the Stockholm European Council (23–24 March)

  4. Commission Recommendation for the Broad Economic Policy Guidelines 2001

  Debate

  5. Economic dialogue between EU and Russia

  Preparation

  6. Preliminary draft EU Budget for 2002

  Presentation by the Commission and orientation debate

  7. Pensions

  (poss.) Proposal for a Directive on the activities of institutions for occupational retirement provision

  Council conclusions

  (poss.) Communication on taxation of pensions

  Presentation by the Commission

  8. E-commerce and financial services

  9. A. O. B.

  p.m.

  EUROGROUP 7 May (morning)

  Macroeconomic dialogue at political level (late afternoon)

  Meeting between the ECOFIN Troika and a delegation of the Economic and Monetary Committee of the European Parliament (early morning)

  Other business

  5–6—Nykoping—Gymnich

  7—Brussels—Employment and Social Council (possible)

  14–15—Brussels—General Affairs Council

  14–15—Brussels—Industry and Energy Council

  22–23—Brussels—Agriculture Council

  28–29—Brussels—Justice and Home Affairs Council

  28—Brussels—Education and Youth Council

  31—Brussels—Development Council

  31—Brussels—Internal Market Council

  No agendas for the above are available yet.

  The following are the principa1 events in the EU between 1 June and October 2001 (certain relevant events are also included: the list is based on the information available at the date of issue).

  Date

  Venue

  Event

  June

  5

  Luxembourg

  Health Council

  5

  Luxembourg

  ECOFIN Council

  7–8

  Luxembourg

  Environment Council

  11–12

  Luxembourg

  General Affairs Council

  11

  Luxembourg

  Employment/Social Affairs Council

  15–16

  Gothenburg

  European Council

  18

  Luxembourg

  Fisheries Council (possible)

  19–20

  Luxembourg

  Agriculture Council

  19

  Luxembourg

  ECOFIN Council (possible)

  584W

  Date

  Venue

  Event

  21

  Luxembourg

  Culture Council

  25–26

  Luxembourg

  General Affairs Council

  26

  Luxembourg

  Research Council

  27–28

  Luxembourg

  Transport/Telecommunications Council

  July

  6–7

  Brussels

  Informal Employment and Social Affairs Council

  10

  Brussels

  ECOFIN Council

  13–14

  Brussels

  Regional Territories Council (Informal)?

  16–17

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  20

  Brussels

  Budget Council

  23–24

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  August

  There are no Councils scheduled for August

  September

  8–9

  Brussels

  Gymnich

  14–16

  Brussels

  Environment and Transport Council

  16–18

  Brussels

  Agriculture (Ministerial Informal)

  22–23

  Brussels

  ECOFIN (Informal)

  24–25

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  27–28

  Brussels

  Justice and Home Affairs Council

  October

  1

  Luxembourg

  Research Council

  8

  Luxembourg

  Employment and Social Affairs Council

  8–9

  Luxembourg

  General Affairs Council

  11–12

  Luxembourg

  Defence Council (Ministerial Informal)

  15–16

  Luxembourg

  Transport and Telecommunications Council

  16

  Luxembourg

  ECOFIN

  22–23

  Luxembourg

  Agriculture Council

  25

  Luxembourg

  Fisheries Council

  29–30

  Luxembourg

  General Affairs Council

  St. Helena
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the discovery of the Island of St. Helena. [158623]

  Mr. Battle
  Various events are being arranged in St. Helena throughout 2002 to celebrate the quincentenary of the discovery of the island. These include sports days, carnivals, a son et lumière and musical pageant, as well as the opening of the new museum to which we have made a financial contribution.

  We are in touch with the Governor about other ways to celebrate this anniversary.

  Lockerbie Trial
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the report by Dr. Hans Van Koechler on the Lockerbie trial at Camp Zeist. [158626]

  Mr. Wilson
  The UN Secretary-General was tasked by the Security Council to appoint international observers to the Lockerbie trial. These observers, representing five organisations, were not UN observers and, as such, did not have the task of reporting to the Secretary-General.

  One of these observers, Dr. Hans Van Koechler, has written a report in a private capacity.

  We understand that Dr. Koechler has been complimentary about the professionalism shown in the way the trial was administered by the Scottish Court

  585W
  Service, the Scottish Prison Service and the police. However, Dr. Koechler appears to have misunderstood a number of aspects of criminal procedure and processes in this case.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Flooding (Shrewsbury)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment. Transport and the Regions (1) when he will reply to the hon. Member for Shrewsbury and Atcham's letters dated 30 January, 12 February and 14 March and the letters from the Shrewsbury Chronicle dated 11 January, 15 March and 22 March concerning the "Bale Us Out" campaign about business rate relief for flooded premises; and if he will make a statement; [156584]

  (2) for what reason queries about the "Bale Us Out" campaign by the Shrewsbury Chronicle have been referred to his private office; and if he will make a statement. [156579]

  Mr. Prescott
  [holding answer 2 April 2001]: The Environment Agency is investigating options for reducing the risk of flooding in Shrewsbury by the construction of flood defences to protect the vulnerable areas of the town.

  An earlier scheme which would have been eligible for MAFF funding was refused planning permission by the local authority.

  The Agency is now fast-tracking this project and, subject to the usual consents, is aiming to start construction this autumn. The Agency is currently preparing an Environmental Statement and planning application.

  With reference to business rate relief, as with all cases where business is disrupted, businesses can apply to the local valuation office to have their rateable value reduced while premises are affected.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his holding answer to the hon. Member for Shrewsbury and Atcham of 2 April, on the Shrewsbury Chronicle's "Bale Us Out Campaign", when he will give a substantive reply to the questions. [158430]

  Mr. Prescott
  I have replied to my hon. Friend's questions today.

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with banks regarding the waiving of interest payments of debts accrued directly as a result of the foot and mouth outbreak; and if he will make a statement. [158723]

  Mr. Meacher
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Eastbourne (Mr. Waterson) on 6 April 2001 Official Report, columns 319–20W. In addition to the sympathetic approach which the banks have announced, the Government announced on 6 April an extension to the Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme to assist businesses suffering cash flow problems due to the effects of foot and mouth. When the Revenue agrees
  586W
  to deferral of tax or National Insurance Contributions because a business is in serious financial difficulty due to the effects of foot and mouth, neither interest nor surcharges will be payable on deferred tax and National Insurance Contributions over the period they are deferred.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the Minister for the Environment's oral statement of 23 April 2001,Official Report, column 32, if he will initiate an immediate study into (a) the formation of dioxins due to combustion of chlorinated compounds in carcases burnt by napalm and (b) the formation of poly-aromatic hydrocarbons due to reactions involving naphtha compounds in napalm. [159231]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 27 April 2001]: The chemical reactions from burning napalm are already well understood. Napalm is therefore not being used to burn carcases, as both forms of napalm available produce very toxic compounds when they burn.

  Station Franchises
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to improve the requirements for facilities at stations beyond those contained in existing franchise contracts. [158828]

  Mr. Hill
  One of the aims of franchise replacement is to secure improvements in facilities at stations. The Government have also made available £105 million which is distributed through the Rail Passengers Partnership scheme. The scheme is designed to encourage rail initiatives at a local level and station improvements would be eligible for consideration. In addition, there is a £225 million programme to enhance passenger facilities at stations over the next five years.

  Railways (Code of Practice)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure that the Strategic Rail Authority contributes to the Government's goal of tackling social exclusion. [158830]

  Mr. Hill
  The SRA's interim Directions and Guidance from the Secretary of State require it:"to take into account any Government policies which are relevant to the provision of passenger service in so far as they affect, or may be affected by, the fulfilment of your objectives".

  A revised code of practice, "Meeting the needs of disabled passengers", will be issued in the summer; and the SRA is also promoting personal security for passengers, in particular women, through replacement franchise agreements

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport in and the Regions if he will make a statement on the implementation of the commitment in the 1998 White Paper on the Future of Transport that rail operators will be asked to report on their success in meeting the objectives in the code of practice for rail operators; and he will place a copy of these reports in the Library. [158829]
  587W
  Mr. Hill
  I will write further to my hon. Friend about these reports. The Strategic Rail Authority is working with Sustrans and BikeRail to encourage best practice and will be taking over the sponsorship from Sustrans of the Cycle Mark award scheme.

  Heat Insulation
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what consultations he has had about the suitability of BS 5422 as a heat insulation standard; and if he will assess the benefits of raising the level of heat insulation for pipework specified in BS 5422. [158809]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The current (1995) edition of Approved Document indicates that if the relevant recommendations in BS 5422 (1990) for thermal insulation of heating and hot water pipes, ducts and vessels are adopted the requirements in the Building Regulations for this aspect of the conservation of fuel and power in buildings would be met. A consultation document on amendments to Approved Document L was published last summer and included references to the prospective new edition of BS 5422 (2001) for heating and hot water systems as before, and for air conditioning systems including their attendant chilled water and refrigerant services. These proposed amendments were accompanied by a regulatory impact assessment in which the beneficial effects of thermal insulation were taken into account, but BS 5422 was not explicitly identified. There was no adverse comment in the response to the consultation so the references to BS 5422 have been carried forward into the interim draft Approved Document L published on 9 April 2001.

  The suitability of BS 5422 as a heat insulation standard for industrial processes is a matter for the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

  Railtrack
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what role the Strategic Rail Authority has in the publication of Railtrack's Annual Network Management Statement for Great Britain for 2001; and when he expects the document to be published. [159182]

  Mr. Hill
  Railtrack is required to consult the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) regarding the SRA's present and future proposals for the provision of railway services. The SRA will work with Railtrack to identify, prioritise, prepare and put out to tender the enhancement projects that will increase capacity and improve safety and performance on the network.

  Railtrack expects to publish Part 1 of its Network Management Statement, on the core railway and its asset stewardship obligations, by the end of May 2001. Part 2 of the statement, to be published in the autumn, will identify enhancement projects and set out a procurement method agreed with the SRA.

  "Are You Doing Your Bit?" Campaign
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans 588W
  he has to change the funding arrangements of the campaign, "Are you doing your bit?", in 2001–02; and if he will make a statement; [159256]

  (2) what funding he plans to allocate to the campaign, "Are you doing your bit?", in (a) 2002–03 and (b) 2003–04. [159257]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  The "Are you doing your bit?" campaign, which promotes energy efficiency, transport, water conservation and waste reduction messages, was launched by the Deputy Prime Minister in 1998. Its budget provides for a range of activity, including an annual road show, in addition to the television and radio advertising campaign.

  £ 5 million of the budget identified for the overall campaign in 2001–02 (approximately £ 8 million) has been redirected to comprise one element of the £ 15 million package of short-term practical help for rural businesses in the areas worst affected by foot and mouth disease. The package was announced on 11 April by the Minister for the Environment and Chairman of the Rural Taskforce.

  Details of the advertising budget for DETR (Central) for 2002–03 and 2003–04 have not yet been decided. Allocation of advertising expenditure to particular campaigns, including "Are you doing your bit?", will be on the basis of a strategic assessment of policy priorities by Ministers.

