Written Answers of 8 May 2001

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the total cost was of employing special advisers in his Department from 1997 to date. [160048]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 1 May 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my right hon Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 1 May 2001, Official Report, column 607W.

  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how Many special advisers worked in his Department from 1997 to date. [160036]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 1 May 2001]In total, two special advisers have worked at any one time in the Foreign Secretary's Department from 1997 to date:

  Andrew Hood: May 1997-December 1999

  David Clark: May 1997 to date

  Michael Williams: February 2000 to date.

  Rio Conference
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to assist the preparations for the Rio+10 conference; what contributions he intends to make at the conference; and if he will make a statement. [159780]

  Mr. Battle
  As my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment has stated in his reply of today (UIN15779), the United Kingdom is taking a leading role in preparation for the World Summit on Sustainable Development to be held in South Africa in September 2002. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is actively engaged in these preparations.

  Once the agenda for the summit has been agreed, we shall decide on how best to contribute

  European Court of Human Rights
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the average length of time was between a case referred to me European Court of Human Rights and a judgment in a case in the last 12 months; and when he expects a judgment in the cases of(a) Leyla Zana, (b) Selim Sadak, (c) Hatip Dicle and (d) Orhan Dogah. [160383]

  Mr. Battle
  The new European Court of Human Rights came into existence on 1 November 1998. The Court has set itself the objective of reaching a final judgment on the merits of a case within two years of that case being introduced. However, due to the considerable backlog of cases that the new Court inherited from the previous 2W
  European Court and Commission, the Court is not at present in a position to meet that objective. The Government have provided additional assistance to the Court to help in clear that backlog. The majority of cases that do not go for judgment are decided within one year.

  Judgments are expected shortly in the cases of Leyla Zana, Selim Sadak, Hatip Dicle and Orhan Dogah, and probably by the beginning of June.

  Colombia
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he will make to the Colombian Government over the recent threats made by Army and paramilitary personnel against the Peace Community of San Jose de Apartado. [160641]

  Mr. Battle
  We are concerned about the recent threats that have been made by armed groups against the Peace Community of San Jose de Apartado. Representatives of Peace Brigades international and Christian Aid met officials from the Latin American and Caribbean Department at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 5 and 26 April respectively to discuss this problem, and what further steps might be taken to protect the Peace Community and other vulnerable groups in Colombia.

  The British embassy in Bogota has raised our concern about the safety of the San Jose de Apartado Peace Community with the Colombian authorities, most recently with the Head of the Human Rights Unit of the Prosecutor-General's Office on 24 April. We have been promised a response soon.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he will make to the Colombian Government concerning the rights of the peace communities in Colombia not to be intimidated by military and paramilitary units. [160642]

  Mr. Battle
  As I made clear in my statement on 13 February, we are very concerned about the increasing levels of violence in Colombia, and the threats and intimidation that continue to be directed against the civilian population, including the peace communities.

  The Minister for the Cabinet Office visited Colombia again in March in order to support the Colombian Government's efforts to advance the peace process and protect human rights. She repeated the concerns that we both raised with the Colombian Government during our joint visit in September 2000 about paramilitarism, and strongly urged the authorities to increase their efforts to tackle paramilitary groups. On 20 April, I wrote to the Colombian Ambassador in London reiterating our concern about the human rights situation in Colombia, especially with regard to the protection of vulnerable groups, paramilitarism, and bringing members of the armed forces linked to paramilitaries to justice.

  China
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the Chinese Government following the arrest of Bishop Cosmas Shi Enxiang, together with priests and followers; and if he will make a statement. [160167]
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  Mr. Battle
  We have raised our concerns about the reported detention of Bishop Shi Enxiang on 27 April with the Embassy of the People's Republic of China, and will continue to follow this case closely.

  We regularly raise concerns about the harassment of Christians in our Human Rights Dialogue with China, the latest round of which was held in Beijing on 12–14 February. We made it clear that such harassment was unacceptable and not in keeping with the provisions of the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which China signed in October 1998.

  Discrimination against Women (UN Convention)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what obstacles remain to his signing the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. [160322]

  Mr. Battle
  The UK ratified the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women in 1986 and is fully committed to its implementation. The Optional Protocol to the Convention was opened for signature on 10 December 1999. In 1999, following a review of our obligations under international human rights treaties, the Government concluded that priority should be given to the Human Rights Act 1998. The Government would prefer to give the Act, which has been fully in force only since 2 October 2000, longer to bed down before returning to the question of whether our citizens need an avenue of complaint to the UN human rights committees. The Home Secretary has said in a recent letter to the Law Society that we can return to the issue later in the year, but cannot give a precise timetable just yet.

  Animal Welfare
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on recent discussions he has had with the Chinese Government concerning animal welfare. [160074]

  Mr. Battle
  We have made clear to the Chinese authorities the British public's opposition to the exploitation and cruel treatment of animals in China.

  The UK is at the forefront of international efforts to protect animals. We are closely involved in the work of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). We support the work of non-governmental organisations in the field of animal welfare.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Colin Griffiths
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Solicitor-General if he will make a statement concerning the decision of the Crown Prosecution Service not to prosecute any person arising out the death of Colin Griffiths. [160360]

  The Solicitor-General
  A full investigation into the circumstances of Mr. Griffiths' death was undertaken by the Staffordshire police. The findings of that investigation 4W
  have been carefully reviewed by a senior lawyer in the Casework Directorate of the Crown Prosecution Service. In addition, advice has been taken from experienced, independent counsel. Both have come to the firm conclusion that there is insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction against any person arising out of the tragic death of Mr. Griffiths. Mrs. Griffiths has been informed of the decision and she has also had a meeting with the CPS lawyer during which the basis of the decision was explained to her.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the total cost was of employing special advisers in her Department from 1997 to date. [160040]

  Clare Short
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 1 May 2001,Official Report, column 607W.

  Commonwealth Development Corporation
  Mr. Khabra
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the Commonwealth Development Corporation's recently published annual report. [160732]

  Clare Short
  For the year 2000, CDC made a pre-tax operating surplus of £72.3 million. However, after provision on its investment portfolio of £133.4 million it made an overall loss of £61.1 million before tax (£51.5 million after tax).

  With regard to its investment policy in the year 2000, CDC exceeded the target of directing 70 per cent. of investments by value to poorer countries. However, in 2000 it again did not meet the aim of directing 50 per cent. of its investments by value to Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. CDC is focused on meeting this aim in 2001.

  CDC made important progress during last year to establish the basis for a beneficial public-private partnership that will demonstrate that it is possible for private investors to make adequate returns in poor countries in a socially responsible way.

  Copies of CDC's annual report and accounts have been placed in the Library of each House.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Benefit Appeals
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in how many cases since 1 May 1997 in which Dr. Abou-Amer was the examining medical practitioner the decision maker's ruling on entitlement to benefit has been overturned on appeal. [160612]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information is not available. Neither medical services nor the Benefits Agency keep records that identify which examining medical practitioners were
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  involved in individual cases. The appeals service does not record details of the examining medical practitioner involved in cases coming to appeal.

  Benefit Fraud
  Mr. McCabe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will publish the inspection report of the benefit fraud inspectorate in respect of Kingston upon Hull city council. [160725]

  Mr. Rooker
  The benefit fraud inspectorate (BFI) has produced an assessment report in respect of Kingston upon Hull city council. The report was published today and copies have been placed in the Library.

  The inspection coincided with my right hon. Friend's announcement on the setting up of an Expert Help Team to help local authorities improve their benefit administration. The council offered to be the first local authority to work with the expert help team.

  BFI therefore produced a short assessment report to help the council identify the extent of deficiencies in key areas of benefit administration and security, and to help inform the focus of the expert help to teams visit.

  People claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) subject to disallowances or sanctions as at 30 November 2000

  Thousand

  Sanction/disallowance type

  All claimants

  JSA (IB) in payment on hardship grounds

  No JSA in payment

  All cases

  27.5

  6.0

  21.6

  Disallowed—availability for work/not actively seeking employment

  0.6

  10.1

  0.6

  Sanctions for failure to comply with New Deal requirements

  0.5

  —

  0.5

  All other sanctions/disallowance

  26.4

  5.9

  20.5

  1Figure is subject to a high degree of sampling error and should be used only as a guide to the current situation

  Notes:

  1. Figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling error

  2. Figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred

  Sources:

  Jobseeker's Allowance Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, November 2000

  Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, November 2000

  As at 30 November 2000 there were 12,100 people claiming Income Support with a reduction in benefit due to their failure to supply the CSA with the name of the father of their child(ren).

  Winter Fuel Payments
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claims submitted(a) prior to 31 December 2000 and (b) since 1 January for the Winter Fuel Payment from men aged between 60 and 64 years are unresolved; and if he will make a statement. [160092]

  Mr. Rooker
  Sixty-six claims prior to 31 December 2000 and 249 claims since 1 January are unresolved. In all these cases, further information has been requested in order to determine the claim.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people missed the March deadline for applying for a Winter Fuel Payment for 2000; and if he will impose a similar deadline for applications for winter fuel payments relating to earlier years. [158714]
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  This report identifies a range of problems that hinder the delivery of an efficient service and notes the council's commitment to improve, demonstrated by some encouraging work including the introduction of the verification framework and a good claim form designed in line with BFI guidance.

  I commend the Council for its openness, good work and on-going effort undertaken in conjunction with the expert help team to improve its standard of administration and counter-fraud activity.

  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his latest estimate of the number of people affected by(a) disallowance of JSA for failure to comply with actively seeking work, or availability for work tests, (b) JSA sanctions of a discretionary length, (c) JSA sanctions of a fixed length, (d) JSA sanctions arising from failure to comply with New Deal requirements, (e) JSA sanctions arising from failure to co-operate with the Child Support Agency and (f) Income Support sanctions arising from failure to co-operate with the Child Support Agency. [160284]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is in the table.

  Mr. Rooker
  Around 1.3 million people have made successful claims for Winter Fuel Payments in respect of winter 2000 out of a possible 1.5 million people that might have been eligible. We have received 252 claims since the deadline.

  There are no immediate intentions to impose deadlines on claims for payments for past winters.

  Pensioner Incomes
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many and what percentage of(a) single pensioners and (b) pensioner couples have weekly incomes below (i) £80, (ii) £85, (iii) £90, (iv) £95, (v) £100, (vi) £105, (vii) £110, (viii) £115, (ix) £120, (x) £125, (xi) £130, (xii) £135, (xiii) £140, (xiv) £145, (xv) £150, (xvi) £155, (xvii) £160, (xviii) £165, (xix) £170, (xx) £175, (xxi) £180, (xxii) £185, (xxiii) £190, (xxiv) £195 and (xxv) £200. [158793]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 26 April 2001]: The information is in the tables. Although the income bands for couples reflect the proposed structure of the pension credit, they should not be used to estimate numbers of

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  pensioners who would be eligible. This is because they refer to total net income from all sources, including certain benefit payments which will not be taken into account when assessing eligibility for the pension credit. Also, the figures relate to a different time period.

  Single pensioners below selected levels of income, 1998–99

  Net weekly income

  Number (Thousand)

  Percentage of all single pensioners

  Below £80

  750

  18

  Below £85

  890

  21

  Below £90

  1,000

  24

  Below £95

  1,140

  27

  Below £100

  1,310

  31

  Below £105

  1,510

  36

  Below £110

  1,730

  41

  Below £115

  1,960

  47

  Below £120

  2,160

  52

  Below £125

  2,340

  56

  Below £130

  2,520

  60

  Below £135

  2,640

  63

  Below £140

  2,750

  66

  Below £145

  2,850

  68

  Below £150

  2,950

  71

  Below £155

  3,050

  73

  Below £160

  3,140

  75

  Below £165

  3,220

  77

  Below £170

  3,290

  79

  Below £175

  3,340

  80

  Below £180

  3,400

  81

  Below £185

  3,470

  83

  Below £190

  3,540

  85

  Below £195

  3,590

  86

  Below £200

  3,630

  87

  Source:

  Family Resources Survey 1998–99

  Pensioner couples below selected levels of income, 1998–99

  Net weekly income

  Number (Thousand)

  Percentage of all pensioner couples

  Below £80

  —

  —

  Below £85

  —

  —

  Below £90

  —

  —

  Below £95

  —

  —

  Below £100

  —

  —

  Below £105

  —

  —

  Below £110

  110

  4

  Below £115

  140

  5

  Below £120

  190

  7

  Below £125

  240

  9

  Below £130

  290

  11

  Below £135

  350

  13

  Below £140

  400

  15

  Below £145

  460

  17

  Below £150

  530

  20

  Below £155

  610

  23

  Below £160

  680

  26

  Below £165

  750

  28

  Below £170

  810

  30

  Below £175

  880

  33

  Below £180

  950

  36

  Below £185

  1,020

  38

  Below £190

  1,080

  40

  Below £195

  1,120

  42

  Below £200

  1,180

  44

  Notes:

  1.Single pensioners (non-cohabiting) are defined as men aged 65 and over or women aged 60 and over.

  2. Pensioner couples (married or cohabiting) are defined as couples where the man is aged 65 or over.

  3. Incomes are defined as net weekly income from all sources, before housing costs, expressed in July 1998 prices.
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  4. The numbers of pensioners are rounded to the nearest 10,000 and the percentages are rounded to the nearest 1 per cent though they are not necessarily accurate to that degree.

  5. Estimates are based on survey data and are subject to sampling error. A dash represents sample sizes that are too small to provide reliable estimates. Extreme caution should be exercised when using these figures to estimate the number of pensioners falling within a given £5 band of income, since the resulting estimate may not be based on a sample size large enough to produce reliable estimates.

  Source:

  Family Resources Survey 1998–99

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will update his estimate based on the Family Resources Survey 1998–99 of(a) median pensioner incomes, excluding means-tested benefits, by age, sex and marital status, consistent with his answer of 8 February 2000, Official Report, column 128W, on pensions and (b) the size of each group. [160282]

  Mr. Rooker
  I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave to this question on 16 November 2000,Official Report, column 790W.

  Poverty (North-west)
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many(a) children, (b) adults and (c) pensioners lived in poverty in the north west in each of the years from 1997 to date. [160084]

  Mr. Bayley
  Poverty and social exclusion are complex multi-dimensional issues, affecting many aspects of people's lives—including income, health, housing, the quality of their environment and opportunities to learn. There is no single measure that can capture the complex problems that need to be overcome.

  However, a number of these aspects have seen significant improvement in the north west since 1997. For instance, the proportion of children achieving at least level 4 at key stage 2 has risen from 63 per cent. in 1997 to 75 per cent. in 2000 in English. In maths the proportion rose from 63 per cent. to 73 per cent. The numbers claiming Unemployment Benefit have fallen by over 35 per cent. since the election to 125,000 in March 2001. Unemployment has not been as low in the north west since May 1975. The percentage of pensioners in 1998–99 in low income households in the north west Government office region was 24 per cent. on the before housing costs measure and 27 per cent. on the after housing costs measure. This is similar to the level for Great Britain as a whole.

  The annual report, "Opportunity for all" (CM4865), available in the Library, sets out and monitors the Government's strategy for tackling poverty and social exclusion.

  Note:

  Low income figures are based on 60 per cent. median measures (including the self-employed) for 1998–99 which are the latest figures available.

  NIRS2
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average arrears payment and the average compensation payment made to people who have been victims of the problems with the NIRS2 computer system, broken down into claimants of each of the benefits affected. [160224]
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  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 3 May 2001]: The only reason there have been victims of the NIRS2 computer system is because of the terms on which the system was purchased by the previous Administration. We are dealing with the consequences to ensure people do not lose out.

  Benefit

  Average amount of benefit arrears paid (£)

  Average amount of compensation paid (£ p)

  Retirement Pension

  323

  12.20

  Widows Benefit

  1,665

  29.97

  Incapacity Benefit

  305

  19.55

  Jobseeker's Allowance

  381

  31.44

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security broken down on an annual basis, how many claimants of each of the benefits calculated by NIRS2 have received arrears payments related to the problems with the computer system; how many have received compensation; and how many cases are still waiting to be reviewed. [160225]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 3 May 2001]: As at 31 March 2001, the Department had processed almost 98 per cent. of the 3.2 million referrals from NIRS2 since 19 April 1999. 66,880 cases remain under review, which is 8,000 less than at 28 February 2001.

  Benefit

  Number of people whose benefit has been underpaid

  Number of people who have received compensation

  Tax year 1999–2000

  Retirement Pension

  94,942

  197,933

  Widows Benefit

  9,936

  19,081

  Incapacity Benefit

  3,980

  2,055

  Jobseeker's Allowance

  1,019

  161

  Tax year 2000–01

  Retirement Pension

  75,409

  50,227

  Widows Benefit

  6,160

  4,110

  Incapacity Benefit

  4,937

  2,488

  Jobseeker's Allowance

  1,168

  65

  Minimum Income Guarantee
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners(a) received the Minimum Income Guarantee premium for those aged between 75 and 79 years and (b) how many received the premium for those aged 80 years and over broken down into single people and couples, and prior to the changes in April. [160220]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 3 May 2001]: The position on premiums for the earnings related Minimum Income Guarantee prior to this April's changes is given in the table. The two lower rates of the Minimum Income Guarantee were abolished on 9 April and all claimants now receive the highest rate of £92.15 for a single person and £140.55 for couples. The number of pensioners claiming are expected to increase by 140,000 as they become newly entitled to the guarantee because of these increases and increases in the lower and upper capital limits.
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  Income Support claimants aged over 60 with premiums, November 2000

  Thousand

  Premium

  All claimants

  Single claimants

  Couples

  Higher Pensioner Premium

  Claimant/partner aged 80 or over

  635.3

  590.8

  44.5

  Claimant/partner aged 60–79

  494.5

  354.6

  139.8

  Enhanced Pensioner Premium

  Claimant/partner aged 75–79

  142.6

  130.4

  12.3

  Pensioner Premium

  Claimant/partner aged 60–74

  354.9

  286.6

  68.3

  Notes:

  1. Figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling error.

  2. Figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred and quoted in thousands.

  3. Pensioner Premiums are paid at three rates depending upon age or disability and are paid in respect of either the claimant and/or their partner.

  Source:

  Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, November 2000.

  Pension Credit
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 23 April 2001,Official Report, columns 153–54W, for what reason Pension Credit claimants were not included in the estimate of pensioners in receipt of means-tested support in 2003–04. [160230]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 3 May 2001]: We are still considering the overall design of Pension Credit in light of the consultation exercise. Final decisions have not yet been made on several policy areas which will have an impact on the number of pensioners entitled to the reward for saving. Estimates of the number of pensioners covered by Pension Credit will be published in due course.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many persons(a) qualified for the higher mobility rate of Disability Living Allowance and (b) participated in the Motability scheme, in each of the last five years. [159741]

  Mr. Bayley
  [holding answer 3 May 2001]: The information is in the table.

  Recipients of the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance and participants in the Motability scheme

  Thousand

  Year

  DLA higher rate mobility component recipients1

  Current Motability agreements2

  1996

  1,253

  299

  1997

  1,327

  341

  1998

  1,346

  366

  1999

  1,364

  384

  2000

  1,409

  392

  1DSS Information Centre: five per cent. data

  2Motability—includes War Pension recipients and Northern Ireland cases

  Note:

  Figures relate to 30 November

DEFENCE

  Submarine Flotilla
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the current status of the repairs to the submarine flotilla. [160686]

  Mr. Spellar
  The repairs to the SSNs recalled last October are progressing well. Although straightforward in engineering terms, the work has involved the development of engineering techniques. This has been given the highest priority and I am able to say that the repairs to HMS Torbay and HMS Tireless have been completed successfully. HMS Torbay remains in refit and HMS Tireless, sailed yesterday from Gibraltar to return to duty.

  Departmental Policies (Bristol, East)
  Jean Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Bristol, East constituency, the effects on Bristol of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [150558]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Ministry of Defence has a wide-ranging presence throughout the UK in terms of defence establishments and the service and civilian personnel they employ. This presence brings benefits to many communities, local economies and jobs. Also, 60,000 new defence contracts are placed each year that provide support to industry and create and sustain defence-related employment.

  The Ministry of Defence has maintained a very substantial number of personnel in the Bristol area: within a 25-mile radius distance of the constituency, MOD direct employees totalled some 15,700 personnel as of 1 October 1999 (service and civilian).

  Since 2 May 1997, around 1,230 contracts with a total value of some £1,954 million were placed with prime contractors in the Bristol area1.

  I draw attention to the Defence Analytical Services Agency report "UK Defence Statistics 2000", which contains a welfare of defence statistical information, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.
  1The decision as to where work under a particular contract will be undertaken rests with the contractor, therefore work on a contract placed with a prime contract in the Bristol area may well be done elsewhere: similarly, contracts placed with contractors outside the Bristol area could lead to sub-contracts on companies in Bristol.

  Departmental Policies (Bolton, West)
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Bolton, West constituency, the effects on Bolton, West of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [150603]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 5 March 2001]: The Ministry of Defence has a wide-ranging presence throughout the UK in terms of defence establishments and the service and civilian personnel they employ. This presence brings benefits to many communities, local
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  economies and jobs. Also, 60,000 new defence contracts are placed each year that provide support to industry and create and sustain defence-related employment.

  The Ministry of Defence has maintained a large number of personnel in the north-west, a significant proportion of whom are based close to Bolton: within a 25-mile radius distance of the constituency, MOD direct employees totalled some 2,700 personnel as of 1 October 1999 (service and civilian).

  Since 2 May 1977, around 440 contracts with a total value of some £332 million were placed with prime contractors in the Bolton area1. A contract was placed with Matra BAe Dynamics in February 2000 for the supply of Seawolf Block 2 missiles for the Royal Navy, and this good news for UK industry safeguards about 300 high skill jobs at MBD and its suppliers, including the Lostock MBD plant.

  I draw attention to the Defence Analytical Services Agency report "UK Defence Statistics 2000", which contains a wealth of defence statistical information, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.
  1The decision as to where work under a particular contract will be undertaken rests with the contractor, therefore work on a contract placed with a prime contract in the Bolton area may well be done elsewhere, similarly, contracts placed with contractors outside the Bolton area could lead to sub-contracts on companies in Bolton.

  Departmental Policies (Warrington, North)
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Warrington, North constituency, the effects on Warrington, North of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [152315]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 6 March 2001]: The Ministry of Defence has wide-ranging presence throughout the UK in terms of defence establishments and the service and civilian personnel they employ. This presence brings benefits to many communities, local economies and jobs Also, 60,000 new defence contracts are placed each year that provide support to industry and create and sustain defence-related employment.

  The Ministry of Defence has maintained a large number of personnel in the Warrington area: within a 25-mile radius distance of the constituency, MOD direct employees totalled some 4,150 personnel as of 1 October 1999 (service and civilian).

  Since 2 May 1997, around 440 contracts with a total value of nearly £50 million were placed with prime contractors in the 1 Warrington area1.

  I draw attention to the Defence Analytical Services Agency report "UK Defence Statistics 2000", which contains a wealth of defence statistical information, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.
  1The decision as to where work under a particular contract will be undertaken rests with the contractor, therefore work on a contract placed with a prime contract in the Warrington area may well be done elsewhere: similarly contracts placed with contractors outside the Warrington area could lead to sub-contracts on companies in Warrington.13W

  Departmental Policies (Don Valley)
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to Don Valley constituency, the effects on Doncaster of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [153521]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Ministry of Defence has a wide-ranging presence throughout the UK in terms of defence establishments and the service and civilian personnel they employ. This presence brings benefits to many communities, local economies and jobs. Also, 60,000 new defence contracts are placed each year that provide support to industry and create and sustain defence-related employment.

  The Ministry of Defence has maintained a very substantial number of personnel in the, Don Valley area: within a 25-mile radius distance of the constituency, MOD direct employees totalled 620 personnel (service and civilian) on average during the period of interest.

  Since 2 May 1997, nearly 160 contracts with a total value of nearly £2 million were placed with prime contractors in the Don Valley area1.

  I draw attention to the Defence Analytical Services Agency report "UK Defence Statistics 2000", which contains a welfare of defence statistical information, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.
  1The decision as to where work under a particular contract will be undertaken rests with the contractor, therefore work on a contract placed with a prime contract in the Don Valley area may well he done elsewhere: similarly, contracts placed with contractors outside the Don Valley area could lead to sub-contracts on companies in Don Valley.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the combined cost of employing special advisers in his Department from 1997 to date. [160053]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 1 May 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster gave him on 1 May 2001, Official Report, column 607W.

  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many special advisers worked in his Department from 1997 to date. [160054]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 1 May 2001]: During the period in question a total of four individuals have worked as special advisers in this Department, but no more than two have been employed at any time.

  Richard King
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the result of the SIM investigation was into the death of Grenadier Guardsman Richard King during exercises at Sennybridge; what correspondence he has had with the families of the deceased soldier; and what time elapsed between the death of Guardsman King and his family being informed of the results of the inquiry. [159546]
  14W
  Mr. Spellar
  The investigation by the Royal Military Police special investigation branch into the death of Guardsman King concluded on 29 February 2000. As a result, eight senior non-commissioned officers and two junior non-commissioned officers were reported for neglect of duty. The Army Prosecuting Authority, an organisation similar in role to that of the Crown Prosecution Service and wholly independent of the chain of command, subsequently concluded that there was insufficient prospect of securing a conviction at a court martial to warrant trial.

  The Secretary of State has had no direct contact with the family of Guardsman King, although officers from Guardsman King's unit have insisted the family and a number of officials from the Ministry of Defence have also been in correspondence with them. The associated Army Board of Inquiry was convened on 15 January 2001; it is still on-going and the family will continue to be informed of developments.

  Plastic Baton Rounds
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information is routinely collected to monitor the use of plastic baton rounds. [159547]

  Mr. Spellar
  Information on plastic baton rounds fired by the Army is collected from a number of sources: the daily incident briefs (DIBs), brigade daily Northern Ireland reports (NIREPs) and plastic baton log reports. The information is held for internal use by Headquarters Northern Ireland, which also relays details of any baton round sage to the RUC as part of normal liaison activities.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 13 March 2001,Official Report, column 507W, if he will extend the table provided in order to record in each year since 1991, the number of (a) PBRs fired, (b) target hits and (c) injuries and fatalities. [159548]

  Mr. Spellar
  The only record we have of the number of targets hit since 1991 is the same as the number of injuries which appears in the table given in my answer of 13 March 2001,Official Report, columns 507–08W.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the muzzle velocity is of the L21 Al baton round. [158506]

  Mr. Spellar
  The muzzle velocity of baton rounds is normally measured 2m from the gun muzzle. At 2m, the average (mean) velocity of a sample of 360 L21A1 baton rounds fired from L104 guns was 71.4 metres per second (m/s).

  DMSO Solvent Experiments
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 23 April 2001,Official Report, columns 94–95W, regarding DMSO solvent experiments, if he will place in the Library copies of the two protocols which were submitted to the ethical sub-group of the defence scientific advisory committee medical committee and the minutes of the committee which relate to the discussion of these two protocols. [159803]

  Dr. Moonie
  I will arrange to have copies of the two protocols relating to the trials involving human volunteers and the solvent DMSO to be placed in the Library of the
  15W
  House. However, the minutes of the ethical sub-group of the medical committee of the defence scientific advisory committee have, in line with Ministry of Defence policy, been sent to MOD defence records. I have arranged for them to be recalled and will then be in a position to consider their placement in the Library.

  Porton Down
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 5 March 2001,Official Report, column 20W, on Porton Down, if he will place in the Library copies of each of the internal technical reports related to research involving Oripavine TL2636 identified by the chemical and biological defence sector of DERA at Porton Down. [159802]

  Dr. Moonie
  I will arrange to have copies of those reports on Oripavine TL2636 which have been declassified to be placed in the Library of the House as soon as possible. The remainder of the reports are currently being reviewed for declassification before they can be placed in the Library of the House. The report from the CW applications discussion group of the 17th Quadripartite CBR Conference is classified and I am therefore only releasing the section which refers to Oripavine.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 25 January 2001,Official Report, column 659W, on Oripavine, if he will place in the Library details of the evidence which suggests that following single acute doses of TL2636 there are no significant long-term effects on health. [159805]

  Dr. Moonie
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to his previous question. In this response I stated that the Oripavine derivative TL 2636 is a member of the same group of drugs as morphine, and although there had been no long term follow-up studies specifically relating to this derivative, these drugs have been used clinically for many years. The evidence to which I referred is widely available in the open literature and I have placed this in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will ask the Medical Research Council to consult the Porton Down veterans support group regarding its advice on an independent epidemiological study for service personnel who took part in experiments at the chemical defence establishment, Porton Down. [160494]

  Dr. Moonie
  No. The Medical Research Council is already in contact with the Porton Down veterans support group and will consult with them as necessary.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what dates officials from his Department and the chemical defence establishment, Porton Down have held meetings with the Medical Research Council since 5 March regarding its advice on an independent epidemiological study for Porton Down volunteers. [160488]

  Dr. Moonie
  Officials met with representatives from the Medical Research Council (MRC) at Porton Down on 5 April 2001.
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  Departmental Spending
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide a breakdown of the regional distribution of his Department's spending in the last financial year. [160455]

  Dr. Moonie
  This information is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  The Ministry of Defence is organised financially into top level budgets reflecting major outputs rather than geographical location. Expenditure records reflect this organisation and commodities purchased only.

  While we do not record the majority of expenditure by region, defence expenditure on equipment by regions is detailed in table 1.9 of "UK Defence Statistics 2000", a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Rapid Effects System
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the budget is for the future rapid effects system; and if he will make a statement. [160343]

  Dr. Moonie
  At this stage we are considering only whether to adopt the future rapid effect system; no dedicated funding has yet been allocated to it.

  Warrior Upgrade Programme
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Warrior upgrade programme. [160340]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Warrior infantry fighting vehicle upgrade programme is currently in its concept phase. Technology and procurement options are being identified for further investigation during the assessment phase.

  HQ 2 Division Relocation
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library the post-project evaluation of the relocation of HQ 2 Division from York to Edinburgh. [160339]

  Mr. Spellar
  The final stages of the reorganisation of Headquarters 2 Division have only recently been completed and we wished to see the new organisation established before conducting a post-project evaluation.

  Armoured Vehicles
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armoured battlegroup support vehicles he will buy; and if he will make a statement. [160341]

  Dr. Moonie
  The armoured battlegroup support vehicle programme is still in the concept phase. A decision has yet to be made on the number of vehicles that we will procure.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many multi-role armoured vehicles he will purchase; and what compensation and other costs will be payable to other project partners if the UK buy is reduced. [160342]
  17W
  Dr. Moonie
  A review of the UK combat support vehicle requirement is currently taking place. It will not be possible to finalise the number of multi-role armoured vehicles required until this review has reported in late 2002.

  The memorandum of understanding that governs the collaborative programme does not commit any of the three nations to production and makes no reference to specific production quantities. The issue of compensation payments does not arise.

  Armed Forces Deployment (Ascot)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the Armed Forces, and from which units, excluding special forces, will be deployed at the Ascot week races; and if he will make a statement. [160316]

  Mr. Spellar
  None. Security during Ascot week is a matter for the police, who are well trained and well equipped for the task. The Ministry of Defence will, of course, consider any reasonable request for support in those areas for which the police are not trained and equipped.

  Chemical Agent CR
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 27 April 2001,Official Report, column 415W, on chemical agent CR, what form the aerosol version of CR took; and what authorisation was given for aerosol CR weaponisation as (a) spray, (b) grenade, (c) canister and (d) other. [160288]

  Mr. Spellar
  In both 1968 and 1973, CR was authorised for use in aerosol form as a hand-held squirt device known as a self-protection aid device (SPAD).

  Information on authorisation for the development and subsequent production of differing types of CR weapon is not collated centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, authorisation for CR to be held in readiness for use has always been subject to ministerial approval.

  Unit Histories
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what dates(a) 22 Squadron SAS, (b) 14 Company and (c) the Force Research Unit were (i) established, (ii) deployed and (iii) discontinued; what specific activities were undertaken by each of these units; and what the normal complement was of each unit. [160324]

  Mr. Hoon
  The designation "22 SAS Regiment" was first used in 1952, for a unit formed in 1950 for operations in Malaya. The regiment remains in being.

  I am withholding the further information requested under exemption 1a of the code of practice on access to Government information.

  Departmental Policies (Jarrow)
  Mr. Hepburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out, with statistical information,18W
  relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effects on Jarrow of his Department's actions since 2 May 1997. [153558]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Ministry of Defence has a wide-ranging presence throughout the UK in terms of defence establishments and the service and civilian personnel they employ. This presence brings benefits to many communities, local economies and jobs. Also, 60,000 new defence contracts are placed each year that provide support to industry and create and sustain defence-related employment.

  The Ministry of Defence has maintained a presence in the Jarrow area: within a 25-mile radius distance of the constituency, MOD direct employees totalled around 910 personnel (service and civilian) on average during the period of interest.

  Since 2 May 1997, around 100 contracts with a total value of some £33 million were placed with prime contractors in the Jarrow area1.

  I draw attention to the Defence Analytical Services Agency report "UK Defence Statistics 2000", which contains a welfare of defence statistical information, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.
  1The decision as to where work under a particular contract will be undertaken rests with the contractor, therefore work on a contract placed with a prime contract in the Jarrow area may well be done elsewhere: similarly, contracts placed with contractors outside the Jarrow area could lead to sub-contracts on companies in Jarrow.

  Departmental Policies (Manchester, Gorton)
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effects on the Manchester, Gorton constituency of his Department's policies and actions since 14 November 2000. [154499]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Ministry of Defence has a wide-ranging presence throughout the UK in terms of defence establishments and the service and civilian personnel they employ. This presence brings benefits to many communities, local economies and jobs. Also, 60,000 new defence contracts are placed each year that provide support to industry and create and sustain defence-related employment.

  The Ministry of Defence has maintained a presence in the Manchester, Gorton area: within a 25-mile radius distance of the constituency, MOD direct employees totalled around 600 personnel as of 1 October 1999 (service and civilian).

  Since 2 May 1997, around 1,360 contracts with a total value of some £250 million were placed with prime contractors in the Manchester area1.

  I draw attention to the Defence Analytical Services Agency report "UK Defence Statistics 2000", which contains a welfare of defence statistical information, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.
  1The decision as to where work under a particular contract will be undertaken rests with the contractor, therefore work on a contract placed with a prime contract in the Manchester area may well be

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  done elsewhere: similarly, contracts placed with contractors outside the Manchester area could lead to sub-contracts on companies in Manchester.

  Departmental Policies (Truro and St. Austell)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Truro and St Austell constituency, the effects on Truro and St. Austell of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [154528]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Ministry of Defence has a wide-ranging presence throughout the UK in terms of defence establishments and the service and civilian personnel they employ. This presence brings benefits to many communities, local economies and jobs. Also, 60,000 new defence contracts are placed each year that provide support to industry and create and sustain defence-related employment.

  The Ministry of Defence has maintained a large number of personnel in the Truro and St. Austell area: within a 25-mile radius distance of the constituency, MOD direct employees totalled around 3,500 personnel as of 1 October 1999 (Service and civilian).

  Since 2 May 1997, around 120 contracts with a total value of nearly £5 million were placed with prime contractors in the Truro area1.

  I draw attention to the Defence Analytical Services Agency report "UK Defence Statistics 2000", which contains a wealth of defence statistical information, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.
  1The decision as to where work under a particular contract will he undertaken rests with the contractor, therefore work on a contract placed with a prime contract in the Truro and St. Austell area may well be done elsewhere: similarly, contracts placed with contractors outside the Truro and St. Austell area could lead to sub-contractors on companies in Truro and St. Austell.

  Departmental Policies (Lincoln)
  Gillian Merron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Lincoln constituency, the effects on Lincoln of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [152981]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 20 March 2001]: The Ministry of Defence has a wide-ranging presence throughout the UK in terms of defence establishments and the service and civilian personnel they employ. This presence brings benefits to many communities, local economies and jobs. Also, 60,000 new defence contracts are placed each year that provide support to industry and create and sustain defence-related employment.