  Bus Passes
  Mr. Hurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many pensioners are eligible to apply for the free bus pass which entitles the holder to half-price fares; how many have applied; and what estimate he has made of the likely cost of the scheme. [159372]

  Mr. Hill
  The relevant provisions are already in force in Greater London. From 1 June, all pensioners in England—an estimated 9 million—will be eligible, but application is to the relevant local authority; no central records are kept. The additional costs of guaranteeing half-fare reductions for pensioners on buses have been estimated at around £39 million a year, to be met from adjustments to Revenue Support Grant.

  Gait Burrows Nature Reserve
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps English Nature is taking(a) to ensure that Gait Burrows National Nature Reserve is not damaged by the Lunesdale Hunt and (b) to remedy damage done by hunting. [159496]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  Recent incidents at Gait Barrows National Nature Reserve have been brought to the attention of the Lancashire Constabulary. English Nature has written to the chairman of the Lunesdale Hunt requesting a full explanation of the incidents, and has withdrawn permission for the Hunt to enter Gait Barrows National Nature Reserve. This will be reconsidered only once English Nature has received and considered a response.

  I understand the physical damage to the site is considered to be short term and the site will recover through natural processes.

  London Underground
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many tube trains were running in each year since 1994; and how many tube train drivers were employed by London Underground in each of the same years. [159276]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 27 April 2001]: This is an operational matter for London Underground (LUL) who have provided the following information on the total number of peak trains required for service as at July of each year.

  Year

  Total number of peak trains

  1994

  —

  1995

  —

  1996

  464

  1997

  476

  1998

  484

  1999

  489

  2000

  505

  LUL inform me that figures are not available for the years 1994 and 1995.

  In relation to the question on tube train drivers, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to an earlier question on 9 April 2001, Official Report, column 386W, which contains information on the number of train drivers employed by London Underground (LUL) from 1995 to present. LUL inform me that information on driver numbers prior to 1995 can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Nuclear Fuel Transport
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions took place with the German nuclear authorities in advance of permission being granted for the recent resumption of spent nuclear fuel transport from Germany to Sellafield. [159730]

  Mr. Hill
  Discussions have taken place between my officials and those of the competent authorities in Germany, and other European countries, to ensure there will be no repetition of the circumstances of excessive contamination which led to the suspension of spent fuel transports from Europe to Sellafield in mid 1998.

  Euratom
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 23 April 2001,Official Report, column 85W, on Euratom, if, he will place in the Library copies of the Euratom nuclear site verification visit reports. [159755]

  Mr. Meacher
  Copies of the verification visit reports for Dounreay (10–14 May 1993 and 15–18 March 1999) and Sellafield (6–10 December 1993) are held by the Libraries of the House. The report for Dungeness (6–10 November 2000) has not yet been issued by the European Commission. Copies will be placed in the Libraries when it is published.

  Waste Management
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list those applications where incinerator ash or waste lime or dust was ultimately released to land by(a) site location, (b) year, (c) tonnage, (d) source and (e) end-use between 1990 and 2001; and if he will provide associated test results produced by his Department; [159491]

  (2) what regulations govern the use of incinerator ash, waste lime and dust, for chemical treatment; if he will list the (a) end destination, (b) usage of the residues and (c) end-product of such treatments and list sites where such material has been ultimately released to land, retail outlets or the food chain by (i) site location, (ii) year, (iii) tonnage, (iv) source and (v) end-use between 1990 and 2001; and if he will provide associated test results produced by his Department; [159489]

  (3) if he will list by (a) location, (b) year, (c) tonnage, (d) source and (e) specific end-use the sites which received site-specific authorisation to use incinerator ash, lime and dust in unbound construction applications between 1990 and 2001; what the nature of the ash was; and if he will provide associated test results produced by his Department. [159490]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 30 April 2001]: The deposit, recovery or disposal of waste from incinerators is subject to the waste management controls set out in Part II of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994 and the Special Waste Regulations 1996.

  No information is held on the use of incinerator ash, waste lime or dust for: chemical treatment; unbound construction applications; or any other applications, prior to the formation of the Environment Agency in 1996. The Environment Agency have advised that such information for the period 1996 to 2001 is not held centrally. No associated test results have been produced by my Department.

  However, the Environment Agency have also advised that they are currently carrying out an investigation into the destination of waste from municipal waste incinerators. I will ensure that, on completion of this investigation, copies of its results are sent to the hon. Member and placed in the Library of the House.

  Road Incidents (Terminology)
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy when referring in official documents to road incidents to use the word crash instead of accidents and if he will make a statement. [159790]

  Mr. Hill
  No. It is well understood that many road accidents are due to the careless, if not reckless, action of some road users, but there is nothing to be gained from a change in terminology.

  Regional Development Agencies
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will place the register of interests of the board members of the Regional Development Agencies in the Library. [159526]
  591W
  Ms Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 30 April 2001]: The English Regional Development Agencies' (RDAs) registers of members interests are the responsibility of the RDAs themselves and are available to the public on request. As such, the Secretary of State is not in a position to place them in the Library of the House.

  The Devolved Administrations are responsible for development agencies outside England (eg Scottish Enterprise, Welsh Development Agency).

  Local Government Act
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when regulations will be laid before the House to remove the inconsistencies in legislation as a result of the provisions of Part II of the Local Government Act 2000; and if he will set up an inquiry to investigate the reasons for the delay in discovering the problem and alerting local authorities to the situation. [159846]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Our intention is to lay all the necessary orders for councils to operate from June 2001 leader and cabinet constitutions. The first of these orders was laid before Parliament on 27 April 2001. As highlighted in the guidance issued on 26 October 2000 these orders have been included in our implementation plans from the outset. With the extended parliamentary consideration of some of the other secondary legislation made under Part II of the Local Government Act 2000 and with the postponement of the local elections it was not possible to make these orders as soon as we had originally planned and local authorities were informed of this as soon as the Elections Act 2001 received Royal Assent. No inquiry is necessary.

  Travel Retailing Policy
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place a copy of the full report entitled "Travel Information and Retailing Policy Review: Final Response" in the Library. [159946]

  Mr. Hill
  Cap Gemini Ernst and Young prepared a report entitled "Travel Information and Retailing Policy Review: Final Report" for my Department last July. The report was prepared to inform Transport 2010: 10 Year Plan and a summary was placed on my Department's website. The full report was not published at the time as aspects of it were considered to be commercially confidential. However, our concerns about commercial confidentiality have passed and I have today placed a copy in the Library. Further copies will be available from my Department.

  Road Signs
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to exchange imperial for metric measures for signs on public roads and for use in traffic laws. [159991]

  Mr. Hill
  Weight limit signs in metric tonnes were included in the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 1981, and signs using imperial tons ceased to be valid from 1 January 1990. The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 1994 specify that signs indicating restrictions on vehicle width, length and 592W
  height may only show metric units in addition to, and not instead of, imperial units. We have no plans to change these Regulations to allow the use of metric distances on speed limit signs, distance plates placed with warning signs, or direction signs.

  East London Line
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Old Bishopsgate goods yard will be redeveloped as part of the East London line proposals. [159988]

  Mr. Hill
  The Strategic Rail Authority announced funding for the northern extension of the East London line on 2 April. It is intended that advance works for construction of the northern extension will be carried out by London Underground Ltd., and will start at the end of this year. The programme for the main works, which will include the Bishopsgate Goods Yard site, is under discussion between the SRA and LUL, and will be finalised later in the year.

  Ultra-low Sulphur Diesel
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the oral statement by the hon. Member for Welwyn Hatfield (Miss Johnson) of 24 April 2001,Official Report, column 217, if he will set out the basis of the calculations for the cost per tonne of carbon saved for (a) biodiesel and (b) road fuel gases compared with ultra-low sulphur petrol. [159992]

  Mr. Hill
  As my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary to the Treasury emphasised in her 24 April statement, the primary benefit of biodiesel is the carbon saved compared to fossil diesel, whereas that of road fuel gases is the improved air quality. Therefore, the Government do not seek to compare or base decisions on the two types of fuel on the basis of the relative carbon saving and their costs.

  The carbon cost estimates for biodiesel from oilseed rape quoted by my hon. Friend are based on the estimated cost of production, and the estimated greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil diesel emissions, including greenhouse gases emitted from the use of agricultural machinery, fertilisers and pesticides, and from the extraction, production and transportation of biodiesel.

  Private Hire Vehicles
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions following the case in the Queen's Bench Division between L. Benson and Copeland borough council, what plans he has to seek to restore the previous position whereby the spouse of a licence holder could use a private hire vehicle for any purpose other than for hire; when the case was heard; and if he will make a statement. [159863]

  Mr. Hill
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Barnsley, East and Mexborough (Mr. Ennis) on 26 July 2000,Official Report, column 611W.

  Footpath Closures (Kent)
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he required
  593W
  Kent county council to conduct a risk assessment before it took decisions to (a) close all footpaths and (b) keep them closed. [159990]

  Mr. Meacher
  My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) has made a series of amendments to The Foot and Mouth Disease Order 1983 since 27 February this year, which conferred on certain local authorities, including Kent county council, the power to close public rights of way in the interests of preventing the spread of foot and mouth disease. Those amendments did not require local authorities to undertake risk assessments before exercising the power. MAFF published a veterinary risk assessment on the risk of causing new outbreaks of foot and mouth disease if footpaths were open to the public on 22 March, which provided the basis of guidance to local authorities on reopening paths issued by MAFF on 28 March. This was supplemented with a framework, which my Department issued on 25 April, for assessing the risks associated with reopening rights of way, which is intended to help local authorities speed up the reopening process.

  Bed and Breakfast Accommodation
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action the Government propose to take to reduce the numbers of homeless households being housed in Bed and Breakfast accommodation; and if he will make a statement. [160120]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The reasons behind the increased use of Bed and Breakfast are complex. I am therefore setting up a specific Bed and Breakfast Unit to look at what more can be done to help get people, particularly families with children, out of Bed and Breakfast and into more appropriate accommodation.

  We believe that people have a right to decent accommodation especially when at their most vulnerable. At the moment almost 10,000 homeless households are in Bed and Breakfast accommodation. I have told this House in the past that this figure is unacceptable. The Government have a clear policy on the use of Bed and Breakfast accommodation for homeless families with children: it should be used only as a last resort. As well as the high financial costs of Bed and Breakfast, there are unquantifiable social costs in terms of health, education and lost employment opportunities.

  Many authorities are successful in minimising their use of Bed and Breakfast accommodation. I appreciate and commend local authorities' efforts in these areas. However, the circumstances and the performance of local authorities vary and some are struggling to meet their statutory duties on housing homeless people.

  The new Unit will look at developing solutions to help these authorities reduce their use of Bed and Breakfast. The Unit will be small and have a limited lifespan of two years to reflect the specific nature of its remit. It will be led by someone with hands-on experience and will work closely with existing bodies and practitioners from local authorities, RSLs and voluntary agencies. One of the Unit's key tasks will be to disseminate existing good practice to help authorities implement or pilot new ideas. It will help local authorities to set targets where appropriate, and to develop implementation programmes to meet those targets. As well as providing advice and
  594W
  support, the Unit will also influence wider debates and ensure that people working on regeneration and other related projects take into account the impact of their work on homelessness.

  Housing families in Bed and Breakfast is good for no-one—it is expensive, it is inadequate and it has unacceptable long-term effects. I am convinced that by working together we can find ways of reducing this unhelpful dependence on Bed and Breakfast accommodation.

  Public Service Agreements
  Mrs. Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress is being made in concluding local Public Service Agreements. [160198]

  Ms Armstrong
  We have today concluded a third group of local Public Service Agreements (PSAs). The agreements are with the following authorities: Camden, Coventry and Newham. The three signed today, taken together with recent signatories Milton Keynes, Newcastle and Surrey, mean that local PSAs have now been signed with all the 20 authorities that took part in the pilot scheme announced last summer.

  Local PSAs will enable councils to deliver even greater improvements in services for local people. The targets set by councils have a direct impact on communities—from initiatives to tackle drug abuse among young people, dealing with abandoned vehicles, to strategies to reduce the number of deaths on the roads. We will be working with the pilot authorities and others to make them a success, and to roll out local PSAs to other upper-tier authorities over the next two years.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Expenditure and Caseloads
  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will place in the Library information on social security expenditure and caseloads on a benefit by benefit basis. [160154]

  Mr. Rooker
  I have placed in the Library seven statistical tables showing breakdowns of historical and forecast benefit expenditure and caseloads for Great Britain. This information will be made available on the Department's internet site shortly.

  The tables show that social security spending is now firmly under control; the total cost of benefits and tax credits together is growing at under 2 per cent. this Parliament compared to 4 per cent. in the last Parliament—the lowest rate of growth for any Parliament since the Second World War.

  Minimum Income Guarantee
  Mrs. Betty Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the time it takes citizens to make contact with an operator regarding the Minimum Income Guarantee when telephoning 0800 028 1111 from Wales. [158836]
  595W
  Mr. Rooker
  There is no difference in the level of service offered by operators of the Minimum Income Guarantee Teleclaim service when answering telephone calls from customers in Wales. On average, operators are taking around a minute and a half to answer calls and the duration of an incoming call is four minutes or 20 minutes where a customer opts to be taken through the electronic claim form process.

  SERPS
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what entitlement to inherited SERPS remains after someone who has contracted out of SERPS into an occupational scheme subsequently transfers to a personal pension plan; and what action his Department has taken to inform people that they could lose out by making such a change. [159701]

  Mr. Rooker
  Since 1997, there has been no link between contracted-out pension rights and SERPS. A transfer of rights accrued since that date would have no bearing on possible entitlement to inherited SERPS.

  For the transfer of pension rights accrued before 1997 in a contracted-out salary related pension scheme, the situation will depend on an individual's circumstances.

  We therefore recommend that a person should seek independent financial advice before transferring pension rights from an occupational scheme to a personal pension.

  Pension Credit Consultation Paper
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will place in the Library the responses to the pension credit consultation paper (Cm 4900). [159704]

  Mr. Rooker
  I refer the hon. Member to my written answer on 24 April 2001,Official Report, column 210W.

  Euro Programme
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what work has so far been undertaken by his Department's Euro Programme team; what range of costs has been estimated by the DSS Euro Programme team for the cost of converting the social security system into euros; and when a report on the DSS Euro Programme team's work will be published. [159700]

  Angela Eagle
  The Department is conducting work in accordance with the guidance given in the Outline National Changeover Plans and reported in the Fourth Report on Euro Preparations published on 6 November 2000. Should the UK decide to enter the single currency, costs to the Department will depend on the approach taken and this is not yet known. There are no plans to prepare a report on the DSS Euro Programme team's work.

  Fraud (Scotland)
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the recorded rate of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit fraud was in Scotland in each year since 1997. [159697]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information requested is not available.
  596W
  At the start of April this year we began the Housing Benefit Review which will, for the first time, deliver a continuous, comprehensive, national measurement of programme loss through fraud and error in Housing Benefit.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Incapacitated Patients
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many responses she has received to the consultation paper, "Who Decides? Making Decisions on Behalf of Mentally Incapacitated Adults" (Cm 3803); how many respondents were(a) in favour of and (b) against withholding food and fluids from incapacitated patients who are not dying; and if she will make a statement. [159181]

  Jane Kennedy
  Over 4,000 responses to the consultation paper were received. The question of whether respondents were in favour of or against withholding food and fluids from incapacitated patients who are not dying was not posed in the consultation paper. The consultation paper did ask whether the discontinuation of artificial nutrition and hydration should be lawful for defined patients if certain statutory criteria are met and whether"patients who have no prospect of recovery who are either unconscious or in a permanent vegetative state"
  is a suitable definition for this class of patients. There was a large and varied response to these questions.

  Domestic Violence
  Ms Moran
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will list measures she has taken to tackle domestic violence since 1 May 1997. [159417]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Government implemented Part IV of the Family Law Act 1996, with the exception of section 60 of the Act, in October 1997. Part IV of the Act provides for a single set of civil remedies to deal with domestic violence and to regulate occupation of the family home, through two specific types of order: the occupation order and the non-molestation order. These remedies are available at all levels of court (magistrates, county, High) with jurisdiction in family matters. The remedies are available to both men and women. A much wider range of people are able to apply for orders under Part IV than under the previous law. In addition, police powers to deal with domestic violence have been strengthened. Consideration is currently being given to the implementation of Section 60, which provides for third parties to make applications under Part IV.

  During 2000, the Children Act Sub-Committee of the Lord Chancellor's Advisory Board on Family Law proposed guidelines on child contact and domestic violence. These guidelines have recently been endorsed by the Government and have the support of the President of the Family Division. Although primary legislation is felt to be premature at this stage, the guidelines have been partially incorporated into law following the judgment in Re L, V, M. & H. The Government are promulgating the guidelines, with the help of the President of the Family Division, through the Judicial Studies Board and a variety

  597W
  of other sources. The Government will also monitor the effectiveness of the guidelines and keep under review the possible need for legislation in the future.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Animal Transports (EU)
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he next plans to meet the President of the European Commission to discuss transport of animals between EU states; and if he will make a statement. [158640]

  Mr. Morley
  There are no plans to meet the President of the European Commission at ministerial level. However, officials have been working closely with the Commission on expected proposals to strengthen the European Union Directive on the protection of animals during transport.

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will investigate the reasons why the chief executive of the Intervention Board has not replied to the letter dated 6 April from Shropshire county council's chief trading standards officer regarding concerns over the handling of the foot and mouth crisis. [159984]

  Ms Quin
  Johnston McNeill, chief executive of the Intervention Board, replied to the letter from Shropshire county council on 27 April. This was one day outside the target IB sets itself for replying within 10 working days, owing to the exceptionally high workload generated by the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how long he estimates carcases buried at Throckmorton will take to decay fully; [157065]

  (2) what estimates he has made of the length of time it will take for carcases buried at Throckmorton airfield to fully decompose. [157059]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 5 April 2001]: Different parts of mammalian corpses decay at different rates (for example, horn and hair are slowly degradable). It is estimated that 60 per cent. of the carcase is readily degradable, 15 per cent. is moderately degradable, 20 per cent. is slowly degradable, and 5 per cent. is effectively inert. With respect to leachate production, it is estimated that within approximately 10 years the contaminant load will be reduced to background levels.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice he is giving pig farmers with a build-up of stock during the foot and mouth outbreak about the disposal of slurry when they have no on-farm disposal facilities and their normal outlets refuse to take the slurry for use on agricultural land; and if he will make a statement. [157014]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 5 April 2001]: Advice for farmers on agricultural practices during the foot and mouth outbreak is included in MAFF's literature and website, and is also posted on the NFU website.
  598W
  The Environment Agency has issued guidance on the management of organic wastes on farms. The Agency recognises that storage capacity for slurry storage may need to be increased as a result of the foot and mouth outbreak. Additional storage lagoons may be constructed provided they meet basic Agency requirements on siting, lining and construction in order to avoid any immediate risks to water. The Environment Agency should be contacted before proceeding with construction and use so that appropriate guidance can be given, and the location noted. The Agency can be contacted on 0845 933 3111 (9 am to 5 pm) or on their Emergency Hotline 0800 80 70 60.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what specifications are required from rendering plants receiving foot and mouth carcases. [156857]

  Ms Quin
  Rendering plants must meet a list of specifications, drawn up by the Ministry, in order to be permitted to receive carcases. It is crucial that all rendering plants used for the disposal of animals slaughtered as a result of the foot and mouth outbreak have adequate biosecurity measures in place. The Ministry also takes various factors into account when considering the use of a rendering plant, including the proximity of the nearest livestock holding and road access to the plant.

  Any effluence from, and air exhausted by, the rendering plant is treated to kill the foot and mouth virus, and strict procedures are in place to ensure thorough cleansing and disinfection of all people and vehicles coming into contact with carcases.

  Carcases for disposal at a rendering plant must be transported in leak-proof lorries. Leaks are checked for by part filling the lorries with water and tilting them to 30 degrees. All carcases are individually disinfected after slaughter and the lorries are covered with plastic sheeting, which is weighed down with straw or sawdust which is also heavily disinfected. The lorry is then covered with a tight fitting tarpaulin. This procedure reduces any risk of spread of the infection during transportation to a very low level.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer concerning VAT default surcharges enforced on VAT liabilities subject to time to pay arrangements introduced in response to the foot and mouth outbreak. [156814]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 3 April 2001]: The Ministry has not raised this matter with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. However, the Rural Task Force under my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment will look at aspects of costs and burdens relating to the rural economy that arise as a result of the foot and mouth outbreak.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on what date the final decision on the slaughter of individual infected herds and flocks was devolved to inspecting vets without reference to(a) regional or divisional departmental offices and (b) the Department's officer in London. [156654]
  599W
  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 2 April 2001]: During an outbreak, foot and mouth disease may be diagnosed clinically by the vet on the ground when there are links apparent to other cases. This has been the case from the early stages of the current outbreak.

  The normal practice is that the clinical diagnosis is phoned through to Head Office in London and authorisation to slaughter stock is then given during the same telephone call. However, my right hon. Friend the Minister and Chief Veterinary Officer advised on 27 March 2001 that the inspecting veterinary surgeon could authorise slaughter immediately to ensure the slaughter process was not delayed if any problem in communicating with Head Office occurred.

  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) when he expects that pigs at Manor Farm, Bucknell will be able to be moved for slaughter; [155655]

  (2) when he expects that cattle from (a) Marsh Farm, Fritwell and (b) Manor Farm, Chacombe, near Banbury, will be able to be moved for slaughter. [155656]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 27 March 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 24 April 2001, Official Report, column 256W.