  The Ministry of Defence has maintained a large number of personnel in the Lincoln area: within a 25-mile radius distance of the constituency, MOD direct employees totalled some 6,300 personnel as of 1 October 1999 (service and civilian), mainly based at RAFs Waddington, Coningsby and Cranwell. The strong RAF support to the local area will be maintained in the future by the basing of the Eurofighter at RAF Coningsby.
  20W
  Since 2 May 1997, around 330 contracts with a total value of nearly £38 million were placed with prime contractors in the Lincoln area1.

  I draw attention to the Defence Analytical Services Agency report "UK Defence Statistics 2000", which contains a wealth of defence statistical information, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.
  1The decision as to where work under a particular contract will be undertaken rests with the contractor, therefore work on a contract placed with a prime contract in the Lincoln area may well be done elsewhere: similarly, contracts placed with contractors outside the Lincoln area could lead to sub-contracts on companies in Lincoln.

  Departmental Policies (Newbury and West Berkshire)
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Newbury constituency, the effects on Newbury and West Berkshire of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [154570]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 20 March 2001]: The Ministry of Defence has a wide-ranging presence throughout the UK in terms of defence establishments and the service and civilian personnel they employ. This presence brings benefits to many communities, local economies and jobs. Also, 60,000 new defence contracts are placed each year that provide support to industry and create and sustain defence-related employment.

  The Ministry of Defence has maintained a very large number of personnel in the Newbury and West Berkshire area: within a 25-mile radius distance of the constituency, MOD direct employees totalled some 24,500 personnel as of 1 October 1999 (service and civilian). This represents an increase of just over one-quarter since 1997. The Newbury area is home to many significant defence establishments including RAF Brize Norton and the Tidworth Garrison.

  Since 2 May 1997, around 420 contracts with a total value of some £474 million were placed with prime contractors in the Newbury area1.

  I draw attention to the Defence Analytical Services Agency report "UK Defence Statistics 2000", which contains a wealth of defence statistical information, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.
  1The decision as to where work under a particular contract will be undertaken rests with the contractor, therefore work on a contract placed with a prime contract in the Newbury area may well be done elsewhere: similarly, contracts placed with contractors outside the Newbury area could lead to sub-contracts on companies in Newbury.

  Departmental Policies (Lancaster and Wyre)
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Lancaster and Wyre constituency, the effect on Lancaster and Wyre of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [154686]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 21 March 2001]: The Ministry of Defence has a wide-ranging presence throughout the UK in terms of defence establishments and the service and civilian personnel they employ. This

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  presence brings benefits to many communities, local economies and jobs. Also, 60,000 new defence contracts are placed each year that provide support to industry and create and sustain defence-related employment.

  The Ministry of Defence has maintained a presence in the Lancaster and Wyre: within a 25- mile radius distance of the constituency, MOD direct employees totalled some 1,250 personnel as of 1 October 1999 (service and civilian).

  Since 2 May 1997, around 20 contracts with a total value of some £1.5 million were placed with prime contractors in the Lancaster area1.

  I draw attention to the Defence Analytical Services Agency report "UK Defence Statistics 2000", which contains a welfare of defence statistical information, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.
  1The decision as to where work under a particular contract will be undertaken rests with the contractor, therefore work on a contract placed with a prime contract in the Lancaster area may well he done elsewhere: similarly, contracts placed with contractors outside the Lancaster area could lead to sub-contracts on companies in Lancaster.

  Departmental Policies (North Devon)
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the North Devon constituency, the effects on North Devon of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [155905]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Ministry of Defence has a wide-ranging presence throughout the UK in terms of defence establishments and the service and civilian personnel they employ. This presence brings benefits to many communities, local economies and jobs. Also, 60,000 new defence contracts are placed each year that provide support to industry and create and sustain defence-related employment.

  The Ministry of Defence has maintained a presence in the North Devon constituency: within the constituency itself, MOD direct employees totalled around 930 personnel as of 1 October 1999 (service and civilian).

  Since 2 May 1997, around 215 contracts with a total value of nearly £38 million were placed with prime contractors in the North Devon and Bideford area1.

  I draw attention to the Defence Analytical Services Agency report "UK Defence Statistics 2000" that contains a wealth of defence statistical information, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.
  1The decision as to where work under a particular contract will he undertaken rests with the contractor, therefore work on a contract placed with a prime contract in the North Devon and Bideford area may well be done elsewhere: similarly, contracts placed with contractors outside the North Devon and Bideford area could lead to sub-contracts on companies in North Devon and Bideford.

  Departmental Policies (Plymouth Unitary Authority)
  Mrs. Gilroy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to(a) Plymouth, Sutton constituency, (b) Plymouth, Devonport constituency and (c) South-West
  22W
  Devon constituency, the effects on the Plymouth unitary authority area of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [158028]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 23 April 2001]: The Ministry of Defence has a wide-ranging presence throughout the UK in terms of defence establishments and the service and civilian personnel they employ. This presence brings benefits to many communities, local economies and jobs. Also, 60,000 new defence contracts are placed each year that provide support to industry and create and sustain defence-related employment.

  The Ministry of Defence has maintained a very large number of personnel in the area reflecting the strategic importance of Plymouth to the services—especially the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. MOD direct employees as of 1 October 1999 (service and civilian) were around: (a) Plymouth, Sutton—1,150 personnel; (b) Plymouth, Devonport—2,850 personnel; and (c) South-West Devon—850 personnel.

  Since 2 May 1997, around 6,240 contracts with a total value of some £859 million were placed with prime contractors in the Plymouth area1.

  I draw attention to the Defence Analytical Services Agency report "UK Defence Statistics 2000" that contains a wealth of defence statistical information, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.
  1The decision as to where work under a particular contract will be undertaken rests with the contractor, therefore work on a contract placed with a prime contract in the Plymouth area may well be done elsewhere: similarly, contracts placed with contractors outside the Plymouth area could lead to sub-contracts on companies in Plymouth.

  Helplines
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what telephone helplines to assist the public are administered by his Department and its agencies. [159505]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Ministry of Defence administers a wide variety of telephone helplines to assist the public. Our primary public helplines for all general inquiries are the MOD public inquiry office helpline—telephone number 0870 607 4455; and the Welsh language public inquiry office helpline—telephone number 01154 821 413.

  We also administer a number of helplines to provide advice to the public on specific subjects. The main helplines are:

  Helpline

  Telephone number

  The Low Flying Helpdesk

  020 7218 6020

  The Veterans Advice Unit

  0845 602 0302

  The Gulf Veterans Advice Unit

  0800 169 4495

  The Medical Assessment Programme Helpline

  0800 169 5401

  The Porton Down Volunteers Helpline

  0845 603 9140

  The Meteorological Office Helpline

  0845 300 0300

  The Defence Vetting Agency Helpline

  01904 662644

  The Defence Suppliers Service Helpline

  0117 913 2844

  The Defence Diversification Agency (DDA) Connect Helpline

  0845 600 1221

  Defence Estates Work Services Opportunity Bulletin Helpline

  0121 311 2067

  The table does not include those helplines created

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  specifically for recruiting purposes, nor for serving military and civilian personnel and their dependants. Nor does it include helplines that may from time to time be administered by individual units or establishments to provide advice on local issues.

  Scottish Brigades
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what studies his Department has undertaken into the reduction of Scottish brigades from two to one. [160338]

  Mr. Spellar
  There have been no studies undertaken by this Department into a reduction in the number of brigades in Scotland.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Special Advisers (Overseas Visits)
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on how many occasions between 31 March 2000 and 31 March 2001(a) departmental and (b) non-departmental special advisers have travelled abroad in an official capacity. [158550]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  During the period 31 March 2000 to 31 March 2001, special advisers in this Department travelled overseas on seven occasions.

  £ million at cash prices

  Year

  Government grant to London Transport1

  Core investment (including JLE)

  Private finance investment2

  Total investment in Underground (excluding JLE)

  Total investment in Underground

  1990–91

  484

  414

  —

  414

  455

  1991–92

  575

  298

  —

  298

  360

  1992–93

  883

  632

  —

  632

  699

  1993–94

  693

  485

  —

  485

  740

  1994–95

  786

  506

  —

  505

  877

  1995–96

  904

  485

  114

  599

  1,187

  1996–97

  944

  371

  138

  509

  1,166

  1997–98

  629

  324

  161

  485

  961

  1998–99

  411

  415

  53

  468

  751

  1999–2000

  816

  342

  179

  521

  1,176

  2000–013

  404

  395

  150

  545

  545

  1Excludes grant to Docklands Light Railway in years
  1990–91 and 1991–92, and retained scale proceeds from disposal of bus companies in year 1994–95

  2The PFI figures are not actual amounts the private sector is investing in London Transport. Instead they are London Transport's estimates of what investment in PFI projects would have cost had they done the investment themselves

  3The Underground Own Investment figure for year 2000–01 is not directly comparable to earlier years. The figure shown is the forecast outturn of London Underground Ltd.'s projects programme, and reflects their adoption of the accounting standard Financial Reporting Standard 15, which excludes capital renewal works.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on(a) train, (b) signal and (c) track failures in each financial year since 1994–95 for each line of the London Underground and the cumulative figures for all lines. [159435]

  Access to Hastings Study
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to make an announcement regarding the outcome of the Access to Hastings study. [159197]

  Mr. Prescott
  Ministers are considering the recommendations made by the South East England Regional Assembly, and an announcement will be made when that consideration is complete.

  London Underground
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the total Government investment in London Underground was in each of the last 10 years. [157467]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 9 April 2001]: The Government provide grant to London Transport. Although the major part of this has been allocated to London Underground, the grant has also been used for investment in non-Underground activities such as bus and river services, and Croydon Tramlink.

  The last Administration's 1996 Budget spending plans covered the period up to 1999–2000, at which time annual grant to London Transport (including non-Underground services such as buses and Tramlink) would have fallen to £161 million. An additional £1 billion of grant has been provided to London Transport by this Government for investment in the Underground.

  Government funding, together with London Transport's own revenues and investment through Private Finance Initiative (PFI) deals, supported the following total levels of investment in the Underground over the 1990s.

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 30 April 2001]: Further to previous questions from the hon. Member on 21 December 1999, Official Report, column 523W, and 12 May 2000, Official Report, columns 483–84W, London Underground have been pursuing the question of standardisation of data

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  on failures. They have now been able to confirm a breakdown on a line by line basis. Any variations from

  Service disruption due to failures in:

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Trains

  Non LT

  76

  140

  92

  167

  249

  134

  Bakerloo

  1,028

  1,216

  1,075

  1,144

  1,237

  879

  Central

  2,121

  1,739

  2,605

  2,423

  2,165

  2,304

  District

  1,532

  1,218

  1,160

  1,082

  995

  981

  Jubilee and East LL

  1,135

  1,156

  922

  1,239

  2,376

  1,722

  Metropolitan and Circle (c&h)

  1,741

  609

  1,167

  2,170

  1,380

  1,568

  Metropolitan and Circle—main

  1,685

  1,687

  1,363

  1,238

  1,065

  1,047

  Northern

  3,405

  3,964

  3,505

  4,229

  5,942

  3,727

  Piccadilly

  2,113

  2,376

  2,228

  3,115

  3,886

  2,934

  Victoria

  1,290

  997

  757

  994

  821

  920

  Total

  16,126

  15,102

  14,874

  17,801

  20,116

  16,216

  Signal/Points

  Non LT

  21

  26

  20

  41

  26

  26

  Bakerloo

  343

  263

  264

  292

  249

  355

  Central

  518

  542

  644

  880

  308

  335

  District

  334

  385

  303

  269

  278

  394

  Jubilee and East LL

  140

  79

  79

  110

  197

  338

  Metropolitan and Circle (c&h)

  180

  212

  129

  131

  125

  238

  Metropolitan and Circle—main

  247

  256

  209

  266

  194

  290

  Northern

  245

  324

  298

  323

  216

  317

  Piccadilly

  222

  287

  261

  241

  213

  202

  Victoria

  99

  120

  115

  166

  149

  131

  Total

  2,349

  2,494

  2,322

  2,719

  1,955

  2,626

  Other track

  Non LT

  6

  38

  26

  10

  14

  12

  Bakerloo

  53

  99

  193

  201

  176

  168

  Central

  100

  147

  203

  92

  65

  50

  District

  74

  101

  74

  51

  69

  83

  Jubilee and East LL

  54

  74

  45

  38

  77

  146

  Metropolitan and Circle (c&h)

  61

  78

  75

  61

  57

  62

  Metropolitan and Circle—main

  88

  118

  105

  73

  83

  82

  Northern

  95

  123

  141

  165

  109

  105

  Piccadilly

  86

  125

  92

  110

  109

  135

  Victoria

  42

  56

  54

  80

  66

  66

  Total

  659

  959

  1,008

  881

  825

  909

  Since London Underground was reorganised in 1999, reporting of failures has changed slightly, so 2000–01 figures can be provided in only a slightly different format. Figures for 2000–01 are only available to the end of Quarter 3(6 January 2001). London Underground inform me that the figures for Quarter 4 are currently being processed and will be available shortly.

  2000–01—Quarters 1–31

  Line

  Trains

  Signals/Points

  Other Track

  Bakerloo

  690

  189

  111

  Central

  2,212

  390

  50

  District

  644

  399

  143

  East London line

  78

  32

  3

  Jubilee

  1,214

  304

  96

  Circle and Hammersmith

  1,182

  303

  61

  Metropolitan

  881

  406

  83

  Northern

  1,245

  266

  160

  Piccadilly

  1,957

  256

  46

  Victoria

  831

  136

  46

  Waterloo and City2

  12

  13

  5

  Total

  10,946

  2,694

  866

  12000–01 figures only to end of Quarter 3(6 January 2001).

  2Waterloo and City line figures formerly recorded under Central line data.

  26W
  previously Published figures are a result of this clarification.

  These figures show a continuing reduction in the number of train failures. LUL explain that this is achieved through more reliable rolling stock on the Northern, Jubilee and Piccadilly lines.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects the London Underground PPP to be implemented. [160730]

  Mr. Prescott
  I announced on 4 May that I had reached agreement with the Commissioner of Transport for London, Robert R. Kiley, on a way forward which will provide a secure basis for progressing the PPP. This should enable the PPP to be completed by the autumn, with the Underground transferring to the control of Transport for London once the first deep tube competition is concluded.

  Mr. Kiley, who will remain Commissioner of Transport for London, will be appointed Chairman of London Transport. He will lead negotiations with the bidders aimed at finding a way to meet his concerns on unified management within the framework of the PPP and the current procurement. The way forward protects the key objectives of achieving safety and value for money. The details are set out in a Memorandum of Agreement, a copy of which has been placed in the Libraries of

  27W
  both Houses. Day-to-day management of the London Underground service will remain with Derek Smith, the Chairman and Managing Director of London Underground.

  The current Chairman of London Transport, Sir Malcolm Bates, will step aside, but will remain a valued member of the London Transport Board. Sir Malcolm has played a crucial role in taking forward the PPP since he was appointed Chairman in February 1999, and I am grateful for his help in enabling these changes to take place.

  I understand that Transport for London's application for judicial review will continue, as they believe that it involves an important point of legal principle which should be tested. Mr. Kiley has given an undertaking that he will play no role in the judicial review in his capacity as Chairman of London Transport.

  Rail Incidents (Road Vehicles)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many incidents of vehicles leaving the road and encroaching onto railway tracks were recorded(a) each week and (b) each month in the last year for which figures are available; what measures are in place to protect railway passengers and staff; and if he will request the Highways Agency to investigate such incidences and the efficacy of motorway barriers. [158831]

  Mr. Hill
  For the period 1 April 2000–31 March 2001, there were 15 incidents of road vehicles leaving the road and ending up on railway lines. Details of these incidents appear in the table.

  Incidents of Motorists leaving the road and ending up on railway line

  2000–01

  Number

  April

  1

  May

  3

  June

  0

  July

  5

  August

  1

  September

  1

  October

  0

  November

  1

  December

  2

  January

  0

  February

  1

  March

  0

  The figures are based on notifications forwarded by Railtrack to HSE's Railway Inspectorate. Data are not available on a weekly basis.

  I announced on 12 March 2001, Official Report, columns 466–67W, that following the accident at Selby, the Deputy Prime Minister had asked that two working groups be established. Alan Cooksey, the Deputy Chief Inspecting Officer of Railways (HSE), will chair the first group. Its remit is to prepare a report to the Health and Safety Commission on the risks arising to railway traffic from road traffic, in particular incidents where road vehicles have blocked railway lines, and recommend how those risks can best be controlled. The Chief Highway Engineer at the Highways Agency, John Kerman, will chair the second group. Its remit is to review the Standards
  28W
  for provision of nearside safety barriers on major roads in the light of recent accidents and make recommendations to the Highways Agency. The reports of both these groups will be presented to the Deputy Prime Minster in the autumn.

  Housing Costs
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 10 April 2001,Official Report, column 504W, on housing costs, how many of the responses (a) supporting the exclusion of some or all housing costs in the calculation of households' income, (b) supporting the inclusion of housing costs in the calculation of income, (c) which offered other suggestions and (d) making no comment were submitted on behalf of more than one organisation or individual; and if he will list the total number of organisations or individuals who expressed support for each of the four categories listed above. [159038]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 26 April 2001]: A total of 252 responses to the consultation document were received. The breakdown of responses is as shown:

  (i) 50 responses supported the exclusion of some or all housing costs in the calculation of household income;

  (ii) 86 responses supported the inclusion of housing costs in the calculation of household income;

  (iii) 15 responses offered other suggestions;

  (iv) 101 responses made no comment.

  A copy of the full analysis of the consultation responses was placed in the Libraries of the House in November 1999.

  Some organisations submitted an individual response as well as appending their names to a response from an umbrella organisation in the area. No separate record is available of how many were submitted on this basis.

  The consultation draft of the UK Fuel Poverty Strategy sets out the Government's approach of displaying the number of fuel poor according to the two main definitions:
  on the basis of making no allowance for housing costs in the calculation of household income: and
  by excluding any Housing Benefit or Income Support for Mortgage Interest (ISMI) payments.

  This consultation provides a further opportunity to comment on this aspect of the fuel poverty definition.

  Heavy Vehicles
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what studies have been undertaken by his Department into the driving of vehicles over 3.5 tonnes in weight by drivers under the age of 21 years; [159198]

  (2) what studies have been undertaken by his Department regarding the risk of accidents involving drivers of vehicles in excess of 3.5 tonnes in weight without an HGV licence. [159199]

  Mr. Prescott
  None.
  29W
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many accidents have been recorded by his Department involving drivers of vehicles in excess of 3.5 tonnes in weight in each of the last 10 years. [159200]

  Mr. Prescott
  The table shows the number of road accidents in Great Britain resulting in personal injury, which involved goods vehicles with gross vehicle weight in excess of 3.5 tonnes between 1990 and 1999.

  Number of accidents involving goods vehicles with gross vehicle weight over 3.5 tonnes: Great Britain: 1990–99

  Year

  Number

  1990

  15,063

  1991

  13,622

  1992

  13,020

  1993

  13,174

  1994

  13,184

  1995

  12,618

  1996

  12,433

  1997

  13,132

  1998

  13,278

  1999

  13,951

  US Visit
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the purpose and itinerary of his recent visit to the USA was; which officials accompanied him; what the total cost to public funds was; which members of the United States Administration he met; and if he will make a statement. [159225]

  Mr. Prescott
  [holding answer 27 April 2001]: I visited the United States from 16 to 21 April.

  On 17 April I held bilateral talks on transport issues in Washington with Norman Mineta, the United States Secretary of State of Transport; Jane Garvey, the Administrator at the Federal Aviation Administration, and Congressman James D. Oberstar.

  In New York I attended the United Nations Commissions for Sustainable Development from 18 to 20 April, during which I had meetings with EU and other Ministers on climate change. I attended on 21 April high level consultations on climate change chaired by Jan Pronk, the Dutch Chairman of COP6, in which about 35 key countries participated.

  I was accompanied by three officials from my Department and one Special Adviser. My costs for the visit were approximately £8,800. Total Government expenditure on Ministerial visits in 1999–2000, the latest year for which figures are available was £4.6 million, compared to £7.9 million for the last year of the previous Administration.

  Waste Management
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list by(a) location, (b) year, (c) tonnage, (d) source and (e) specific end-use the sites which used incinerator ash, waste lime or dust, for the purposes described in Waste Management Licensing Regulations Schedule 3, paragraph 7, referring to the spreading of waste for the
  30W
  benefit of land between 1990 and 2001; what the nature of the ash was; and if he will provide associated test results produced by his Department. [159488]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 30 April 2001]: Paragraph 7 of Schedule 3 to the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994 provides an exemption from waste management licensing for the spreading of certain types and quantities of waste where the activity results in benefit to agriculture or ecological improvement. The list of waste types subject to the exemption includes waste lime but does not include incinerator ash or dust.

  The Environment Agency has a duty, under regulation 18 of the 1994 Regulations, to maintain a public register for each establishment or undertaking carrying on an exempt activity which shows:
  The name and address of the establishment or undertaking;
  The exempt activity; and
  The place where the activity is carried on.

  This information is available for inspection locally by members of the public, but detailed information of the kind requested by the hon. Member on the use of waste lime under the exemption is not held centrally by the Environment Agency. No associated test results have been produced by my Department on incinerator ash, waste lime or dust.

  Energy Efficiency Savings
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 10 April 2001,Official Report, column 499W, if he will place in the Library information on improvements reported by each local authority in England on a population weighted basis. [160115]

  Mr. Meacher
  The information requested is not available. All details of energy efficiency improvements reported by energy conservation authorities were given in my written answers on 30 November 2000,Official Report, columns 757–58W, 26 January 2001, Official Report, column 731W, and 10 April 2001, Official Report, column 499W.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the overall figure is for savings on energy efficiency for England based on the returns reported by individual local authorities under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995. [160116]

  Mr. Meacher
  Details of reported energy efficiency improvements in England, including an overall figure of just over 6 per cent. for the period 1 April 1996 to 31 March 2000, are included in four summary reports that were placed in the Libraries of the House following my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham, South (Mr. Simpson) on 26 January 2001,Official Report, column 731W.

  GM Crops
  Mrs. Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what date, and by whom, licences were issued for the(a) growing and (b) marketing of Chardon-LL or T25 maize. [159994]
  31W
  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 2 May 2001]: T25 is the name of a type of genetically modified (GM) maize developed by Aventis. The modification, transformation event 25 (T25) confers resistance to a particular herbicide, in this particular case, Glufosinate Ammonium. Chardon LL is a variety of T25 maize.

  Directive 90–220, on the deliberate release of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), recognises two types of release. First, those for research purposes (known as Part B releases) and, second, those for marketing (known as Part C releases). Applications for Part B releases are assessed on an individual basis at Member State level and approved by the competent authorities in that state.

  Applications for approval of GMOs for marketing (Part C approvals) are made initially to one of the 15 Member States. The competent authority in this Member State reviews the application and forms an opinion. If favourable, the opinion and application dossier (which includes the risk assessment for the GMO) are passed to the European Commission and the 14 other Member States. Each Member State then examines the application in detail. If there are no objections to the favourable opinion, formal Part C approval is granted by the Member State in which the application was first made, on behalf of the whole European Union (EU). Once granted the Part C consent is valid across the EU.

  The French competent authority received the initial application for Part C approval of T25 maize in 1995, which was for both commercial cultivation and for importation. Following consideration by other Member States, the French granted formal approval for T25 maize on 3 August 1998. A number of Member States have also given approval to the cultivation of T25 maize for research (Part B releases). The Statement of the French Competent Authority for T25 maize shows that various Part B approvals were given by the French, Italian, German and United Kingdom competent authorities between 1992 and 1997. I have placed a copy of the statement in the library of the house. This contains the exact details of each release.

  Any crop, irrespective of it being GM or not, also requires approval under the National Seed Listing legislation. Varieties may not be marketed until they have been added to the UK National List or EU Common Catalogue. A proposal to add Chardon LL to the UK National List was published in March 2000. A number of affected persons made written representations or asked to make oral representations. A Hearing began on 2 October and was adjourned on 15 November until further notice pending resolution of concerns about the system used in France. Meanwhile, I understand that MAFF has sought the views of the European Commission on the legal status of the French authority's testing procedures. Chardon LL will only be added to the UK National List if all the legal requirements have been met in full.

  Mrs. Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what date the original safety assessments were undertaken on Chardon-LL and T25 maize made by the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment; and what other bodies were responsible for undertaking such safety assessments. [159995]
  32W
  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 2 May 2001]: Chardon LL is a variety of T25 maize. The original safety assessments for marketing approval of T25 maize under Directive 90/220 Were made by the French Authorities (refer to PQ 159994 above) in 1995. The application dossier was then referred to the UK and the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) considered this on 20 June 1996. English Nature, as well as the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Health and Safety Executive and the then Department of the Environment also undertook safety assessments. ACRE was satisfied that the T25 did not pose a risk to human health and the environment. This included consideration of animal feed safety in association with MAFF. The Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes also considered the safety of T25 and advised that the product was safe for use in food.

  Single Regeneration Budget
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has held with the East Midlands regional development agency regarding reductions in single regeneration budget funding granted in the current year; for what reason and on what basis SRB grants awarded in Northamptonshire have been scaled back in the current year; and which SRB projects are subject to savings clawbacks in the current year. [160104]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 2 May 2001]: There have been no reductions in the East Midlands Development Agency's SRB allocation for 2001–02. The SRB allocation for the East Midlands Development Agency has been increased to £38.398 million in 2001–02 from £37.700 million in 2000–01. The RDAs have the responsibility to manage their programmes within their allocations, and negotiate individual SRB schemes on an annual basis.

  We regularly meet RDA chairs collectively and have discussed finance issues, including SRB funding, on several occasions.

  Birmingham Northern Relief Road
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the review by Oscar Faber of predicted traffic flows after the opening of the Birmingham northern relief road on the M6 and other roads. [160127]

  Mr. Hill
  My hon. Friend's question relates to an operational matter. I have accordingly asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Tim Matthews, to write to him.

  Letter from Tim Matthews to Tony Wright, dated 8 May 2001:
  The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Keith Hill, has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking if the review by Oscar Faber of predicted traffic flows after the opening of the Birmingham Northern Relief Road on the M6 and other roads will be published.
  First of all I should make it clear that, under an agreement with the Secretary of State for Transport, certain responsibilities for the Birmingham Northern Relief Road rests with Midland Expressway

  33W
  Limited, including production of traffic predictions for the new road and the M6 corridor, which are presented at the Public Inquiry into the scheme between June 1994 and October 1995. Little, if anything of substance, has changed since the evidence was presented—although comment in recent press notices might have suggested otherwise.
  The Highways Agency has a wider remit to manage the motorway and trunk road network and, as part of that responsibility, must ensure that information about demands and pressures on the network are continuously updated. In their capacity as advisers to the Highways Agency in the Midlands on development matters, Oscar Faber have been commissioned to carry out some work to assist in the consideration and assessment of development. As such, it is not a general review and is not embodied in a single report.
  Oscar Faber have undertaken other work which considers the existing and predicted 'Stress on the Network'. This has been formally reported and deposited as input to Regional Planning Guidance.
  You are welcome to have sight of all the above Oscar Faber material, which can be viewed at the Agency's Birmingham office at Broadway, Broad Street, Birmingham B15 1BL. If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity please contact Gwyn Drake, Divisional Director for Network and Customer Services, who will be happy to make the necessary arrangements. Gwyn can be contacted at the Birmingham office or by telephoning 0121 678 8014.

  Home Energy Saving Scheme
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many applications have been made under the new home energy saving scheme; how many have been accepted; how many have been completed; and what the average wait is between application and completion of the work. [160264]

  Mr. Meacher
  The information requested is set out in the table. While the average wait is calculated as being 108 days, since the scheme started on 1 June 2000, there have been instances when householders have had to wait much longer, especially for heating measures. We are working with the Home Energy Efficiency scheme managers to reduce the time taken to install measures. Since January the average waiting time has been reduced to 59 days.

  Number

  Applications submitted to date

  323,244

  Applications accepted

  263,359

  Households where work has been completed

  111,985

  Average time taken between application and date of work (days)1

  2108

  1Measured from date of call with respect to telephone applications; from date of receipt in the case of postal applications; or from date of e-mail.

  2This is the average since the start of the scheme on 1 June 2000. Since 1 January the average time taken to completion of works has fallen to 59 days.

  Regeneration (Walsall)
  Mr. Bruce George
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what funding allocation has been made to Walsall for the purpose of regeneration since 1997; if he will list the schemes and organisations in receipt of funding and the amounts involved; and what component of these awards is made with security, community safety and crime reduction as an objective. [160276]
  34W
  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The information is as follows:

  New Deal for Community Funding

  My right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and the Regions announced Round 2 New Deal for Community Funding of £263.5 million for five West Midlands neighbourhoods on 30 April, £52 million has been offered to the New Horizons Partnership in Walsall which covers the Blakenall, Bloxwich East and Leamore neighbourhood. Over 16 per cent. of this funding, £8.5 million over 10 years, will be targeted on community safety and crime reduction measures.

  Neighbourhood Renewal Funding

  Walsall has also been awarded £16 million Neighbourhood Renewal Funding (NRF) over three years. The Local Strategic Partnership in Walsall will determine the use of NRF moneys to help with the most pressing needs in the area's deprived neighbourhoods.

  Single Regeneration Budget

  Walsall borough has been awarded over £34 million SRB funding since the beginning of the SRB Programme. This funding is through three SRB schemes;

  Empowering Local Communities—Walsall (£14.6 million)

  A seven year scheme targeting the four most deprived areas of the borough, led by the local authority. The other key partners are the TEC, Chamber of Commerce, voluntary sector, Police and Probation Service. Over 9,000 local people will benefit from community safety initiatives.

  Raising Standards in Education, Learning And Employability Walsall (£6.4 million)

  This seven year scheme aims to improve standards in education, skills and learning. Initiatives include drugs prevention through peer pressure, community safety strategy, health, housing development links to job opportunities.

  Building on Diversity Walsall (£13.8 million)

  Targeted on five of Walsall's most deprived wards, projects will address health inequalities; improve community safety and environment and tackle social exclusion.

  Land and Property Projects

  Site Investigation And Environmental Improvement Schemes.

  A total of £4.4 million has been spent in Walsall since 1997 on 23 projects, including James Adams limestone mine and Walsall Civic Square.

  Building Construction/Redevelopments

  A total of £700,000 has been spent on five projects in Walsall, including residential redevelopment of the former Moxley Hospital Site; construction of community facilities at the Camden Centre, Small street and Willenhall.

  Roadworks
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reason(a) local authorities and (b) the Highways Agency are exempt from section 74 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991. [160390]

  Mr. Hill
  The powers under section 74 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, introduced by the previous Government, provided for regulations to be
  35W
  made allowing charges to be levied on utility companies whose works exceed an agreed deadline. However, the Act did not extend this power to works carried out by highway authorities.

  This Government are determined to reduce the disruption which all works, whether carried out by utility or highway authority, cause to road users. The powers under section 74 have been activated with effect from 1 April this year. At the same time a revised code of practice for the co-ordination of works and best practice guidelines were published, which apply not only to works on behalf of utilities but also to works for local highway authorities and the Highways Agency. We are also considering whether further measures may be required.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his estimate is of the proportion of roadworks carried out by(a) utilities, (b) local authorities and (c) the Highways Agency. [160389]

  Mr. Hill
  Works carried out to the highway include "road" works—carried out by or on behalf of highway authorities—and "street" works—involving statutory utilities. Detailed figures are not available on the proportion of overall works carried out by utilities, local authorities and the Highways Agency. However, the Government have recently commissioned Halcrow UK to undertake a study of the extent of utility street works across England. As part of that work, they will also be looking at works carried out by highway authorities. We expect to make the conclusions of Halcrow's research available to the House.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his assessment is of the impact on prices paid by consumers for utility services arising from the lane rental provisions of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991. [160391]

  Mr. Hill
  The Government took powers in the Transport Act 2000 to make regulations permitting highway authorities to levy daily charges on utilities from the outset of works (so-called "lane rental"). These powers are being kept in reserve at this stage as regards national implementation. However, we have agreed that the London borough of Camden and Middlesbrough borough council may operate pilot schemes for lane rental in their area, starting later this year.

  The impact of any national lane rental scheme on utility companies and their customers and the extent to which road users will benefit from reduced disruption will obviously depend upon detailed arrangements, for instance the level at which rental charges were set and the type of works which would attract charges. Should we decide to launch the powers nationally, we will want to look very closely at the effects of the pilot schemes in devising the details of the scheme and in carrying out a regulatory impact assessment.

  Buses
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to regulate the size of buses. [160142]
  36W
  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 3 May 2001]The size of buses is currently regulated by the Road Vehicle (Construction and Use) Regulations which in turn incorporate dimensions that have to be accepted by all European Union countries through Directive 96/53/EC. Amendments to this Directive to allow longer buses are currently under discussion. In my response of 10 April to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Clydesdale (Mr. Hood),Official Report, columns 497–99W, I explained that the Council had reached a general political agreement on allowing the use of buses up to 15 metres long. But owing to UK concerns over the manoeuvrability of these vehicles the text for a derogation for us would be remitted to COREPER for further consideration. It is unlikely that a final agreement will be reached before the end of this year.

  Construction Industry
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many construction industry inspector posts are vacant in each region of the United Kingdom. [160278]

  Mr. Meacher
  In April 2001, the number of vacant construction industry inspector posts in each Division of the Health and Safety Executive's Field Operations Directorate, were as follows:

  Division

  Number of vacancies

  Scotland

  0

  Yorkshire and North East

  0

  North West

  0

  Midlands

  0

  Wales and West

  0

  London and South East

  8

  Home Counties

  0

  Total

  8

  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action the Government are taking to recruit suitable people to fill vacancies for construction industry inspectors in London and the South East. [160277]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) usually fills construction industry inspector posts internally from its pool of experienced general inspectors of health and safety. HSE is currently running a major campaign to recruit trainee inspectors nationally, the majority to fill the vacancies in the Field Operations Directorate, and this includes those in its London and the South East Division, In order to help address the resource shortfall more quickly, HSE is also seeking to deploy inspectors from other divisions into London for limited periods and is exploring the contribution that could be made by additional specialist inspectors supporting operational construction inspection.

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those shire counties which have had no reported cases of foot and mouth disease and which have opened(a) less

  37W
  than 25 per cent. of the total length of their rights of way and (b) 50 per cent. or more of the total length of their rights of way: and if he will make a statement. [160729]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The county councils which have had no reported cases of foot and mouth disease and which have opened less than 25 per cent of the total length of their rights of way are: Lincolnshire (0 per cent.), Buckinghamshire (5 per cent.), Hampshire (5 per cent.), West Sussex (10 per cent.), Bedfordshire (12 per cent.), East Sussex (12 per cent.), Nottinghamshire (15 per cent.), and Dorset (22 per cent.).

  The county councils which have had no reported cases of foot and mouth disease and which have opened 50 per cent. or more of the total length of their rights of way are: Norfolk (59 per cent.), Surrey (70 per cent.), Suffolk (75 per cent.), and Cambridgeshire (85 per cent.).

  These figures show that many local authorities continue to keep rights of way closed unnecessarily. The Government's veterinary and scientific advisers have confirmed that outside Infected Areas there is no justification for keeping so many paths closed. Councils that ignore this advice are failing in their duty to their residents, their visitors, and their local businesses to open rights of way wherever it is safe to do so.

  Several authorities lag so far behind public opinion and professional advice that they continue to keep closed even paths across woodland and arable land. This cannot be justified. Local authorities quite rightly wish to take account of the views of farmers and land managers, but they need to balance these with the views of the many other businesses in their communities whose livelihood is threatened, as well as the interests of their residents and visitors. Unnecessary closures mean unnecessary inconvenience, unnecessary economic damage, and in some cases unnecessary danger where people are forced on to busy roads because paths are closed.

  In authorities which have taken a more balanced judgment of needs, such as Surrey, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, well over half the path networks have been reopened. There is no reason why the worst performing authorities should not achieve a similar or better performance. I urge all councils, and especially those without infected areas, to make significant progress towards reopening their rights of way wherever it is safe to do so.

  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the cost to councils of awarding hardship relief to assist businesses affected by the outbreak of foot and mouth; and if he will provide additional assistance to smaller district councils to help meet this cost. [160266]

  Mr. Meacher
  To date no formal assessment of the costs borne by local authorities in implementing the hardship rate relief scheme has been undertaken. However, we have extended the central Government contribution to the cost of the relief from 75 per cent. to 95 per cent. in cases where the business is located in one of the 151 eligible rural districts and has a rateable value of £12,000 or less.