  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what temperature the pyre is required to reach in the burning of animal carcases; how long it takes to reach that temperature; and what assessment he has made of the risk of airborne travel of the virus in the intervening period. [153954]

  Ms Quin
  The Pirbright Institute of Animal Health has informed the Ministry that the virus is inactivated at temperatures above 55 degrees centigrade. It is not possible to set a definite time required to reach this temperature. There may be small termo-resistant factions in which the virus survives up to 70 degrees, but the expert opinion is that these factions are insignificant in the possible spread of infection from pyres.

  Once rigor mortis sets in (approximately 24 hours after slaughter) lactic acid accumulates, destroying the virus in the muscles. Carcases are sprayed with an approved disinfectant before being burnt which destroys a large amount of the virus, greatly reducing the risk of spread of infection from the outside of the carcase. These procedures ensure that much of the virus is destroyed before the pyre is lit, and reduces the risk of transmission of the disease via plumes from the pyre.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from the RSPCA in respect of the cull of sheep and cattle following the outbreak of foot and mouth disease; and if he will make a statement. [157898]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 23 April 2001]: I have been in regular contact with the RSPCA who are also represented on the foot and mouth disease stakeholder group and the foot and mouth Animal Welfare Consultative Group. They also have staff at the Intervention Board at Newcastle. Along with local government officers and MAFF staff their assistance with identifying priorities for the Welfare Slaughter Scheme and help with feed distribution has made an invaluable contribution to protecting animal welfare.
  600W
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if the veterinary surgeon who visited the Heddon-on-the-Wall farm in February and found evidence of foot and mouth disease in the pigs was the same veterinary surgeon who visited on 25 January; and if some of the same pigs were inspected on both occasions; [158445]

  (2) if he will identify (a) the veterinary surgeons and (b) other personnel (i) employed by and (ii) acting on behalf of his Department, who visited the farm at Heddon-on-the-Wall in Northumberland run by the Waughs (A) on and (B) near 25 January; and if he will list the movements of such persons in the previous four weeks. [158380]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answers 23 April 2001]: These matters are under inquiry. It would therefore not be appropriate to comment at this stage.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to ensure that no dead farm stock will be dumped at landfill sites adjacent to land on which sheep and livestock are kept. [157780]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 10 April 2001]: It may not always be possible to use only landfill sites without neighbouring livestock. We will, however, arrange to purchase stock on land adjacent to a disposal site, if there is a pressing need.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when animals will be allowed to be slaughtered for food. [157392]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 6 April 2001]: A licence to slaughter scheme was introduced on 2 March, with strict conditions to ensure that animals were moved directly to abattoirs approved by the Meat Hygiene Service on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Minister.

  In addition, from 23 April animals from farms in the Infected Areas may be moved direct to slaughter to an abattoir within the same Infected Area. These movements are subject to a veterinary visit by a MAFF Local Veterinary Inspector who will carry out an inspection of the animals to check for clinical signs of foot and mouth disease.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ensure that his Department's website is kept up to date with comprehensive and accurate information, with particular reference to the location of new outbreaks of foot and mouth disease. [157370]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 6 April 2001]: The website is updated a number of times every day. When new cases are confirmed, details of the infected premises are added to the site.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made in(a) digging trenches and (b) burying carcases at Throckmorton airfield; and if he will make a statement. [157248]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 6 April 2001]: The army has made good progress in constructing the mass burial site at Throckmorton airfield. The burial process began on 3 April 2001. As of 25 April, the carcases of 102,722 animals had been disposed of on site. This includes 89,404 sheep, 9,071 cattle, 3,842 pigs, 400 deer, three goats and two longhorns.
  601W
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the average price for(a) a cow and (h) a sheep was at markets on 1 February; and what it is currently. [159175]

  Ms Quin
  On 1 February, the average price for clean lambs was 111.44p/kilogram liveweight. Liveweight sales are not currently taking place, but the average price reported by abattoirs slaughtering sheep for human consumption in the week ending 6 April (the latest week for which confirmed figures are available) was 193p/kilogram deadweight, equivalent to 91p/kilogram liveweight. Cows are not normally allowed to be slaughtered for human consumption and their market price is therefore determined by the rates of payment fixed under the over-30-months scheme. In February, the rate of payment was 50.936p/kilogram liveweight. The scheme is currently suspended but, were it operational, the rate for April would be 49.536p/kilogram liveweight. The change in rates results purely from movements in the euro/sterling exchange rate.

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the market price was for a pig on 1 February; and what the current price is. [159349]

  Ms Quin
  The average weekly GB pig price on 1 February was 95.85p per kg dead weight. The equivalent current market price, as reported on 25 April, is 95.54p per kg.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received about the application of the welfare disposal scheme to livestock from restricted areas. [159258]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 27 April 2001]: We are conscious that there have been concerns about the ability of some farmers to dispose of animals through the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme. The scheme applies in Infected Areas as it does in all other parts of the country. Where premises are subject to more stringent restrictions, on-farm slaughter under the LWDS remains an option, and we are assessing applications to ensure that the most pressing welfare cases receive priority. We are endeavouring to maximise other avenues of disposal for animals in these areas, both in the LWDS and through slaughter for the market.

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to review the compensation payments for cattle over-30-months old that could not be moved to slaughter because of foot and mouth restrictions; and if he will make a statement. [159423]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 27 April 2001]: The rates of payment for cattle entered into the over-30-months scheme are set by EU regulations. As far as we are aware, the Commission has no plans to review these. The Government art keeping the position of producers affected in these ways under review. In the meantime, cattle of all ages may be entered into the Livestock Welfare Disposal Scheme if the circumstances are appropriate.

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what consideration he has given to the possible re-introduction of the disease in determining the 'stamp out' policy on foot and mouth disease; [157590]
  602W
  (2) what assessment he has made of the effects of globalisation on the spread of disease to British livestock; [157592]

  (3) what estimate he has made of the probability of foot and mouth disease being re-introduced into Britain during the (a) next five years, (b) next 10 years and (c) next 20 years. [157591]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 9 April 2001]: The UK and European Union import controls, based on recommendations in the International Office of Epizootics (OIE) International Animal Health Code, are designed to prevent the introduction of exotic diseases. This code sets out the conditions that will allow safe trade between countries of differing disease status.

  The last outbreak of foot and mouth disease in this country was in 1981. Investigations at the time indicated that the likely transmission of the virus was wind-borne from France. A range of controls to prevent the introduction of foot and mouth disease (e.g. on imports and waste food disposal) have therefore been effective for the last 34 years.

  If the existing controls are fully observed, the probability of reintroduction of foot and mouth disease is low. In addition, my Department is looking at what lessons can be learned from the current outbreak. Including putting in place measures to strengthen our current controls.

  Once the country is free of foot and mouth disease, and in the event of any future outbreaks, our control policy will be in line with the EC Foot and Mouth Control directive and OIE's recommendations for re-establishing disease free status.

  Refrigerants
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent his Department's headquarters buildings use hydrofluorocarbons for(a) refrigeration and (b) air conditioning; what amounts of hydrofluorocarbons have been purchased in each year since 1995; and what plans he has to phase out the (i) purchase and (ii) use of hydrofluorocarbons. [160008]

  Mr. Morley
  Hydrofluorocarbons are used in air conditioning equipment, and refrigeration equipment in kitchens and tea points (e.g. domestic refrigerators).

  The equipment is maintained in good order, and is being replaced when maintenance becomes too costly or no longer feasible. Over the years only small quantities of refrigerant have been purchased to maintain equipment in good running order. Details of quantities purchased since 1995 are not readily available.

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what his Department's policy is regarding the purchase of(a) hydrocarbons and (b) other environmentally benign refrigerants to meet the refrigeration and other relevant energy needs of London headquarters buildings and premises owned and leased by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [160007]

  Mr. Morley
  Maintenance is carried out by approved contractors, who supply refrigerants as necessary. It is anticipated that all equipment using hydrofluorocarbons will be replaced by equipment using more acceptable refrigerants within the present deadline.
  603W
  Following the earlier agreement to phase out the production of chlorofluorocarbons, an exercise was undertaken in the Department to convert or replace all equipment using chlorofluorocarbons. This was accomplished well within the statutory time limit. Most conversions/replacements involved the use of hydrofluorocarbons.

  As HCFC's are now being phased out another rolling programme is being planned to replace this refrigerant with environmentally acceptable alternatives.

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which London headquarters building and premises owned or leased by his Department use(a) chlorofluorocarbons and (b) hydrochlorofluorocarbons for refrigeration and other relevant energy needs. [160006]

  Mr. Morley
  (a) The Department has phased out the use of chlorofluorocarbons.

  (b) Hydrochlorofluorocarbons are used to a small degree in all London headquarters buildings owned or leased by MAFF.

  Arable Area Payments Scheme
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the largest single payment made to an applicant was in 2000 under the arable area payments scheme. [159845]

  Ms Quin
  £1,644,270.61. In common with other recipients of substantial payments under the arable area payments scheme, the applicant concerned is a large scale farm business with many different production units, widely situated in the United Kingdom.

  Livestock Movements
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to carry out an economic analysis of the movement of livestock around the United Kingdom. [155615]

  Ms Quin
  The Ministry has no immediate plans to carry out such analysis but will keep the matter under review. However, taking account of what we have learned from the current foot and mouth outbreak, the Government are consulting on proposals to introduce a 20 day standstill period for cattle, sheep and goats. Officials will be meeting with industry to discuss the implications of the proposals.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to take steps to reduce the length of animal movements by securing an increase nationally in the number of abattoirs. [159597]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 30 April 2001]: Despite the reduction in abattoir numbers over recent years there remains a spread of abattoirs across the country. However, where animals do have to travel, such journeys must comply with the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997 which sets out in some detail a variety of measures designed to protect animals, including maximum journey times, vehicle standards, transporter competence, etc. These rules are, of course, rigorously enforced.

  Farmers
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will prepare proposals to place before the next meeting of the Council of Agricultural Ministers of the Community designed to permit the United Kingdom to adopt systems of support to farmers and their auxiliary services aimed at sustaining their income and economic security at levels approximating to their purchasing power in the financial year 1999–2000. [158813]

  Ms Quin
  The Government recognise that this is a difficult time for farming, and have introduced a wide range of measures since 1997 investing around £1.35 billion in the industry. This is over and above regular support for UK farmers available under the CAP, totalling about £3 billion each year.

  The CAP is clearly failing to deliver on its aim of ensuring a fair standard of living for the agricultural community. This is one of many factors underlying our commitment to secure a more economically rational CAP to enable the industry to react flexibly to consumer wishes without being constrained by the market-distorting nature of the current CAP.

  We are working closely with like-minded member states to put pressure on the Council to reform the CAP on the basis of proposals from the EU Commission which we expect to issue next year.

  Sheep Exports
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will reinstate the special central unit of officials monitoring and enforcing statutory provisions relating to sheep exports. [157886]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 10 April 2001]: The team in Animal Welfare Division concerned with policy towards the transport of live animals and the monitoring of international journeys has not been abolished. This function has always been part of the division.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of written parliamentary questions tabled to his Department during the last four weeks have received a holding answer; and what was the average time taken after the date of the holding answer for a full answer to be given. [157178]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 9 April 2001]: In the four week period from 6 March up to and including 4 April, 96 per cent. of Named Day questions received a holding reply. This Department receives large numbers of named day questions, for answer on the earliest permitted date.

  Where full answers have now been given our records show the average gap between holding reply to full reply as 8.8 days.

  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he intends to provide a substantive reply to the question about Dawn Cardington abattoir in Bedfordshire tabled for answer on 4 April; and what the reasons are for the delay in answering. [159183]
  605W
  Ms Quin
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 24 April 2001,Official Report, column 258W.

  Environment Agency Report
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the Government will publish its response to the Environment Agency's "Lessons Learned" report. [159356]

  Mr. Morley
  In reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Selby (Mr. Grogan) on 20 March 2001,Official Report, column 186W, I expressed the Government's welcome for this report and the work that we, the Environment Agency and others would be undertaking to pursue the lessons learned. I do not propose making any further response to the report at this time.

  Abattoirs
  Mr. Hurst
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures his Department is taking to help small and medium-sized abattoirs. [159371]

  Ms Quin
  The Government have agreed to transfer £8.7 million per year for the next three years to the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to enable them to implement the principal recommendations of the Maclean Task Force Report on charging for Meat Hygiene Service inspections in abattoirs and cutting plants. The Taskforce considered that in view of what it saw as a serious threat to small and medium-sized abattoirs and cutting plants, the Government should contribute to the costs of meat inspection in Great Britain. The Taskforce recommended that the Government should therefore change their policy of requiring the Meat Hygiene Service to recover as much as possible of its hygiene inspection costs from the meat industry (since this is not required by EU rules on charging). It recommends that the current method of charging for meat inspections on an hourly basis should be changed and that, instead, all abattoirs and cutting plants should be charged the standard (headage) fees laid down in the EU Charges Directive or their actual inspection costs where these are lower.

  Implementation of the Maclean recommendations will significantly reduce inspection charges levied on many small and medium-sized meat plants and will be of considerable benefit to rural communities. We will be monitoring developments and giving further consideration as to how to maintain a sufficient number of small and medium-sized abattoirs.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the number of slaughterhouses in the UK; and what assessment he has made of(a) the additional costs to farmers, (b) the animal welfare implications and (c) the impact on the environment from extra transport movements resulting from the contraction in the number of slaughterhouses since 1979. [159593]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 30 April 2001]: Abattoir numbers have been declining year on year for more than 20 years, in response to commercial pressures and demand in particular areas. There is intense competition between slaughterhouses, both for throughput and for customers, and profit margins are low.
  606W
  Despite the reduction in abattoir numbers over recent years there remains a spread of abattoirs across the country. However, where animals do have to travel, such journeys must comply with the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997 which sets out in some detail a variety of measures designed to protect animals, including maximum journey times, vehicle standards, transporter competence, etc. These rules are, of course, rigorously enforced.

  BSE
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the report into BSE which he has commissioned from Professor Gabriel Horn. [159263]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 27 April 2001]: The review of the origin of BSE chaired by Professor Horn is well under way. It is expected that the group will submit their report by the end of May. Their conclusions will be included in the Government's detailed response to the BSE Inquiry Report.

  Pigs (Whey Feeding)
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of methods of disposal of whey as an alternative to feeding to pigs. [159434]

  Ms Quin
  We would assess alternative methods of disposal of whey in the event of it being banned as a feedingstuff to pigs

  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what volume of whey was fed to pigs in England in each of the last five years. [159433]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 27 April 2001]: We do not hold figures on the volume of whey fed annually. However, figures resulting from consultation with the industry indicate that approximately 450,000 tonnes of pasteurised milk waste products, including whey products, are used by pig industry per annum.

  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many pigs in England were fed with whey in the last 12 months; and what proportion they constitute of the national herd. [159432]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 27 April 2001]: It is estimated that up to 20 per cent. (or 1,051,600 pigs) of the British pig production sector utilises high moisture and moist co-products in pig feeds through liquid-feeding systems, which includes whey.

  Bovine TB
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a simplified version f the husbandry report on bovine TB will be made available to farmers. [154031]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 16 April 2001]: The Government accepted the recommendation of the independent Husbandry Panel on the need for more effective guidance to farmers on reducing the risk of TB. We will re-assess the mechanisms used to deliver this

  607W
  guidance in the light of the Panel's advice, although the timeframe for this work will be extended because of the foot and mouth outbreak.

CABINET OFFICE

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the total cost was of employing special advisers in her Department from 1997 to date. [160039]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  Details of costs for special advisers within individual Departments are not given, in order to protect the privacy of the individuals concerned.

  The estimated cost for special advisers as a whole in 2001–02 is £4.4 million.

  The overall costs for the previous years since 1997 are as follows:

  £ million

  1997–98

  2.6

  1998–99

  3.5

  1999–2000

  4.0

  2000–01

  4.4

  Mr. Kemp
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will list the special advisers employed by each Government Department on 1 March 1997, the date on which each resigned, and the reason for that resignation. [151896]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  A list of special advisers in post on 1 March 1997 is as follows:

  Government Department

  Special advisers

  Prime Minister's Office

  Normal Blackwell

  Carolyn Fairbairn

  Katherine Ramsay

  Simon Walker

  Arabella Warburton

  Sean Williams

  Chief Whip's Office

  Shana Hole

  Cabinet Office1

  Andrew Caesar-Gordon

  Lady Eileen Strathnaver

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  George Osborne

  Ministry of Defence

  Alison Broome

  Department for Education and Employment

  Dr. Elizabeth Cottrell

  Nicholas Heslop

  Department of the Environment

  Keith Adams

  Gavin Barwell

  Tom Burke

  Liam O'Connor

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  Graham Carter

  Department of Health

  Tony Hockley

  Tim Rycroft

  Department of National Heritage

  Andrew Honnor

  Home Office

  Patrick Rock

  Rachael Whetstone

  Privy Council Office

  Sophie McEwen

  Praveen Moman

  Department of Social Security

  Peter Barnes

  Department of Trade and Industry

  Greg Clark

  Department of Transport

  Lucy Miller

  Her Majesty's Treasury

  Paul Gardner

  Anthony Teasdale

  Edward Troup

  Scottish Office

  Jacqui Low

  Gerald Warner

  Welsh Office

  Barnaby Towns

  1In addition, Sir Peter Levene was employed as Efficiency Adviser

  608W
  Information on the date of resignation of individual special advisers and the reason for resignation is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Departmental Policies
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to Don Valley constituency, the effects on Doncaster of her Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [153523]

  Mr. Kemp
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effects of her Department's policies and actions on the constituency of Houghton and Washington, East since 2 May 1997. [152995]

  Mr. Stringer
  The Cabinet Office is responsible for a range of functions which cover England as a whole, or in relation to non-devolved matters, Great Britain or the United Kingdom. It is therefore not possible to say what their specific impact is on a particular constituency. Additionally any policy changes arising from reports by Cabinet Office units, such as the Social Exclusion Unit and the United Kingdom Anti-Drugs Co-ordination Unit, are implemented by the appropriate Government Department rather than by the Unit itself.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Prison Disorders
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison disorders have taken place in prisons in England and Wales during the last 12 months; and if he will list the prisons concerned. [158387]

  Mr. Boateng
  The term "disorder" is understood as referring to incidents of concerted indiscipline. An incident is classified as concerted indiscipline when prisoners collectively: refuse to comply with a lawful order; or involve themselves collectively in disruption of an establishment's normal regime and the incident is not otherwise reportable in its own right, unless that reportable incident presents a wider threat to the good order or discipline of the establishment.

  During the last 12 months, 103 incidents of concerted indiscipline have taken place in prisons in England and Wales. The prisons at which the disorders took place are listed in the tables:

  Establishment

  Number of incidents in the last 12 months

  Full Sutton

  1

  Whitemoor

  8

  Woodhill

  4

  Lincoln

  1

  Ranby

  5

  Leicester

  1

  Wellingborough

  2

  Onley

  1

  Chelmsford

  4

  Highpoint

  3

  Hollesley Bay

  2

  Norwich

  1

  609W

  Establishment

  Number of incidents in the last 12 months

  Maidstone

  1

  Rochester

  1

  Swaleside

  1

  Dover

  1

  Garth

  1

  Lancaster Farms

  1

  Wandsworth

  1

  Forest Bank

  5

  Risley

  1

  Castington

  7

  Guys Marsh

  1

  Ashfield

  7

  Portland

  4

  Bullingdon

  4

  Aylesbury

  3

  Huntercombe

  3

  Cardiff

  1

  Pare

  1

  Birmingham

  3

  Blakenhurst

  1

  Stafford

  1

  Stoke Heath

  3

  Brinsford

  2

  Bullwood Hall

  2

  Holloway

  1

  Send

  1

  Low Newton

  1

  Lindholme

  2

  Moorland

  1

  Wolds

  2

  Northallerton

  1

  Wetherby

  3

  Table of reported acts of concerted indiscipline including the duration of the incident, in date order, from 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001

  Prison

  Incident date

  Duration of Prison incidents (hours)

  Ashfield

  6 April 2000

  1

  Ranby

  8 April 2000

  3

  Whitemoor

  6 April 2000

  Less than one hour

  Ranby

  8 April 2000

  14

  Ashfield

  10 April 2000

  2

  Stoke Heath

  14 April 2000

  3

  Aylesbury

  25 April 2000

  Less than one hour

  Forest Bank

  25 April 2000

  1

  Castington

  29 April 2000

  3

  Forest Bank

  1 May 2000

  1

  Whitemoor

  8 May 2000

  1

  Hollesley Bay

  9 May 2000

  1

  Portland

  4 May 2000

  12

  Bullingdon

  14 May 2000

  Less than one hour

  Blakenhurst

  12 May 2000

  Less than one hour

  Highpoint

  16 May 2000

  3

  Bullingdon

  20 May 2000

  1

  Guys March

  21 May 2000

  7

  Chelmsford

  20 May 2000

  11

  Castington

  21 May 2000

  3

  Forest Bank

  31 May 2000

  Less than one hour

  Whitemoor

  27 May 2000

  48

  Chelmsford

  4 June 2000

  Less than one hour

  Bullwood Hall

  12 May 2000

  2

  Risley

  9 June 2000

  9

  Northallerton

  10 June 2000

  1

  Norwich

  12 June 2000

  Less than one hour

  Garth

  21 June 2000

  Less than one hour

  Chelmsford

  24 June 2000

  Less than one hour

  Huntercombe

  24 June 2000

  1

  Whitemoor

  26 June 2000

  2

  Huntercombe

  27 June 2000

  1

  Lindholme

  1 July 2000

  1

  610W

  Table of reported acts of concerted indiscipline including the duration of the incident, in date order, from 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001

  Prison

  Incident date

  Duration of incidents (hours)