  A number of small rural district councils have made representations that it will be difficult for them to find the 5 per cent. of the cost that the scheme requires. I am
  38W
  looking into that, though it is important that local authorities do retain ownership of the scheme if distribution of relief is to be undertaken rigorously.

  Waste Packaging Regulations
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the new user's guide to the Producer Responsibility Obligation (Packaging Waste) Regulations 1997 will be published. [160636]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  We have almost completed the revised edition and hope to publish it shortly.

  Sellafield
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what time scale he has established for the preparation and completion of the report of the consultant appointed to advise Ministers on the application for the Sellafield MOX Plant Authorisation; and if he will place a copy of the consultant's report in the Library. [159778]

  Mr. Meacher
  I announced on 23 April that the Department had appointed Arthur D. Little Ltd. as independent consultants to evaluate BNFL's economic case for operating the Sellafield MOX plant, and that they would report in around seven weeks from that date. A copy of their report will be offered to the Library, excluding only any commercially sensitive information whose publication we judge could cause significant damage to commercial interests.

  World Summit on Sustainable Development
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to assist the preparations for the Rio+10 conference; what contributions he intends to make at the conference; and if he will make a statement. [159779]

  Mr. Meacher
  The United Kingdom has been one of the first countries to offer concrete support to South Africa to assist in the preparations for Rio+10—now known as the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD). This will take place in Johannesburg in September 2002. In his speech at Chatham House on 6 March the Prime Minister reiterated his intention to attend the Summit, the first Head of Government to make such a commitment. The Department for International Development will provide £1.5 million in support of the Summit, most of which will be used to assist the Government of South Africa in their preparations. The Government are also seconding experienced officials to South Africa and to the UN secretariat to strengthen their teams. The Deputy Prime Minister discussed these matters with the South African Environment Minister Mohammed Valli Moosa on 20 April in New York, during the Ninth Session of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development.

  The Government, and the devolved Administrations, are or will be supporting a number of preparatory meetings in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister has put strong emphasis on the involvement of civil society, especially business and NGOs, in all aspects of the Summit. The agenda for the Summit has yet to be agreed. It will be prepared through regional prepcom meetings in the UN later this year, including a UN Economic

  39W
  Commission for Europe meeting in Geneva on 24–25 September. The Government are working closely with European partners to prepare an EU interim position, and supports the proposals set out in the Commission's Communication of 6 February. As the agenda is developed we shall formulate our views on how best to contribute to the conference itself.

  FV Gaul
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will provide a breakdown of the costs incurred to date in connection with the loss of the FV Gaul. [160731]

  Mr. Prescott
  The costs incurred to date in connection with the loss of the FV Gaul amount to about £1 million.

  The original formal investigation held in 1974 cost £20,000 and the research conducted last year by Mr. Roger Clarke, acting as a consultant for the Department, which included the search for bodies of the crew in Northern Russia, cost £50,000. The total spent on the Marine Accident Investigation Branch's survey of the wreck conducted in 1998 cost nearly £700,000.

  The discovery of new and important evidence by the MAIB led to the formal investigation being reopened on 16 April 1999. Since then over £300,000 has been paid to the firm of solicitors representing the families of the crew, the Max Gold Partnership, of which nearly £240,000 has been paid as legal fees. The families of the skipper and mate are separately represented by Birnberg Pierce & Partners and a bill for £85,000 has recently been submitted to the Department of which some £57,000 is for legal fees.

  Farm Vehicles (Traffic Calming)
  Mr. Horam
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will require the Transport Research Laboratory to conduct research into the effect of traffic calming measures on(a) tractors and (b) other farming vehicles and direct local authorities to put schemes affecting roads used by tractors on hold; and if he will update traffic advisory leaflet 7/96 to compel local authorities to consult agricultural interests. [160496]

  Mr. Hill
  I have no proposals at present to carry out research into the effects of traffic calming measures on agricultural machinery using public roads. The Highways (Road Humps) Regulations 1999 require local highway authorities to consult with organisations or persons using the highway to which a road hump proposal relates. The Highways (Traffic Calming) Regulations 1999 require the local highway authority to consult, as the highway authority thinks fit, with persons or organisations who use the highway or are likely to be affected by the traffic calming works. My Department has, in relevant Traffic Advisory Leaflets published since 1999, included a reminder of the need to consult with users of agricultural equipment.

  Yellow School Bus Pilots
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list 40W
  those organisations that have applied to set up a yellow school bus pilot scheme; and when he expects each pilot scheme to start. [160295]

  Mr. Hill
  We understand that FirstGroup plc is in discussion with a number of local authorities and other organisations about setting up yellow school bus pilot schemes. It will be for FirstGroup and individual local authorities and organisations to decide when each pilot scheme should start.

  Regional Development Agencies
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many people are employed(a) full-time and (b) part-time in each regional development agency. [160296]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The most recent figures for staff employed in each Regional Development Agency are as follows:

  Name of Agency

  Full-time staff

  Part-time staff

  One North East

  215

  8

  North West Development Agency

  209

  9

  Yorkshire Forward

  194

  21

  East Midlands Development Agency

  127

  8

  Advantage West Midlands

  162

  1

  East of England Development Agency

  89

  1

  South East England Development Agency

  121

  6

  South West Regional Development Agency

  185

  11

  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the annual(a) running cost and (b) forecast running cost is for each regional development agency. [160298]

  Ms Armstrong
  The Regional Development Agencies' running cost budgets for 2001–02 were announced in my answer to my hon. Friend, the Member for Wentworth (Mr. Healey) on 9 March 2001,Official Report, columns 366–67W. My answer included a table setting out the total budget for 2001–02, of which the following is an extract:

  £000

  Programme

  Administration

  One North East

  10,103

  North West DA

  14,044

  Yorkshire Forward

  9,989

  East Midlands DA

  7,488

  Advantage West Midlands

  8,793

  East of England DA

  5,836

  South East of England DA

  6,643

  South West RDA

  9,099

  London DA

  9,470

  Total

  81,465

  Aircraft Noise
  Mr. Andy King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to carry out a new study to update the Aircraft Noise Index Study of 1985. [160726]
  41W
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  My Department is to carry out a major study to reassess attitudes to aircraft noise. This new study underlines the Government's commitment to underpin our policy on aircraft noise by substantial research that commands the widest possible confidence.

  Our current understanding of the relationship between annoyance and aircraft noise over 24 hours is based primarily on research that was carried out in the 1980s, in particular the Aircraft Noise Index Study published in 1985. That was based on the largest survey yet carried out of public attitudes to aircraft noise and eventually led the Government of the day to adopt the Leq (equivalent continuous noise) index for daytime noise contours.

  The conclusions have been broadly confirmed by other studies here and abroad, and we have no reason to doubt their validity. But in the light of our commitment to develop a new air transport policy, of changes to traffic patterns since then, and the general reduction in noise levels of individual aircraft, it is now timely to commission a fresh study.

  We want the aviation industry to meet the external costs it imposes. This new study will give us more information on the value people give to relief from noise, and to focus our policies from a broader range of evidence.

  In deciding to commission this further research, I have considered the findings of three recent Government-sponsored studies on sleep disturbance, and the advice of independent experts. I am grateful to those who sat on the steering and technical working groups for their help in shaping those studies. I have concluded that a new full-scale objective sleep study would be unlikely to add significantly to our understanding; and that the way forward is through concentrating instead on further research into subjective responses to annoyance by night and by day.

  I am placing copies of the three reports (Adverse Effects of Night-Time Aircraft Noise. Aircraft Noise and Sleep-UK Trial Methodology Study, and Perceptions of Aircraft Noise Sleep and Health) in the House Library. These have been published by the former Department of Operational Research and Analysis (DORA) of National Air Traffic Services Ltd., and by the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research Consultancy Services and Department of Social Statistics at the University of Southampton, respectively. Further information on Government sponsored research into aircraft noise and sleep will shortly be available on the Aviation section of my Department's website.

  Invitations to tender for the new study will be issued shortly. We shall ensure that both environmental and aviation interests can contribute to the oversight of the project. It will last three years, with pilot results planned to be available next year to feed into our White Paper on air transport.

  Flood Drainage
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has made to Ofwat on the responsibility of the water industry for funding drainage improvements following the recent floods. [160247]
  42W
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  The responsibilities of the sewerage undertaker are prescribed in the Water Industry Act 1991. At the periodic review the Director General of Water Services, sets companies' price limits and within this framework it is for each sewerage undertaker to determine its priorities. Ofwat and my officials are currently discussing the causes of sewer flooding and possible remedies.

  Rail Franchises (Wales)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made in restructuring the railway franchise system in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [160613]

  Mr. Hill
  Arriva plc in conjunction with Connex Transport UK Ltd., FirstGroup plc, National Express Group plc and Serco Rail have been shortlisted by the Strategic Rail Authority to prepare Best and Final Offers for the new Wales and the Borders franchise. The Authority has announced the conclusion of negotiations to restructure and reorganise some of the existing franchises which will be affected. Further announcements will be made in due course.

  Highways (Flood Damage)
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to give local authorities assistance to help them with the damage to highways caused by the recent floods. [160721]

  Mr. Hill
  We have decided to give extra assistance this year to those English authorities where the cost of dealing with flood damage to their highways would absorb a high proportion of their available resources for highway maintenance. Officials are writing to authorities seeking up to date information on the cost of flood damage before the final level of support is determined, but on the basis of the information we have received to date it is likely that the total payments nationally will be in the region of £12 million.

  Marine Environment
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how he proposes to meet the Government's aims of achieving sustainable development and maintaining biodiversity in the marine environment. [160727]

  Mr. Meacher
  My Department is leading a review of marine nature conservation looking specifically at how to address this matter. The interim report of the review, which has recently been presented to Ministers, sets out a number of recommendations aimed at meeting these aims. I have today agreed to the publication of the interim report on my Department's website and placed copies in the Libraries of the House.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Plastic Baton Round (Alternative)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to consult victims' organisations over the acceptability of alternatives to the plastic baton round.[158792]
  43W
  Mr. Ingram
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has made clear that he would welcome representations from any group or organisation on this issue. Naturally, when it is appropriate to do so, we will consult widely on the question of acceptability.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by what means he advertised for the post of project manager for the Project Board of the Steering Group set up to examine alternatives to the plastic baton round; and what the(a) job description, (b) personal specification for the appointment and (c) remuneration for the post is.[158791]

  Mr. Ingram
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has approved the appointment of Deputy Assistant Commissioner Michael Messinger as programme co-ordinator, on a part-time basis. The position was not advertised. I will publish a copy of the terms of reference for the post when they have been finalised.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has participated in with the objective of incorporating an independent element in his research into a less potentially lethal

  Applications/acceptances to RUC from 1995–98 by gender and community background

  Regulars—Applications

  CB1

  CB2

  CB3

  M

  F

  T

  M

  F

  T

  M

  F

  T

  Total

  Comp C 1995

  838

  611

  1,449

  296

  171

  467

  113

  29

  142

  2,058

  Comp D 1995

  1,113

  661

  1,774

  269

  169

  438

  158

  30

  188

  2,400

  Comp E 1996

  983

  588

  1,571

  236

  133

  369

  129

  26

  155

  2,095

  Comp F 1996

  1,312

  741

  2,054

  261

  145

  406

  242

  27

  269

  2,729

  Comp G 1997

  1,368

  804

  2,172

  253

  159

  412

  188

  25

  213

  2,797

  Comp H 1998

  1,332

  802

  2,134

  270

  161

  431

  228

  32

  260

  2,825

  Comp I 1998

  1,414

  898

  2,312

  470

  280

  750

  246

  51

  297

  3,359

  Regulars—Acceptances

  CB1

  CB2

  CB3

  M

  F

  T

  M

  F

  T

  M

  F

  T

  Total

  Percentage of total applications

  Comp C 1995

  84

  14

  98

  18

  2

  20

  8

  1

  9

  127

  6.2

  Comp D 1995

  124

  14

  138

  20

  4

  24

  15

  0

  15

  177

  7.4

  Comp E 1996

  103

  22

  125

  10

  3

  13

  5

  0

  5

  143

  6.8

  Comp F 1996

  75

  19

  94

  13

  1

  14

  14

  0

  14

  122

  4.5

  Comp G 1997

  79

  17

  96

  13

  2

  15

  9

  0

  9

  120

  4.3

  Comp H 1998

  80

  45

  125

  9

  3

  12

  7

  0

  7

  144

  5.1

  Comp I 1998

  72

  38

  110

  9

  9

  18

  4

  1

  5

  133

  4.0

  Full-time reserves—Applications

  CB1

  CB2

  CB3

  M

  F

  T

  M

  F

  T

  M

  F

  T

  Total

  Comp B 1995

  635

  407

  1,042

  167

  115

  282

  105

  25

  130

  1,454

  Comp C 1996

  654

  421

  1,075

  154

  101

  255

  90

  11

  101

  1,431

  Comp D 1997

  753

  402

  1,155

  109

  75

  184

  113

  22

  135

  1,474

  Comp E 1997

  376

  236

  612

  60

  46

  106

  43

  12

  55

  773

  Comp F 1997

  709

  423

  1,132

  119

  78

  197

  104

  24

  128

  1,457

  44W
  alternative to the plastic baton round and commissioning a social impact assessment of alternatives to the plastic baton round. [158790]

  Mr. Ingram
  In line with the Patten Commission report, full account will be taken of public acceptability and all other relevant issues in our continuing efforts to identify alternatives to the baton round. The project board established to lead the research project will continue to consult widely and I will be meeting various interest groups concerned with this issue over the coming months.

  RUC (Recruitment)
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list, in respect of each of the recruitment competitions to the RUC from 1995 to date the(a) number and (b) percentage of (i) applicants and (ii) candidates offered appointment, broken down by perceived community background, who took up appointments in the (1) RUC and (2) full-time RUC Reserve. [157607]

  Mr. Ingram
  The tables show the breakdown of applications for recruitment to the Royal Ulster Constabulary from 1995 to the last recruitment campaign in December 1998 and the corresponding number of successful applicants in percentage terms.
  45W

  Full-time—Acceptances

  CB1

  CB2

  CB3

  M

  F

  T

  M

  F

  T

  M

  F

  T

  Total

  Percentage of total applications

  Comp B 1996

  12

  7

  19

  4

  0

  4

  2

  1

  3

  26

  1.8

  Comp C 1996

  66

  63

  129

  14

  10

  24

  7

  1

  8

  161

  11.3

  Comp D 1997

  19

  5

  24

  0

  0

  0

  3

  2

  5

  29

  2.0

  Comp E 1997

  25

  4

  29

  2

  1

  3

  3

  0

  3

  35

  4.5

  Comp F 1997

  31

  19

  50

  3

  2

  5

  3

  0

  3

  58

  4.0

  Notes:

  CB1—Perceived Protestant

  CB2—Perceived Roman Catholic

  CB3—Others/Undetermined

  Oversight Commissioner
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will place in the Library a copy of the programme of actions for the Commissioner appointed under section 67 of the Police Northern Ireland Act 2000 and his timetable for completing his task. [159472]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Oversight Commissioner's first report, which was placed in the Library of the House on 10 January 2001, laid out the Commissioner's programme of action.

  Terrorist Offences
  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many members of the(a) Provisional IRA, (b) Real IRA, (c) Continuity IRA, (d) INLA, (e) UDA/UFF, (f) LVF, (g) Orange volunteer Force and (h) Red Hand Defenders have been (i) charged with a terrorist-related offence and (ii) convicted of a terrorist-related offence in relation to crimes committed after 10 April 1998. [155469]

  Mr. Ingram
  The table details the number of persons charged with "terrorist-type" or serious public order offences since 10 April 1998. The following points should be noted about this information:

  (a) Where a person has been charged with a number of different offences only the most serious is shown. It is not possible to attribute responsibility to specific groups as to do so would incur a disproportionate cost.

  (b) Charges brought during this period may relate to offences committed prior to 10 April 1998.

  (c) The "other" category includes a range of public order offences including, for example riotous behaviour, possession or throwing of petrol bombs, assaulting police, hijacking and obstructing the highway. The offences of membership and withholding information are also included.

  I regret that information concerning convictions is not available. The processing of court statistics on the court proceedings database was suspended in April 1998. Court data are therefore not available for 1998, 1999 and 2000.
  I understand that work to capture this missing data is at an advanced stage, but will be some time before this missing data is at an advanced stage, but will be some time before this information becomes available.
  46W

  Persons charged with terrorist-type and serious public order offences

  Loyalist

  Republican

  10 April 1998–31 March 1999

  Murder

  4

  1

  Attempted Murder

  4

  3

  Firearms

  34

  19

  Explosives

  10

  3

  Armed Robbery

  17

  10

  Other

  263

  67

  Total

  332

  103

  1 April 1999–31 March 2000

  Murder

  4

  1

  Attempted Murder

  6

  0

  Firearms

  43

  23

  Explosives

  9

  7

  Armed Robbery

  7

  14

  Other

  106

  68

  Total

  175

  113

  1 April 2000–21 March 2001

  Murder

  5

  1

  Attempted Murder

  13

  2

  Firearms

  29

  12

  Explosives

  2

  9

  Armed Robbery

  8

  7

  Other

  142

  34

  Total

  199

  65

  Public Order (Lurgan)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many individuals were charged with public order offences arising from events in and around Lurgan on(a) 10 July, (b) 11 July, (c) 12 July, (d) 13 July, (e) 14 July and (f) 15 July 2000; what the result of those prosecutions was; and what the breakdown by perceived community origin of those charged and convicted is. [158737]

  Mr. Ingram
  Charges relating to public order offences in Lurgan sub-division during July 2000 are set out in the table.

  Charges relating to public order offences in Lurgan sub-division during July 2000

  Date

  Number charged

  Convicted

  Pending

  Withdrawn

  Loyalist

  10 July

  1

  —

  —

  1

  11 July

  6

  13

  22

  1

  12 July

  1

  —

  —

  1

  47W

  Charges relating to public order offences in Lurgan sub-division during July 2000

  Date

  Number charged

  Convicted

  Pending

  Withdrawn

  13 July

  —

  —

  —

  —

  14 July

  —

  —

  —

  —

  15 July

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Republican

  10 July

  —

  —

  —

  —

  11 July

  —

  —

  —

  —

  12 July

  —

  —

  33

  —

  13 July

  —

  —

  —

  —

  14 July

  —

  —

  —

  —

  15 July

  —

  —

  —

  —

  13 X Convictions:

  (a) Sentenced in absence and bench warrant issued.

  (b) Adjourned for pre-sentence reports.

  (c) Convicted of riotous behaviour—fined £250 Convicted of resisting police —fined £100

  2 Awaiting trial

  3 Cases with Director of Public Prosecutions awaiting direction.

  Police Ombudsman
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how may complaints have been

  Table 2: Current status of cases received by the Police Ombudsman

  Month received

  Case closed1

  Withdrawn

  Resolved

  Awaiting resolution

  Other status

  Under investigation

  Total

  November 2000

  174

  25

  16

  23

  12

  150

  400

  December 2000

  120

  14

  15

  19

  17

  80

  265

  January 2001

  117

  18

  13

  39

  5

  134

  332

  February 2001

  67

  16

  1

  28

  35

  136

  283

  March 2001

  22

  8

  0

  58

  46

  109

  243

  April 2001

  3

  2

  0

  9

  121

  85

  220

  1For various reasons

  Procedures for discipline and the sending of files to the Director of Public Prosecutions are currently being developed. Consequently, as at 21 April, no cases have resulted in disciplinary proceedings and no cases have resulted in files being sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

  However, the Police Ombudsman assumed responsibility for 2,396 cases under transitional arrangements from the Independent Commission for Police Complaints. Of these, five cases have resulted in disciplinary proceedings being taken and a total of 250 cases have been referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

PRIME MINISTER

  Global Health
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Prime Minister when the Performance and Innovation Unit's report on global health will be published. [160722]

  The Prime Minister
  The PIU report "Tackling the Diseases of Poverty: A package to meet the Okinawa/ Millennium Targets for HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria" is published today. The report sets out a range 48W
  received by the office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland in each month from his appointment up to the latest available date; how many in each month were (a) rejected, (b) withdrawn, (c) under investigation, (d) had investigations completed, (e) resulted in disciplinary proceedings being taken, and by whom and (f) resulted in files being sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions. [159156]

  Mr. Ingram
  The make up and disposition of the complaints received by the Police Ombudsman from 6 November 2000 to 21 April 2001 are not available in the exact form requested. However, the figures that are available are listed in tabular form in the two charts.

  Table 1: Cases and complaints received by the Police Ombudsman

  Number

  Month received

  Cases1

  Complaints

  November 2000

  400

  518

  December 2000

  265

  362

  January 2001

  332

  449

  February 2001

  283

  360

  March 2001

  243

  294

  April 2001

  220

  252

  1Cases may involve more than one complaint

  of options for tackling these three devastating diseases in developing countries as a contribution, both to the UK Government's thinking and to the international debate.

  The report calls for a comprehensive global strategy to: improve and expand coverage of health systems and health promotion; make affordable for those that need them vaccines, drugs, and other products to prevent and treat the diseases; and provide incentives for research into new, more effective health products.

  The PIU report proposes a series of measures including: a new Global Fund for Health to finance the purchase of existing health products to tackle the three diseases, substantially scaling up the provision of these products to those most in need but least able to afford them; binding advance purchase commitment to purchase new, more effective products as they become available, strengthening incentives to step up investment in R&D; a framework for tiered pricing and greater local production of patented products under voluntary licences to improve affordability; and clarification of the flexibilities in intellectual property protection under the WTO TRIPS agreement; targeted support including tax credits and public-private partnerships for R&D, and a new platform for clinical trials of new drugs and vaccines; and a scaled-up and better co-ordinated global partnership to halt and reverse the spread of disease.
  49W
  The report estimates that 50 million lives could be saved over the next 20 years if the global effort to tackle these diseases was better resourced and co-ordinated.

  The UK is already fully committed to playing its part in a greater and better co-ordinated international effort to tackle communicable diseases in the developing world. The ideas in the PIU report will help the UK pursue this agenda internationally at the highest level.

  Copies have been placed in the House Library.

  Wembley Stadium
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations he has received from the Football Association for Government funding for the redevelopment of Wembley Stadium. [160274]

  The Prime Minister
  The Football Association informed the Government that it was unable to secure the necessary private-sector investment to proceed with the Wembley project, and sought discussions on future options. This work is now under way.

  Entertainment Budgets
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Prime Minister what the entertainment budget was for Number 10 Downing street in each of the years from 1997 to date. [160097]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton (Mr. Gibb) on 17 January 2000,Official Report, column 268W.

  The total cost to my office of official entertainment at 10 Downing street and Chequers was

  £

  Year

  Cost

  1999–2000

  60,652

  2000–011

  72,790

  1This figure is given on a cash accounting basis

  Costs vary depending on the nature of events as they did under previous Administrations.

  The programme of events at No. 10 is designed to give access to as many people as possible and includes regular children's tea parties and receptions for a wide cross section of the community. In the past year these have included events for teachers, doctors, members of the emergency services and victims of the floods.

  Over the past year, to discuss developments in the business world, I have hosted more working breakfasts than in the previous year. I also jointly, hosted a reception for 800 people to mark the outstanding performance of British athletes at the 2000 Olympics.

  Ministerial Correspondence
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister how he applied the rules governing disclosure of ministerial correspondence to requests for disclosure of the letter he received from the Countess of Wessex. [160639]
  50W
  The Prime Minister
  Under section 3 of Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information it is not our practice to comment on whether there has been or has not been correspondence between the Royal Household and Ministers.

  Correspondence
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Prime Minister when he will reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire of 22 March. [160335]

  The Prime Minister
  My right hon. Friend the President of the Council replied on my behalf on 4 May.

  Missile Defence
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions he has been contacted by President Bush on missile defence systems; and what response he gave. [160536]

  The Prime Minister
  I am in regular contact with President Bush on a range of issues including policy on missile defence. We have not discussed specific systems.

TREASURY

  Cancer Survival Rates
  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the proportion of patients who, having been diagnosed with(a) lung cancer, (b) bowel cancer, (c) breast cancer, (d) cervical cancer and (e) prostate cancer survive for five years; and what the comparable figures are for (i) France, (ii) Germany, (iii) Sweden and (iv) the USA. [160240]

  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. Quentin Davies, dated 8 May 2001:
  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking what the five year survival rates are for (a) lung, (b) bowel, (c) breast, (d) cervical, and (d) prostate cancer, and what the comparable figures are for (i) France, (ii) Germany, (iii) Sweden, and (iv) the USA. (160240)
  The latest available five-year survival rates for England are for cases diagnosed in the three year period 1992–94 and followed up to 31st December 1999. Data for eight common cancers including (a) lung, (b) colon, (c) female breast, (d) cervical, and (e) prostate cancer are available on the National Statistics website, www.statistics.co.uk, under "Health and Care". (Figures for (a) and (b) are presented for males and females separately).
  Survival from cancers of the colon and rectum, which together form the large bowel, are similar. Hence figures for colon alone are included in the presentation of survival in eight common cancers on the National Statistics website for patients diagnosed in 1992–94. Survival from cancer of the rectum for patients diagnosed in 1991–93 in England and Wales was published in the summer 2000 edition of Health Statistics Quarterly (number 6).
  Five-year survival data for the USA can also be found on the National Statistics website, at the address shown above, for patients diagnosed during 1986–90 and followed up to 31st December 1995 for equivalent sites.

  51W
  Comparable data for France, Germany and Sweden are published in Berrino F, Sant M, Verdecchia A, Capocaccia R (eds). Survival of cancer patients in Europe-the EUROCARE study II. IARC Scientific Publications No.151. Lyons: International Agency for Research on Cancer, 1999. a copy of which is in the House of Commons library.

  Ultra-low Sulphur Diesel
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to promote the use of(a) LPG, (b) ultra-low sulphur petrol and (c) ultra-low sulphur diesel in rural areas. [160347]

  Mr. Timms
  The Budget day reductions in excise duty on all these fuels were designed to encourage the widespread use of more environmentally friendly road fuels throughout the UK.

  Government Spending
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of gross domestic product central Government spent on(a) education, (b) health, (c) housing and (d) social housing (A) in each year since 1979 and (B) as projected to the end of the current spending review period. [159690]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 30 April 2001]: The information requested is available in Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses (PESA) 2001–02 (Cm5101), tables 3.4 and 3.5. Some series are only published in cash terms, a long run series for money GDP is available from the ONS.

  Expenditure is planned on a departmental basis, not a functional basis, and spending plans for expenditure on health, housing, and on social housing are not available on a consistent basis. Forward projections for education spending in cash terms are published in PESA 2001–02 table 1.2.

  A consistent long run functional series for central Government expenditure is not currently available—the references are based on total expenditure.

  Retirement Flats (VAT)
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the average cost to residents of retirement flats of the imposition of VAT on service charges. [158954]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 26 April 2001]: Service charges to residents of retirement flats are exempt from VAT.

  Credit Unions
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further action he is taking to establish a central support organisation for credit unions; and if he will make a statement. [160279]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him on 14 March 2001,Official Report, column 654W.

  Beer Duty
  Laura Moffatt
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many written representations he has received from the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) asking for the introduction of progressive beer duty. [160199]
  52W
  Mr. Timms
  The hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) was a signatory to an early-day motion on progressive beer duty in 1998, but I have received no more recent representations from him on this subject.

  Insurance Brokers (Registration) Act
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements have been made to provide continuing access to compensation under the Insurance Brokers Registration Council "Grants and Indemnity Scheme" for genera1 insurance losses incurred by the clients of registered insurance brokers, following the repeal of the Insurance Brokers (Registration) Act 1977 on 30 April. [R] [160599]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The grants scheme was entirely discretionary. But the IBRC had a public law duty to consider reasonably claims that it received under the scheme. The general public law duty does not form a liability that has now transferred to the Treasury under the Insurance Brokers Registration Council Dissolution Order (SI/2001/1283). Nevertheless, the Treasury will consider reasonably claims relating to activities prior to the IBRC' s dissolution.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Trial Costs
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what plans he has to place a maximum ceiling on the costs to public funds of trial proceedings. [159324]

  Mr. Lock
  This Government have taken considerable steps to ensure that trial costs, including lawyers' fees, are held at a reasonable level. It would not be right to place an arbitrary cap on the amount to be spent on any individual trial.

  Prosecution Witnesses
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, how many magistrates court trials over the last 12 months for which data are available were(a) delayed and (b) discontinued as a result of the non-arrival of witnesses for the prosecution. [159325]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Lord Chancellors Department does not currently collect the information requested.

  However, results from twice-yearly witness attendance monitoring exercises, conducted in all magistrates courts for a two-week period in June and November each year, indicates that the number of prosecution witnesses who were expected but did not attend court was 12 per cent. for June 2000 and 7 per cent. for November 2000.

  Lay Magistracy
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if she will make a statement on the future of the lay magistracy. [159326]

  Jane Kennedy
  Government Ministers have repeatedly assured Opposition Members of our support for the lay magistracy. Had it not been for opposition from those
  53W
  Members to the proposed reform to mode of trial procedures, magistrates would by now have been given more work—and a greater variety of work—than they routinely do. Their attitude undermines confidence in the magistracy. I am dismayed to find that there are those who do not believe in their hearts that magistrates can be in charge of a fair trial.

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will make a statement on her plans for the lay magistracy. [159330]

  Jane Kennedy
  The report by Rod Morgan and Neil Russell, "The Judiciary in the Magistrates' Courts", published on 14 December last year, concluded that to abolish or greatly diminish the role of the lay magistracy would not be widely understood or supported in the country, and the Government agree with that view.

  Lord Justice Auld is currently conducting his independent review of the criminal courts. It would be premature to comment on that until he submits his report.

  Auld Report
  Mr. David Taylor
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he expects the Auld report to be published. [159327]

  Mr. Lock
  Sir Robin Auld expects to complete his review shortly.

  Courthouses (PFI)
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many new courthouses have been(a) planned and (b) built under the private finance initiative. [159328]

  Jane Kennedy
  No new Crown or county court centres have yet been built under the private finance initiative, although the Court Service has plans to provide four new court buildings under this procurement method. In addition, the Lord Chancellor's Department is providing financial support to a total of 13 magistrates courts committees projects. Eight of those will provide a total of 18 new or refurbished courthouses, six of which are currently under construction and will be in use later this year. The scope of the remaining five projects remains to be determined.

  Parallel Juries
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what recent assessment she has made of the case for parallel juries to facilitate research into the reasons behind juries' verdicts. [159329]

  Jane Kennedy
  There has been no recent assessment of the case for parallel juries. Research into the reasons behind jury verdicts is restricted by section 8 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981.

  Family Visitor Appeals
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will provide a breakdown of the number of family visitor 54W
  appeals (a) determined, (b) allowed and (c) dismissed by the Immigration Appellate Authority (i) at an oral hearing and (ii) on the papers only, in April. [160467]

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

  Determined

  Allowed

  Dismissed

  Oral Cases

  66

  45

  21

  Paper Cases

  131

  57

  74

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will provide a breakdown of the number of(a) oral and (b) paper-only family visitor appeals received by the Immigration Appellate Authority in April. [160460]

  Jane Kennedy
  In April 2001, the Immigration Appellate Authority received 87 cases for oral hearing and 136 cases for paper-only hearing.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proportion of family visitor appeals determined(a) at an oral hearing and (b) on the papers only, since 2 October 2000, have been allowed. [160468]

  Jane Kennedy
  The proportion of family visit appeals determined that have been allowed between 2 October 2000 to 30 April 2001 are:

  Percentage

  Oral Cases

  66.24

  Paper Cases

  35.60

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many(a) oral and (b) paper only family visitor appeals have been received by the Immigration Appellate Authority since (i) 2 October 2000 and (ii) 1 February in which the Immigration Advisory Service has been identified as representing the applicant. [160471]

  Jane Kennedy
  The amount of family visitor appeals received by the Immigration Appellate Authority since (i) 2 October 2000 and 1 February 2001 in which the Immigration Advisory Service were identified as representing the applicant are as follows:

  (iii) Between 2 October 2000 and 31 January 2001 the Immigration Advisory Service represented applicants in (a) nine oral family visit appeals (b) four paper-only family visitor appeals

  (iv) Between 1 February and 30 April 2001 the Immigration Advisory Service represented applicants in (a) 31 oral family visit appeals (b) six paper-only family visitor appeals.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the average time currently taken by the Immigration Appellate Authority is to determine(a) oral family visitor appeals, (b) paper-only family visitor appeals, (c) asylum appeals and (d) other immigration appeals. [160472]
  55W
  Jane Kennedy
  The current average time for this business year (April only), by the Immigration Appellate Authority to process cases from receipt to determination, are:

  (a) 6.43 weeks for oral family visitor appeals

  (b) 3.33 weeks for paper only family visitor appeals

  (c) 22.27 weeks for asylum appeals

  (d) 20.65 weeks for other immigration appeals.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) what the total amount of funding provided by the Legal Services Commission is in respect of family visitor appeals since(a) 2 October 2000 and (b) 1 February; [160469]

  (2) in how many cases the Legal Services Commission has funded legal representation at the oral hearing of a family visitor appeal since (a) 2 October 2000 and (b) 1 February. [160470]

  Jane Kennedy
  The information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Entertainment Budgets
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the entertainment budget was for the Lord Chancellor's Department in each year from 1997 to date.[160095]

  Jane Kennedy
  Expenditure on entertainment in the financial year 1998–99 was £56,327, in 1999–2000 was £88,907 and in 2000–01 was £75,917. The expenditure represented by these figures was incurred by both Ministers and officials. The information for 1997–98 is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
  56W

  Entertainment Budgets

    Civil Justice System
    Mr. Gordon Prentice
    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what progress has been made on reviewing the remedy of distress for rent as part of the on-going reform of the civil justice system and review of civil enforcement. [160696]

    Mr. Lock
    As part of the on-going reform of the civil justice system and the review of civil enforcement, we have been reviewing the remedy of distress for rent. We recognise that there are concerns about the current procedure, whereby landlords of (mainly commercial) property can seize their tenants' goods for non-payment of rent, without a court order or any prior notice. The Government accept that some change is necessary and desirable, and the Lord Chancellor has today issued a consultation paper on options for reform of distress for rent. Copies of the consultation paper have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The aim of this consultation is to:establish the extent to. and way in which, distress for rent is currently used in both residential and commercial tenancies;
    consider the potential effect if it were completely abolished;
    consider the potential effect of its abolition in the residential sector; and
    seek views on proposals for a modified procedure.

    Enforcement Review
    Mr. Gordon Prentice
    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what progress has been made on the second phase of the enforcement review following the widening of its remit, announced by the Lord Chancellor on 6 March. [160695]

    Mr. Lock
    A wider remit for phase two of the enforcement review was announced on 6 March 2001,Official Report, column 212W. The review has identified the need for independent expert advice from the private, independent and public sectors actively involved in enforcement and a market evaluation of the delivery of enforcement services. An advisory group will therefore be established on the delivery of enforcement services to guarantee openness and transparency.

    The broader remit of the enforcement review enables us to set better, more wide-ranging public service agreement targets, ensuring that enforcement is carried out to a consistent standard. the current target (to achieve a 10 per cent. increase in the amount recovered per pound under executed warrants issued in the county courts in 2001–04) was due to be reviewed in July 2001. The new target will need to take account of the findings of the enforcement review, to be more closely linked to service delivery and to measure return to the customer. We will now set new targets for civil enforcement by December 2001 and implement them in 2002.

  SCOTLAND

    Disability Rights Commission
    Mr. Tom Clarke
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when she next plans to meet the Disability Rights Commission to discuss the promotion of the commission's remit in Scotland.[159293]

    Mr. Foulkes
    My officials met the Disability Rights Commission on 9 April. I hope to meet the Commission shortly.

    Fuel Duties
    Mr. Paterson
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will make a statement about the impact on rural and cross-border transport of fuel duties in Scotland. [159294]

    Mr. Foulkes
    In his Budget 2001 report, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a number of measures to encourage cleaner road transport, to improve access to cheaper motoring for people who need to use their cars and to enhance the efficiency and environmental sustainability of the UK haulage industry.