  Full Sutton

  2 July 2000

  Less than one hour

  Swaleside

  4 July 2000

  Less than one hour

  Whitemoor

  4 July 2000

  Less than one hour

  Ashfield

  9 July 2000

  1

  Ranby

  9 July 2000

  19

  Whitemoor

  8 July 2000

  Less than one hour

  Castington

  14 July 2000

  Less than one hour

  Stoke Heath

  14 July 2000

  1

  Bullwood Hall

  23 July 2000

  Less than one hour

  Highpoint

  19 July 2000

  2

  Castington

  24 July 2000

  1

  Forest Bank

  30 July 2000

  8

  Birmingham

  2 August 2000

  Less than one hour

  Aylesbury

  3 August 2000

  Less than one hour

  Portland

  1 August 2000

  Less than one hour

  Whitemoor

  1 August 2000

  48

  Ranby

  6 August 2000

  17

  Stoke Heath

  6 August 2000

  3

  Send

  5 August 2000

  1

  Birmingham

  12 August 2000

  1

  Birmingham

  12 August 2000

  1

  Highpoint

  13 August 2000

  1

  Lancaster Farms

  15 August 2000

  2

  Wetherby

  22 August 2000

  1

  Ranby

  21 August 2000

  9

  Bullingdon

  24 August 2000

  Less than one hour

  Wetherby

  29 August 2000

  2

  Wandsworth

  1 September 2000

  8

  Castington

  14 September 2000

  Less than one hour

  Woodhill

  25 August 2000

  2

  Wolds

  18 September 2000

  1

  Aylesbury

  3 October 2000

  Less than one hour

  Chelmsford

  4 October 2000

  Less than one hour

  Castington

  10 October 2000

  4

  Woodhill

  11 October 2000

  1

  Lindholme

  11 October 2000

  9

  Woodhill

  10 October 2000

  Less than one hour

  Dover

  17 October 2000

  4

  Feltham

  21 October 2000

  6

  Castington

  23 October 2000

  3

  Ashfield

  5 November 2000

  Less than one hour

  Bullingdon

  9 November 2000

  1

  Hollesley Bay

  20 November 2000

  8

  Low Newton

  28 November 2000

  1

  Forest Bank

  29 November 2000

  1

  Ashfield

  30 November 2000

  2

  Portland

  4 December 2000

  1

  Brinsford

  17 December 2000

  1

  Ashfield

  25 December 2000

  6

  Wellingborough

  25 December 2000

  1

  Holloway

  27 December 2000

  2

  Moorland

  25 December 2000

  1

  Maidstone

  18 January 2001

  1

  Rochester

  30 July 2000

  1

  Onley

  24 January 2001

  6

  Woodhill

  25 January 2001

  2

  Ashfield

  26 January 2001

  4

  Stafford

  25 January 2001

  Less than one hour

  Portland

  31 January 2001

  1

  Huntercombe

  17 February 2001

  2

  Lincoln

  13 February 2001

  Less than one hour

  Swansea

  18 February 2001

  1

  Leicester

  22 February 2001

  2

  Wellingborough

  2 March 2001

  1

  Whitemoor

  12 March 2001

  1

  Wolds

  14 March 2001

  Less than one hour

  Wetherby

  17 March 2001

  1

  Cardiff

  19 March 2001

  Less than one hour

  Brinsford

  31 March 2001

  1

  Parc

  23 February 2001

  Less than one hour

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in deciding allocations of asylum seekers for dispersal to areas outside the south-east, he takes account of the number already coming in to such areas through ports of entry within the areas. [158914]

  Mrs. Roche
  The identification of suitable cluster areas for the dispersal of asylum seekers and their dependants is based on research conducted centrally by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS). Information is obtained from local authorities and other organisations with an interest in asylum. The presence of asylum seekers already in the area will also be taken into consideration.

  Only asylum seekers who request that accommodation be provided as part of a support package will be considered for dispersal. Asylum seekers making their claim in one dispersal area may, if they request accommodation, be required to move to another which is more suitable for their needs. An asylum seeker requesting support including accommodation who is already resident in a dispersal area may be housed here by NASS if his circumstances make this appropriate.

  Asylum seekers who do not require support or who apply for subsistence only can live where they choose.

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of asylum applications include dependant children; and if he will make a statement. [159436]

  Mrs. Roche
  The proportion of principal applicants who have at least one dependant (excluding a spouse) at the application stage who is under the age of 18 is estimated to be 8 per cent.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many places have been provided for dispersed asylum seekers by(a) local authorities, (b) accommodation providers and (c) boarding houses since dispersal began. [159739]

  Mrs. Roche
  Bedspaces provided to the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) for the dispersal of asylum seekers since 1 April 2000 are:

  Bedspaces

  NASS public sector providers

  18,742

  NASS private sector providers

  20,584

  No information is available on boarding houses.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what limits are placed on numbers of asylum seekers in any one property purchased by accommodation providers; and what guidance is given to them on the size of properties. [159737]

  Mrs. Roche
  All accommodation providers must as part of their contract with the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) comply with the provisions of the Housing Act 1985 or the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987. In addition providers must comply with local authority regulations relating to planning and environmental health and any local registration or licensing scheme for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
  612W
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) who authorises the purchase of properties for the accommodation of asylum seekers in cluster areas by accommodation providers; and who bears the costs if planning permission is refused; [159738]

  (2) which organisations commission and finance providers of accommodation for asylum seekers; and for how long their contracts last. [159723]

  Mrs. Roche
  The National Asylum Support Service (NASS) is responsible for the commission and finance of accommodation for asylum seekers. The voluntary sector supplies initial emergency accommodation for asylum seekers while their application for support is being considered. Local authorities, registered social landlords and private sector companies provide accommodation in dispersal areas. The length of individual contracts varies from one to five years.

  Accommodation providers under contract to NASS are responsible for obtaining sufficient accommodation in cluster areas to meet the terms of their contract. Once obtained the accommodation is offered to NASS who decide if it is acceptable. If the property contains more than six bedspaces it will be subject to a 28-day consultation period with the relevant local authority.

  Accommodation providers would be expected to bear the costs of any unsuccessful applications for planning permission.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how he limits the numbers of properties and places private accommodation providers can purchase in each cluster area for asylum seekers; [159727]

  (2) how he ensures that no area receives a disproportionate number of dispersed asylum seekers; and how he defines disproportionate for this purpose. [159752]

  Mrs. Roche
  The National Asylum Support Service (NASS) establishes cluster areas in consultation with local authorities. Accommodation providers are contracted to provide bedspaces in individual cluster areas up to the target specified in the contract.

  The proportionate distribution of dispersed asylum seekers is achieved on the basis of local population figures or consideration of particular local circumstances.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 12 February 2001,Official Report, column 57W, what evidence he has to support the conclusion that people seeking asylum are managing to combine their vouchers and cash to ensure they do not lose out; and what representations he has received to the contrary. [159813]

  Mrs. Roche
  We have received a number of representations from non-governmental organisations, hon. Members, members of the public, retailers and others about the impact of the "no change" rule.

  The issue is something we are looking at as part of the review of the operation of the asylum voucher scheme. As part of that review we have investigated asylum seekers' experiences and I have visited retailers and spoken to staff about the operation of the no change rule. We will make our conclusions available when the review reports.

  Life Prisoners (Appeals)
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements are made to provide support to prisoners serving a life sentence who are released having had their conviction overturned on appeal; and if he will make a statement. [158895]

  Mr. Boateng
  The probation service does not have any obligation to provide support to such former prisoners since they are not on licence. However, where resources permit, they may be prepared to do so on a voluntary basis. The Government understand the difficulties that such former prisoners may face in resettling in the community and the Home Office has set up a working party to look at what might be needed, in terms of advice and counselling. A consultant has prepared a report and recommendations will go to Ministers by the summer.

  John Kamara
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what support was provided to John Kamara following his release as a result of his conviction being overturned by the Court of Appeal; and if he will make a statement. [158896]

  Mr. Boateng
  Mr. Kamara has had voluntary contact with the Merseyside probation service since before his appeal was heard. Although there was no obligation on either side to continue contact after the successful appeal, there have been ongoing contacts with the probation service.

  Money Laundering
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations the Government have received regarding allegations of UK financial institutions being involved in money laundering activities in respect of money transferred out of Serbia and the former Yugoslavia; and if he will make a statement. [159245]

  Mr. Straw
  Allegations of money laundering activity involving any financial institution, or indeed any person, within the United Kingdom fall to be considered by the police. Reports are received by the National Criminal Intelligence Service, to be analysed and if necessary disseminated to competent authorities for further investigation. Such reports of suspicious transactions are received for the purposes of criminal intelligence and for the possible investigation of suspected criminal behaviour, and for operational reasons cannot be commented upon.

  Asylum Decisions
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average time taken to reach an initial decision for applications for asylum is; and if he will make a statement. [159440]

  Mrs. Roche
  I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Southwark, North and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) on 26 March 2001,Official Report, column 852W, which gives the available information on the average time taken to reach an initial decision for applications for asylum.

  Class A Drug Offences
  Ms Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) arrests and (b) convictions there were for possession of Class A drugs in Luton in each year since 1991. [159415]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information is not available in the form requested. Information is not collected centrally on arrests for drug offences. Although information is collected on cautions and convictions for drug offences, published breakdowns are not available in the specific form detailed in the question. It would be possible to provide information on cautions and convictions for possession of Class A drugs only at disproportionate cost.
  The Area Table of the Home Office bulletin "Drug Seizure and Offender Statistics, United Kingdom" give breakdowns by main type of drug or by main offence type for individual police force areas. Copies of these publications for the period up to and including 1999 are available in the Library. Unfortunately, it is impossible to provide these figures by any other geographical unit.

  Domestic Violence
  Ms Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the measures which he has taken to tackle domestic violence since May 1997. [159418]

  Mr. Boateng
  The most significant aspect of violence against women is domestic violence. It is a serious and abhorrent crime which the Government are determined to tackle effectively, and we have made it one of our key priorities. We have emphasised that the domestic context in which it occurs is an aggravating not a mitigating factor and that it is an issue which we expect the local crime reduction partnerships set up under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to cover in their audits of local problems and strategies for addressing them.

  Since coming to office, we have undertaken a broad range of measures to reduce the level of domestic violence and strengthen support for victims.

  I have mentioned the Crime and Disorder Act; other early measures were implementation of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 and of Part IV of the Family Law Act 1996. We followed this with the successful "Break the Chain" publicity and awareness campaign for domestic violence survivors and those who might be able to help them.

  Within the last year we have: issued multi-agency guidance to agencies dealing with domestic violence and specific guidance to Health Service professionals; issued a new Home Office circular to the police; included domestic violence within police Best Value performance indicators; provided £120 million additional capital funding for a new Safer Communities Supported Housing Fund for specified vulnerable groups, including the survivors of domestic violence; and, increased funding for Victim Support.

  Last summer we provided £7 million under the Crime Reduction programme for a violence against women initiative addressing domestic violence and rape and sexual assault by known assailants. That money is currently funding for development and evaluation until March 2002, 34 projects that will help us identify what interventions in what circumstances are the most effective

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  and cost-effective in reducing crime. We have since announced, on 26 March, that we will be providing up to an extra £3.7 million to fund until March 2003 a further 24 projects addressing violence against women.