    This package of measures represents a balance between economic, environmental and social concerns and should help mitigate the impact of fuel costs on rural and cross border transport. All motorists will benefit by an equivalent of four pence per litre cut on fuel duty and hauliers by an equivalent seven pence per litre. The proposed reforms to the lorry vehicle excise duty regime will bring typical duty rates for the cleanest vehicles down to among the lowest in Europe.

    Barnett Formula
    Mr. Evans
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when she last met the First Minister, what discussions she had in relation to reform of the Barnett formula. [159295]

    Mrs. Liddell
    I meet regularly with my colleague the First Minister to discuss a wide range of issues. This Government have no plans to change the Barnett formula.

    Mr. Jack
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent proposals she has put forward about reform of the Barnett formula; and if she will make a statement. [159299]

    Mrs. Liddell
    The Government have no plans to scrap or to review the Barnett formula. It has provided stable settlements under successive Governments for over 20 years. The Barnett formula is also flexible. It leaves detailed decisions on the allocation of resources for devolved programmes to the Scottish Executive and the Scottish Parliament. Finally, the Barnett formula is fair, because it gives the same overall increases for devolved programmes per head of population in all four parts of the UK.

    The Economy
    Mr. Donohoe
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when she last met the First Minister to discuss the Scottish economy. [159296]

    Mrs. Liddell
    I have regular discussions with the First Minister on a wide range of issues including the commitment of this Government to maintaining in Scotland, as in the whole of the UK, a stable and successful economy, which allows everyone to share in the nation's rising prosperity.

    East Ayrshire (Rail Links)
    Mr. Browne
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions she has had with(a) Railtrack and (b) the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive about financial support for the improvement of rail links to East Ayrshire. [159298]

    Mr. Foulkes
    The Government are determined to deliver a safe, modern and high quality railway system. Investment in the railway industry in Scotland, and indeed elsewhere in the UK, is principally a matter for the industry itself. As part of Railtrack's national regeneration scheme, £1.85 million has already been invested in the refurbishment of Kilmarnock Station. Furthermore, Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive has committed funds to extend car parking at Kilmarnock station to 111 spaces, effectively doubling capacity.

    The Strategic Rail Authority, under the guidance of the Scottish Executive, has asked Railtrack to cost a number of enhancement options. One option being considered is the creation of a two mile dynamic loop between Stewarton and Dunlop, which would effectively double the single track. This option would have the potential to increase service frequency between Kilmarnock and Glasgow.

    Minimum Income Guarantee
    John Robertson
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans she has to meet pensioner organisations in Scotland to discuss pension levels and the take-up of the Minimum Income Guarantee. [159300]

    Mr. Foulkes
    We are happy to meet pensioner organisations at any time. The Minimum Income Guarantee has been a great success, taken up by 172,000 claimants in Scotland with some 3,700 in Glasgow Anniesland.

    Highlands (Economic Development)
    Mr. Maclennan
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Defence concerning the impact of his Department's policies and programmes on the economic development of the highlands. [159301]

    Mrs. Liddell
    I have regular contact with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on a range of issues. On the basis of the most recent figures available, defence expenditure in Scotland is estimated at approximately £1.8 billion and supports, directly and indirectly, approximately 60,000 jobs. My right hon. Friend is very aware of the importance of defence related contracts to the economy of the Highlands and Islands.

    Northern Ireland (Transport Links)
    Mr. Eric Clarke
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions she has had regarding the future ferry services and improved road links between Scotland and Northern Ireland. [159302]

    Mrs. Liddell
    The Government are aware of the potential economic benefits of improving transport links between Scotland and Northern Ireland. My Department, in close consultation with the Scottish and Northern Ireland Executives, has been examining the case for a Public Service Obligation to establish a ferry link between Campbeltown and Ballycastle. I am pleased to announce that, in accordance with European Union rules, my Department will now invite potential operators for such a service to come forward with costed proposals. Subject to further evaluation of the costs and benefits of such a service, this will enable the Government to make progress this summer.

    Children's Tax Credit
    Miss Begg
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action she is taking to encourage the take-up of the Children's Tax Credit in Scotland.[159303]

    Mr. Foulkes
    My right hon. Friend launched the Children's Tax Credit in Scotland at the Inland Revenue's centre in East Kilbride as part of a successful UK campaign to remind people to claim the credit. She also promoted its up-take while visiting Lloyds TSB Scotland in Aberdeen. It can benefit up to 400,000 families in Scotland.

    Mr. McFall
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions she has had with the Scottish Executive about methods of publicising the Children's Tax Credit in Scotland.[159306]
    59W
    Mr. Foulkes
    We are in regular contact with colleagues in the Scottish Executive on a wide range of matters. My right hon. Friend launched the Children's Tax Credit in Scotland at the Inland Revenue's centre in East Kilbride as part of a successful UK campaign to remind people to claim the credit. She also promoted its up-take while visiting Lloyds TSB Scotland in Aberdeen. It can benefit up to 400,000 families in Scotland.

    Child Poverty
    Mr. David Marshall
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will make a statement about the number of children living in poverty in Scotland in each year since 1997.[159304]

    Mr. Foulkes
    This Government have taken major steps to tackle child poverty since 1997. Measures taken include record increases in universal child benefit, which for the first child has risen in real terms by 26 per cent. since 1997; the Children's Tax Credit, which could benefit up to 400,000 families in Scotland; the Working Families Tax Credit which benefits around 110,000 Scottish families; and the National Minimum Wage which benefits around 120,000 workers in Scotland. The Government have also just published a consultation on two new proposals, the Child Trust Fund and the Saving Gateway, which will take further steps to tackle child poverty.

    Tourism
    Mr. Alasdair Morgan
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions she has had with the First Minister regarding the tourism industry in Scotland. [159305]

    Mrs. Liddell
    I have regular contact with the First Minister to discuss a wide range of issues. The Government and the Scottish Executive have already committed additional support for Dumfries and Galloway and I will continue to work with my colleagues in the Government and with the Scottish Executive to promote the message that "Scotland is open for business".

    Textile Industry
    Mrs. Ewing
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will make a statement on the textile industry in Scotland. [159307]

    Mrs. Liddell
    I have met with a wide range of people to discuss the Scottish textiles industry. While I am enthusiastic about the extremely high quality of much of Scotland's textiles industry, we have to understand that we cannot compete on costs alone, particularly against low-waged economies. I shall continue to support efforts to promote our excellent textiles industry and to develop new and existing markets which will help to ensure a prosperous and secure future for the industry.

    New Deal 50-plus
    Mr. Roy
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will make a statement about the New Deal 50-plus in Scotland. [159308]

    Mr. Foulkes
    The New Deal 50-plus has proved a very effective way of helping people aged 50 and over return to work. 4,103 people in Scotland have entered work and 60W
    benefited from the programme in the form of employment credits worth up to £60 per week which guarantees a minimum full-time wage of £9,000 per annum.

    Gaelic Language
    Mrs. Ray Michie
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport about the implementation of the European charter for regional or minority languages regarding the Gaelic language; and if she will make a statement. [159309]

    Mr. Foulkes
    The Government have made our commitment to the promotion and development of the Gaelic language clear by ratifying the Charter; and we are working with the Scottish Executive to take forward its implementation.

    Defence-related Employment
    Ms Squire
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions she has had with the Defence Secretary concerning defence-related employment in Scotland. [159310]

    Mrs. Liddell
    I have regular contact with the Ministry of Defence on a range of issues. Scotland continues to benefit, directly and indirectly, from Ministry of Defence employment and spending. On the basis of the most recent figures available, defence expenditure in Scotland is estimated at approximately £1.8 billion and supports, directly and indirectly, approximately 60,000 jobs. Clearly defence expenditure is both substantial and important to the Scottish economy.

    Foot and Mouth
    Mr. Gray
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will make a statement about the responsibilities of her Department in relation to the handling of the foot and mouth outbreak in Scotland. [159311]

    Mrs. Liddell
    The handling of the foot and mouth outbreak in Scotland is a matter for the Scottish Executive in conjunction with the State Veterinary Service and the armed forces. My Department stand ready to assist in any way including the representation of Scottish interests in Whitehall.

    Minimum Wage
    Mr. David Stewart
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will make a statement on the effect of the national minimum wage on wage rates in Scotland. [159312]

    Mr. Foulkes
    The Office for National Statistics' latest estimate of low pay (combining New Earning Survey and Labour Force Survey statistics) show that the National Minimum Wage is having a direct and beneficial impact on the pay of the lowest paid workers in Scotland. The latest data also show that it has helped close the gap between the highest and lowest earners and helped reduce the differential between men's and women's pay. This has been achieved without any discernible adverse impact on the economy. The minimum wage has benefited at least 120,000 workers in Scotland.

  ADVOCATE-GENERAL

    International Criminal Court
    Mr. Browne
    To ask the Advocate-General what discussions she had with the Scottish Executive about the ratification of the Rome statute on the International Criminal Court.[159315]

    The Advocate-General for Scotland
    I have had no such discussions with the Scottish Executive.

    Devolution
    Mr. McFall
    To ask the Advocate-General in what proportion of the devolution issue cases referred to her she has intervened since 3 April. [159316]

    The Advocate-General for Scotland
    From 3 April to 30 April, 31 devolution issue cases have been intimated to me. Twenty two of these related to delay in criminal proceedings. I have considered each one and judged that no intervention was appropriate.

    John Robertson
    To ask the Advocate-General what criteria she applies in reaching her decisions on which devolution issue cases to intervene in. [159317]

    The Advocate-General for Scotland
    I examine every devolution issue intimated to me before determining whether or not to intervene. The criteria I apply are not rigid, and generally I intervene, at appeal or Privy Council level, where the case raises important issues of principle for the UK as a whole. Many cases involving devolution issues raise similar points and are dealt with satisfactorily by the lower courts and therefore I intervene less frequently at first instance.

  HOUSE OF COMMONS

    People's Peers
    Mr. Gordon Prentice
    To ask the President of the Council what recent discussions she has had with the chairman of the House of Lords Appointments Commission on giving rejected applicants for a people's peerage the reasons for their rejection if the applicant so requests. [159334]

    Mr. Tipping
    None. The Appointments Commission is an independent body and Ministers do not interfere in the way it conducts its business within its terms of reference.

    Mr. Gordon Prentice
    To ask the President of the Council what the length of tenure of the Chairman of the House of Lords Appointments Commission is; and what plans she has to change the way his successor is selected. [160313]

    Mrs. Beckett
    Three years. There are no plans to change the way a chairman of the present Appointments Commission might be selected in the future, since the procedure followed the requirements of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

    Mr. Gordon Prentice
    To ask the President of the Council if the House of Lords Appointments Commission intends to interview persons recommended for peerages by the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Liberal Democrats. [160326]
    62W
    Mrs. Beckett
    No. The Commission has no remit to interview those recommended by the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Liberal Democrats.

    Mr. Gordon Prentice
    To ask the President of the Council what criteria will be used by the House of Lords Appointments Commission in deciding whether to accept persons recommended for peerages by the Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Liberal Democrats. [160325]

    Mrs. Beckett
    The Commission carries out the role hitherto exercised by the political Honours Scrutiny Committee. It will look at all persons put forward by the political parties to ensure that they meet the highest standards of propriety. I understand that the Commission has said that it will seek assurances that someone is not and never has been a threat to national security, that he or she has complied in a straightforward way with obligations in relation to taxation and the receipt of benefits and the Commission will take into account any serious criminal offences. Information will also be sought as to any donations made to the party concerned by the individual recommended. The commission has set its approach in a published information pack and on its website.

    Mr. Gordon Prentice
    To ask the President of the Council on what dates in the current year the House of Lords Appointments Commission plans to undertake regional road shows to encourage potential people's peers to apply. [160314]

    Mrs. Beckett
    I understand that the Commission has yet to consider detailed plans for its future programme of regional roadshows.

    Mr. Gordon Prentice
    To ask the President of the Council by what method the Chairman of the House of Lords Appointments Commission was selected; what qualities were sought from applicants; who was involved in the preliminary sift of applications and in the final selection; and if he will make a statement. [160312]

    Mrs. Beckett
    The Chairman of the House of Lords Appointments Commission was selected by an open selection process conducted in accordance with the rules of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (the "Nolan principles"). The advertisement for the Chairman specified that the Government were looking for someone who:Was committed to making the House of Lords a body that is fully representative of all aspects of UK society and culture;
    Had a track record of significant achievement in public, private, or voluntary sector organisations;
    Had undisputed integrity and the ability to think clearly and exercise sound judgment, and had no positions and interests that might cast doubt on their ability to act impartially;
    Could provide a breadth of experience to the Commission;
    Had the ability to provide firm leadership, ensuring that the Commission's procedures reflected best public appointments practice;
    Could demonstrate excellent communication skills, including managing the media, and the ability to act as a spokesman for the Commission; and
    Had a personal style that demonstrated authority, commitment, consistency and fairness in all dealings.
    63W
    The selection of the name to be recommended to the Prime Minister was made by a panel chaired by the Secretary of the Cabinet, assisted by Lord Fellowes and Ms Ann Abraham, the Legal Services Ombudsman and a member of the Wicks Committee, together with two independent assessors who were Sir Herman Ouseley and Ms Paula Grayson, an independent consultant. The process was assisted by recruitment consultants from PricewaterhouseCoopers, which made a preliminary assessment of applicants suitability against the criteria, but the panel saw and considered all applications.

    PDVN Network
    Mr. David Taylor
    To ask the President of the Council what plans she has to bring forward proposals to the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons to improve the level of investment in the PDVN network. [159337]

    Mr. Tipping
    The Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons is looking at IT provision for Members, but matters such as investment are not within its remit.

    Modernisation Proposals
    Mr. Peter Bottomley
    To ask the President of the Council to ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, (Mr. Kirkwood) representing the House of Commons Commission, which staffing reports concerning overloading in Departments of the House have not been acted on in the past two years. [159339]

    Mr. Kirkwood
    There have been no staffing reports concerning overloading in Departments of the House in the last two years, but the internal review service has scrutinised Departments' manpower forecasts in the context of the annual resource planning exercise.

    Helen Jackson
    To ask the President of the Council what proposals she has further to modernise proceedings in the House. [159340]

    Mrs. Beckett
    I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave today to the hon. Member for New Forest, West (Mr. Swayne).

    Voting Procedures
    Mr. MacShane
    To ask the President of the Council what proposals she has to speed up voting procedures in the House. [159341]

    Mr. Tipping
    The Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons is keeping voting methods under review.

    Health Strategy Sub-committee
    Mr. Ben Chapman
    To ask the President of the Council if she will make a statement on the role of the ministerial sub-committee on Health Strategy. [159342]

    Mrs. Beckett
    The terms of reference of the sub-committee are"to oversee the development, implementation and monitoring of the Government's health strategy; and to report as necessary to the Ministerial Committee on Home and Social Affairs".

    IT Facilities
    Mr. Ian Bruce
    To ask the President of the Council when she expects to implement the Senior Salaries Review Body proposals on information technology facilities for hon. Members. [159343]

    Mr. Tipping
    The House will first have to decide whether it accepts those recommendations, which I expect to be debated in due course.

    Swearing In
    Mr. Mackinlay
    To ask the President of the Council if she will bring forward proposals to the Select Committee on the Modernisation of the House of Commons on measures to speed up the swearing in of hon. Members following a general election. [160315]

    Mrs. Beckett
    The procedure for swearing in is set out in the Parliamentary Oaths Act 1866 and I am afraid that radical change would require primary legislation. Those aspects within the House's control were examined by the Procedure Committee in Session 1995–96, and changes were made as a result of their recommendations.

    TRADE AND INDUSTRY

      Paid Paternity Leave
      Ms Kelly
      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how the Government plan to take forward paid paternity leave as announced in the Budget. [160588]

      Mrs. Humble
      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how the Government plan to take forward the paid adoption leave announced in the Budget. [160587]

      Mr. Byers
      The Budget announced that paid paternity leave and adoption leave would be introduced in 2003. These were based on options put forward in the Green Paper "Work and Parents, Competitiveness and Choice". The introduction of systems for paid paternity leave and paid adoption leave will be a step forward in meeting the Government's aim to improve choice for parents and enhance competitiveness for business.

      Paid paternity leave will give working fathers the choice to support their partner around the birth of their child and help adapt to the responsibilities raising a new-born child brings. Paid adoption leave will recognise the commitment given by adoptive families by providing an adoptive parent with the opportunity of 26 weeks leave paid at the flat rate of statutory maternity pay. In addition the Government are to provide a further 26 weeks additional unpaid adoption leave bringing parity with the extension of unpaid maternity leave announced in response to my hon. Friend the Member for Enfield, North (Ms Ryan) on 1 May 2001, Official Report, column 548W.

      Both paternity leave and adoption leave received strong support from parents, employers and their representatives in responses to the consultation and during discussions with ministers and officials. Employers and parents asked that wherever appropriate the systems should seek to mirror mothers maternity provisions to aid consistency and simplicity. They also stressed that the systems should adopt a light-touch approach and be as simple as possible to administer.

      I have responded to these calls by today publishing frameworks for paid paternity leave and adoption leave based on suggestions put forward. Both frameworks include an assessment of their likely benefits and costs.

      The paternity leave framework particularly adopts a number of approaches asked for by employers. To be eligible for paid paternity leave fathers will have to have served a qualifying period. To ease the administration, paternity leave will have to be taken in a single block and taken within the first two months of the child's birth. And the payment mechanism will be similar to that used for SMP.

      The adoption leave framework builds on the existing support for adoptive parents. It will be available to those parents adopting children of up to 18 years of age and where couples adopt jointly it will be for them to choose who takes the paid adoption leave.

      I welcome comments on these frameworks and have placed copies of the documents in the Library of the House today.

      Post Office Network
      Mr. Quinn
      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on recent developments in the post office network. [160589]

      Mr. Byers
      I am pleased to announce that the Government have reached agreement for the introduction of Universal Banking Services with 11 major institutions. The terms of a Memorandum of Understanding have been agreed and copies are being placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

      The banks will make their basic bank accounts accessible through the 18,000 post offices in the network, contribute £180 million to the costs of the Post Office card account, and commit to simple and straightforward account opening for those without bank accounts.

      This is a major step forward both in ensuring the future of the post office network and in tackling financial exclusion. Universal Banking Services will provide a range of banking services which will enable a new income stream to come into the network and bring those people currently without bank accounts into the financial mainstream.

      It is the latest in a number of measures the Government have announced recently to help strengthen the post office network.

      In February I announced a new Government fund to help with the costs of relocating and refurbishing rural post offices. Grants to this fund now being considered include proposals to reopen rural offices near Dover and Cardiff. The Government hope to make several more similar grants shortly and this fund could provide the impetus for reopening up to 200 offices nationwide.

      In March, we launched the latest phase in order to pilot post offices in Leicestershire and Rutland as "Government General Practitioners"—a new service that will offer a wide range of information and access to Government services aimed at the general public.

      Last month I announced the appointment of Allan Leighton to the Board of the new Post Office company, Consignia, as one of five non-executive directors.

      The appointment will add to the skills and experience available to Consignia. He will take special interest in the future development of the post office network.

      I am informed by the Post Office that, subject to final verification, a net total of 112 urban offices and 435 rural offices closed in the year ending 26 March 20011. Of the closures in the year, only four are permanent.

      The primary reason for temporary closures is the retirement of sub-postmasters.

      In addition, 123 rural and 46 urban offices reopened in the year. Also, subject to final verification, net closures in the final quarter of the year ending 26 March 2001 were 113.

      This indicates a significant downward trend in post office closures compared with the third quarter when net closures were 135 and the first half of the year when closures were running at a rate of 150 per quarter.
      67W
      This means that during the period April 2000 to March 2001, in the first half of the year net closures were running at 300, whereas in the final half of the year closures were 17 per cent. lower at 248.

      This would appear to indicate that the positive and practical steps taken following the performance and innovation unit report in June are having a beneficial effect.
      1based on the Post Office's traditional definition of rural offices as those serving communities with under 6,300 residents.

      Astra
      Mr. Bradshaw
      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action the Department of Trade and Industry took in relation to an application for discovery in the Astra case at the High Court on 28 November 1997; what the costs of the application were to the Department's funds; and if he will make a statement. [160140]

      Dr. Howells
      [holding answer 3 May 2001]: The Department complied with all orders made by the court in the disqualification proceedings in the case of Astra Holdings Plc heard on 28 November 1997.

      It is not possible to determine the cost of individual applications in the proceedings without disproportionate cost.

      Mr. Moulsdale
      Mr. Bradshaw
      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he received a request for a copy of the letter relating to Mr. Moulsdale; and what was his response. [160139]

      Dr. Howells
      [holding answer 3 May 2001]: I am not aware of "the letter relating to Mr. Moulsdale" to which my hon. Friend refers.

      Cosmetic Testing
      Mr. Cawsey
      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on(a) his policy on a EU ban on cosmetics tested on animals and (b) the impact of this policy on the UK-wide ban on cosmetics tested on animals; and if he will make a statement. [160361]

      Dr. Howells
      The Government are seriously committed to ensuring the protection of animal welfare. Currently the UK has a voluntary ban on animal tests for cosmetic products and ingredients. However, we believe that securing an EU ban on testing cosmetic products and ingredients on animals, as proposed in the Council's draft 7th Amendment to the Cosmetics Directive, is an important step to achieving real improvements in animal welfare across the whole of the European Community.

      Supermarkets
      Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the impact of prohibitions in below-cost selling, with special reference to the recent report of the Competition Commission on the trading restrictions of supermarkets. [160099]
      68W
      Dr. Howells
      The Competition Commission made an adverse finding in relation to persistent selling below cost of certain frequently purchased goods. However, they concluded that a prohibition of the practice would itself have adverse effects, for example consumers might pay more for their shopping basket overall, and that the degree of intervention and monitoring required by a prohibition would be disproportionate to the problem. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry accepted the recommendation made by the Competition Commission not to prohibit below-cost selling of certain frequently purchased goods.

      Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme
      Mr. Gill
      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reason hauliers are excluded from access to the Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme. [160405]

      Ms Hewitt
      The Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme operates under the European Commission Block Exemption Regulations on de minimis aid to small and medium-sized enterprises. This specifically excludes the transport sector.

      UK/US Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty
      Mrs. Gilroy
      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on recent developments concerning the UK/US Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty. [160610]

      Dr. Howells
      A side letter to the treaty formerly excluded competition cases from its provisions. As part of this Government's policy of improving international co-operation in the fight against international cartels, we have decided that this exclusion is no longer justified. We have therefore agreed with the US Administration that the side letter should be amended in order to bring such cases within the scope of the treaty; an exchange of Notes Verbals dated 30 April and 1 May brings this amendment into effect. The text of this exchange has been laid in the Library of the House.

      This action underlines the Government's commitment to improving co-operation in the competition area. In addition, any disclosure of competition-related information to the US will now be subject to the same safeguards as apply in other cases.

      Habitats and Birds Directives
      Mrs. Humble
      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce regulations to apply the Habitats and Birds Directives to the UK Continental Shelf; and when he will be in a position to make licence awards in the Nineteenth Round of offshore petroleum licensing. [160586]

      Mr. Hain
      I have today laid Regulations which apply the EU Birds and Habitats Directives to offshore petroleum licensing, and activities carried out under those licences. The Regulations introduce, for the first time, a requirement that seismic surveys must be granted consent by the Secretary of State before they can take place. They also cover the granting of authorisations for pipelines and approval of decommissioning plans. They serve to emphasise the importance of marine habitat and species protection.
      69W
      The Offshore Petroleum Activities (Conservation of Habitats) Regulations (No 2001/1754), which will come into force on 31 May, take account of a number of helpful comments received by my Department following a wide-ranging public consultation on earlier draft proposals.

      These Regulations mark a substantial improvement in the transparency of our environmental and licensing regimes. In particular, the Regulations require that the objectives of the Directives are met not just for habitats that are already identified as needing conservation or protection, but also those that the Government are likely to nominate in the future.

      I am also pleased to announce that the DTI has completed the assessment of the applications made in the Nineteenth Round of offshore petroleum licensing against financial, environmental and technical criteria. Environmental factors have been considered in the light of an independent comprehensive strategic environmental assessment of that part of the UK Continental Shelf between the Shetland and Faroes Islands that is the subject of the round (the 'White Zone'), and as though these Regulations were already in force and fully in accordance with the Habitats and Birds Directives. I intend to make licence awards to the following companies, once the Regulations come into force.

      Block/Operator

      Partners

      176/20

      Amerada Hess Ltd.

      BG International (NSW) Ltd.

      Dong Efterforskning OG Produktion

      176/25

      Phillips Petroleum Company UK Ltd.

      Statoil UK Ltd.

      Veba Oil & Gas UK Ltd.

      104/9 + 204/10

      Amerada Hess Ltd.

      Texaco North Sea UK Company

      Dong Efterforskning OG Produktion

      OMV (UK) Ltd.

      204/16

      Amerada

      BG International (NSW) Ltd.

      Dong Efterforskning OG Produktion

      204/17

      Texaco North Sea UK Company

      Conoco UK Ltd.

      EDC (Europe) Ltd.

      204/18

      BP Exploration Operating Company Ltd.

      Shell UK Ltd.

      204/21

      Amerada Hess Ltd.

      BG International (NSW) Ltd.

      Dong Efterforskning OG Produktion

      213/5 + 214/1

      Texaco North Sea UK Company

      Intrepid Energy North Sea Ltd.

      213/26 + 213/27

      Texaco North Sea UK Company

      As a result of the licence awards, at least seven exploration wells will be drilled in the White Zone—an area which has world class potential for significant petroleum discoveries. Developments here would provide a significant boost for jobs in Scotland and north-east England as well as boosting the UK economy generally.

      Research Spending
      Mr. Llwyd
      To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will provide a breakdown of the regional distribution of(a) spending by the Research Councils and (b)Government research spending. [160457]
      70W
      Mr. Alan Johnson
      (a) Of the £1.449 billion spent by the Research Councils during 1999–2000, £1.271 billion (around 88 per cent.) was spent on research in the UK. The remainder was spent mainly on international subscriptions (7 per cent.) and central expenditure (5 per cent.).

      The expenditure in each of the home countries is given in the table.

      £million

      Percentage

      England

      1,098

      75.8

      Scotland

      141

      9.7

      Wales

      28

      1.9

      Northern Ireland

      5

      0.3

      Using Research Council expenditure in universities only, a distribution of spend in the English Government Office regions and the other home countries can be obtained as follows:

      Region

      £million

      Percentage

      East

      57.7

      10.5

      East Midlands

      28.6

      5.2

      London

      110.5

      20.1

      North East

      16.6

      3.0

      North West

      56.9

      10.4

      South East

      82.9

      15.1

      South West

      27.3

      5.0

      West Midlands

      32.2

      5.9

      Yorkshire and the Humber

      47.7

      8.7

      England total

      460.5

      83.8

      Scotland

      66.1

      12.0

      Wales

      18.2

      3.3

      Northern Ireland

      4.7

      0.9

      Grand total

      549.5

      100.0

      (b) The following figures for the intramural expenditure for Government Departments, excluding Research Councils, are calculated by the Office for National Statistics on a "pro rata" basis from the regional employment splits.

      £million

      Percentage

      East

      22.9

      3.1

      East Midlands

      4.4

      0.6

      London

      76.7

      10.4

      North East

      0.3

      0.04

      North West

      2.9

      0.4

      South East

      271.3

      36.7

      South West

      115.3

      15.6

      West Midlands

      110.2

      14.9

      Yorkshire and the Humber

      27.7

      3.8

      England total

      631.7

      85.8

      71W

      £million

      Percentage

      Scotland

      70.6

      9.6

      Wales

      20.6

      2.8

      Northern Ireland

      8.0

      1.1

      Grand total

      730.9

      100.0

      Research Spending

        Post Offices (VED)
        Mr. Salmond
        To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many VED licences were issued through post offices in each of the last five years. [160397]

        Mr. Alan Johnson
        I understand from the Post Office that the numbers of motor vehicle licences issued through post offices in each of the last five years for which verified figures are available was as follows:

        Year

        Million

        March 1996

        34

        March 1997

        35

        March 1998

        35

        March 1999

        36

        March 2000

        38

        Mr. Salmond
        To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will bring forward proposals to allow all post office and sub-post office outlets to issue VED licences; and if he will make a statement. [160399]

        Mr. Alan Johnson
        We are giving active consideration to increasing the number of post offices and sub-post offices that can issue VED licences.

        Mr. Salmond
        To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post office outlets there are in Scotland; and how many of these are authorised to issue VED licences. [160398]

        Mr. Alan Johnson
        I understand from the Post Office that at the end of December 2000 there were 1,948 post offices operating in Scotland, of which 519 were authorised to issue motor vehicle licences.

        Textile and Apparel Manufacturing
        Mr. Nicholas Winterton
        To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what proportion of national industrial capacity is made up of textile and apparel manufacturing; [160253]

        (2) what recent representations he has received regarding the future of the United Kingdom textile manufacturing and apparel industry; and if he will make a statement; [160252]

        (3) what assessment he has made of the reasons for the declining capacity of the UK textile manufacturing and apparel industry; [160254]

        (4) what recent steps his Department has taken in the domestic and international markets to promote the interests of the UK textile manufacturing and apparel industry; [160351]

        (5) what recent steps his Department has taken to encourage expansion in the capacity of the UK textile manufacturing and apparel industry. [160255]
        72W
        Mr. Alan Johnson
        The Government are committed to retaining a viable textile and clothing industry and are keen to ensure that it remains as competitive as possible. With this aim in mind, my Department has worked closely with the industry-led Textile and Clothing Strategy Group (TCSG), which was established in 1999 in response to concerns from the industry about its future. We have extensive contact with the industry but it is through this forum that we receive the most comprehensive representation. The TCSG report, "A National Strategy for the UK Textile and Clothing Industry", was published on 6 June 2000, and includes a series of recommendations for action, directed both at Government and industry.

        My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry together with my hon. Friend the Minister for Employment, Welfare to Work and Equal Opportunities made an immediate and positive response to these recommendations at the launch of the Strategy with an initial 12 Point Plan for the Industry. This package of measures is designed to enable the industry to develop and to adapt to the challenges of the knowledge economy.

        The plan includes measures to support design talent, to promote and support the development and exploitation of technical textile materials as well as additional help to exporters. The extended support for exporters includes the temporary relaxation of the rules for trade fair support to enable more textiles and clothing companies to receive assistance at certain events. Trade Partners UK spent £2.8 million on SESA supported events for the financial year 2000–01 in the textiles and clothing sectors. This compares with £1.5 million in 1999–2000.

        The package also provides programmes to help retrain workers who might be affected by decisions that have been taken on closures. Details of the 12-point plan and its implementation and other support available can be found on http://www.dti.gov.uk/support/textile.htm

        The Government fully recognise that for a variety of reasons, including globalisation, new technology and restructuring, the textile industry in particular is under significant pressure. Government assistance in total to the textile and clothing industry since coming into office in May 1997 amounts to more than £75 million, including more than £40 million granted to textile and clothing companies by way of regional selective assistance (RSA). This RSA support has been spread across a large number of companies and has led to investment by the companies concerned of a further £250 million, safeguarding or creating 10,000 jobs in the sector.

        The DTI's Consumer Goods and Services Directorate is also currently helping to fund around 30 projects aimed at supporting innovation and boosting competitiveness, and these will also encourage growth in the sector and contribute to safeguarding employment.

        Value added of the UK textile and clothing industry represented 4.3 per cent. of manufacturing Gross Value Added (0.8 per cent. of total Gross Value Added) in 1999, the latest whole year for which data are available.
        73W
        Note:

        Comprises Standard Industrial Classification Subsection DB—Manufacture of textiles and wearing apparel; dressing and dyeing of fur.

        Source:

        Office for National Statistics—derived from United Kingdom National Accounts 2000 ("The Blue Book", Table 2.3

        Helplines
        Mr. Levitt
        To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what telephone helplines to assist the public are administered by his Department and its agencies. [159502]

        Dr. Howells
        [pursuant to the reply, 2 May 2001, c. 686–87W]: The Chief Executives of the Insolvency Service and the Patent Office have now replied.

        Letter from Peter Joyce to Mr. Tom Levitt, dated 8 May 2001:
        The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about telephone helplines administered by The Insolvency Service Executive Agency.
        While The Service cannot give advice on specific insolvency problems, it operates the following telephone helplines;
        The Insolvency Service Central Enquiry Line for general enquiries on insolvency procedures. The telephone number is 020 7291 6895 and is manned between 9 am and 5 pm. General enquiries can also be e-mailed to the Central Enquiry Line at Central.Enquiryline@insolvency.gsi.gov.uk
        The Service publishes a range of information leaflets. All its publications appear in full on its website at www.insolvency.gov.uk; and can be downloaded or ordered in hard copy from the site or by e-mailing Records.management@insolvency.gsi.gov.uk or from The Insolvency Service Publications Order Line on 0121 698 4241: the order line is manned between 9 am and 5 pm with an answer machine outside those hours on which an order can be left.
        The disqualified directors 'hotline' answer machine is open 24 hours a day on 0845 601 3546 for members of the public to provide information about disqualified directors and bankrupts who may be contravening the law. The hotline questionnaire can also be completed and submitted online via the website.
        Telephone numbers and e-mail addresses are advertised in The Service's publications and on its website. If a member of the public requires more information or has a query about a particular service or case he/she can contact the relevant Official Receiver Office or Headquarters Section direct: the postal and e-mail addresses and telephone numbers are given on The Service's website at www.insolvency.gov.uk or are available from the Central Enquiry Line.

        Letter from Alison Brimelow to Mr. Tom Levitt, dated 8 May 2001:
        I am replying to your Parliamentary Question tabled on 26 April 2001 which asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what telephone helplines to assist the public are administered by his Department and its Agencies.
        The Patent Office, an Executive Agency of the Department of Trade and Industry, operates a Central Enquiry Unit (CEU) to deal with a wide range of intellectual property (IP) enquiries made by telephone, Email, letter and in person. The CEU operators provide advice on general IP issues; detailed advice on particular scenarios; and, handle requests for our entire range of advisory publications.

        The telephone helpline can be reached via a single "lo-call rate" number (0845 9 500 505). A "lo-call rate" Minicom service is also available (0845 9 222250). These numbers are advertised on our publications and are also signposted on our website (www.patent.gov.uk) and the intellectual property Portal (www.intellectual-property.gov.uk).

      HOME DEPARTMENT

        Passport Service
        Mr. Hope
        To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the United Kingdom Passport Service will publish its Corporate and Business Plan. [160123]

        Mr. Straw
        The United Kingdom Passport Service Corporate and Business Plan for 2001–06 will be published today and a copy of the plan will be placed in the Library.

        HM Chief Inspector of Probation
        Maria Eagle
        To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who has been appointed as the next HM Chief Inspector of Probation; and if he will make a statement. [160597]

        Mr. Straw
        Recruitment for the post of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Probation has been run under Commissioner for Public Appointments guidelines following advertisements in the national press. The choice of candidates has been guided by an advisory panel including two independent assessors. As we announced on 6 April 2001,Official Report, column 357W, these were Baroness Stern, former Director of the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders and now Senior Research Fellow at the International Centre for Prison Studies, and Lord Laming, former Chief Inspector of the Social Services Inspectorate.

        From the candidates selected by the advisory panel, I have decided to appoint Professor Rodney Morgan as Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Probation. Professor Morgan is Director of the Centre of Criminology, Criminal Justice Faculty of Law at Bristol University and a member of the Parole Board.

        I am delighted that Professor Morgan has accepted this appointment, which will take effect from 1 August 2001. Through their expertise and rigour of approach the probation inspectorate has provided a major contribution to building a National Probation Service capable of providing the highest standards of service. I am confident that Professor Morgan will continue that tradition.

        Senator Pinochet
        Ms Perham
        To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total cost to public funds was of the extradition case of Senator Pinochet. [160723]

        Mr. Straw
        Four countries (Spain, France, Belgium and Switzerland) sought Senator Pinochet's extradition under the European Convention on Extradition. The final and total cost to public funds of handling these requests was £3,857,108.58. The breakdown of this is as follows:

        Costs Incurred by the Home Office: £670,588.82

        Treasury Solicitor's fees: £63,150.0001

        Disbursements (mainly Counsel's fees): £292,385.931

        Costs of the Kingdom of Belgium and Amnesty International: £155,081.68

        Costs of Medical Examination on 5 January 2000: £11,751.25
        Responding to public correspondence (this covers staff costs where letters were handled in house and Central Office of Information fees where letters were contracted out): £10,941.05 75W
        Staff Costs (estimated): £165,778.91

        1Of these two amounts £28,500.00 was recovered from Senator Pinochet under costs orders made against Senator Pinochet by the High Court.

        Costs Incurred by the Crown Prosecution Service: £676,691.00

        Counsel's fees: £425,077.00

        Staff Costs (estimated): £137,055.00

        Other Costs (interpreters, travel and subsistence and photocopying): £114,559.00

        Costs Incurred by the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers: £60,000.00

        Staff Costs (estimated): £60,000.00

        Costs Incurred by the Lord Chancellor's Department: £1,209,775.05
        The Law Lords ordered that Senator Pincohet's costs should be met from Central Funds for the first two hearings before the House of Lords in the unusual circumstances of the case. The costs paid from Central Funds were as follows:for the first hearing in the House of Lords: £270,935.89; and for the application to set aside the judgment following the first hearing in the House of Lords: £151,361.30 The costs of those Divisional court hearings in which Senator Pinochet was successful or which did not proceed, and the costs of the committal proceedings in Bow Street Magistrates court from 27 September to 1 October 1999, were also order to be paid from Central Funds. The costs of these hearings were £787,477.86.All these costs were ordered to be paid under Section 16 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985, and they fall to he paid out of the Lord Chancellor's Department's portion of central funds.Senator Pinochet received no legal aid funding in any of the proceedings against him.
        Treasury Solicitor's Fees: £100,053.76

        Amicus Curiae (costs and disbursements including Counsel's fees): £71,029.00

        Other costs and disbursements: £29,024.76

        Security Costs: £1,200,000.00
        Responsibility for Senator Pinochet's protection and detention were the responsibility of the Metropolitan police. For security reasons, it has long been the practice of successive Governments not to provide information about police operations relating to protection.The costs incurred by Surrey police relating to general policing and public order matters in relation to Senator Pinochet's residence in Wentworth were £1,200,000.00.All these figures include Value Added Tax where appropriate.

        Criminal Records Bureau
        Mr. Hepburn
        To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Criminal Records Bureau will publish its Corporate and Business Plan. [160689]

        Mr. Straw
        The Criminal Records Bureau Corporate and Business Plan has been published today and a copy of the plan has been placed in the Library.

        Prison Service
        Mr. Hepburn
        To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for the use of the private sector in the Prison Service. [160691]

        Mr. Straw
        I have asked Pat Carter, a non-executive member of the Strategy Board for Correctional Services, to carry out a review on the future role of the private sector in the prison system.

        I will publish his review and the Government's response to it in due course.

        European Refugee Fund
        Mr. Hepburn
        To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the organisations which successfully bid for 20OO and 2001 reception and integration funding under the European Refugee Fund. [160687]

        Mr. Mike O'Brien
        The successful bidders are:

        Reception

        Agroforep

        Provides skills training to 15 people, supporting 10 children with homework, 20 children/youth in language of country of origin, and providing education and health advice to a minimum of 50 refugees.

        Day-Mer Turkish and Kurdish Day Centre

        Provides a range of information technology (IT) resources for an estimated 205 Turkish and Kurdish refugees, including an after school club of 8 to 16-year-olds.

        Derby City Council

        Provides advice work, policy development and individual/group work to build community capacity initiatives for the reception of approximately 520 asylum seekers.

        Housing Association Charitable Trust (HACT)

        Aims to support 38 refugee community organisations in delivering housing and related services to in excess of 6,780 clients.

        Leicester City Council

        Provides a casework service for 900 refugees in order that they are able to access housing, education, employment and health services.

        Refugee Council

        Assists clients with particularly complex needs; also unaccompanied minors.

        Save the Children (Heathrow)

        Provides child-friendly facilities at Heathrow Airport for 192 unaccompanied minors, and recruits, trains and manages a dedicated adviser to work with them.

        Somali Advisory Bureau

        Assists long-term unemployed Somali refugees and their families by providing counselling, advocacy and advice on employment. training and welfare issues.

        Society of Voluntary Associates (SOVA)

        Provides health, accommodation and immigration advice to unaccompanied minors and also provides for the recruitment and training of volunteers.

        Tamil Relief Centre (TRC)

        Provides support and guidance to bridge cultural and language barriers of children, and also English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and basic skill classes for adult refugees. They will also access accommodation, health and welfare advice through existing TRC benefits. Sixty people will benefit from this project.

        Integration

        Anyadwe Families Association

        Provides extra educational support to 250 children of refugees and asylum seekers.

        Asphaleia Project

        Provides 10 unaccompanied minors with English language support, cultural guidance and work experience in order to better equip them for employment.

        Bolton Ethnic Minority Achievement Service

        Provides a co-ordinated multi-agency approach to ease the induction of 230 asylum seekers and refugees into Bolton by way of awareness and skill development according to need.
        77W
        Bournemouth Churches Housing Association

        A rent deposit loan scheme, to enable 230 properties to be accessed by refugees/those granted Exceptional Leave to Remain (ELR).

        Child Psychotherapy Trust

        Provides a therapy service to 20 refugee children and support to their families.

        Civic Trust

        Produces a handbook on good practice for mental health professionals and refugee community organisations in delivering culturally appropriate mental health service to refugees.

        East Lancashire Asylum and Refugee Support

        Provides for the training and managing of 20 volunteers to provide a one-stop service for those granted refugee status/ELR.

        East London Somali Association

        Provides an advocacy/outreach service to enable between 3,000 and 4,000 Somali nationals annually to access services such as education, health and welfare support.

        Ethnic Minority Achievement Team, Lambeth

        Provides an induction programme to deliver key skills in literacy, numeracy and IT to 30 students in the 14–16 age category, and also funds two refugee support teachers and two bilingual assistants to deliver the programme.

        Employability Forum

        Addresses the needs of refugees with professional qualifications and experience who seek employment in the United Kingdom.

        Ethiopian Association in Haringey

        Provides ESOL and IT training to in excess of 100 Ethiopian refugees.

        Glasgow North Ltd.

        Assists in widening employment opportunities for 300 refugees.

        Glasgow Young Men's Christian Association

        Provides accommodation after National Asylum Support Service (NASS) support ends; arranges, where appropriate, English training and cultural life skills.

        Hackney and Islington Refugee Training Partnership

        Provides customised vocational training in ESOL for 144 refugees, job-search and careers advice for 250 refugees and general advice and advocacy for 500 refugees.

        Hammersmith and Fulham Community Law Centre

        Establishes a local Refugee Forum, providing 30 annual projects in areas such as employment, health, education, training and benefits advice, to hundreds of refugees.

        London Action Trust

        Aims to improve access to benefits, education, training, employment and overall support to refugees who have offended and are on probation within the Probation Service.

        Middle East Christian Minorities Advice Centre

        Provides information and advice to between 400 and 500 refugees in areas such as eduction, training, employment, health, social and cultural needs. The project also offers help in domestic violence situations and advises on how women can access the police, legal advice and social workers/welfare officers.

        North East Consortium for Asylum Support Services (NECASS)

        Assists, supports and enables refugees towards long-term settlement in the north east via the use of Innovative Inter Co-ordination Team (ICT).

        Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities (NICEM)

        Provides ESOL training to unemployed refugees, and fast track IT training to highly skilled refugees. There will be an estimated 300 participants.

        Nottingham City Council Housing

        Improves access to benefits, accommodation, training and employment, in order to encourage resettlement locally, for approximately 400 refugees.
        78W
        PECAN Ltd.

        Provides ESOL training to unemployed refugees in general and fast-track IT training for highly skilled refugees in particular. An estimated 300 participants.

        Portsmouth City Council

        Provides mental health support for between 250 and 350 refugees and asylum seekers in a community based day-care facility.

        Refugee Council

        Promotes better access to key services—health, education, employment, benefits, housing for at least 15,500 refugees in the regions.

        Refugees into Jobs

        Provides a grant scheme for 100 refugees covering child care, travel costs, materials and books, employment or work placement materials, tuition and examination fees, business start-up costs.

        Refugee Women's Association

        Creates a network of mental health and social care support services to enable 1,200 refugee women to integrate into United Kingdom society.

        Save the Children (Scotland)

        Develops educational initiatives to promote the integration of 160 school-aged refugees/asylum seekers, 80 per cent. of whom have refugee status.

        Slough Borough Council

        Provides for two outreach workers to help refugees or those with ELR to integrate into host community. Encouraging self-reliance, concentrating on skills assessment and employment opportunities.

        Somali Cultural Centre

        Consolidates and expands the advice service, ensures appropriate service provision.

        TLC College

        Provides an employment and settlement project to increase the access of 500–600 refugees to education, training and employment.

        Wakefield Metropolitan District Council

        Provides staff and services in the areas of employment, accommodation and education.

        Waltham Forest Youth Service

        Provides a youth project for groups of 150 unaccompanied minors and young refugees to meet each other and break down cultural barriers.

        Arson Control Forum
        Mr. Hepburn
        To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Arson Control Forum new projects bidding exercise. [160690]

        Mr. Mike O'Brien
        I am very pleased to announce today the award of £1 million of grants by the Arson Control Forum to fire brigades in England and Wales for arson reduction initiatives.

        The Arson Control Forum was established last year with the aim of reducing the incidence of deliberate fires by 30 per cent. of the 1998–99 baseline by 31 March 2009; the desired outcome is to cut maliciously set fires from the current figure of 77,900 to 54,500 during this period. To achieve this aim, the Forum has been allocated a budget of £3.5 million over the three year period from April 2001. Some of this money will be used to fund research into the causes and prevention of arson, but most will be used to fund local fire brigade anti-arson initiatives. The size of the budget available to fund local projects this year is £1 million.
        79W
        The Chair of the Forum, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire Services, Graham Meldrum, wrote to all Chief Fire Officers inviting bids to be submitted to the Home Office by 31 March 2001. By the closing date for the exercise, we had received a total of 44 bids from 40 brigades, totalling £1,609,320.

        The bids were evaluated in accordance with Home Office procurement guidelines. All bids were carefully considered and we have agreed to wholly or part fund 25 of the 44 received, amounting to £996,664. Those bids that were successful met the following criteria:

        They had to show they had a good understanding of the scale of the arson problem in their area;

        They had to propose a solution which was geared to addressing the problem they had described;

        They had to say how the project would be managed;

        They had to say how they would measure success; and

        They had to show how the project would provide value for money.

        Projects supported by the Arson Control Forum

        Brigade

        £000

        Description of project

        Avon

        40,000

        Vehicle arson reduction scheme

        Bucks

        8,000

        Vehicle arson reduction scheme

        Cheshire

        40,000

        Support to police involvement in arson reduction

        Cornwall/Devon

        58,000

        Arson Task Force

        Cumbria

        36,000

        Arson audit scheme

        Derbyshire

        34,000

        Arson Reduction Co-ordinator

        Dorset

        62,000

        Vehicle arson reduction scheme

        East Sussex

        10,000

        Young offenders project

        Hampshire

        30,000

        Collaborative data sharing project

        Kent

        80,000

        Vehicle arson reduction scheme

        Lancashire

        50,000

        Arson Task Force

        Leicestershire

        38,000

        Arson Task Force

        Lincolnshire

        20,000

        Provision of IT system to support arson reduction

        London

        59,000

        Arson Task Force

        Luton and Beds

        60,000

        Arson Task Force

        Merseyside

        35,000

        Arson counselling scheme

        Mid and West Wales

        108,000

        Arson Task Force

        North Yorks

        30,000

        Arson Task Force

        Northumberland

        21,000

        Arson Reduction Co-ordinator

        Shropshire

        50,000

        Arson Task Force

        Suffolk

        1,000

        Provision of IT system to support arson reduction

        Tyne and Wear

        60,000

        Arson Task Force

        West Midlands

        15,000

        Hydrocarbon detector dog

        West Yorks

        38,000

        Schools arson audit

        Wilshire

        13,000

        Rural arson awareness scheme

        Total

        996,000

        Coroners (Review)
        Mr. Goggins
        To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will appoint the chairman for the fundamental review of the coroner system. [160780]

        Mr. Boateng
        I will make an announcement as soon as possible.

        Asylum Seekers
        Mr. Mitchell
        To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers and refugees have been allocated for dispersal to(a) the Grimsby cluster, (b) North Lincolnshire, (c) Lincolnshire and (d) East Riding; and on what basis the numbers going to each was decided. [158916]
        80W
        The projects we will be supporting range from those that have been successful elsewhere, such as the establishment of an arson task force comprising the fire, police and social services. Other projects are concentrating upon particular issues, such as arson in schools, vehicle arson or the development of community based solutions. The focus of all these projects has been partnership, either with the police, social services, the local authorities, schools and a range of others.

        There has also been a wide geographical spread. There are projects from Wales to Kent, and from the South West and the Midlands to the North West and East of England. The projects also range widely in terms of their target areas, from the inner-cities to rural areas, where the arson problem is often greater than people realise.

        The following projects have been supported.

        Mrs. Roche
        As at the end of April 2001, 201 asylum seekers (including dependants) were allocated accommodation in Grimsby by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS). No asylum seekers were allocated NASS accommodation in north Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire or East Riding.

        There are a number of factors that decide allocation including availability of accommodation, the individual merits of the case and local circumstances.
        1Figure rounded to the nearest 10
        Mr. Coleman
        To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum applications(a) are awaiting a decision by his Department and (b) have been appealed against a refusal of asylum on non-compliance

        81W
        grounds, which were made by nationals of (a) Somalia, (b) Sierra Leone, (c) Afghanistan, (d) Iraq, (e) Sri Lanka and (f) Congo. [159579]

        Mrs. Roche
        Information on the total number of applications awaiting an initial decision is published monthly on the web page:

        http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html

        The latest information on the number of applications outstanding at the end of 1999 by nationality is published in table 4.2 of the Asylum Bulletin.

        Information on the number of appeals against refusals on non-compliance grounds is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost by examination of the individual case files.

        Mr. Mitchell
        To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have been dispersed under the voluntary scheme from(a) North East Lincolnshire, (b) North Lincolnshire, (c) Lincolnshire, (d) North Yorkshire and (e) Cumbria. [159734]

        Mrs. Roche
        The information requested is not available. Statistics are not held centrally on the location of asylum seekers dispersed by local authorities under the voluntary dispersal scheme, as this scheme was the responsibility of local government.

      Crime (North-west)
      Mr. Evans
      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) robberies and (b) violent crimes in the north-west there were in each of the years from 1997 to date. [160081]

      Mr. Charles Clarke
      The table shows robbery and violent crime recorded crime statistics in the north-west, (the police force areas of Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside) for the calendar year 1997, subsequent fiscal years and the year ending September 2000.

      Recorded crime for North West Government Office Region

      Robbery

      Violent crime

      1997

      9,702

      46,224

      1997–98

      10,116

      50,503

      1998–99

      11,614

      87,039

      1999–2000

      12,911

      93,029

      1999–20001

      13,795

      92,804

      1Year ending September

      Note:

      It should be noted that, owing to the change in the Home Office's rule counting and classifying crime on 1 April 1998, figures for recorded crime before and after that date are not directly comparable.

      Haase Case
      Mr. Kilfoyle
      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the implications of the Haase case; and if he will review the criteria for the exercise of the Royal Prerogative of Mercy. [160375]

      Mr. Charles Clarke
      The use of the Royal Prerogative of Mercy to remit a prison sentence is a very rare occurrence and it is used only in exceptional circumstances. Partially as a result of its use in the case 82W
      of John Haase, I commissioned a review of the exercise of the Royal Prerogative of Mercy. This was completed recently and I am carefully considering the findings and recommendations of the review report.

      Detective Sergeant Peter Williams
      Mr. Kilfoyle
      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will initiate a review of the case of former Detective Sergeant Peter Williams, of the south-east regional crime squad. [160374]

      Mr. Charles Clarke
      The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that former Detective Sergeant Peter Williams, of the south-east regional crime squad, was dismissed from the Metropolitan Police service on 15 September 1999, having been found guilty of a number of disciplinary offences.

      The disciplinary action taken against Mr. Williams was under the Police (Discipline) Regulations 1985. Under these regulations, a police officer found guilty of disciplinary offences has a right of appeal to the Secretary of State. Mr. Williams has not chosen to appeal against the offences for which he has been found guilty.

      The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that there is no intention to review the case of former Detective Sergeant Peter Williams.

      Circuit Judges
      Mr. Denzil Davies
      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his estimate is of the reduction in the total number of circuit judges which will result from the anticipated reduction of cases held at Crown court following the implementation of the Criminal Justice (Mode of Trial) Bill. [160404]

      Mr. Charles Clarke
      Any savings in Crown court resources, which would result from the proposals in the Bill, would be dedicated to cases which genuinely need to be tried in the Crown court. My right hon. Friend the Lord Chancellor therefore has no plans to reduce the number of circuit judges.

      Illegal Entrants
      Mr. Howard
      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many illegal entrants to the United Kingdom were apprehended at the Eurotunnel terminal at Cheriton(a) in March, (b) in April and (c) since 1 January. [159681]

      Mrs. Roche
      [holding answer 30 April 2001]: In March this year 528 stowaways were apprehended at Cheriton, having gained unauthorised access to the Eurotunnel terminal at Coquelles and then boarding the company's freight shuttles. Up to midnight on 25 April, 508 stowaways were apprehended. From 1 January to midnight on 25 April, the figure is 1,703.

      Eurotunnel, who are responsible for security of the terminal and the trains at Coquelles, have commenced construction of an inner cordon of fencing around the platform and allocation areas where lorries wait to board the shuttles. This is scheduled to be completed by 31 May, however, the Immigration Service have asked for this to be accelerated.

      Entry Clearance
      Ms Oona King
      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the numbers who would benefit from the introduction of a concession to all those children who were wrongly refused entry clearance to join their families in the United Kingdom as a result of the ECO deciding that they were not related as claimed; and if he will explain how this figure has been arrived at. [159833]

      Mrs. Roche
      There is no reliable way of estimating the numbers who have been refused entry clearance on the basis that they were not related as claimed and where subsequent information proves that relationship. Neither can we reliably estimate the numbers who would benefit from the introduction of a concession to allow entry clearance in such cases.

      What we do know is that, in those cases where applicants were refused entry clearance on the basis that they were not related to the sponsor, the decisions of entry clearance officers were taken in good faith on the best evidence available at the time. We also know that, if such a concession were introduced, the pool of potential reapplicants, refused entry clearance over many years, would be very large.

      Family Visitor Appeals
      Mr. Simon Hughes
      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the net income has been from fees for family visitor appeals since 1 April; and how much of this net income relates to appeals which are still outstanding. [160464]

      Mrs. Roche
      The figures are not available in the form the hon. Member seeks, because of the number of appeals outstanding from the end of the last period. We calculate that the net income from fees for family visitor appeals in the period 2 October to 3 May 2001 is about £65,000. Of this, 48 per cent. relates to appeals which are currently outstanding and which may result in further refunds.

      Mr. Simon Hughes
      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total net income was from fees for family visitor appeals between 2 October 2000 and 31 March; and how much of that net income relates to appeals which are still outstanding. [160465]

      Mrs. Roche
      We calculate that the net income from fees for family visitor appeals in the period 2 October to 31 March 2001 is about £60,000. Of this, 48 per cent. relates to appeals which were outstanding on 31 March and which may result in further refunds.

      Immigration
      Mr. Simon Hughes
      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) individuals and (b) organisations giving immigration advice for profit are registered with the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner; and how many such organisations are in the process of registering with the OISC. [160466]
      84W
      Mrs. Roche
      I understand that as of 4 May 2001, the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) had received 89 registration applications from individuals providing immigration advice for profit and 49 such applications from organisations comprising two or more practitioners. Of these applications, 31 individuals and 16 organisations are now registered with the OISC; the remaining applications are under consideration.

      Youth Offending Teams
      Mr. Simon Hughes
      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 5 April 2001,Official Report, column 255W, when he intends to publish the inspection reports of the (a) Bournemouth and Poole and (b) Caernarfon youth offending teams; when inspection will commence on the other youth offending teams in the pilot; and if he will make a statement. [160458]

      Mr. Charles Clarke
      Two youth offending team inspections have been carried out by multi-disciplinary inspection teams who are considering their reports. They cover Bournemouth and Poole and Carmarthen, to which I assume the hon. Member is referring. The Carmarthen report will be published by the National Assembly for Wales in the summer. Publication arrangements are being made for the Bournemouth and Poole report, but the timing has yet to be decided. Decisions on which further areas to cover will be taken once the Youth Justice Board has completed its consideration of the future conduct of inspection and its own range of independent evaluation and monitoring of youth offending teams.

      Chief Probation Officer for London
      Mr. Simon Hughes
      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many civil servants have transferred to the office of the Chief Probation Officer for London; what their functions are; what the total cost to the Probation Service is; and if he will make a statement. [160473]

      Mr. Boateng
      This is a matter for the Board and the Chief Officer of the London Probation Area who arranged for the secondment of two Home Office civil servants to assist the Area through a period of considerable change. Their role and cost to the London Probation Area are matters for the Board and Chief Officer.

      Parliamentary Questions
      Mr. Kaufman
      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost was of answering parliamentary question (Ref 159969) from the right hon. Member for Maidstone and The Weald (Miss Widdecombe). [160501]

      Mr. Charles Clarke
      Answering this parliamentary question is estimated to have cost the Home Office less than £25. Exact records of the time taken were not kept.

      Stop and Search
      Mr. Lidington
      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many stops and searches were conducted(a) in total and (b) per 1,000 population, and

      85W
      what percentage resulted in an arrest, in each police force area in England and Wales in 2000–01 broken down by ethnic origin of those stopped and searched. [160459]

      Mr. Charles Clarke
      Such information for 2000–01 is not yet available centrally. The latest information available on the ethnic appearance of persons stopped and searched relates to 1999–2000 and was published by the Home Office in "Statistics on Race and the Criminal Justice System", a copy of which is in the Library.

      Departmental Policies (Vale of Clwyd)
      Mr. Ruane
      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out, with statistical information, the effects of his Department's policies and actions in relation to animal welfare since 2 May 1997, for the Vale of Clwyd. [160615]

      Mr. Mike O'Brien
      The Home Office has put in place a number of measures affecting animal welfare throughout Great Britain since 1997. I do not have separate information on the Vale of Clwyd, but I am able to provide details of what the Home Office has achieved at a national level since 1997.

      We are continuing to work to ensure that the highest possible standards of welfare are applied to animals used in scientific procedures and that they are used only where it is fully justified—where the benefits outweigh the costs and where there are no suitable alternatives. To this end, we are promoting the fullest application of the 3Rs—the replacement of procedures with others which do not use animals, the reduction of the number of animals used and the refinement of procedures to minimise pain and suffering.

      In addition to our commitment to the 3Rs, the other main individual measures this Government have introduced since the election to ensure that animals are used only where fully justified are as follows. We have:
      secured a voluntary ban on testing cosmetic finished products on animals;
      increased the budget made available to the Animal Procedures Committee to sponsor research on alternatives by 45 per cent. to £265,000 for 2000–01;
      banned the use of animals to test alcohol and tobacco products;
      increased the size of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate from 18 to 21, and recruited seven new inspectors to fill these and other vacancies and recently announced plans to further increase numbers to 33 over the next three years;
      introduced a requirement that all establishments licensed under the 1986 Act have local ethical review processes as a complement to the existing controls under the Act. We are now reviewing those processes to ensure dissemination of best practice;
      announced our intention never to allow the use of Great Apes (gorillas, chimpanzees, pygmy chimpanzees and orang-utans);
      announced that licenses for monoclonal antibody production by the ascites method will not be granted other than in exceptional circumstances; and
      ended the licensing of the LD50 test and of tests for skin corrosivity and phototoxic potential where valid alternatives exist.

      The number of scientific procedures in Great Britain in 1999 was nearly 2.66 million—very slightly down on 1998. The number of animals used was 2.57 million, about 24,000 fewer than in 1998. With the exception of 1997 this is the lowest number since 1955.
      86W
      The overall reduction in the use of animals reflects the Government's commitment to applying the principles of the 3Rs to all animal testing in the United Kingdom. However, it is very difficult to project the number of animals to be used in future years. Numbers depend on the type of project licence applications that will be made and progress on current project licences, as well as global trends in scientific endeavour.

      Other support given to animal welfare includes:
      backing a private Member's Bill which became the Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1999, a measure aimed at tightening regulation of commercial dog breeding establishments, and issue to local authorities of related detailed guidance;
      preparation, with the Association of Circus Proprietors, of a code of practice on the care and welfare of animals in travelling circuses; and
      making an Order that allows for an indefinite prohibition of the culling of seals on the east coast of England, which has assisted in the recovery of common seals to pre-1988 numbers when a virus decimated their population—by 1999 their number had risen to 3,600 just 400 down on 1988 numbers.

      Detention Centres
      Mr. Lidington
      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) in which financial year he expects the Oakington Reception Centre first to deliver savings in asylum support costs; [159401]

      (2) in which financial year the Oakington Reception Centre will deliver the annual saving in asylum support costs referred to on page 65 of his Department's Annual report. [159399]

      Mrs. Roche
      [holding answer 27 April 2001]: The potential savings identified in the annual report were based on operating at full capacity for a full financial year. Oakington has been capable of operating at full capacity since 28 January 2001. We expect some savings in support costs to have resulted from the first year of operation.

      Special Secure Units
      Mr. McNamara
      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners are detained in each special secure unit, indicating(a) the crimes for which each prisoner was convicted, (b) the national origin and citizenship of the prisoner, (c) the ethnic group of the prisoners, (d) the aggregate length of time the prisoner was in SSU accommodation, (e) the month and year in which the prisoner's last two formal three-monthly medical reviews took place and (f) the representations he has received following observations made by medical examiners. [159553]

      Mr. Boateng
      On 30 April 2001, eight prisoners were being held in special secure units (SSUs), six at Whitemoor prison and two at Belmarsh prison. Only prisoners categorised as category A exceptional escape risk are held in SSUs. We are not aware of any representations being submitted following observations made by medical examiners. The table gives the other information requested.
      87W

      Offence

      Origin

      Ethnic Group

      Aggregate time spent in SSU

      Dates of last two 3-monthly medical reviews

      Conspiracy to supply drugs

      British

      Asian

      22 months

      September 2000-January 2001

      Supply drugs

      Turkish

      Asian

      20 months

      September 2000-January 2001

      Importation of drugs

      Colombian

      White

      46 months

      September 2000-January 2001

      Importation of drugs

      Turkish

      White

      13 months

      September 2000-January 2001

      Attempted murder

      British

      Black

      9 months

      September 2000-January 2001

      Supplying drugs

      British

      White

      7 months

      September 2000-January 2001

      Supplying drugs

      British

      White

      9 months

      December 2000-April 2001

      Murder

      British

      White

      11 months

      January 2001-April 2001

      Animal Welfare
      Mr. Goggins
      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made with the code of practice for the care and welfare of circus animals on tour. [160782]

      Mr. Mike O'Brien
      The code of practice for the care and welfare of circus animals has now been written by the Association of Circus Proprietors and it will be distributed to local authorities soon. It is not a Home Office document, contrary to a press report.

      Mr. Goggins
      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to give better protection to animals; and if he will make a statement. [160781]

      Mr. Mike O'Brien
      I will make an announcement as soon as possible.

      Sex Offenders Act
      Mr. Hepburn
      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the report of the review of Part 1 of the Sex Offenders Act 1997. [160692]

      Mr. Charles Clarke
      I will make an announcement as soon as possible.

      Emergency Planning Legislation
      Ms Perham
      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for reviewing the emergency planning legislation; and if he will make a statement. [160724]

      Mr. Mike O'Brien
      I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington (Mr. Brake) on 13 February 2001,Official Report, column 100W.

      I will make a further announcement as soon as possible.

      Plastic Baton Rounds
      Mr. McNamara
      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 2 April 2001,Official Report, column 68W, what the average kinetic energy on impact is at (a) one metre, (b) five metres, (c) 10 metres, (d) 20 metres, (e) 30 metres, (f) 50 metres, (g) 75 metres and (h) 100 metres of the (i) L5A7 baton round and (ii) L21A1 baton round fired from the L104 anti-riot gun; and what his assessment is of the probability of lethality following impact to the (A) head, (B) thorax and (C) abdomen for each of these KE measures. [158040]

      Mr. Spellar
      I have been asked to reply.
      88W
      The table shows the average (mean) kinetic energy in Joules (J) of the L21A1 baton round from a clamped L104 gun, and for the L5A7 baton round.

      Range

      Kinetic energy of L21A1

      Kinetic energy of L5A7

      2 m

      257J

      274J

      20 m

      244J

      246J

      35 m

      230J

      216J

      50 m

      215J

      200J

      There are no experimental data for kinetic energy at 1 m, 5 m, 10 m, 75 m, or 100 m; kinetic energy at these ranges could be estimated from the table.

      The probability of impacts to the head and upper thorax by the L21A1 will be significantly less than the incidence of impact to these areas by the L5A7. This is due to the improved accuracy and consistency achieved by the L21A1 weapon system. The probability of lethality to the head, thorax and abdomen, given an impact to these regions, cannot be calculated accurately. The assessment of the injury potential of the L21A1 batons round was undertaken as a comparative study between the two projectiles using computer and physical models of the biomechanical response of these regions, and the severity of specific injuries. The conclusions of the studies are described in the DSAC report placed in the Library of the House.

      Mr. McNamara
      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 2 April 2001,Official Report, column 68W, if he will list the companies involved in the manufacture of the (a) L21A1 plastic baton round, (b) L104 anti-riot gun and (c) XL18E3; where each company is based; and what the cost of Government contracts was with each of these companies in each of the past 10 years. [158039]

      Mr. Spellar
      I have been asked to reply.

      I am withholding this information in accordance with exemptions 1 and 13 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

      Mr. McNamara
      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 2 April 2001,Official Report, column 68W, what assessment he has made of the consequences of ricochet of an L21A1 plastic baton round (a) under, (b) within and (c) beyond the normal operating range. [158046]

      Mr. Spellar
      I have been asked to reply.

      The normal operational range of the L21A1 baton round is 20–40 m. The L21A1 baton round is more accurate than the L5A7 baton round, particularly at longer

      89W
      range, and the incidence of baton rounds missing the target and subsequently ricocheting behind the target will be significantly reduced.

      The new optical gun-sight is set to direct the L21A1 baton towards the lower part of the body, away from the potentially vulnerable areas of the upper thorax and head. At the furthest normal operating ranges, a small proportion of the L21A1 batons may strike the ground just before they hit the lower part of the body. The guidance to firers allows for compensatory action (ie to aim off) at these distances to reduce the risk of ricochet. In the event that a ricochet were still to occur, we would expect baton rounds to ricochet below the vulnerable areas of the head and upper thorax.

      Mr. McNamara
      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 2 April 2001,Official Report, column 68W, what the cost was of each of the four DSAC studies. [158044]

      Mr. Spellar
      I have been asked to reply.

      L21A1

      L5A7

      Mass

      96.8–99.2g

      132–135g

      Minimum and maximum velocity (at 2 m)

      69–76 m/s

      55–70 m/s

      Mean velocity range (at 2 m)

      70–74 m/s

      60.5–65.0 m/s

      Shape

      37 mm calibre with a 9 mm nose edge radius and a boat-tail on the base

      37 mm calibre with a 3 mm nose and base edge radius

      Aerodynamic properties (estimated drag coefficient, Cd)

      0.24

      0.64

      Composition

      Polyurethane polymer

      Polyurethane polymer with an additive to increase density

      Hardness (oIRHD)

      92–95

      85–90

      Mr. McNamara
      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 2 April 2001,Official Report, column 68W on baton rounds, if he will place in the Library (a) the outline plan of the technical assessment drawn up by DERA, Porton Down and endorsed by the DSAC, (b) the results of firing trials and impact modelling used to compare the performance of the L5A7 and L21A1 baton rounds and (c) studies conducted on post ricochet trajectories and energy of L21A2 baton rounds, indicating what the probability of impact to the (i) upper torso and (ii) head is, and what the cause of inaccuracy in the L21A1 delivery system was at the 40 metre range. [158538]

      Mr. Spellar
      I have been asked to reply.

      As my hon. Friend will be aware, a copy of an independent medical assessment of the new baton round was placed in the Library on 2 April. The key conclusions of the documents requested can be found in this report. I am withholding the documents themselves in accordance with exemptions 2 and 11 of the code of practice on access to Government information which relate respectively to internal discussion and advice and to incomplete analysis. The problem of inaccuracy at 40m was discovered during tests and addressed by a change to the gun zeroing policy.
      90W
      The Defence Scientific Advisory Council sub-committee members engaged on the independent medical assessment placed in the Library of the House on 2 April and on the three preceding statements mentioned in the assessment, incurred the following costs, made up of fees and travelling expenses:

      (a) Statement dated 18 October 1999—£3,552

      (b) Statement dated 18 January 2000—£3,308

      (c) Statement dated 18 April 2000—£1,394

      (d) Statement dated 21 August 2000—£1,223

      Mr. McNamara
      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 2 April 2001,Official Report, column 68W, what the (a) mass, (b) velocity, (c) shape, (d) aerodynamic properties, (e) composition and (f) stiffness is of the (i) L21A1 and (ii) L5A7; and if he will make a statement. [158038]

      Mr. Spellar
      I have been asked to reply.

      The data in the table for the mass, velocity and hardness are taken from the respective schedule of proof for the two batons.

      Defence Scientific Advisory Council
      Mr. McNamara
      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 2 April 2001,Official Report, column 68W, if he will list the (a) individuals that sit on the Defence Scientific Advisory Council, (b) qualifications and employment profile of each member, (c) remuneration paid to each member and (d) terms of reference of the Council. [158041]

      Mr. Spellar
      I have been asked to reply.

      The Defence Scientific Advisory Council (DSAC) is an advisory body offering independent advice to Ministers and senior officials. Currently it has over 170 members drawn from industry and academia. It reports annually to the Secretary of State. It also sets up working parties comprising some of its members, to draw up advisory reports, or assessments, on particular scientific topics from time to time. One such assessment was referred to in the written answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department on 2 April 2001, Official Report, column 68W. I am withholding details of individuals undertaking this work in accordance with Exemptions 2 and 4 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

      Current remuneration of DSAC members is according to the table.
      91W

      £ per day

      DSAC Chairman

      315

      Sub-committee Chairman

      265

      Members

      210

      DSAC members are also paid travel and subsistence. The terms of reference of the DSAC are as follows:

      a. To review the scientific and technological aspects1 of research and development programmes being undertaken in, and on behalf of, the MOD to meet the needs of the armed forces cost effectively.

      b. To advise on the most effective uses of scientific resources within the defence research programme.

      c. To advise on changes to the scope and balance of the defence research programme in MOD.

      d. To advise on the quality and value for money of research carried out for the MOD.

      e. To advise on scientific and technological developments from outside the MOD, including emerging new threats and opportunities for beneficial international collaboration.

      f. To advise on problems referred to it.

      1Includes medical science and technology.

      In performing these tasks it will take account of relevant advances in the civil field including opportunities for technology transfer in both directions between MoD and the civil sector.

      Mr. McNamara
      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 2 April 2001,Official Report, column 68W, if he will place in the Library (a) the three unpublished statements of the Defence Scientific Advisory Council and (b) the Ministry of Defence and ACPO terms of reference of each. [158043]

      Mr. Spellar
      I have been asked to reply. I am withholding the information requested in accordance with exemptions 2 and 11 of the code of practice on access to Government information which relate respectively to internal discussion and advice and to incomplete analysis. The key conclusions of the statements requested can be found in the report of the DSAC sub-committee placed in the Library on 2 April.

      Benefit Fraud
      Mr. Willetts
      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were successfully prosecuted for(a) housing benefit and (b) council tax benefit fraud in each local authority in the latest year for which records are available. [158687]

      Angela Eagle
      I have been asked to reply.

      The information has been placed in the Library.