  Other current initiatives include work with the Association of Chief Police Officers on a circular on effective use of provisions in the Protection from Harassment Act 1997; the evaluation of probation service domestic violence perpetrator programmes; the development of a domestic violence toolkit on the Home Office's crime reduction website; research on possible future publicity work; and, the inclusion in the British Crime Survey 2001 of a special module on domestic violence.

  Ministerial Group on the Family
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Ministerial Group on the Family last met; and if he will make a statement on its current programme of work. [159009]

  Mr. Boateng
  [holding answer 26 April 2001]: The Ministerial Group on the Family, as with other Ministerial Groups, meets as needed.

  The Government have a robust framework of family policies in place. We have made excellent headway in tackling child poverty by helping parents back into work and ensuring that hard working families are rewarded through increases to the Working Families Tax Credit, and through the new Children's Tax Credit. All families with children have benefited from increases to Child Benefit. On 26 April, we outlined proposals to break the long-term cycle of disadvantage by setting up the new Child Trust Fund, starting at birth, with further investments at five, 11 and 16, to give young people a savings base with which to start their adult lives.

  We have simplified and increased significantly maternity leave and pay, and announced the introduction of paternity pay ensuring that parents can spend time together as a family after the birth of a new baby. Parental leave provisions enable parents to take unpaid leave during the first few years of the children's lives. The National Childcare Strategy and free early education places for all four and many three-year-olds are providing an increasing number of high quality places for children, to enable parents to work. The Worklife Balance Campaign encourages employers to adopt flexible working practices which will enable employees to achieve a better work-life balance.

  The Family Support Grant provides funding to over 60 voluntary organisations working with parents to improve their parenting skills. These include Parentline Plus which runs a national freephone helpline providing a listening ear for parents, and the National Family and Parenting Institute which is raising the profile and importance of parenting. We provide core and project funding to a range of marriage and relationship support organisations including Relate—the largest provider of marriage, family and relationship support in the country.
  Locally based initiatives such as Early Excellence Centres, Sure Start and the Children's Fund provide a range of support services to children and their families in
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  our most deprived areas. The new adoption framework and "Quality Protects" programme will help some of the most disadvantaged children and their families.

  Criminal Justice System
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what targets he(a) has set and (b) plans to set and what data he has identified to enable his Department to meet its PSA target to ensure just processes and just and effective outcomes in the criminal justice system. [159027]

  Mr. Boateng
  [holding answer 26 April 2001]: Targets have been set to reduce the rate of reconvictions of all offenders by 5 per cent. by 2004 compared to the predicted rate, and of all young offenders by 5 per cent. by 2004 compared to the predicted rate.

  These calculations are based on evidence of "What Works" in reducing reconvictions. A range of interim targets have been set for effective completions of accredited Offender Behaviour Programmes including education and training for offenders in custody and those completing community sentences.

  Predicted two-year reconviction rates used in the measurement of Public Service Agreement targets are not statistical forecasts, but are adjustments made once actual reconviction rates are known which make allowances for variations in the age, sex, offence and previous criminal history profile of persons commencing community sentences. These factors are known to be associated with the risk of re-offending. The purpose of the "predicted" rate is to ensure that comparisons between the reconviction rate when an improvement target was set and the reconviction rate when improvement is measured are meaningful.

  Firearms Certificates
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many applications for the renewal of firearm and shotgun certificates were(a) received and (b) processed by West Mercia Constabulary in (i) 1 January 2000 to 30 June 2000, (ii) 1 July 2000 to 31 December 2000 and (iii) 1 January to 31 March; [159186]

  (2) how many firearm and shotgun certificates were (a) granted, (b) renewed and (c) varied by West Mercia Constabulary between 1 October 2000 and 31 March; [159184]

  (3) how many firearm and shotgun certificates fell due for renewal in each month in the West Mercia Constabulary area in the last 12 months; [159187]

  (4) how many temporary firearm and shotgun permits were issued by West Mercia Constabulary during the previous six month period to holders of firearm and shotgun certificates awaiting renewals and whose certificates had expired. [159185]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information available from West Mercia Constabulary on the points raised is set out.
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  Between 1 October 2000 and 31 March 2001 West Mercia Constabulary issued the following:

  Firearm Grants: 89

  Firearm Renewals: 302

  Firearm variations: 102

  Shotgun Grants: 445

  Shotgun Renewals: 3,182.

  West Mercia Constabulary also issued 369 replacement certificates during the same period of time.

  During the past six months, West Mercia Constabulary have issued 49 Firearm Temporary Permits and 59 Shotgun Temporary Permits.

  Between the following dates, West Mercia Constabulary received and processed firearm and shotgun certificate applications for renewal as follows:

  Firearms

  Applications

  Shotguns

  Applications

  1 January 2000 to 30 June 2000:

  Renewal (actual)

  475

  Renewal

  4,521

  Processed

  198

  Processed

  2,138

  1 July 2000 to 31 December 2000:

  Renewal (estimated)

  485

  Renewal

  3,700

  Processed

  250

  Processed

  2,792

  1 January 2001 to 31 March 2001:

  Renewal

  1—

  Renewal

  1—

  Processed

  160

  Processed

  1,694

  1Not Known

  These figures do not include cancellations, transfers out to other forces or applications for replacement certificates, which totalled 2,704.

  Information on the number of certificates falling due for renewal in each individual month is not collected centrally and could be done so only at disproportionate cost. It is estimated, based on the total number of certificates registered in the force area, that an average of 972 renewal applications would fall due each month.

  First Offence (Imprisonment)
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of persons convicted of a first criminal offence were sentenced to a term of imprisonment in each year since 1971. [159253]

  Mr. Boateng
  The readily available information is shown in the table. The data relate to males with no known previous convictions for standard list offences who were sentenced to immediate imprisonment for a standard list offence.

  Percentage of males with no known previous convictions sentenced to immediate imprisonment1, by age.

  Year

  Males aged 10 and over but under 21

  Males aged 21 and over

  1977

  4

  5

  1982

  4

  6

  1987

  5

  11

  1991

  4

  10

  1993

  6

  14

  1994

  7

  14

  1995

  6

  14

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  Percentage of males with no known previous convictions sentenced to immediate imprisonment1, by age.

  Year

  Males aged 10 and over but under 21

  Males aged 21 and over

  1996 (old basis)2

  7

  18

  1996 (new basis)2

  7

  13

  1997

  7

  12

  1998

  6

  12

  1Includes Borstal training, detention centres, youth custody and young offender institution where appropriate.

  2A number of offences were added to the Standard list in 1996. "Old basis" figures exclude the additional offences.

  Court Fines
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were imprisoned for failure to pay a court fine in each year since 1971. [159254]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information relating to people imprisoned for failure to pay a court fine since 1971 is given in the table.

  Provisional information for 1 January to 31 March 2001 shows that there have been 491 fine defaulters received into prison so far and that on 31 March 2001 there were 41 fine defaulters in prison.

  Number of fine defaulters received into prisons in England and Wales 1971 to 2001

  Year

  Number of receptions

  1971

  10,871

  1972

  10,980

  1973

  10,406

  1974

  12,622

  1975

  14,417

  1976

  15,911

  1977

  16,040

  1978

  16,442

  1979

  17,044

  1980

  15,938

  1981

  21,153

  1982

  24,492

  1983

  23,241

  1984

  21,761

  1985

  20,493

  1986

  19,159

  1987

  18,723

  1988

  16,817

  1989

  16,985

  1990

  16,659

  1991

  18,973

  1992

  19,826

  1993

  22,403

  1994

  22,469

  1995

  20,157

  1996

  8,555

  1997

  6,336

  1998

  5,374

  1999

  3,727

  2000

  12,314

  1Provisional data only

  Detention Centres
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the detention centres at Thurleigh, Harmondsworth, Aldington and Dungavel will begin to receive detainees. [159426]
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  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 27 April 2001]: The immigration detention centres referred to will according to the current programme receive their first detainees as follows:

  Detention centre

  Yarl's Wood Detention Centre (Bedford) (formerly known as Thurleigh Detention Centre)

  August 2001

  Harmondsworth Detention Centre (Heathrow)

  July 2001

  Dungavel Detention Centre (Scotland)

  September 2001

  Aldington Detention Centre (Kent)

  No date available

  A date for the opening of the detention centre at Aldington cannot be given due to delays in the planning process.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the planned initial capacity and the planned full operating capacity is of(a) Thurleigh Detention Centre, (b) Harmondsworth Detention Centre, (c) Aldington Detention Centre and (d) Dungavel Detention Centre. [159425]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 27 April 2001]: The planned full operating capacity of the immigration detention centres referred to will be as follows:

  Detention centre

  Places

  Yarl's Wood Detention Centre (Bedford) (formerly known as Thurleigh Detention Centre)

  900

  Harmondsworth Detention Centre (Heathrow)

  550

  Dungavel Detention Centre (Scotland)

  150

  Aldington Detention Centre (Kent)

  300

  In each case there is no planned initial capacity and full operating capacity will be reached within three to four months of the centres opening, as agreed in the contract between the Immigration Service and operating contractors.

  Asylum Support Claims
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the terms of reference are of his review of the targets for the processing of asylum support claims; when he will announce the conclusions of that review; and if he will make a statement. [159406]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 27 April 2001]: The new target relating to decision times for asylum support applications can be found in the Home Office Business Plan for 2001–02 which was published on 2 April. The target is to reduce the average time taken to decide an application for asylum support by 20 per cent., by March 2002.

  Fraud Letters
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his assessment is of whether advance fee fraud letters arriving from overseas(a) constitute a serious crime and (b) affect the economic well-being of the UK. [159693]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 30 April 2001]: Any form of organised fraud is a serious crime. The offences of conspiracy to defraud and of obtaining property by deception both carry a maximum penalty of
  620W
  10 years' imprisonment. We hope that most people in the United Kingdom will have the good sense not to pay advance fees in response to unsolicited correspondence and that therefore the overall economic threat will be limited. Anybody who receives such a letter should send it to their local police, for onward transmission to the National Criminal Intelligence Service, who are considering means of tackling the problem.

  Motorcycles
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many motorcycles have been(a) stolen and (b) recovered in each of the last four years; [159565]

  (2) if he will make a statement on recent measures which have been taken to reduce motorcycle theft. [159566]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The National Criminal Intelligence Service has received additional Government funding to run a project aimed at tackling organised motorcycle theft. Crime prevention messages specifically aimed at motorcyclists will be included in the next phase of the national vehicle crime reduction communications campaign, which will take place in the current financial year.

  Local authorities now have powers to provide secure parking for motorcycles under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (as amended). The Vehicles (Crime) Act 2001 provides for statutory regulation of the motor salvage industry, which will help prevent vehicles, including motorcycles, from being stolen to be broken up for spare parts or being "rung" (ie taking on the identities of vehicles which have been written off in accidents).

  Separate details of the theft and recovery of motorcycles are not collected centrally.

  Reparation Orders
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many reparation orders have been made under the provisions of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 which required reparation of the type specified in section 67(2)(b) of that Act. [159971]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  A reparation order can require a young offender to make reparation either to the victim, or to the community at large. Section 67 (2) (b) is the provision requiring reparation to the community.