      Strip Searches (Prison)
      Mr. McNamara
      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the recommendations of the Prison Service "Searches on the Person" Review indicating the progress made in the implementation of each proposal. [159551]

      Mr. Boateng
      Six recommendations have been implemented in full, and the security manual has been updated accordingly. On another seven recommendations,92W
      work has commenced towards full implementation. There are still three recommendations on which work has yet to start.

      The review recommendations will be considered when the security manual chapters on searching are reviewed by the security manual project team. Given the importance of searching, it has been decided to review the searching chapter first.

      Progress on the recommendations is as follows. The six recommendations implemented are:

      1. For strip searches of menstruating women, issue further guidance that women should be allowed to remove and dispose of external sanitary towels themselves and that a fresh towel should be provided.

      2. Issue guidance to staff to allow pregnant, disabled, or elderly prisoners to sit down for as much of the search as possible providing that this does not reduce the thoroughness and effectiveness of the search.

      3. Post operative and bedridden prisoners and those who are in severe pain or have recently given birth should be strip searched only in exceptional circumstances. When it is necessary to carry out such a strip search, the procedure should be modified on an ad hoc basis to allow the least discomfort or intrusion. Searches should not be carried out if the healthcare professionals advise that it is clinically unacceptable.

      4. Issue guidance making it clear that gender is not a Genuine Occupational Qualification for cell searching, and explaining how to involve opposite sex searchers.

      5. Ensure managers set and communicate realistic targets for rub down searches, as part of the local searching strategy. particularly during periods of high movement.

      6. Guidance should be issued on when a prisoner may be in the "sight" of a person of the opposite sex, for the purposes of Prison Rule 41(3) by way of amendment to the Security Manual.

      Implementation has begun on the following recommendations:
      1. Commission research to identify whether, and if so what, changes can be made in procedures for strip searching to improve its effectiveness. The research should consider: the views of staff; their approach and demeanour while conducting strip searches; prisoners' perceptions; and the gender, age and culture background of those searched.

      A draft Business Case has been prepared which is awaiting approval.
      2. Introduce procedures to ensure that new receptions understand they will be strip searched, and what is involved in the search.
      The Prison Service Order on reception arrangements is being revised. When it is published, it will include further guidance on searching arrangements.
      3. Set aside resources within the research programme to evaluate existing and emerging technology to replace routine strip searching when reliable and affordable equipment is available.
      The Police Scientific Development Branch (PSDB) undertake this type of research for Security Group. This work forms part of the research programme.
      4. Ensure that statistical recording and monitoring of strip searches will be provided for in the future information and communication technologies introduced throughout the Service.
      This will be considered when the Prison Service prisoner database is upgraded.
      93W 5. When Prison Officer Initial Training (POINT) course is revised, include in the module for those working with under 18s material that will ensure they are aware of ways in which searching, and the way they conduct searches, may affect young people.
      POINT is being revised, and will be trialled. The additional considerations for searching under 18s will be included in the revised training.
      6. Young offender institutions (YOIs) that will continue to hold juveniles must revisit their searching strategies and make specific provision for their under 18 units. Governors of prisons that are being re-roled to take only under 18s need to consider their whole searching strategy de novo to ensure that it is suitable for the establishment's new role.
      Searching strategies are agreed between governors and their Area Manager, and will be amended to comply with this requirement. The appropriate section of the Security Manual and the security standard now need to be amended, so that governors will be audited against this requirement.
      7. Issue central guidance for prisons on how to react when a dog indicates the possible presence of drugs on a visitor.
      A research project conducted by Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) reported recently. One of its recommendations was that further guidance was needed in the light of its findings, and this work will be taken forward.

      The three recommendations on which progress has yet to commence are:

      1. Consider introducing the sideways stance for rub down searching of violent prisoners.

      2. Cease the practice of randomly rub down searching official and professional visitors to category C and D prisons and to most women's prisons and YOIs.

      3. For legal representatives, draw a distinction between, on the one hand, barristers and those counted as solicitors for the purposes of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE), and on the other hand, those practising as legal advisers but not counted as solicitors for the purposes of PACE. The latter should continue to be rub down searched as though they were domestic visitors.

      These recommendations will he picked up shortly as the Security Manual chapters on searching are reviewed.

    EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

      National Training Organisations
      Mr. Robert Jackson
      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment pursuant to his answer of 3 April 2001,Official Report, column 125W, for what reason the list of 1,140 organisations and 570 postcodes placed in the Library differs from the total of 2,330 organisations to which the consultation paper was sent: and if he will place the full list of the 2,330 organisations in the Library. [160060]

      Mr. Wicks
      The discrepancies in the list placed in the Library on 3 April were due to a clerical error. I apologise for the inconvenience caused by this. A full list has now been placed in the Library. I have asked officials to ensure that a full list is also sent to the hon. Member.

      Departmental Advertising
      Mr. Ian Bruce
      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what major advertising campaigns his Department is carrying out; and what the cost and duration of each is. [154263]

      Mr. Wills
      [holding answer 19 March 2001]: No advertising campaigns are currently being run by the Department. The Teacher Training Agency is continuing its campaign to recruit teachers.

      Medical Students
      Dr. Gibson
      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what changes in recruitment policy to medical schools there have been in the last five years, with particular reference to(a) gender, (b) ethnicity and (c) social class; [158442]

      (2) what his policy is for medical student recruitment in the new medical schools in relation to (a) gender, (b) ethnicity and (c) social class. [158443]

      Mr. Wicks
      [holding answer 23 April 2001]The number of places at medical schools is set by the Government. However, higher education institutions are responsible for their own recruitment and admissions procedures, which should be transparent and based on published criteria so that selection is on the basis of an applicant's ability and potential.

      The number of medical school places was increased by 1,100 in 2000 and by a further 1,000 earlier this year. In both cases, when medical schools bid for extra places they were asked to demonstrate an active commitment to the recruitment of students from a broad range of social and ethnic backgrounds, to reflect the patterns of the population that they serve.

      Curriculum 2000
      Mr. Boswell
      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many extra full-time equivalent teachers are required to deliver Curriculum 2000. [158876]

      Mr. Wicks
      There is no evidence at this stage to suggest we need more teachers to deliver Curriculum 2000.

      Departmental Report
      Mrs. May
      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will provide a breakdown on the components of expenditure accounted for under the heading, 'Giving everyone the chance, through education, training and work, to realise their full potential and thus build an inclusive and fair society', referred to on page 146 of his Departmental Report 2001–02 to 2003–04 (Cm 5102) on(a) administration £277,086,000, (b) other current £783,836,000, (c) grants £17,732,205,000 and (d) capital £2,066,284,000. [159004]

      Mr. Wills
      [holding answer 26 April 2001]: A breakdown of the amounts under 'administration', 'other current', 'grants' and 'capital' in Request for Resource 1 (RfR1) of the Main Estimate on page 146 of the Departmental Report is given in the table. It is based on Note 9 to the Estimates on page 160 of the Departmental Report.
      95W

      Function breakdown of expenditure in RfR 1

      £million

      Estimate section

      Admin

      Other current

      Grants

      Capital

      A

      Voluntary aided school loans

      —

      —

      —

      1

      Assisted Places Scheme

      —

      —

      70

      —

      Music and Ballet Scheme

      —

      —

      12

      —

      City Technology Colleges

      —

      —

      67

      —

      IT in schools, National Grid for Learning, etc.

      —

      10

      16

      —

      Qualifications (other than through the QCA)

      —

      —

      35

      —

      Under Fives

      —

      —

      31

      —

      Modernising the teaching profession (other than through the TTA)

      —

      —

      583

      —

      International Services

      —

      —

      20

      —

      Child care Initiatives

      —

      162

      —

      —

      Education Action Zones

      —

      —

      60

      —

      Fresh Start

      —

      —

      20

      —

      Key Stage 1 and 2 central costs

      —

      —

      13

      —

      Other miscellaneous programmes

      —

      —

      60

      —

      Subtotal

      —

      172

      987

      1

      B

      Higher education initiatives (other than through HEFCE)

      —

      —

      12

      —

      Adult Education

      —

      10

      111

      —

      Access Funds

      —

      —

      96

      —

      Further Education initiatives (including payments to the Home Office for prison education)

      —

      —

      76

      —

      British Academy

      —

      —

      36

      —

      Careers advice (other than through Connexions)

      —

      11

      —

      —

      Connexions (current expenditure)

      —

      321

      —

      —

      ILO subscription

      —

      —

      7

      —

      Learning Partnership Fund

      —

      —

      10

      —

      Career Development Initiatives (including ILAs)

      —

      47

      34

      —

      Neighbourhood Support

      —

      —

      20

      —

      University for Industry

      —

      60

      —

      —

      Millennium Volunteers

      —

      —

      15

      —

      Other miscellaneous programmes

      —

      41

      18

      —

      Subtotal

      —

      489

      436

      —

      C

      Student Loans

      —

      —

      818

      —

      Mandatory awards (through the SLC)

      —

      —

      560

      —

      Other miscellaneous programmes

      —

      —

      1

      —

      Subtotal

      —

      —

      1,379

      —

      D

      ESF payments

      —

      —

      258

      —

      ESF receipts

      —

      —

      –258

      —

      E

      ESF payments

      —

      —

      80

      —

      F

      Work-based Learning for adults

      —

      19

      —

      —

      Employment Zones

      —

      54

      —

      —

      Other miscellaneous programmes

      —

      11

      —

      —

      Subtotal

      —

      84

      —

      —

      G

      Salary costs

      157

      1

      —

      —

      Other administration costs

      110

      5

      —

      —

      Capital Charges and depreciation on the civil estate

      4

      —

      —

      10

      Publicity and research

      —

      27

      —

      —

      Other miscellaneous programmes

      —

      —

      1

      —

      Subtotal

      270

      33

      1

      —

      H

      Compensation to former college of education staff

      —

      —

      11

      —

      I

      Payments to local authorities for schools programmes

      —

      —

      2,267

      —

      96W 97W

      Function breakdown of expenditure in RfR 1

      £million

      Estimate section

      Admin

      Other current

      Grants

      Capital

      J

      Mandatory Awards (through LAs)

      —

      —

      122

      —

      K

      ESF payments to local authorities

      —

      —

      30

      —

      ESF receipts

      —

      —

      –30

      —

      L

      ESF payments to local authorities

      —

      —

      20

      —

      M

      EMAs and student support (through LAs)

      —

      —

      163

      —

      N

      New Deal: salaries

      1—

      —

      —

      —

      New Deal: other Expenditure

      —

      6

      —

      —

      Subtotal

      1—

      6

      —

      —

      O

      Capital charges and depreciation on non-civil estate assets

      7

      —

      —

      —

      P

      Interest repayments on loans to VA schools

      —

      —

      —

      —

      Q

      Capital grants:

      VA and former GM schools

      —

      —

      212

      —

      Class size reductions

      —

      —

      70

      —

      Specialist schools

      —

      —

      13

      —

      New Deal for Schools

      —

      —

      293

      —

      Other schools capital (inc. that paid through the Standards Fund)

      —

      —

      821

      —

      Grants in aid:

      Education Transfer Council

      —

      —

      7

      —

      BECTA

      —

      —

      5

      —

      QCA

      —

      —

      54

      —

      Teacher Training Agency

      —

      —

      392

      —

      Subtotal

      —

      —

      1,867

      —

      R

      Student loans payments

      —

      —

      —

      2,056

      Capital grants:

      Connexions

      —

      —

      15

      —

      Grants in aid:

      HEFCE

      —

      —

      4,677

      —

      Student Loans Company

      —

      —

      31

      —

      IiP UK Ltd.

      —

      —

      2

      —

      Learning and Skills Council

      —

      —

      5,476

      —

      General Teaching Council

      —

      —

      7

      —

      Adult Learning Inspectorate

      —

      —

      20

      —

      Subtotal

      —

      —

      10,228

      2,056

      S

      Grants in aid:

      Equal Opportunities Commission

      —

      —

      9

      —

      Disability Rights Commission

      —

      —

      11

      —

      Subtotal

      —

      —

      20

      —

      T

      Capital Modernisation Fund grants (not paid through the Standards Fund)

      —

      —

      153

      —

      U

      ESF appropriations in aid

      —

      —

      —

      —

      Request for Resources Total

      277

      784

      17,732

      2,066

      1Amounts below £500,000

      Note:

      Figures in the table have been rounded and do not therefore sum to the totals in all cases

      Helplines
      Mr. Levitt
      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what telephone helplines to assist the public are administered by his Department and its agencies. [159509]

      Mr. Wills
      The Department administers the following helplines which provide advice and information to the public:

      Helpline number

      Career Development Loans

      0800 585 505

      Childcare Link

      0800 096 0296

      Computers for Teachers

      0870 241 4679

      Individual Learning Accounts

      0800 072 5678

      Millennium Volunteers

      0800 917 8185

      New Deal Helpline

      0845 606 2626

      Work-Life Balance

      020 7273 5626

      In addition to these directly administered helplines, the Department regularly works with outside partners during the year to set up, or provide temporary support for, helplines on specific topics. Those planned in the near future are:
      Travel Essentials (8–11 May): helpline supporting Radio 1 offering information and advice on finding work, training or education at home or abroad;
      Adult Learners Week (14–18 May): annual helpline, linked to Learn Direct (administered by UfI) for those wishing to take up or return to learning;
      Student Essentials Exams (21–23 May): helpline supporting Radio 1 offering information and advice to students with last minute worries regarding their GCSE\A Level exams.

      The Department's Public Enquiry Line (0870 000 2288) is the official contact point for members of the general public on all areas of DfEE activities.

      The Department does not centrally hold information about helplines run by its agencies.

      Departmental Policies (Mitcham and Morden)
      Siobhain McDonagh
      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effects on the Mitcham and Morden constituency of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [159511]

      Mr. Wills
      Outlined are details of the effects of a range of the Department's policies on Mitcham and Morden constituency and Merton LEA.

      Beacon Schools

      Wimbledon Chase1

      Type—Middle

      Start—September 1999

      1 School is spreading good practice in raising achievement in KS 2, pupil behaviour, monitoring and assessment, classroom management and support for NQTs.

      Connexions Partnership

      Merton as part of the London South area is one of the 12 areas where the Connexions Partnership began to deliver the service from 1 April 2001. The London South
      100W
      area has been allocated a provisional budget allocation of £9,408,621 and covers the boroughs of Merton, Kingston Upon Thames, Sutton, Croydon and Bromley.

      Infant Class Sizes

      Progress in implementing plan:

      As at January 2001, Merton LEA had no infants in classes of more than 30. The figure in January 2000 was 1,470 (30.8 per cent.).

      The authority has been allocated £2.4 million in capital funding and £1.7 million in revenue funding between 1999–2000 and 2001–02.

      Performance Data (England averages include independent schools)

      Key stage 2: pupils achieving level 4 and above

      Percentage

      2000

      1999

      1998

      1997

      English

      LEA

      75

      69

      66

      58

      England

      75

      71

      65

      63

      Maths

      LEA

      69

      68

      53

      55

      England

      72

      69

      59

      62

      Science

      LEA

      85

      78

      68

      62

      England

      85

      78

      69

      69

      GCSE and GNVQ results

      Percentage

      2000

      1999

      1998

      1997

      5+ A*-C

      LEA average

      40.5

      38.8

      37.3

      37.5

      England average

      49.2

      47.9

      46.3

      45.1

      5+ A*-G

      LEA average

      85.8

      86.3

      84.8

      82.9

      England average

      88.9

      88.5

      87.5

      86.4

      No passes

      LEA average

      7.4

      8.1

      7.7

      9.8

      National average

      5.6

      6.0

      6.6

      7.7

      GCE A/AS examinations and Advanced GNVQs

      2000

      1999

      1998

      1997

      Average points for two or more A/AS levels

      LEA average

      15.0

      14.6

      13.2

      12.3

      National average

      17.3

      18.2

      17.8

      17.3

      A/AS average per entry

      LEA average

      4.9

      4.7

      4.4

      4.6

      National average

      5.5

      5.5

      5.4

      5.3

      Advanced GNVQ point score

      LEA average

      9.7

      9.2

      11.4

      n/a

      National average

      10.1

      9.9

      9.6

      n/a

      101W

      LEA capital funding

      £000

      2001–02

      2000–01

      1999–2000

      1998–99

      1997–98

      ACG

      2,829

      357

      289

      139

      47

      SCA

      750

      48

      177

      53

      24

      NDS

      —

      2,074

      1,217

      1,287

      360

      VA Grant

      3,774

      187

      138

      104

      105

      Seed

      131

      121

      —

      —

      —

      Devolved Formula Capital

      —

      531

      —

      —

      —

      Additional Devolved Formula Capital

      —

      463

      —

      —

      —

      NGfL

      669

      478

      326

      294

      —

      Science Labs

      103

      103

      —

      —

      —

      Access at 85 per cent.

      232

      96

      —

      —

      11

      Security

      33

      47

      47

      45

      36

      Class size

      —

      1,351

      1,076

      —

      —

      Outside toilets

      —

      —

      —

      23

      —

      Energy Efficiency

      —

      —

      —

      42

      —

      Assistance with AMP

      —

      —

      21

      —

      —

      Nursery Provision

      —

      —

      —

      —

      —

      NDS Condition Funding

      404

      —

      —

      —

      —

      NDS Devolved formula

      802

      —

      —

      —

      —

      SLSU

      28

      32

      —

      —

      —

      PFI Credits

      20,700

      —

      —

      —

      —

      Total

      30,455

      5,888

      3,291

      1,987

      583

      Funding per pupil

      In Merton LEA, funding per pupil has increased by £600 in real terms between 1997–98 and 2001–02.

      Private Finance Initiative (PFI)

      A PFI project to reorganise its secondary schools as part of a wider reorganisation was approved by the Project Review Group in July 2000 and is currently working towards contract signature.

      Further Education

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

      1996–97 to 1999–2000

      FEFC funded

      Non-FEFC funded

      16–18

      Adult

      16–18

      Adult

      Full-time

      Part-time

      Full-time

      Part-time

      Full-time

      Part-time

      Full-time

      Part-time

      1996–97

      1,812

      330

      920

      6,530

      23

      95

      126

      355

      1997–98

      1,812

      369

      858

      6,978

      23

      102

      134

      619

      1998–99

      1,833

      333

      827

      6,832

      50

      116

      193

      644

      1999–2000

      1,857

      365

      809

      5,925

      60

      171

      159

      946

      Modern Apprenticeships

      Information on Modern Apprenticeships for all English constituencies was placed in the Library of the House of Commons on 30 March 2001.

      New Deal for Young People

      In the Mitcham and Morden constituency, 988 young people have joined the New Deal to end January 2001. 461 have found jobs, 361 of which are sustained.

      Labour Market Statistics

      The working age employment rate in Merton in winter 2000–01 was 73.9 per cent., below the UK rate of 74.5 per cent. The rate in winter 1996–97 was 74.6 per cent., in winter 1997–98 78.3 per cent., in winter 1998–99 81.1 per cent., and in winter 1999–2000 77.1 per cent. These figures are volatile at this level, and our best interpretation of the trend in the employment rate for Merton since 1997 is that it has been broadly flat.

      The claimant unemployment rate has fallen from 13.8 per cent. in March 1997 to 6.3 per cent. in March 2001 in the Mitcham and Morden constituency.

      Teaching Methods
      Dr. Gibson
      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will take steps to integrate the methods of teaching in secondary education with those in higher education. [159799]

      Ms Estelle Morris
      The Government recognise that there are significant differences between secondary and higher education and that the approaches to teaching in the two sectors should reflect this. However, we also believe that there are significant opportunities for the sectors to interact with and learn from each other.

      The recent Green Paper "Schools: Building on Success" makes proposals which will strengthen the links between the university and school sectors to the advantage of both. These include the idea of joint appointments of teachers to the staff of both a university and a school. The Green Paper also sets out the Government's intention to pilot a university fellowship scheme to allow school teachers with real expertise in their subject to take a secondment to a university, in order to research their subject and perhaps

      103W
      embark on a higher degree. These proposals both recognise the differences between the sectors and the opportunity for each to learn from the other.

      Special Advisers
      Mr. Evans
      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many special advisers worked in his Department from 1997 to date. [160029]

      Mr. Wills
      [holding answer 1 May 2001]: Since 3 May 1997, no more than three full-time equivalent special advisers have been in post at any one time.

      Mr. Evans
      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the total cost was of employing special advisers in his Department from 1997 to date. [160045]

      Mr. Wills
      I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 1 May 2001,Official Report, column 607W.

      Class Sizes
      Mr. Evans
      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the average class size was for each year of secondary school in the north-west in each of the years from 1997 to date. [160080]

      Ms Estelle Morris
      The available data are shown in the table.

      Average class sizes: Classes taught by one teacher

      1997

      1998

      1999

      2000

      20011

      Classes mainly under 14

      24.5

      24.6

      24.7

      24.7

      3—

      Classes mainly 14 and 15

      21.2

      21.3

      21.2

      21.4

      3—

      Classes mainly 16+

      10.4

      10.5

      10.3

      10.6

      3—

      Year group 7 and below2

      3—

      3—

      3—

      3—

      24.9

      Year group 82

      3—

      3—

      3—

      3—

      25

      Year group 92

      3—

      3—

      3—

      3—

      24.4

      Year group 102

      3—

      3—

      3—

      3—

      21.6

      Year group 112

      3—

      3—

      3—

      3—

      21.1

      Year group 122

      3—

      3—

      3—

      3—

      11.6

      Year group 132

      3—

      3—

      3—

      3—

      9.4

      1 Provisional.

      2 Includes middle deemed secondary schools.

      3 Information by year group was collected for the first time in 2001 and only classes where a specific year group was given have been included, i.e. not mixed.

      The size of the average secondary class nationally, at 22.0, is still five below the average primary class. In 2001–02 secondary headteachers will receive an average of £70,000 and primary headteachers £24,000 in direct grant to spend as they choose including on reducing class sizes if that is their priority.

      The full-time equivalent number of regular secondary teachers in the north-west increased by 1,300 between January 1997 and January 2001.

      In addition, the size of the average primary class in the north-west has gone down from 27.9 in January 1997 to 26.7 in January 2001. The corresponding figure for primary children in the Ribble Valley constituency is from 29.1 to 27.7.

      Tuition Fees
      Dr. Harris
      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if it is his policy to ensure that student contributions towards tuition fees should rise in line with inflation. [159814]

      Mr. Wicks
      [holding answer 1 May 2001]: The maximum level of student contributions to tuition fees for students at publicly funded institutions is uprated each year to take account of inflation. In the next academic year it will be £1,075. How much students actually pay depends on an assessment of their income. Currently, over 40 per cent. of students make no contribution to their tuition fees and that figure will rise to around 50 per cent. from this September because we have raised the contribution thresholds above the level of inflation. We estimate that from September the average contribution made by students will be just £1,400 over the whole of a three-year course.

      Work-life Balance Challenge Fund
      Ms Kelly
      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the local authorities that have applied for funding from the Work-life Balance Challenge Fund; and how many have been successful. [160301]

      Ms Hodge
      The following shows that 56 local authorities applied for the Challenge Fund, of which 25 have been successful1

      Bedford Borough Council1

      Bedfordshire County Council

      Bolton Metropolitan Council (Housing Department)1

      Braintree District Council1

      Bristol City Council, The Equalities Unit1

      Bury Metropolitan Borough Council1

      Cambridgeshire County Council

      Chelmsford Borough Council

      Cheshire County Council

      City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council

      Congleton Borough Council

      Coventry City Council

      Devon County Council1

      Dorset County Council

      Forest of Dean District Council1

      Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council1

      Hertfordshire County Council1

      Kent County Council

      Kingston Upon Hull City Council1

      Leicester County Council, Education Department1

      London Borough of Camden1

      London Borough of Croydon

      London Borough of Enfield

      London Borough of Merton1

      Medway Council1

      Mid Bedfordshire District Council

      Norfolk County Council1

      North Lincolnshire Council

      Nottingham City Council1

      Peak District National Authority1

      Perth and Kinross Council1

      Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council Education Department1

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      Redditch Borough Council

      Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council1

      Rutland County Council

      Salford City Council

      Sefton Education Department1

      Sheffield City Council

      Shropshire Social Services Directorate1

      Slough Borough Council

      Somerset County Council

      South Gloucestershire Council. Education Service

      St. Helens Metropolitan Borough Council

      Staffordshire County Council

      Stockton-on-Tees Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership1

      Stoke-on-Trent Social Services Department

      Stratford-on-Avon District Council

      Surrey Social Services1

      The London Borough of Hounslow

      The London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames

      Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council

      Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council

      Warrington Borough Council

      West Berkshire Council

      West Dunbartonshire Council

      West Lancashire District Council1.1 Successful

      Ms Kelly
      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many applications there have been for funding from the Work-life Balance Challenge Fund; and how many have been successful, broken down by private, public and voluntary organisations. [160302]

      Ms Hodge
      We received 180 applications for the Work-life Balance Challenge Fund for the year 2000–01, of which 116 were from the public sector, 43 from the private sector and 21 from the voluntary sector. We have been able to support 88 projects, of which 49 are from the public sector, 34 from the private sector and six from the voluntary sector. Currently we are inviting applications for this year's (2001–02) Challenge Fund.

      Jobseekers
      Mr. Willetts
      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many jobseekers have been provided with mobile phones to help them find work. [160202]

      Ms Jowell
      [holding answer 3 May 2001]: Employment Zones aim to provide new and innovative solutions to help people back into work in 15 areas of persistently high unemployment. 1126 mobile phones have been issued to participants; 3 per cent. of the 35,000 total clients. Action Teams for Jobs are targeting the barriers preventing jobless people getting and keeping work in 40 areas in Great Britain. 63 of 17257 participants (0.35 per cent.) in Action Teams have had mobile phones issued where there was a clear jobsearch benefit to the individual.

      Mr. Willetts
      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many jobseekers have been given financial help to(a) buy a car (b) buy a motorcycle and (c) take driving lessons, by the employment hit squads announced in June 2000. [160221]
      106W
      Ms Jowell
      [holding answer 3 May 2001]: The 40 Action Teams for Jobs in deprived areas are targeting the barriers preventing jobless people getting and keeping work. Over 5,000 people have been helped into work so far. Financial assistance has been provided to buy 28 vehicles and 382 driving lessons, mainly in rural areas where vacancies are a distance away from people's homes or suitable transport is required for self-employment purposes or as an incentive to encourage people to take up jobs which would normally not be accessible to them.

      ES Job Bank
      Mr. Willetts
      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many vacancies are on the ES Job Bank; and how many people access the learning and work website each day. [160217]

      Ms Jowell
      [holding answer 3 May 2001]: Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

      Letter from Mark Neale to Mr. David Willetts, dated 8 May 2001:
      As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked Leigh Lewis to reply to your question about the ES Job Bank and Learning and Work Bank website. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to Mr Lewis as Chief Executive of the Agency. I am replying on Mr Lewis' behalf.
      In answer to your specific question. on 1 May 2001, there were 405,348 jobs on the ES Job Bank. The usage of the Learning and Work Bank website (www.worktrain.gov.uk) has been growing since its launch on 8 March. In the last week of April, 41,636 visitor sessions were recorded on the site; the busiest day being Wednesday 26 April with 7,269 visits to the site.
      I hope this is helpful.

      Youth Cards
      Mr. Boswell
      To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress has been made on the introduction of youth cards. [159816]

      Mr. Wicks
      [holding answer 1 May 2001]: Following an extensive procurement exercise conducted under the European Union Procurement Directive's Negotiated Procedure, the Government have selected CAPITA as their preferred bidder to develop and deliver the Connexions Card.

      The Connexions Card is an exciting and innovative development, which will provide a powerful incentive to young people to stay in learning.

      The Connexions Card will be rolled out initially in one region from autumn of this year and then progressively so that it will be available across England from autumn 2002.

    CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

      Concessionary Television Licences
      Mr. Willetts
      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if residential homes are entitled to a free television licence for televisions that are watched both by residents over the age of 75 years and other people. [155412]
      107W
      Janet Anderson
      The Government have received a number of representations from hon. Members and members of the public on this subject. We are continuing to consider the matter.

      Departmental Policies (Shrewsbury and Atcham)
      Mr. Paul Marsden
      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Shrewsbury and Atcham constituency, the effect on Shrewsbury and Atcham of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [158433]

      Mr. Chris Smith
      Since May 1997 my Department has introduced and developed a variety of initiatives which will impact on my hon. Friend's constituency which promote our objectives of access, excellence, education, and creativity and employment. We have published strategies to take this forward including "Tomorrows Tourism" and "A Sporting Future for All", which was recently followed up by "The Government's Plan for Sport". We have tackled the issue of social inclusion taking forward the recommendations of Policy Action Team 10 on Arts and Sport and developing social inclusion policies across all our areas which is recognised within the most recent progress report Building on PAT10.

      We have given more support to the cultural and sporting infrastructure. The Spending Review 2000 secured a doubling of the budget for sport and the largest ever increase for the arts: an increase of 80 per cent. from £186 million in 1997–98 to £336 million in 2003–04. In taking forward our aim to develop the educational potential of culture and sport £40 million has been allocated to developing Creative Partnerships; we have established through lottery funding, the £30 million National Foundation for Youth Music; and secured an additional £130 million for primary schools sports and arts facilities through the Space for Sport and the Arts programme. With £120 million of central Government and lottery funding we will be providing a school sports co-ordinator in one-in-four secondary schools to work with local primary and special schools to improve sporting provision and physical education for children in the most deprived areas. We have delivered free access to national museums for children and the over-60's and additional money will be provided to allow this to be extended to everyone by December 2001. We have commissioned a taskforce which is currently considering the issues facing non-national museums in the regions.

      We have made improvements in the way the lottery is spent to ensure a fairer distribution. The introduction of the New Opportunities Fund for spending on health, education and the environment has made a real difference to communities everywhere. For instance it has invested £120 million to support the People's Network, which will enable all 4,300 public libraries to offer free public internet access through UK online learning centres; and a further £50 million to stimulate development of content to support the Network.
      108W
      We have set up a Regional Cultural Consortium in each of the English regions outside London to champion culture and creativity, including heritage, sport and tourism, and to draw up regional cultural strategies identifying regional objectives and priorities.

      We have published a Green Paper on "Culture and Creativity: The Next Ten Years", setting out how individual creative talent can be given the support it needs from childhood to flourish; how artists and cultural institutions can be freed from bureaucratic controls; and how the freedom to explore and enjoy creativity and culture can be made available to all.

      Through their commitment to public service broadcasting, the Government have helped to foster an environment in which a creative, commercially successful broadcasting industry provides a wide range of UK-made, high-quality, original programmes catering for all viewers and listeners. We have ensured a secure funding base for the BBC and S4C, while giving them the freedom to develop commercial operations which complement and support their public service remit. We have made clear in the Communications White Paper that public service broadcasting will continue to have a key role to play in the digital future. The Government have introduced free television licences for people aged 75 or over from 1 November last year.

      In delivering these initiatives we aim to make cultural and sporting activities inclusive ones, boosting participation and improving the quality of life for all.

      Shrewsbury and Atcham

      According to the information supplied to us by the distributing bodies for the national lottery awards database, there have been 157 national lottery awards to Shrewsbury and Atcham since May 1997, totalling £10,155,404. This includes an award from the Millennium Festival of £30,000.

      Thirty-four Millennium Award Winners have been identified from Shrewsbury and Atcham and between them they have received grants totalling £89,185.

      Information on the number of beneficiaries of free television licences by constituency is not available, but estimates based on the 1991 Census indicate that there were approximately 6,500 people aged 75 or over living in the Shrewsbury and Atcham constituency.

      Shropshire Library Authority, which covers the Shrewsbury and Atcham constituency, received awards from the DCMS/Wolfson Public Libraries Challenge Fund of £99,494 in 1997–98, £85,932 and, as a member of a consortium of authorities, £324,439 in 1999–2000. and £23,775 in 2000–01. All the awards were for public library ICT projects, except for the 2000–01 award which was for a reader development project with the county's homeless community. It is not possible to say what proportion of the overall funding benefited the Shrewsbury and Atcham constituency, but the 1997–98 award was for a project wholly based in Shrewsbury library.

      School Sport Co-ordinators will be based in families of schools, in areas of greatest need, linked wherever possible through local education authorities to Specialist Sports Colleges. They will provide opportunities for young people to compete regularly for their school and

      109W
      take part in a wide range of sports. By 2004, there will be about 250 families established with 1,000 secondary schools and up to 6,000 primary schools benefiting directly from this programme. There is one school sport co-ordinator in Shrewsbury and Atcham attached to Wolverhampton MBC.

      English Heritage have awarded the following grants:

      Churches
      All Saints', Berrington—offered £17,514. paid £11,794
      St. Michael and All Angels', Pitchford—offered £155,652, paid £137,724 St. Mary's, Westbury—offered £74,700, paid £3,291 St. Alkmund's, Shrewsbury—offered £3,910, nothing paid to date Abbey Church of the Holy Cross, Shrewsbury—offered £66,708, paid £12,754 Holy Trinity, Minsterley—offered £20,071, paid £12,643 Other Listed Buildings Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury—offered £149,382, nothing paid to date Loton Hall, Alberbury—offered £49,659, paid £37,007 Hargreaves Farmhouse, Wollaston—offered £68,000, nothing paid to date Attingham Park, Attingham (roof repairs)—offered £24,264, paid £21,838 Attingham Park, Attingham (railings)—offered £22,250, nothing paid to date Ditherington Flax Mill, Shrewsbury—offered £500,000, nothing paid to date Conservation Officer—offered £22,369, paid £14,906 Conservation Area Partnership Schemes Shrewsbury—1997–98 £65,000 Heritage Economic Regeneration Schemes Shrewsbury: West End and Northern Gateway—2000–01 £83,700, 2001–02 £83,700 Wyle Cop, Frankwell and The Square—2001–02 £55,000.
      There are of course other initiatives in the wider context of the region which may have an effect on the Shrewsbury and Atcham constituency. These include the receipt by the West Midlands Arts Board of £10,378,000 in 2000–01 from the Arts Council to support arts and cultural activity across its region. In 2001–02 this will increase to £11,361,686 or by 9.5 per cent.

      Departmental Policies (Battersea)
      Mr. Linton
      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effects on the Battersea constituency of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [158762]

      Mr. Chris Smith
      Since May 1997 my Department has introduced and developed a variety of initiatives which will impact on my hon. Friend's constituency which promote our objectives of access, excellence, education, and creativity and employment. We have published strategies to take this forward including "Tomorrows Tourism" and "A Sporting Future for All", which was recently followed up by "The Government's Plan for Sport". We have tackled the issue of social inclusion taking forward the recommendations of Policy Action Team 10 on Arts and Sport and developing social 110W
      inclusion policies across all our areas which is recognised within the most recent progress report Building on PAT 10.

      We have given more support to the cultural and sporting infrastructure. The Spending Review 2000 secured a doubling of the budget for sport and the largest ever increase for the arts: an increase of 80 per cent. from £186 million in 1997–98 to £336 million in 2003–04. In taking forward our aim to develop the educational potential of culture and sport £40 million has been allocated to developing Creative Partnerships; we have established through lottery funding, the £30 million National Foundation for Youth Music; and secured an additional £130 million for primary schools sports and arts facilities through the Space for Sport and the Arts programme. With £120 million of central Government and Lottery funding we will be providing a school sports co-ordinator in one-in-four secondary schools to work with local primary and special schools to improve sporting provision and physical education for children in the most deprived areas. We have delivered free access to national museums for children and the over 60's and additional money will be provided to allow this to be extended to everyone in December 2001. We have commissioned a taskforce which is currently considering the issues facing non-national museums in the regions.

      We have made improvements in the way the Lottery is spent to ensure a fairer distribution. The introduction of the New Opportunities Fund for spending on health, education and the environment has made a real difference to communities everywhere. For instance it has invested £120 million to support the People's Network, which will enable all 4,300 public libraries to offer free public internet access through UK online learning centres; and a further £50 million to stimulate development of content to support the Network.

      We have set up a Regional Cultural Consortium in each of the English regions outside London to champion culture and creativity, including heritage, sport and tourism, and to draw up regional cultural strategies identifying regional objectives and priorities.

      We have published a Green Paper on "Culture and Creativity: The Next Ten Years", setting out how individual creative talent can be given the support it needs from childhood to flourish; how artists and cultural institutions can be freed from bureaucratic controls; and how the freedom to explore and enjoy creativity and culture can be made available to all.