  The most recent figures from the Youth Justice Board indicate that between April to December 2000 a total of 3,818 reparation orders were made. Of these 2,738 (almost 72 per cent.) involved reparation to the community at large, 721 (19 per cent.) involved direct reparation to the victim and 355 (9 per cent.) involved reparation both to the community and to the victim.

  Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the operation of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. [159980]

  Mr. Straw
  Implementation of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) is not yet complete. The interception (Part I Chapter I), covert
  621W
  surveillance (Part II) and oversight and complaints provisions (Part IV) of the Act were brought into force by the end of October 2000. The intention is to commence the outstanding provisions governing the acquisition of communications data in Part I Chapter II, and those governing access to protected electronic data in Part III of the Act, by the end of 2001.

  As with all new legislation, the Government will keep RIPA under review. In particular, the Government have undertaken to review the provisions in Parts I and III of the Act in order properly to assess their effectiveness and their impact on business.

  Child Curfew Orders
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many child curfew orders have been made under the provisions of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. [159970]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  No applications have been received from local authorities to establish child curfew schemes under section 14 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. Following consultation with local authorities and the police we have proposed in the Criminal Justice and Police Bill currently before Parliament to extend the upper age limit to 15 and to allow the police, as well as local authorities, to initiate schemes.

  Proscribed Organisations
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to proscribe additional domestic terrorist organisations under the provisions of the Terrorism Act 2000; and if he will make a statement. [159973]

  Mr. Straw
  As I made clear in the House on 13 March, I have no plans to add any organisations to the current list. But it is open to addition or subtraction at any future stage, and I will keep this issue under review.

  Children (Offending)
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library the results of the surveys conducted by MORI for the Youth Justice Board on offending by children in 1999, 2000 and 2001. [159968]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  We shall place them in the Library this week.

  Council Compensation Claims
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many local authorities have applied for compensation under the terms of section D of RPA Circular 442; what the total amount claimed to date is; and if he will make a statement. [159981]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Four local authorities have submitted claims for compensation for the additional costs they incurred. The total amount claimed is £634.80. The most recent claim was received on 20 April.

  Anti-Social Behaviour Orders
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many anti-social behaviour 622W
  orders have been made under the provisions of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998; and how many were made against persons under the age of 18 years. [159972]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  A total of 104 anti-social behaviour orders were issued in England and Wales between 1 April 1999 and 31 May 2000. A breakdown by age for the orders issued in this period is not held centrally. However provisional data collected centrally from 1 June 2000 up to 31 December 2000 show a further 73 anti-social behaviour orders being made of which 31 were for persons aged under 18 years.

  Airwave Communications System
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the implementation of the Airwave communications system.[159975]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The final operational phase of the Airwave pilot, which started on 19 March, is continuing satisfactorily despite some technical problems. The service is now available in the two Divisions of Lancashire which are the subject of the evaluation. An interim review of the pilot began on 30 April and the final evaluation will be completed within five working days of pilot completion on 17 June.

  Preparations for the rollout in Greater Manchester and other forces are also progressing well and are currently on schedule.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average cost to his Department has been of answering a written question from an hon. Member asking about the effects since May 1997 of his Department's policies on a particular hon. Member's constituency. [159969]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Compilation of these responses has involved staff in various Home Office Units, the Youth Justice Board and Youth Offending Teams. Each answer has drawn upon information which is already collected by the Home Office, its Agencies or other partners.

  The exact time taken and hence the cost to the Department of answering these questions has not been collated as each response has been prepared. However, it is estimated that average cost to the Home Office of answering them has been less than £100.

  Hilda Murrell
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the results for the latest DNA tests in connection with the murder of Hilda Murrell were; and if he will make a statement. [159985]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Forensic Science Service has completed the latest round of tests in the re-examination of materials from exhibits in the Hilda Murrell murder investigation. The tests have not produced any significant DNA profile which advances the investigation at this stage. However, the results suggest that there is a realistic prospect that the next level of testing may produce a profile. In line with a strategy of sequential testing
  623W
  agreed by West Mercia Constabulary and the Forensic Science Service, further examinations will continue in a systematic manner.

  National Asylum Support Service
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance MASS has issued to providers of accommodation for people seeking asylum on encouraging partnership working and promoting good community relations. [159774]

  Mrs. Roche
  All property providers who enter into contract with the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) are expected to meet the high standards of performance specified in the contract. They must provide a management system to assist the asylum seekers they are accommodating including help with registration with a general practitioner, getting children into school and access to the one stop services set up by the voluntary sector.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to monitor the numbers of people seeking asylum housed in each local authority area under the NASS scheme; and if these figures will be made publicly available. [159773]

  Mrs. Roche
  Numbers of asylum seekers allocated accommodation by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) are currently monitored within the regions and each cluster area. These figures are available from Immigration Research and Statistics Service.

  Currently there are no plans to monitor numbers of asylum seekers in each local authority area.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the(a) private companies and (b) regional consortia that have entered into contracts with NASS to provide housing for people seeking asylum; how many bed spaces each one has provided; how many of those bed spaces are occupied; and how many of those bed spaces have been inspected by NASS inspectors. [159772]

  Mrs. Roche
  The following have contracts with the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) to provide accommodation for asylum seekers:

  Private companies

  Regional consortia

  Adelphi Hotels

  Scotland

  Angel Group Ltd.

  North East

  Accommodata Ltd.

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Capital Accommodation Ltd.

  North West (East Region)

  Clearsprings

  West Midlands

  Roselodge Ltd.

  Cardiff CC

  Safe Haven

  East Midlands

  The Landmark

  YMCA Glasgow

  Leena Corporation

  I am unable to provide information on the number of bedspaces provided under individual contracts since this information is commercial in confidence.

  As at 30 April, 80 per cent. of accommodation provided by the private sector and 4 per cent. of accommodation provided by the public sector had been inspected either by or on behalf of NASS.
  624W
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if NASS will publish an annual report. [159771]

  Mrs. Roche
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton North-East (Mr. Crausby) on 15 January 2001,Official Report, column 86W.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements are in place for consulting local authorities before people seeking asylum are placed in their areas under the NASS scheme; and under what circumstances authorities would not be consulted. [159789]

  Mrs. Roche
  The identification of suitable cluster areas for the dispersal of asylum seekers and their dependants is based on research conducted centrally by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS). Information is obtained from local authorities and other organisations with an interest in asylum. Before entering into a contract with an accommodation provider NASS consults local authorities through the regional consortia. Local authorities receive weekly information of the numbers of asylum seekers dispersed to their area.

  Electronic Custody Systems
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the development and provision of electronic custody systems for the police; when such systems will be available; what is the expected cost of such systems; what has been the total cost of their development to date; and what was the planned date for such systems to be available. [159696]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Work is in progress to develop an electronic custody system. Implementation within all forces is likely to be achieved within two calendar years of a product becoming available. There is currently no planned date for a custody product to be available. Development costs of the application have been at the suppliers own risk. Internal project costs are estimated as being approximately £2 million. Central government is to provide £46 million to implement the custody and an electronic case preparation system once plans have been agreed. The original delivery date for the custody application was August 2000 with roll-out to all forces by December 2002.

  Police IT
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what procedures are in place to ensure that information technology systems and software provided to police forces offer value for money; and if he will make a statement. [159695]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  All information technology systems and software are acquired through procedures to ensure that they offer value for money.

  Government and European procurement procedures ensure fair and open competition. Tenders are analysed to ensure that the bids represents value for money, and contracts are negotiated to ensure there is adequate protection provided to the Authority. Attention is paid to the selection of the right supplier and to working closely with the supplier through effective post contract

  625W
  management. Great care is taken through consultation with stakeholders to ensure that the requirement reflects their needs. Major projects are managed through a recognised project management procedure. This ensures user requirements and the original project brief are monitored and adhered to, so that the result delivers police needs and is value for money.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many special advisers worked in his Department from 1997 to date. [160028]

  Mr. Straw
  I have two special advisers. Ed Owen has been in post since May 1997. Norman Warner, now Lord Warner of Brockley, held the second special adviser post from May 1997 until October 1998. His successor is Justin Russell.

  Race Relations Act
  Mr. Hope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what additional authorisations he has made under section 19D of the Race Relations Act 1976. [160122]
  626W
  Mrs. Roche
  In the light of evidence about the particular risks posed to the effective operation of our immigration controls by some members of certain ethnic groups, I have made an authorisation permitting members of the Immigration Service to discriminate, where necessary, in the examination of passengers belonging to the following ethnic or national groups: Tamils, Kurds, Pontic Greeks, Roma, Somalis, Albanians, Afghans and ethnic Chinese presenting a Malaysian or Japanese passport or any other travel document issued by Malaysia or Japan.

  The decision on a passenger's entitlement to enter the United Kingdom will continue to be taken on the merits of the case in accordance with the Immigration Rules. The authorisation simply allows the Immigration Service to prioritise and manage its resources effectively in undertaking examinations necessary in order to reach that decision.

  The Race Monitor to be appointed under section 19E of the Race Relations Act 1976 (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.

  A copy of the additional authorisation has been placed in the Library. Any future additional or amended authorisations will also be placed in the Library.

  Asylum Detainees: Clothing
  Asylum Detainees: Clothing
  Prisoners: Mandatory Drug Testing
  Prisoners: Mandatory Drug Testing
  Prisoners: Discharge Grants
  Prisoners: Discharge Grants
  Freedom of Information Act and Government Departments
  Freedom of Information Act and Government Departments
  Prison Service: Boards of Visitors Appointments
  Prison Service: Boards of Visitors Appointments
  War Crimes Inquiries
  War Crimes Inquiries
  Immigration Controls
  Immigration Controls
  Neighbourhood Statistics
  Neighbourhood Statistics
  Census: Costs and Benefits
  Census: Costs and Benefits
  End of Year Summary P14
  End of Year Summary P14
  Post Office: Compulsory Land Purchase Powers
  Post Office: Compulsory Land Purchase Powers
  Unemployment Claimant Count
  Unemployment Claimant Count
  Animal Carcasses: Legislation Governing Burning
  Animal Carcasses: Legislation Governing Burning
  Animal Carcasses: Legislation Governing Burying
  Animal Carcasses: Legislation Governing Burying
  Animal Carcasses: Health Risks from Residues and Run-off
  Animal Carcasses: Health Risks from Residues and Run-off
  Transport Council: French Railways
  Transport Council: French Railways
  North West: Objective 2 Programme
  North West: Objective 2 Programme
  Pesticides Incidents Appraisal Panel
  Pesticides Incidents Appraisal Panel
  Tower Hamlets: New Home Construction
  Tower Hamlets: New Home Construction
  Heathrow: Fifth Terminal Inquiry
  Heathrow: Fifth Terminal Inquiry
  Peers: Motor Mileage and Bicycle Allowance
  Peers: Motor Mileage and Bicycle Allowance
  Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
  Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
  e-government Rankings: Accenture Report
  e-government Rankings: Accenture Report