      Through its commitment to public service broadcasting, the Government have helped to foster an environment in which a creative, commercially successful broadcasting industry provides a wide range of UK-made, high-quality, original programmes catering for all viewers and listeners. We have ensured a secure funding base for the BBC and S4C, while giving them the freedom to develop commercial operations which complement and support their public service remit. We have made clear in the Communications White Paper that public service broadcasting will continue to have a key role to play in the digital future. The Government have introduced free television licences for people aged 75 or over from 1 November last year.
      111W
      In delivering these initiatives we aim to make cultural and sporting activities inclusive ones, boosting participation and improving the quality of life for all.

      Battersea

      According to the information supplied to us by the distributing bodies for the national lottery awards database, there have been 92 national lottery awards to Battersea, totalling £13,579,536. This includes two awards from the Millennium Festival totalling £60,000.

      Twenty-four Millennium Award Winners have been identified from Battersea and between them they have received grants totalling £69,821.

      Information on the number of beneficiaries of free television licences by constituency is not available, but estimates based on the 1991 Census indicate that there were approximately 4,900 people aged 75 or over living in the Battersea constituency.

      There are of course other initiatives in the wider context of the region which may have an effect on the Battersea constituency. These are:
      London Arts received £26,765,000 in 2000–01 from the Arts Council to support arts and cultural activity across its region. In 2001–02 this will increase to £29,886,048 or by 11.66 per cent.
      From 1 April 1999 Battersea residents under 16 were able to benefit from free admission to the Science Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Imperial War Museum, HMS Belfast, the Cabinet War Rooms, the National Maritime Museum and the Museum of London. From 1 April 2000, Battersea residents over 60 were able to gain free admission to most of the above. Subject to the agreement of their Trustees, we expect very nearly all of the currently charging DCMS sponsored museums in London to introduce universal free admission from 1 December 2001.

      Broadcasting Act
      Mr. Gray
      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if the Broadcasting Act 1996 is in conformity with the European Convention on Human Rights. [159274]

      Janet Anderson
      [holding answer 27 April 2001]: The courts decide whether legislative provisions are compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights. No declaration of incompatibility has been made in the domestic courts under the Human Rights Act 1998 as regards any provision of the Broadcasting Act 1996; nor has there been any finding of incompatibility in respect of that legislation by the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. A statement about compatibility with Convention rights of the provisions of new broadcasting legislation will of course be made by Ministers, as required by the Human Rights Act 1998.

      Millennium Dome
      Mr. Evans
      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many people from the north-west visited the dome. [160098]

      Janet Anderson
      [holding answer 1 May 2001]: The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) has advised that exit polls of dome visitors conducted by MORI in January, April and August 2000 found that 4 per cent. of visitors to the dome, or around 260,000 people, came from the north-west.
      112W
      Additionally, NMEC's records show that bookings made by the North West Education Region, covering a similar area to the postcode area, under the free schools initiative totalled 20,226 or 3 per cent. of such bookings in the UK. The same Education Region also made 8,500 bookings (or 2 per cent. of such bookings in the UK) under the special offer available to schools for paid visits.

      Entertainment Budgets
      Mr. Evans
      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the entertainment budget was for his Department in the years from 1997 to date. [160096]

      Mr. Chris Smith
      The table shows expenditure by my Department on hospitality. The figures exclude the Department's Agencies and NDPBs.

      Year

      £

      1996–97

      41,000

      1997–98

      17,230

      1998–99

      28,688

      1999–2000

      32,533

      2000–01

      50,891

      2001–021

      3,334

      1 Spend to date

      Regional Tourist Boards
      Mr. Greenway
      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had on the provision of additional funding for the marketing function of regional tourist boards. [160128]

      Janet Anderson
      The Department and the English Tourism Council (ETC) have had frequent discussions about additional funding for the Regional Tourist Boards (RTBs). The ETC have recently received £3.8 million in additional funding for an advertising and promotion campaign, as part of the recovery plan following the foot and mouth outbreak. More than half of this funding is being passed to RTBs for public relations and marketing work. The Department has also been involved in discussions with DETR on the use of additional funds being provided to Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) as a response to the impact of foot and mouth disease, some of which the RDAs may choose to use to support promotional activities by the RTBs.

      Tourism (Loans)
      Mr. Greenway
      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of die Exchequer on the provision of an interest free loan scheme to tourism businesses. [160129]

      Janet Anderson
      As a member of the Rural Task Force, my Department has fed in suggestions on what help can be given to tourism businesses affected by foot and mouth, including loan schemes. A package of financial measures to help affected businesses was announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment, and Chairman of the Rural Task Force, on 20 March. In addition, on 6 April the Department of Trade and Industry announced that tourist and retail businesses suffering cash-flow problems will now be able to apply for loans of up to £250,000 under the Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme with much greater flexibility over their repayments.

      Wembley Stadium
      Mr. Gardiner
      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had with Wembley National Stadium Ltd. about the Government becoming a stakeholder in it; and if he will make a statement. [160280]

      Mr. Chris Smith
      I have had a number of recent discussions with the Football Association and Wembley National Stadium Ltd. about the Wembley Stadium project. I refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made to the House on 2 May 2001,Official Report, columns 851–61.

      Mr. Bob Russell
      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a progress report on proposals for the redevelopment of Wembley Stadium. [160393]

      Mr. Chris Smith
      I refer the hon. Member to my statement to the House on 2 May 2001,Official Report, columns 851–61.

      Tourism Promotion
      Mr. Greenway
      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the terms of the agreement are between the British Tourist Authority and the Premier League on promoting tourism. [160273]

      Janet Anderson
      The Premier League, concerned about the impact of foot and mouth disease on Britain's tourism industry, recently approached the British Tourist Authority with an offer to use the worldwide television coverage of its competition to help promote Britain to potential visitors from overseas. The exact details of the agreement are still under discussion between the BTA and the Premier League, but I understand that, among its provisions, BTA advertisements will appear on the perimeters of pitches in the 178 countries where Premiership games are screened.

      BBC Fair Trading Policies
      Mr. Healey
      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will publish the outcome of the review of the BBC's fair trading policies; and if he will make a statement.[160693]

      Mr. Chris Smith
      Further to my written answer of 25 January 2001,Official Report, column 696W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Oldham, East and Saddleworth (Mr. Woolas) about an independent review of the BBC Commercial Policy Guidelines and Fair Trading Commitment by Richard Whish, Professor of Law at King's College, I am today publishing, jointly with the BBC, the findings of that review. Professor Whish has concluded from his scrutiny of the documentation that:
      "the BBC's Fair Trading Commitment and the Guidelines are appropriate to ensure that the BBC does not distort competition in commercial markets."

      Sir Christopher Bland has written to me on behalf of the BBC Governors to acknowledge the report's findings and to inform me that when the Guidelines are next reviewed they will take into account Professor Whish's suggested clarifications to the existing format.

      He has also informed me that the BBC has been awarded the British Standards Institute's ISO 9001:2000 accreditation for its fair trading compliance procedures.
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      I am arranging for copies of Professor Whish's report to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

      Working Group on Human Remains
      Mr. Healey
      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will announce the membership and terms of reference of the Working Group on Human Remains. [160694]

      Mr. Alan Howarth
      I am delighted to do so. The main tasks of the Working Group on Human Remains will be to examine the current legal status of human remains within the publicly funded Museums and Galleries in the United Kingdom, to consider the desirability of a statement of principles (and supporting guidance) relating to the care and safekeeping of human remains and to the handling of requests for return, and to prepare a report for the Government.

      The Membership of the Group will be:
      Chairman: Professor Normal Palmer, Professor of Commercial Law, University College, London
      Mr. Tristram Besterman—Director, Manchester University Museum, Convener, Museums Association Ethics Committee
      Dr. Neil Chalmers—Director, The Natural History Museum
      Dr. Maurice Davies—Deputy Director, Museums Association
      Professor Caroline Forder—Professor of European Family Law, University of Maastricht
      Mrs. Hetty Gleave—Solicitor, Hunters, Chair ArtResolve
      Dr. Sally MacDonald—Manager, Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology, University College London
      Dr. John Mack—Senior Keeper, British Museum
      Professor Sir Peter Morris—Nuffield Professor of Surgery at the University of Oxford and President-elect of the Royal College of Surgeons of England
      Dr. Laura Peers—Lecturer in Ethnology and Curator of Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford
      Professor Marilyn Strathern—Department of Social Anthropology, University of Cambridge.

      The terms of reference for the Group are set out. The Government intend that the group should start work as soon as possible.

      Terms of reference for Working Group on the Potential Return of Human Remains
      To examine the current legal status of human remains within the collections of publicly funded Museums and Galleries in the United Kingdom.To examine the powers of museums and galleries governed by statute to deaccession, or otherwise release from their possession, human remains within their collections and to consider the desirability and possible form of legislative change in this area.To consider the circumstances in which material other than, but associated with, human remains might be properly included within any proposed legislative change in respect of human remains.To take advice from interested parties as necessary.Consider the desirability of a Statement of Principles (and supporting guidance) relating to the care and safekeeping of human remains and to the handling of requests for return. If the Panel considers appropriate, to draw up the terms of such a Statement and guidance.To prepare a report for the Minister for the Arts and make recommendations as to proposals which might form the basis for a consultation document (to be used for consultation under the Regulatory Reform Bill).

    CABINET OFFICE

      Helplines
      Mr. Levitt
      To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what telephone helplines to assist the public are administered by her Department and its agencies. [159500]

      Marjorie Mowlam
      The Cabinet Office has responsibility for the following telephone helplines:

      1. An order line for reports from the Committee on Standards in Public Life.

      2. An order line for printed Civil Service career information.

      3. A delegate helpline for the "Women Unlimited" event run by the Women's Unit.

      4. An order line for reports published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office (HMSO).

      5. An inquiry line for Civil Service pensioners.

      6. Helplines for the public on foot and mouth disease and fuel availability.

      COI Communications, which reports to the Minister for the Cabinet Office, includes telephone inquiry service management within its wider remit as the procurer of publicity services for Government. Overall authority for such services rests with the commissioning Department.

      Ethnic Minority Monitoring
      Mr. McNamara
      To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans she has to issue new guidance with respect to the inclusion of an Irish in Britain category in ethnic minority origin categories for monitoring purposes. [160323]

      Mr. Stringer
      For the purposes of monitoring the origin of employees in the Civil Service, the Cabinet Office has issued guidance to Departments and agencies that reflects the ethnicity categories in the Census 2001, including an Irish category.

      The Office for National Statistics has published an interim standard classification of ethnic groups for Government statistics more generally. This also includes an Irish category.

    AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

      Special Advisers
      Mr. Evans
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many special advisers worked in his Department from 1997 to date. [160024]

      Ms Quin
      [holding answer 1 May 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 1 May 2001, Official Report, column 607W.

      Mr. Evans
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the total cost was of employing special advisers in his Department from 1997 to date. [160042]

      Ms Quin
      [holding answer 1 May 2001]: Since 3 May 1997, a total of five special advisers have worked in the Ministry, two when my right hon. Friend the Member for Copeland (Dr. Cunningham) was Minister of Agriculture, and three since my right hon. Friend the Member for
      116W
      Newcastle upon Tyne, East and Wallsend (Mr. Brown) has been Minister. No more than two special advisers have been in post at any one time.

      GM Communications Unit
      Mr. Yeo
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) when the GM communications unit was formed; [144347]

      (2) if he will make a statement on the GM communications unit. [144264]

      Mr. Nick Brown
      [holding answer 8 January 2001]: The GM communications unit in the Cabinet Office was set up in July 1999 to co-ordinate across government on GM issues and provide a one-stop shop for journalists. The Cabinet Office continues to play a co-ordinating role in GM policy.

      French Beef
      Mr. Yeo
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of advice issued by the Food Standards Agency to British consumers concerning French beef. [144317]

      Mr. Nick Brown
      [holding answer 8 January 2001]: The Government have accepted it.

      Departmental Business (Overseas Visits)
      Mr. Stephen O'Brien
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many visits abroad have been made by him and his Ministers on departmental business(a) since 1 May 1997 and (b) in the last 12 months. [149141]

      Mr. Nick Brown
      For overseas visits from 2 May 1997 to 31 March 1999, I refer the hon. Gentleman to the list published on 17 June 1999,Official Report, column 196W; for overseas visits for the period 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000, I refer him to the list published on 28 July 2000, Official Report, column 969W. In the past 12 months, my Ministers and I have made 36 visits abroad.

      Tobacco Farming
      Mr. Yeo
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many times the Agriculture Council has discussed CAP subsidies for tobacco farming since May 1997. [l53227]

      Mr. Nick Brown
      The Agriculture Council discussed the EU tobacco regime, including subsidies for tobacco growing, three times in 1998 and adopted a number of changes to the regime. The tobacco regime has also been raised on a number of other occasions since May 1997 during discussions on other regimes and CAP reform.

      Departmental Policies (Truro and St. Austell)
      Mr. Matthew Taylor
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Truro and St. Austell constituency, the effects on Truro and St. Austell of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [154531]
      117W
      Ms Quin
      MAFF does not hold statistical information on a constituency basis relating to the Department's policies. Information on land use, crop areas, livestock numbers and labour on holdings in England by parliamentary constituency has been produced from 1 June 1999 annual agricultural and horticultural census. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House. Information from the 1 June 2000 census has been placed in the House Library.

      Average subsidies received by full-time farm businesses, England 1999–2000

      £000

      Of which:

      Total direct subsidies

      Crop subsidies

      Livestock subsidies

      Agri-environment

      Other1

      Cereals

      37.8

      34.2

      2.3

      1.0

      0.1

      General cropping

      31.8

      28.8

      2.4

      0.6

      0.0

      Horticulture

      0.4

      0.2

      0.0

      0.1

      0.2

      Pigs and poultry

      3.6

      2.2

      1.4

      0.1

      0.0

      Dairy

      8.5

      2.8

      4.9

      0.8

      0.0

      LFA cattle and sheep

      29.3

      0.4

      25.4

      3.3

      0.2

      Lowland cattle and sheep

      14.1

      1.7

      10.6

      1.8

      0.0

      Mixed

      33.8

      21.4

      10.7

      1.7

      0.0

      All types

      22.5

      14.8

      6.4

      1.2

      0.1

      1 Includes capital grants and any other miscellaneous grants. These reflect a combination of nationally funded and partly match funded schemes.

      Notes

      1. HLCA payments to hill farms are included under livestock subsidies.

      2. The figures show direct subsidy payments: they do not include allowance for the financial benefit of prices supported above world market levels under the CAP.

      Source

      Farm Business Survey

      In addition to CAP direct payments, farmers in the UK are benefiting from £1.35 billion in short-term financial relief since 2 May 1997. This includes £785 million in agrimonetary compensation, worth some £4,800 per average arable farmer; £3,200 per average dairy farmer; £1,400 per average sheep farmer; and £1,140 and £3,800 per average farmer for agrimonetary compensation related to the beef special premium scheme and suckler cow premium scheme respectively.

      Since May 1997, the Government have more than doubled expenditure on agri-environment schemes in England. We now have more than twice as much land covered by countryside stewardship agreements and we have increased the funding of organic conversion from £571,000 in 1997–98 to £12 million in 2000–01 and £18 million in 2001–02. Full-time hill farmers in England will be in receipt of some £6,360 on average following the introduction of the hill farm allowance scheme this year. This compares to £4,048 under the hill livestock compensatory allowance in 1996–97.

      Truro and St. Austell also fall within an area with an objective 1 designation. This means that under the EU structural funds, the area is eligible for assistance to promote its development and structural adjustment. About £50 million of European funding over the next six years is available for rural development measures in Cornwall and the Scilly Isles. This money will attract an equal amount of national public spending as matched funding, the majority of which will be provided by this Department. Details of these measures, which include
      118W
      As many of the Department's policies flow from measures agreed within the framework of the EU common agricultural policy, statistical data are normally available on a UK or England basis. Farmers in the UK receive approximately £3 billion per year in direct CAP payments. This does not include the significant additional costs to consumers as a result of CAP price supports which keep EU prices above prevailing world prices. The value of direct CAP payments to the average farmer is set out in the table.

      support for processing and marketing, farm diversification and training, are set out in the single programming document for Cornwall and the Scilly Isles. Farmers in Truro and St. Austell can also benefit from agri-environment schemes available under the England rural development programme.

      Consumers in Truro and St. Austell will benefit from the Agenda 2000 reforms of the CAP in the form of reduced food bills, with the average saving for a typical family rising to £65 a year by 2010.

      In relation to the Department's responsibility for fisheries policy, our key priority is to protect our fisheries resources for the future and we are taking firm action to ensure a viable future for the fishing industry. The last set of grant schemes, which ended in 1999, invested over £27 million in measures to help the fishing industry in England. Fishermen operating in the Truro and St. Austell constituency will now benefit from the £22.5 million aid package announced on 2 April to help restructure the English fishing industry, to improve the quality and value of the catch, and to retrain fishermen and rejuvenate fishing ports.

      Sheep Exports
      Mr. Luff
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on how many occasions in the last five weeks, and on which dates, sheep unloaded into the lairage at the Port of Dover awaiting export were returned to their(a) farms of origin and (b) other United Kingdom destinations; and how many sheep have been returned from Dover in this way. [155083]
      119W
      Ms Quin
      [holding answer 23 March 2001]: Three consignments of sheep, totalling 1,005 animals, awaiting export at premises in the Dover area were returned to their holdings of origin on 21 and 23 February 2001. One consignment of 416 sheep, awaiting export, was returned to a UK destination other than the holding of origin, on 23 February 2001.

      Departmental Policies (Great Grimsby)
      Mr. Mitchell
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effect on the Great Grimsby constituency of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [156243]

      Ms Quin
      MAFF does not hold statistical information on a constituency basis relating to the Department's policies. As many of the Department's policies flow from measures agreed within the framework of the EU common agricultural policy, statistical data are normally available on a UK or England basis.

      Farmers in the UK receive approximately £3 billion per year in direct CAP payments. This does not include the significant additional costs to consumers as a result of CAP price supports which keep EU prices above prevailing world prices.

      Consumers in Great Grimsby will benefit from the Agenda 2000 reforms of the CAP in the form of reduced food bills, with the average saving for a typical family rising to £65 a year by 2010.

      The Government are committed to securing a more economically rational CAP. This will benefit both consumers and taxpayers in Great Grimsby. We aim to redirect public money from agricultural price support mechanisms to rural development measures of benefit to the wider rural community and visitors to the countryside.

      One of the most important outcomes of Agenda 2000 was the establishment of the rural development regulation, which is being implemented in England through the England rural development programme (ERDP), investing around £1.6 million in rural areas over seven years. By supporting rural development, including diversification into tourist activities, and by conserving and enhancing the rural environment through support for public goods such as biodiversity and landscape appearance, the ERDP offers benefits to all who visit the countryside.

      In relation to the Department's responsibility for fisheries policy, our key priority is to protect our fisheries resources for the future and we are taking firm action to ensure a viable future for the fishing industry. The last set of grant schemes, which ended in 1999, invested over £27 million in measures to help the fishing industry in England. Fishermen operating in the Great Grimsby constituency will now benefit from the £22.5 million aid package announced on 2 April, to help restructure the English fishing industry, and to improve the quality and value of the catch, and to retrain fishermen and rejuvenate fishing ports.

      Sheep Shipments
      Mr. Stephen O'Brien
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will make 120W
      available the communications, including notes of telephone conversations (a) between his Department centrally and regionally and the French authorities and (b) between Mr. Hugues Inizan of Plymouth and his Department centrally and regionally since 1 November 2000 concerning animal shipments by Mr. Inizan from the UK to France; [156427]

      (2) if he will make available the communications, including notes of telephone conversations in his Department's (a) possession and (b) control between Mr. Hugues Inizan of Plymouth and the French authorities since 1 November 2000, concerning animal shipments by Mr. Inizan from the UK to France; [156426]

      (3) if he will make available the communications between his Department and the French authorities since 1 November 2000 concerning compensation and indemnity for animals slaughtered in France originally emanating from Mr. Hugues Inizan of Plymouth; [156424]

      (4) if he will make available, in relation to animals slaughtered in France emanating originally from Mr. Hugues Inizan of Plymouth, test results and allied papers in the (a) possession and (b) control of his Department's (i) centrally and (ii) regionally since 1 November 2000; [156428]

      (5) under what certificates and permits Mr. Hugues Inizan of Plymouth was allowed to export sheep from the UK to France after 1 September 2000; and if he will publish this documentation; [156430]

      (6) if he will make available the communications between Mr. Hugues Inizan of Plymouth and (a) his Department and (b) the French authorities since 1 November 2000 concerning compensation and indemnity for animals slaughtered in France originally emanating for Mr. Inizan; [156418]

      (7) if he will make available the communications between Mr. Hugues Inizan of Plymouth and his insurers copied (a) direct to his Department and (b) indirectly via the French authorities since 1 November 2000, concerning compensation and indemnity for animals slaughtered in France originally emanating from Mr. Inizan; [156425]

      (8) which of his Department's centres were responsible for the sheep exported from the UK by Mr. Hugues Inizan of Plymouth and subsequently slaughtered by the French authorities after 1 November 2000; [156429]

      (9) if he will publish his Department's internal memoranda produced since 1 September 2000 concerning the shipments of sheep by Mr. Hugues Inizan of Plymouth from the UK to France on dates after 1 September 2000. [156431]

      Ms Quin
      [holding answers 30 March 2001]We have no record of communications with the French authorities specifically about Mr. Inizan's export of sheep prior to the confirmed outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the UK on 21 February. We are aware that Mr. Inizan exported a consignment of 402 sheep to France on 1 February 2001. The sheep were exported under an export health certificate which was certified on 31 January and which conformed to harmonised EU rules for such trade. The export health certificate was issued by the local animal health office in Llanishen, Cardiff.
      121W
      The French authorities have now informed us that the seven samples that initially showed positive results have been re-tested with negative results. They have concluded that the initial serological positive reactions must be considered as false positives.

      The Government cannot become involved in any contractual disputes between individual exporters and importers. However, the British Embassy in Paris has been actively pursuing the question of compensation, on behalf of British sheep exporters, for sheep slaughtered in France.

      Mr. Baker
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of sheep exported in the last year for which figures are available were exported to Greece; and what arrangements ere put in place to ensure that the journey complied with the requirements of Directives 91/628 (as amended) and the Welfare of Animals During Transport Order. [157887]

      Ms Quin
      [holding answer 10 April 2001]: 4,350 sheep were certified for export to Greece from the UK in 2000. This represents 0.69 per cent. of the total number of sheep certified for export during 2000.

      Directive 91/628, as amended, is implemented by the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997, as amended. Consignments of animals to EU member states must be accompanied by a route plan and all route plans are subject to official scrutiny to ensure that the proposed journey complies with the statutory requirements for maximum journey times, rest, and feeding and watering intervals. The animals are inspected for health and fitness to travel before each journey starts. Additional monitoring of the condition of the animals and their transport is carried out at Dover port. Route plan.; must be returned within 15 days of the completion f the journey and details of the actual journey are then checked.

      Foot and Mouth
      Dr. Julian Lewis
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the risks of subsequent infection which arise from burial of animals carrying the foot and mouth virus and the precautions to be taken in order to minimise such risks in the event of burial being carried out. [156211]

      Ms Quin
      [holding answer 30 Mach 2001]: Before carcases are buried the Environment Agency undertakes a risk assessment of the geological, hydrogeological and hydrological conditions of the proposed location. This includes an assessment of risk to local groundwater and surface water potable supplies. Carcases are only buried where the risk assessment shows it i safe to do so, or where there can be adequate risk management applied.

      After slaughter carcases are sprayed with an approved disinfectant which kills a large amount of the virus. Once rigor mortis sets in most of the virus carried inside the infected animals diminishes very quickly and veterinary advice is that there is very little risk of any remaining infection from buried animals spreading.

      Mr. Cousins
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence he has collated to link the outbreak of foot and mouth(a) with Chinese
      122W
      restaurants or takeaways and (b) other restaurants and takeaways in the City of Newcastle upon Tyne; and if he will make a statement. [156655]

      Ms Quin
      [holding answer 2 May 2001]: We have no evidence to suggest that the foot and mouth outbreak originated from Chinese food or any other specific food source. Investigations are continuing in co-operation with trading standards but it is too soon to comment on detailed findings. The current outbreak is due to the type O, PanAsia strain virus. This strain is responsible for a number of outbreaks in different countries throughout the middle east, far east, and in Greece, Bulgaria and South Africa. One possibility is that the outbreak might have been caused by pigs eating untreated food originating from one of these countries. However, we will not be limiting our investigations to this particular line of inquiry.

      Mr. Dalyell
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent assessment he has made of the risks of infection as a consequence of burying infected carcases; and if he will list the scientific studies which he has taken into account. [156465]

      Ms Quin
      [holding answer 2 April 2001]: Foot and mouth disease is one of the most widely researched diseases and numerous scientific studies were taken into account when assessing the risks of infection resulting from burial of infected carcases.

      Once rigor mortis sets in most of the virus carried inside the infected animal diminishes very quickly and veterinary advice is that there is little risk of any remaining infection from buried animals spreading.

      Before carcases are buried the Environment Agency undertakes a risk assessment of the geological, hydrogeological and hydrological conditions of the proposed location. This includes an assessment of risk to local groundwater and surface water potable supplies.

      Miss McIntosh
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will(a) relax the existing exclusion zones up to 30 miles around an infected area to enable animals situated therein to reach slaughterhouses; (b) make good the economic hardship incurred by those farmers caught in exclusion zones unable to move their animals; and (c) make fuller information available to those farmers caught in form D and exclusion zones, in particular by updates to the MAFF website and a local MAFF regional office helpline; and if he will make a statement. [156280]

      Ms Quin
      [holding answer 2 April 2001]: The boundaries surrounding an infected area may extend beyond the statutory minimum 10 km for disease control purposes and because, in order to simplify identification, they are determined by clear geographical boundaries. If outbreaks of foot and mouth are still being confirmed in an area the movement restrictions cannot be lifted or relaxed. The area may also be extended to take account of windborne spread, particularly from pig premises. The procedure for lifting infected area restrictions involves a process of checking that there are no infected animals in the area surrounding the infected premises. An infected area may only be lifted 30 days after the preliminary cleansing and disinfection. From 23 April movements of animals from infected areas, but not within 3 km of an infected place, to abattoirs in the same infected area for

      123W
      immediate slaughter for human consumption have been permitted. From 4 May movements of animals from within 3 km of an infected premises to abattoirs in the same infected area for slaughter for human consumption have been permitted provided 15 days have elapsed since preliminary cleansing and disinfection of any infected premises within 3 km of the premises.

      Infected areas will be lifted as soon as possible and, for example, the declaratory orders relating to Northamptonshire. Leicestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire and Kent have already been revoked.

      When infected areas cannot be completely lifted, because of the number of disease cases, the Ministry will consider reducing the boundaries. Decisions to reduce boundaries are made on a case-by-case basis in discussion with vets, taking into account the number and proximity of any confirmed FMD cases. The northern infected area has been reduced on two occasions, firstly to exclude Ripon (on 2 April) and then to release part of the Yorkshire Dales (on 20 April).

      Compensation is payable for the market value of animals slaughtered to control foot and mouth disease. It is not payable for the consequential losses, for example caused by movement restrictions. Farmers in infected areas, whose animals face welfare difficulties as a result of foot and mouth movement restrictions, may he eligible for the livestock welfare (disposal) scheme, operated by the Intervention Board on behalf of MAFF, under which they receive a slightly reduced rate of compensation for all animals slaughtered.

      We recognise the importance of making information about such schemes and developments available to farmers and the Ministry's website http://www.maff.gov.uk/ relating to foot and mouth disease, which contains such information, is updated regularly. There is already a helpline operating (0845 0504141) and this is open from 8.00 am to 11.00 pm. Various contact details are also given on the website, and farmers may contact their regional service centre or trading standards for information on obtaining a licence to move animals.

      Mr. Luff
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will make a statement on the routing of lorries carrying(a) carcases and (b) fuel to Throckmorton airfield; and what discussions he has had with Worcestershire county council on this subject; [157064]

      (2) what assessment he has made of the implications for traffic levels on local roads in the parish council areas of (a) Bishampton and Throckmorton, (b) Hill and Moor, (c) Wyre Piddle and (d) Pinvin of the decision to use Throckmorton airfield as a disposal site for carcases of culled animals. [156988]

      Ms Quin
      [holding answers 5 April 2001]The Ministry consulted Worcestershire county council concerning traffic implications of the scheme at Throckmorton airfield, in particular, the Worcestershire county council highways authority. There are planned routes into and out of the site for all transport vehicles, designed to minimise the impact on local residents. Vehicles transporting carcases are accompanied by escort vehicles, with instructions to follow the agreed planned routes.
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      Mr. Duncan
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what his policy is for permitting a bull to enter a foot and mouth infected area for the purpose of inseminating milk-producing dairy cows. [156913]

      Ms Quin
      [holding answer 5 April 2001]: The possibility of introducing a licensing system to allow bulls access to infected areas for the insemination of cows is currently being explored. Such movements of bulls would be subject to certain conditions similar to those set down under the current movement licences.

      Artificial insemination by an inseminator is now permitted subject to certain conditions, and there are plans to allow deliveries of semen to farms, to enable farmers to carry out a simplified insemination technique, without the need for an inseminator.

      Mr. Webb
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for what reason the Army's role in dealing with the foot and mouth outbreak is restricted to logistics; and if he will assess the benefits of extending the role of the Army. [157037]

      Ms Quin
      [holding answer 5 April 2001]: We are grateful for the Army's contribution in support of MAFF in dealing with the foot and mouth outbreak. This contribution is not confined to the provision of logistical support, although that role has been significant. It also includes assistance in engineering and the management and operation of MAFF slaughter and disposal operations. MAFF has been able to draw on military advice on the conduct of operations, the creation of integrated control centres, crisis management techniques and contingency planning. The range and size of the Army's role is kept under continuous review.

      Mr. Cotter
      T o ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the percentage of animals susceptible to foot and mouth disease that have natural immunity to it. [157630]

      Ms Quin
      Immunity to foot and mouth disease is acquired by exposure to the virus or by vaccination. As there has not been, a case of foot and mouth disease in Great Britain since 1981, and we do not permit routine vaccination, all susceptible livestock are assumed to be susceptible to foot and mouth disease virus.

      During the current outbreak, it is possible that there may be livestock, particularly sheep, which have been exposed to infecion but have not exhibited clinical symptoms. These animals may have acquired some degree of immunity. There is also a possibility that such animals may become carriers of the virus. The number of these animals is unknown, but may be disclosed when animals are blood sampled as part of our sero-surveillance strategy.

      Mr. Gill
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what breaches of security there have been at the Pirbright Institute for Animal Health laboratories within the past 12 months. [157364]

      Ms Quin
      [holding answer 6 April 2001]There have been no reported breaches of security at the Pirbright Animal Health laboratories.
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      Mr. Jenkin
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the restrictions on the movement and sale of livestock around Layer-de-la-Haye in Essex will be lifted. [157245]

      Ms Quin
      [holding answer 6 April 2001]: Local veterinary inspections and serology sampling in the area will be complete by 4 May. A decision on the lifting of movement restrictions will be taken once the results of laboratory tests on these samples are known.

      Mr. Jenkin
      To ask the Minster of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when movement restrictions on livestock in the Layer-de-la-Haye restricted area will be lifted. [159986]

      Ms Quin
      [holding answer 1 May 2001]: A new series of local veterinary inspections and serology sampling will be carried out in the area in the near. future. These are necessary because the last series revealed evidence of infection. Current restrictions will remain in place until no further evidence of infection is revealed.

      Mr. Webb
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to enable farmers and others affected by the foot and mouth outbreak to have access to counselling, telephone helplines and other personal support services. [157372]

      Ms Quin
      [holding answer 6 April 2001]: MAFF has posted on its website guidance to all in the rural community wishing to seek help during the foot and mouth disease outbreak. It has also circulated to all livestock farmers in England contact details for organisations which can provide confidential advice, guidance and financial assistance, including the rural stress information network, the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, the farm crisis network and the Samaritans. Through a rural stress action plan funded by MAFF, details of these organisations have also been widely publicised on yellow contact cards and in magazines.

      In addition, the foot and mouth disease telephone helpline is open 24-hours a day, seven days a week and calls are charged at the local rate.

      Mr. Harvey
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what veterinary visits and check-ups are being carried out on farms in Devon adjacent to those where foot and mouth disease was diagnosed before 22 March. [157838]

      Ms Quin
      The majority of veterinary inspection visits will have been carried out by now although a few final visits may still be being carried out. Some visits may be required for premises where a partial ull is required, for example, where only sheep or pigs are to be killed. If the farms were identified as dangerous contacts, visits will be made to supervise the cleansing and disinfection operations.

      Sir Teddy Taylor
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the health of the sheep at the AWE site in Foulness following the visits of officials of his Department. [157515]

      Ms Quin
      [holding answer 9 April 2001]: The sheep at the Atomic Weapons Establishment site in Foulness were last visited by veterinary officers from the local animal health office on 30 March. The RSPCA is now taking the
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      lead with this issue, and are continually monitoring the situation on the island. I understand that the sheep have been moved to drier land, temporary accommodation has been found, and the welfare situation has been alleviated.

      Mr. Hoyle
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what date is to be set for movements to slaughter in the Chorley area. [157992]

      Ms Quin
      [holding answer 10 April 2001]: Chorley is in an infected area for the purpose of the control of foot and mouth disease. Movement to slaughter under licence to approved abattoirs in the same infected area has been allowed from 23 April other than from premises within three kilometres of an infected place. Urgent consideration is being given to a licensing system to allow animals from premises within three kilometres of an infected place to be moved to slaughter.

      Mr. Öpik
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farms have been involved in the cull of livestock as a result of the foot and mouth crisis; and if he will make a statement. [158055]

      Ms Quin
      As of 19.00 on 1 May, the total figure for premises affected by foot and mouth disease (and therefore involved in the cull of livestock) was 6,542.

      Mr. Fabricant
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on how many premises preventative culls have been carried out. [158203]

      Ms Quin
      [holding answer 23 April 2001]: As of 19.00 on 1 May, preventative culls have been carried out on 5,017 premises since the start of the 2001 foot and mouth disease outbreak. This includes all dangerous contacts and premises involved in voluntary culls.

      Mr. Öpik
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the likely impact of foot and mouth on the number of farms likely to remain in business in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [158720]

      Ms Quin
      Foot and mouth is having a considerable impact on farming and a range of industries throughout the UK. It is still too early to make a reliable estimate of the overall effect and therefore it is not possible to make an assessment of the number of farm businesses which will cease trading as a result of the disease.

      Mr. Öpik
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farms had been identified with foot and mouth infection on the premises by midnight 9 April; and if he will make a statement. [158716]

      Ms Quin
      As of 19.00 on 9 April, 1,163 premises had been confirmed as being infected with foot and mouth disease.

      As of 19.00 on 1 May, 1,525 premises had been confirmed as being infected with foot and mouth disease.

      Mr. Öpik
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with the Minister responsible for managing foot and mouth disease in the Welsh Assembly with regard to increased use of the Army to speed up implementation of the cull and carcase removal or incineration schemes; and if he will make a statement. [158728]
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      Ms Quin
      The Ministry is in constant contact with the National Assembly for Wales about all matters relating to the current foot and mouth outbreak. The Army has provided valuable assistance in speeding up the slaughter and disposal of carcases.

      Mr. Lidington
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many hunt staff in England and Wales hold slaughtering licences from his Ministry. [158260]

      Ms Quin
      This information is not available. Slaughtering licences are issued by the Meat Hygiene Service. They are granted on an individual basis and held for life. There is no requirement for licensed individuals to inform the Meat Hygiene Service of their current place of work and thus it is not possible to identify how many have or currently work as hunt staff.

      Mr. David Heath
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice has been issued to establishments licensed for the training of racehorses on movements of horses into and out of foot and mouth disease restricted areas. [158391]

      Ms Quin
      [holding answer 23 April 2001]: Officials have undertaken a detailed assessment of the risks associated with the spread of foot and mouth through the movement of racehorses. This has been posted on the MAFF website http://www.maff.gov.uk/. Officials have also liaised closely with the Jockey Club and the British Horseracing Board, which have produced detailed working guidance on the range of precautionary measures to be taken by their members. This is available from the British Horseracing Board.

      Mr. Lidington
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what his policy is towards the employment and payment of agency vets to assist in slaughtering livestock infected with foot and mouth disease. [158262]

      Ms Quin
      To help in current foot and mouth disease control operations the Ministry is employing veterinary surgeons as temporary veterinary inspectors (TVIs) according to the standard scale of fees for temporary veterinary inspectors. These vets are employed as TVIs on an individual basis.

      Mr. Lidington
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what powers he has to order the slaughter of animals under the contiguous culling scheme without the consent of the animals' owners. [158263]

      Ms Quin
      My right hon. Friend the Minister's powers to order the slaughter of animals in order to control foot and mouth disease are laid down in section 31, Schedule 3, paragraph 3 of the Animal Health Act 1981.

      Mr. Lidington
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what his policy is towards the use of hunt staff to slaughter livestock infected with foot and mouth disease.[158261]

      Ms Quin
      I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Lichfield (Mr. Fabricant) on 30 April 2001, Official Report, column 490W.

      Mr. Luff
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to apply more selective criteria to dairy herds when considering the implementation of the contiguous cull policy; and if he will a statement. [158508]
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      Ms Quin
      My right hon. Friend the Minister announced for England a broadening of the areas of discretion available to MAFF divisional veterinary managers. Under this revised policy, MAFF officials will continue to kill all animals which are dangerous contacts. On other contiguous premises, susceptible animals will be killed. However, cattle may be spared if there is adequate biosecurity. This will be a matter for local veterinary judgment.

      MAFF has already published guidance on biosecurity measures which have been agreed with the veterinary profession. Where cattle are not culled they will be subject to regular veterinary patrols.

      Mr. Luff
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to test milk and blood samples from dairy herds on premises contiguous with a foot and mouth outbreak for three weeks before proceeding with a contiguous cull of such herds; and if he will make a statement. [158478]

      Ms Quin
      Under the revised policy on dealing with cattle on contiguous premises, announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister on 26 April, officials will continue to kill all animals which are dangerous contacts. On other contiguous premises, susceptible animals will be killed. However, cattle may be spared if there is adequate biosecurity. This will be a matter for local veterinary judgment.

      Miss McIntosh
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received concerning the issuing of Form D notices to farmers by telephone. [158489]

      Ms Quin
      [holding answer 23 April 2001]: A Form D notice is served on premises where animals may have been exposed to infection. When foot and mouth disease is confirmed on a premises, all premises with susceptible livestock within the 3 km protected zone around the infected place are contacted, where possible, by telephone to advise them tha those premises are subject to Form D restrictions. A Form D is also posted or delivered to each of those premises.

      Mr. Stephen O'Brien
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if(a) officials of his Department and (b) those acting on their behalf, asked participants in the insurance market in December 2000 and January 2001 about the availability, current and potential terms and affordability of insurance to cover losses to insureds consequent upon an event of an outbreak foot and mouth disease in the United Kingdom.[158379]

      Ms Quin
      [holding answer 23 April 2001]: At the outset of the classical swine fever last year, the Minister established a Government/Industry working party to review ways in which the livestock industry could protect itself against the commercial consequences of any future animal disease outbreaks. The review covered the 14 OIE list A diseases that affect cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry. Foot and mouth is one of these 14 diseases.

      One area considered by the working group was the extent to which insurance could be used by farmers to cover the business risks associated with becoming caught up in statutory disease control measures. Officials met the Association of British Insurers on 6 December 2000 and on 10 January 2001, Lorien plc were engaged by the

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      Ministry to assist the working party. Lorien subsequently contacted various insurance providers to establish what types of insurance cover was available and the level of uptake by farmers.

      The working party was due to report to the Minister in the spring but this will be delayed by the current outbreak.

      Mr. Öpik
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to visit Montgomeryshire to discuss the foot and mouth outbreak with farmers. [158721]

      Ms Quin
      There are no immediate plans for a ministerial visit to Montgomeryshire.

      Mr. Öpik
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he has taken to provide information on a daily basis to farmers regarding the actions relating to the foot and mouth outbreak and the progress of the disease; and if he will make a statement. [158729]

      Ms Quin
      Information about the disease and the action the Government have taken has been placed on the Ministry website. This website is updated every day with the latest information and advice. Information is also available from local MAFF animal health offices. Additionally, my right hon. Friend the Minister wrote to every livestock farmer in England at the end of February enclosing information about the disease and how to protect their farm. He wrote again to farmers on two further occasions to update them on the steps we have taken to control the disease.

      Mr. Viggers
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans there are to bring animals into Hampshire as part of the Government's culling programme. [158226]

      Ms Quin
      [holding answer 23 April, 2001]: There are no abattoirs in Hampshire contracted to slaughter animals under the livestock welfare (disposal) scheme. There is one landfill site in the county that has been identified for the disposal of carcases under the scheme but this would only be used for local on-farm slaughters of pigs and/or sheep.

      Mr. Öpik
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farms without confirmed foot and mouth cases had been earmarked for a partial or total cull by midnight on 9 April; and if he will make a statement. [158717]

      Ms Quin
      As at 9 April, slaughter had taken place or was due to take place at 1,975 premises at which foot and mouth disease had not been confirmed.

      Mr. Breed
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the possibility of using(a) flame-throwers and (b) napalm as a means of destroying animal carcases. [159205]

      Ms Quin
      Flame-throwers are not in service in this country or in the USA because of safety concerns. Napalm produces very toxic compounds when burnt, so cannot be used because of the public and environnmental health risks.

      We recognise that burning at higher temperatures is more efficient and cleaner, and so there is a need to increase the temperature of pyres, particularly at the beginning of the burn while the water in the carcases is
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      being driven off. We have therefore commissioned urgent studies, in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, on the possible use of gelled fuel mixtures to increase the temperature.

      Mr. Luff
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what procedures are in place to ensure that no animals known to have contracted foot and mouth disease are buried at Throckmorton airfield; and how many cases have been reported to him where a mistaken diagnosis may have led to diseased animals being buried there. [158987]

      Ms Quin
      [holding answer 26 April 2001]: All livestock are examined by a veterinary surgeon prior to slaughter. In the event of a clinical diagnosis of foot and mouth disease, the premises is declared an infected premises. We are not aware of any carcases of livestock from infected premises that have been disposed of at Throckmorton.

      Mr. Luff
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what land in the vicinity of Throckmorton airfield, Worcestershire, has been purchased by Government Departments; how much land has been so purchased; at what price and for what purpose; and if he will make a statement. [158207]

      Ms Quin
      [holding answer 23 April 2001]: The Ministry has purchased 155 acres of land adjacent to the burial site at Throckmorton. The land was purchased as a buffer against the burial site and additionally as a contingency to provide extra burial capacity should it be needed. The land was purchased for £3,875,000. This price reflects the potential of part of the site for development.

      Mr. Livsey
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to slaughter and bury on farm those farm animals stranded on farms as a result of foot and mouth movement restrictions, indicating those that are destined for the welfare slaughter scheme in(a) D notice areas and (b) other less restricted areas. [158602]

      Ms Quin
      [holding answer 26 April 2001]: Burial on-farm of animals slaughtered through the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme is not out of the question on grounds of policy, but is very difficult to implement. Many different organisations and agencies must be consulted to ensure that the site is safe, such as the Environment Agency, communication companies, gas and oil providers and water companies. This prolonged consultation makes on-farm burial too slow to be practical for the large numbers involved.

      Mr. Luff
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what criteria his Department applies when deciding to slaughter on suspicion of foot and mouth disease; and if he will make a statement. [158984]

      Ms Quin
      [holding answer 26 April 2001]: The procedures for the slaughter of livestock on suspicion of foot and mouth disease are set out on the MAFF website http://www.maff.gov.uk/. Where a veterinary inspector carries out an investigation and is satisfied on clinical grounds that an animal exhibits signs of foot and mouth disease, the case will be confirmed on clinical grounds. Where, however, a veterinary inspector sees signs that are

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      not totally consistent with foot and mouth disease, but where foot and mouth disease cannot be ruled out, the herd is slaughtered on suspicion.

      Mr. Dalyell
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what his estimate is of the time that(a) napalm and (b) pyre of wood takes to destroy a carcase; [158868]

      (2) what his estimate is of the cost of destruction per carcase (a) by fuelled pyre and (b) by napalm after investment in suitable equipment. [158870]

      Ms Quin
      [holding answer 26 April 2001]: Decisions on methods of disposal of carcases are taken on operational, environmental and animal and public health considerations. Napalm produces very toxic compounds when burnt, and so cannot be used because of the public and environmental health risks. Pyres burn for approximately four days.

      Information on the cost of disposal per carcase is not currently available and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

      Mr. Beith
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what compensation is available to those who are unable to let grass parks because of animal movement restrictions during the foot and mouth outbreak. [159160]

      Ms Quin
      [holding answer 26 April 2001]: Compensation is payable for the market value of animals slaughtered to control foot and mouth disease but is not payable for consequential losses caused by foot and mouth controls. There are no plans to make such payments in response to the current outbreak, but the situation will be kept under review.

      Miss McIntosh
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received concerning the delivery of the 2001 census forms and the associated risk of the spread of foot and mouth disease; and what assessment he has made of that risk. [158960]

      Ms Quin
      [holding answer 26 April 2001]: My right hon. Friend the Minister has not received any formal representations concerning the risk of individuals spreading foot and mouth when delivering census forms. However, officials from the Office for National Statistics have consulted the Department over appropriate guidance to issue to enumerators, census team leaders and census district managers to ensure that the exercise is conducted in a way that will do nothing to exacerbate the foot and mouth situation. This guidance has been developed with the support of the National Farmers Unions and will ensure that the census proceeds with maximum caution in rural areas. In particular:
      Census takers will respect all restrictions in relation to foot and mouth whether put in place by the authorities or by farmers/communities themselves.
      On no account will census takers use taped off thoroughfares or pass warning signs.
      Census takers will talk to the Royal Mail about local arrangements for deliveries in rural areas where there are restrictions.
      Where census takers cannot reach a farm or household they will:
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      (a) attempt to make telephone contact with the householder and arrange to deliver the form in an appropriate way, e.g. delivering the form to the farm gate or arranging for the form to reach the farm or household with other deliveries.

      (b) post the form to the farm or household with an information leaflet and covering letter advising the householder to post back their completed census form or to call the census helpline for further assistance about completing the form.

      Mr. Fabricant
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the risk of spreading foot and mouth by census personnel carrying out their work in rural areas. [158414]

      Ms Quin
      [holding answer 23 April 2001]: Guidance has been issued to enumerators, census team leaders and census district managers to ensure that the exercise is conducted in a way that will do nothing to exacerbate the foot and mouth situation. This guidance has been developed with the support of the National Farmers Union and will ensure that it proceeds with maximum caution in rural areas. In particular:
      Census takers will respect all restrictions in relation to foot and mouth whether put in place by the authorities or by farmers/communities themselves.
      On no account will census-takers use taped off thoroughfares or pass warning signs.
      Census takers will talk to the Royal Mail about local arrangements for deliveries in rural areas where there are restrictions.
      Where cannot reach a farm or household they will:

      (a) attempt to make telephone contact with the householder and arrange to deliver the form in an appropriate way e.g. delivering the form to the farm gate or arranging for the form to reach the farm or household with other deliveries.

      (b) post the form to the farm or household with an information leaflet and covering letter advising the householder to post back their completed census form or to call the census helpline for further assistance about completing the form.

      Miss McIntosh
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what representations he has received on rare l reeds being protected in the event of a cull in contiguous sites until signs of the disease show; and if he will mg e a statement; [158962]

      (2) what measures he is taking to prevent the elimination of rare breeds during the foot and mouth crisis. [157340]

      Mr. Morley
      [holding answer 26 April 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 26 April 2001, Official Report, column 346W. Since then the Ministry has issued a joint, instruction providing for rare breeds of sheep on contiguous premises to be exempted from slaughter, provided that they can be isolated from other susceptible livestock and managed in compliance with tight biosecurity. Copies of the joint instruction are on the Ministry's website http://www.maff.gov.uk/, and more detailed guidance will be issued this week.

      Mrs. Shephard
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of available foot and mouth disease vaccines against various strains of the disease. [158881]

      Mr. Morley
      [holding answer 26 April 2001]: As there are seven main types of foot and mouth virus (each with many sub-types), it has been necessary to focus attention on the pan-Asiatio O type virus responsible for the current outbreak. Vaccines for this strain come in different forms and strengths and their impact can vary between

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      individual animals as well as species. However, no vaccine can be relied upon as being 100 per cent. effective against foot and mouth—not because it is in itself ineffective but either because it could be inadequately administered or because a small number of animals may respond a-typically and develop only a low level of immunity.

      Miss McIntosh
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received concerning the cost of destroying clean animals, caught in restricted zones but not infected with foot and mouth; and if he will make a statement.[158959]

      Ms Quin
      [holding answer 26 April 2001]: No representations from the industry have been received by the Intervention Board concerning the cost of destroying clean animals under the livestock disposal scheme. Colleagues and officials have however initiated contact with operators of land fill sites over issues such as access and prices.

      Miss McIntosh
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received about the extent of the exclusion zone following the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Hawes. [159259]

      Ms Quin
      [holding answer 27 April 2001]: The chief executive of North Yorkshire council requested that the infected area in North Yorkshire be reduced. Part of the lower Dales area of North Yorkshire has had restrictions raised but given that there are still cases in the Wensleydale/Richmond/Danby Wiske area, further changes to the infected area boundaries would be premature.

      Mr. Maclean
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the addresses of each cremation pyre in Cumbria. [159453]

      Ms Quin
      [holding answer 27 April 2001]: MAFF is working with Ordnance Survey to plot the locations of all pyres and burial sites in Cumbria and elsewhere. The information will be released to all those bodies that need it for environmental and health monitoring purposes. We are considering whether the information can be released more widely without breaching the Data Protection Act 1998.

      Mr. Swayne
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice the deputy surveyor gave to Ministers with respect to proposals for reopening the New Forest in time for the Easter weekend. [159454]

      Mr. Morley
      [holding answer 27 April 2001]: The deputy surveyor advised me that he ha carried out a risk assessment which had been agree with the state veterinary service. He advised me that the risk of foot and mouth disease occurring in the New Forest was very low. It is my view that the phased re-opening is justified on the independent and professional advice I have received.

      Mr. Swayne
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what representations he received regarding re-opening the New Forest; and if he will make a statement; [159266]

      (2) from what organisations and individuals he sought advice prior to opening the New Forest at Easter. [159267]
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      Mr. Morley
      [holding answer 27 April 2001]: I received advice and representations from, among others, the Verderers, the Commoners' Defence Association, members of the New Forest Committee, the New Forest district council, English Nature, the National Farmers' Union, the Countryside Alliance, the State Veterinary Service and the Forestry Commission.

      Mr. Clifton-Brown
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what have been the results of foot and mouth tests carried out on wild deer since the current outbreak began.[R] [159944]

      Ms Quin
      [holding answer 1 May 2001]: A number of deer have been tested for foot and mouth disease, all with negative results.

      Mr. Yeo
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will make a statement on the comments made by Dr. Stuart Renton on the origin and development of the foot and mouth epidemic in Britain; [160206]

      (2) pursuant to his statement of 27 March 2001, Official Report, columns 827–53, on the likely source farm of the foot and mouth outbreak, what changes there have been in the Government's assessment of the situation; and what new information has come into the possession of the Government; [160237]

      (3) if he will publish the advice supplied to the Government by Dr. Stuart Renton on the origin and development of the foot and mouth epidemic. [160205]

      Mr. Nick Brown
      [holding answer 3 May 2001]: The farm where foot and mouth disease infectivity was first present is still believed to be the Heddon-on-the-Wall case. Dr. Renton has not submitted advice or any evidence to the Government on the origin of the farm outbreak.

      Mr. Campbell-Savours
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those cases of foot and mouth in the National Parks which(a) have been reported, (b) await results of full testing and (c) have been confirmed following full testing procedures. [160285]

      Ms Quin
      We regret that it is not possible to provide a list of(a) reported cases or (b) those subject to testing without breaching the Data Protection Act 1998. A list of infected premises within English National Parks is however provided because of the legitimate public interest in the information being in the public domain.

      Providing actual numbers of reported cases can be achieved only at disproportionate cost. However as far as (b) there are 19 premises subject to testing arid 54 infected premises. Information is subject to changes as results of testing are confirmed but is correct as of 3 May.
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      Name and addresses of infected premises within English National Parks

      Temple, Black Hall Farm, Seathwaite, Broughton in Furness, Cumbria

      Mitchell, Hesket Hall, Hasket Newmarket, Cumbria

      Holland, Bank End Farm, Hesket Newmarket, Wigton, Cumbria

      Gillett, Kilncroft, Thackthwaite, Dacre, Penrith, Cumbria

      Crosthwaite, Green Close, Penruddock, Penrith

      Kendal, Outgang Farm, Helton, Askham, Penrith, Cumbria

      Oliver, Cawfields, Haltwhistle, Northumberland

      Armstrong, Grindon Hall Farm, Haydon Bridge, Hexham, Northumberland

      Angus, Hazel Head Farm, Ulpha, Broughton in Fourness, Cumbria

      Pratt, The Ashes, Hawes, North Yorkshire

      Dinsdale, West Lea, Gayle, Hawes, North Yorkshire

      Bowe, Cartriggs Farm, Hawes, North Yorkshire

      Pratt, Hunger Hill, Burtersett, Hawes, North Yorkshire

      Lambert, Raygill Farm, Hawes, North Yorkshire

      Windsor, Dunnabridge Farm, Princetown, Yelverton, Devon

      Fawcett, Hill Top Farm, Askrigg, Leyburn, North Yorkshire

      Armstrong, Mosedale End Farm, Mosedale, Penrith, Cumbria

      Benn, Crook-a-Fleet, Mungrisdale, Penrith, Cumbria

      Strong, Holecrook, Weskot New Market, Witon, Cumbria

      Hope. Blackburn Fram, Wark, Hexham, Northumberland

      Cousins, Foresthall Farm, Selside, Kendal, Cumbria

      Waugh, Mireholme, Bassenthwaite, Cumbria

      Scrimgeour, Lonscale, Brundholme, Threlkeld, Cumbria

      Clarkson, Throstle Nest Farm, Aysgarth, Leyburn, North Yorkshire

      Yeats, Cloughfoot Farm, Haltwhistle, Northumberland

      Coward. Low Rough Hill, Askham, Penrith, Cumbria

      Wearing, Hill Farm, Heathwaite, Grizebeck, Cumbria

      Reeds, Moss Kennels, Hayden Bridge, Hexham, Northumberland

      Littlejohns, Minehouse Farm, Okehampton, Devon

      Winder and Co. Borderiggs, Broughton-in-Furness, Cumbria

      Lambert, Brough Hill Farm, Bainbridge, Leyburn, North Yorkshire

      Richardson, Greenlands Farm, Cockermouth, Cumbria

      Postlethwite, Armaside Farm, Lorton, Cockermouth, Cumbria

      Jackson, Oxen Park Farm, Oxen Park, Ulverston, Cumbria

      Boyren, Hill Park, Colton, Ulverston, Cumbria

      Norman, Kirkhouse Farm, Setmurthy, Cockermouth, Cumbria

      Heseltine, Crossfields, Aysgarth, Leyburn, North Yorkshire

      Pearson, The Faulds, Caldbeck, Wigton, Cumbria

      Edmondson, Walloway, Pennidock, Penrith, Cumbria

      Rigg, Biggards Farm, Calderbeck, Wigton, Cumbria

      Ostle, Mill House Farm, Wellington, Seascale, Cumbria

      Ritson, Baggra Yeat, Uldale, Wigton, Cumbria

      Lord Inglewood, Old Scales Farm, Wythop, Cockermouth, Cumbria

      Wilson, Limedale, Uldale, Wigton, Cumbria

      John Sutcliffe, Bridgefield Farm, Lowick Bridge, Lowick, Ulverston, Cumbria

      Sherwen and Sons, Bridge Petton, Gosforth, Seascale, Cumbria

      Thompson, Great Knott Farm, Blawith, Ulverston, Cumbria

      Twentyman, Croft House, Aughertree, Wigton, Cumbria

      Dickinson, Abbott Park, Colton, Greenwood, Ulverston, Cumbria

      Dickinson, Force Forge, Satterthwaite, Ulverston, Cumbria

      Wilson, Gate Farm, Uldale, Wigton, Cumbria

      Ridley, Wood Hall, Hesket New Market, Wigton, Cumbria

      Pattinson, Uldale Hall, Uldale, Wigton, Cumbria

      Marrs, Manor Farm, High Ireby, Wigton, Cumbria.

      136W
      Mr. Campbell-Savours
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what conclusions he has reached following the consultations on proposals to protect rare breeds and hefted sheep; and if he will make a statement. [160778]

      Mr. Morley
      On 19 April, proposals concerning the exemption of rare breeds and hefted sheep from the contiguous and 3km cull were published and views sought. The vast majority of respondents to this exercise welcomed the proposals. Arrangements for exempting rare breeds of sheep and goats, and other pedigree sheep and goats of high genetic value, and genuinely hefted sheep, such as Herdwicks and Swaledales, from contiguous and 3 km culls have now been introduced and guidance issued. The guidance explains what information needs to be submitted to gain exemption. I am placing a copy of this guidance in the Library of the House.

      These arrangements allow for owners of sheep or goats—who think their stock may qualify and are notified it is to be slaughtered as part of a contiguous or 3 km cull—to apply for exemption from their local divisional veterinary manager (DVM). Owners need to show that the animals can be isolated from other susceptible livestock, and managed in compliance with tight biosecurity. Before registration as an exempted flock/herd, the DVM will arrange for blood samples to be taken for testing. The results for these blood tests must be negative for registration to be granted; positive blood tests will result in the flock/herd being slaughtered.

      Mr. Webb
      To Ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the risk to the health of pregnant women from inhaling smoke from the burning of(a) infected and (b) uninfected carcases. [157369]

      Yvette Cooper
      [holding answer 6 April 2001]: I have been asked to reply

      The Department of Health's assessment of the risks to health of emissions from pyres burning carcases is published on its website www.doh.gov.uk/fmdguidance/index.htm. Copies are also available in the Library. This assessment covers all sectors of the population, including pregnant women. Inhalation of smoke from pyres burning carcases is not considered to pose a risk to humans of infection with foot and mouth virus and so no difference in risk is anticipated from burning either infected or uninfected carcases.

      GM Fish
      Mr. Alan Simpson
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will list the dedicated research being undertaken into the potential effects on biodiversity of the use of GM aquaculture stocks; [157267]

      (2) if he will list the research studies used by the Government to evaluate the potential risks of introducing GM fish varieties into aquaculture. [159811]
      137W
      Ms Quin
      The Ministry has not commissioned any research in this area. The potential risks of releasing GM fish are well understood and are considered in a booklet published by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions entitle "Guidance for Experimental Releases of Genetically Modified Fish" (ACRE Guidance Note 8, February 1997). This is available in the House Library. Anyone proposing the release of a GM fish would have to submit a full dossier of risk assessment data as part of the statutory consent procedure.

      Code

      Project title

      SF0102

      The genetic identification of Atlantic salmon populations.

      SF0103

      Collation and analysis of data on genetic variation in Atlantic salmon from the British Isles.

      SF0217

      The role of the major histocompatibility complex in kin recognition in Atlantic salmon.

      SF0223

      Behavioural genetics and spawning success of spring run Atlantic salmon in the Girnock Burn, Aberdeenshire.

      SF0210

      Molecular genetics for discrimination in marine fish and salmonids.

      SF0224

      Detection of triploidy in Rainbow trout and Brown trout by fluorescence in situ hybridisation.

      FC0207

      Production of sexually sterile bivalve molluscs.

      FC0215

      Enhancing growth and survival of hatchery produced scallops.

      FC1118

      The molecular basis for the pathogenicity of viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus.

      FC1126

      Designing fish for disease resistance.

      FC1139

      Improving the health of fish by promoting natural disease
      resistance—a molecular biological approach.

      MF0146

      Genetic identification of fish eggs by species-specific DNA markers for use in stock biomass assessments by the egg production method.

      MF0226

      Population genetics of shellfish in British waters.

      MF0428

      Large scale evaluation of fish egg identification using genetic probes.

      Mr. Alan Simpson
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps the UK Government have taken to enforce Article 9.3.1 of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation code of conduct on minimising the harmful effects of introducing genetically altered fish stocks. [157270]

      Ms Quin
      In line with EU directive 90/220, a consent to release transgenic fish would be granted only if a rigorous assessment confirmed there was no unacceptable risk to human health or the environment. The assessment would take into account the likelihood of farmed fish escaping into open waters and look in detail at the potential impact on wild stocks. This policy is fully in accord with the UN/FAO code of conduct for responsible fisheries.

      Stationery and Printing
      Mr. Stephen O'Brien
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the total gross running costs were to his Department in the 12 months ending 30 April 1997 of(a) stationery and (b) printing and publishing. [157628]

      Ms Quin
      [holding answer 6 April 2001]: Our records show that the total gross running costs to core MAFF in the 12 months ending 30 April 1997 of (a) stationery and (b) printing and publishing were £1.912 million and £835,500 respectively.

      Parliamentary Questions
      Miss McIntosh
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will reply to the question tabled by the hon. Member for Vale of York on 27 March relating to protection of rare breeds during the foot and mouth crisis (ref: 156277). [157367]

      Mr. Morley
      [holding answer 6 April 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to her on 30 April 2001, Official Report, column 493W.
      138W
      Mr. Alan Simpson
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the research programmes into fish genetics his Department has been involved with in the last 10 years. [157276]

      Ms Quin
      The Ministry has commissioned the following projects in the broad area of fish genetics, only one of which (FC1126) was related to the possible development of transgenic fish:

      Mr. Duncan
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will provide a substantive answer to the question tabled by the hon. Member for Rutland and Melton on 28 March 2001, relating to the foot and mouth infected area around Stonesby, Leicestershire. [157489]

      Ms Quin
      [holding answer 9 April 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 30 April 2001, Official Report, column 493W.

      Mr. Key
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will provide a substantive answer to the question tabled by the hon. Member for Salisbury for answer on 29 March. [160345]

      Ms Quin
      I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 3 May 2001,Official Report, column 737W.

      A/F Protein Inc.
      Mr. Alan Simpson
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if(a) he and (b) his Department's officials have met representatives of A/F Protein Inc. of Waltham, Massachusetts, United States; [157769]

      (2) what representations (a) he and (b) his Department's officials have received from representatives of A/F Protein Inc. of Waltham, Massachusetts, United States of America; and what response he has made. [157770]

      Ms Quin
      To the best of our knowledge, neither Ministers nor officials have met or received representations from anyone associated with A/F Protein Inc.

      Fisheries and Aquaculture (State Aid)
      Mrs. Ray Michie
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what his Department's policy is on the European Commission's new guidelines for the examination of state aid to fisheries and aquaculture; and if he will make a statement. [157839]
      139W
      Mr. Morley
      The new guidelines for the examination of state aid to fisheries and aquaculture (2001/C 19/05) build on the previous guidelines. Among the changes made they tighten rules relating to the provision of operating aid and require more consistency with the conditions applying to grants under the EU fisheries structure fund. The UK, along with the other member states, were consulted on the new guidelines and will comply with them.

      EpiMan Computer Programme
      Mr. Stephen O'Brien
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the Department acquired(a) the EpiMan computer programme, (b) associated hardware and (c) access to expertise and advice for its (i) installation and (ii) operation; at what total cost; and when the EpiMan programme and operating system was (1) installed and (2) operating for full use by his Department. [157633]

      Ms Quin
      [holding answer 9 April 2001]: The Ministry was already contracted partners to the EpiMan project in 1996. The start-up costs were approximately £16,000. An updated version of the system was obtained and installed on Monday 19 February 2001 at no additional cost. The associated hardware was already available and access to expertise and advice, specifically for its use in the current epidemic, was operational from the time of confirmation of the first case. It is not possible to estimate the cost of operating this system.

      Average subsidies received by full-time farm businesses—England 1999–2000

      £000

      Of which:

      Total direct subsidies

      Crop subsidies

      Livestock subsidies

      Agri-environment

      Other1

      Cereals

      37.8

      34.2

      2.3

      1.0

      0.1

      General cropping

      31.8

      28.8

      2.4

      0.6

      0.0

      Horticulture

      0.40

      0.2

      0.0

      0.1

      0.2

      Pigs and poultry

      3.6

      2.2

      1.4

      0.1

      0.0

      Dairy

      8.5

      2.8

      4.9

      0.8

      0.0

      LFA cattle and Sheep

      29.3

      0.4

      25.4

      3.3

      0.2

      Lowland cattle and sheep

      14.1

      1.7

      10.6

      1.8

      0.0

      Mixed

      33.8

      21.4

      10.7

      1.7

      0.0

      All types

      22.5

      14.8

      6.4

      1.2

      0.1

      1Includes capital grants and any other miscellaneous grants. These reflect a combination of nationally funded and partly match funded schemes

      Notes:

      1. HLCA payments to hill farms are included under livestock subsidies

      2. The figures show direct subsidy payments; they do not include allowance for the financial benefit of prices supported above world market levels under the CAP

      Source:

      Farm Business Survey

      In addition to CAP direct payments, farmers in the UK are benefiting from £1.35 billion in short-term financial relief since 2 May 1997.

      This incudes £785 million in agrimonetary compensation worth some £4,800 per average arable farmer, £3,200 per average dairy farmer, £1,400 per average sheep farmer, and £1,140 and £3,800 per average farmer for agrimonetary compensation related to the beef special premium scheme and suckler cow premium scheme respectively.

      The Government are committed to securing a more economically rational CAP. We aim to redirect public money from agricultural price support mechanisms to

      Departmental Policies (Plymouth Unitary Authority)
      Mrs. Gilroy
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to(a) Plymouth, Sutton constituency, (b) Plymouth, Devonport constituency and (c) South-West Devon constituency, the effects on the Plymouth unitary authority area of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [158026]

      Ms Quin
      [holding answer 23 April 2001]: MAFF does not hold statistical information on a constituency basis relating to the Department's policies. Information on land use, crop areas, livestock numbers, and labour on holdings in England by parliamentary constituency has been produced from 1 June 1999 annual agricultural and horticultural census. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House. Information from the 1 June 2000 census has been placed in the House Library.

      As many of the Department's policies flow from measures agreed Within the framework of the EU common agricultural policy statistical data are normally available on a UK or England basis. Farmers in the UK receive approximately £3 billion per year in direct CAP payments. This does not include the significant additional costs to consumers as a result of CAP price supports which keep EU prices above prevailing world prices. The value of direct CAP payments to the average farmer is set out in the table.

      rural development measures of benefit to the wider rural community and visitors to the countryside.

      Since May 1997, the Government are committed to securing a more economically rational CAP. We aim to redirect public money from agricultural price support mechanisms to rural development measures of benefit to the wider rural community and visitors to the countryside.

      Since May 1997, the Government have more than doubled expenditure on agri-environment schemes in England. We now have more than twice as much land covered by countryside stewardship agreements and we have increased the funding of organic conversion from £571,000 in 1997–98 to £12 million in 2000–01 and

      141W
      £18 million in 2001–02. Full-time hill Farmers in England will be in receipt of some £6,360 on average following the introduction of the hill farm allowance scheme this year. This compares to £4,048 under the hill livestock compensatory allowance in 1996–97.

      One of the most important outcomes of Agenda 2000 was the establishment of the rural development regulation, which is being implemented in England through the England rural development programme (ERDP), investing around £1.6 billion in rural areas over the period 2000–06.

      Farmers in South-West Devon can benefit from schemes available under the ERDP. Three of the schemes within the programme—rural enterprise, processing and marketing, and vocational training—have a budget of around £190 million and are being operated on a regional basis; each region has its own allocation. These allocations are set out in the ERDP.

      Furthermore, by supporting rural development, including diversification into tourist activities, and by conserving and enhancing the rural environment through support for public good such as biodiversity and landscape appearance, the ERDP offers benefits to all who visit the countryside.

      Consumers in Plymouth, Sutton, Ply mouth, Devonport and South-West Devon will benefit from the Agenda 2000 reforms of the CAP in the form of reduced food bills, with the average saving for a typical family rising to £65 a year by 2010. In relation to the Department's responsibility for fisheries policy, our key priority is to protect our fisheries resources for the future and we are taking firm action to ensure a viable future for the fishing industry. The last set of grant schemes, which ended in 1999, invested over £27 million in measures to help the fishing industry in England. Fishermen operating in the Plymouth, Sutton, Plymouth, Devonport and South-West Devon constituencies will now benefit from the £22.5 million aid package announced on 2 April, to help restructure the English fishing industry, to improve the quality and value of the catch, and to retrain fishermen and rejuvenate fishing ports.

      Wild Deer Cull
      Mr. Key
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what his policy is on the culling of wild deer in Wiltshire in the spring; and if he will make a statement. [158196]

      Ms Quin
      [holding answer 23 April 2001]: The Ministry has no plans for such a cull.

      Invicta Lamb
      Mr. Baker
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will assess the implications for the farming industry of the closure of Invicta Lamb at Lamberhurst, Kent. [159594]

      Ms Quin
      [holding answer 30 April 2001]: The Invicta Lamb abattoir at Lamberhurst was an important outlet for sheepmeat from the south of England in particular for export to the Continent.

      Animal Movements
      Mr. Baker
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the average distance moved by(a) sheep and (b) cattle intended for slaughter between farm and abattoir was in (a) 1980, (b) 1990 and (c) the latest year for which figures are available. [159596]

      Mr. Morley
      [holding answer 30 April 2001]: The information is not available.

      Sugar Beet
      Mr. Jenkin
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures he will pursue to encourage transporters of sugar beet to use trunk roads for journeys to and from sugar beet factories. [159987]

      Ms Quin
      [holding answer 1 May 2001]: Transporters of sugar beet must meet the relevant restrictions applicable to infected areas. The movement of sugar beet is not expected again until the autumn.

      Meat Imports
      Mr. Dawson
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he will take to reduce risks posed by the importation of meat products by passengers from abroad. [159951]

      Ms Quin
      [holding answer 1 May 2001]: As my right hon. Friend the Minister said in his statement on 27 March, this Ministry is co-ordinating action across Government to ensure that rules on imports by passengers are enforced effectively.

      Bovine TB
      Mr. Yeo
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the level of testing for bovine TB and associated slaughtering in the national herd since 20 February. [160208]

      Mr. Nick Brown
      [holding answer 3 May 2001]: Almost all routine testing for TB in cattle has been put on hold, with state veterinary service (SVS) resources diverted to deal with the foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak. In most areas, reactor cattle disclosed by testing carried out before the imposition of FMD movement restrictions are being held on farms. Decisions on re-tests on inconclusive reactors and short interval tests are being made on a case-by-case basis according to the FMD situation in different divisions of the SVS.

      Krebs Trials
      Mr. Yeo
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the impact of the foot and mouth epidemic on the Krebs trials. [160207]

      Mr. Nick Brown
      [holding answer 3 May 2001]: Operations in the badger culling field trial were scheduled to resume after the close season ended on 1 May. However, preparations for the 2001 culling programme have been delayed because MAFF wildlife unit staff have been redeployed to assist with foot and mouth disease control measures. Some management functions are being maintained to ensure that the wildlife unit can rapidly move back into trial operations.

    HEALTH

      Consultant Vacancies
      Mr. Harvey
      To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many vacancies there were for consultants in each year since 1995 broken down(a) by specialty and (b) by health authority; and if he will make a statement; [148087]

      (2) how many vacancies there were in the NHS for consultants by specialty in each year since 1990; and if he will make a statement. [150390]

      Mr. Denham
      The data requested were not collected centrally before 1999. They are now published annually in the Department of Health Vacancies Survey, which has been published in the Library.

      The total number of consultants as at 30 September 2000 (the latest figure) was 24,310—an increase of 1,081 or 4 per cent. on the year before.

      Waiting Lists
      Miss McIntosh
      To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many patients were waiting on in-patient lists at each(a) NHS trust and (b) health authority area in March 1997; [153487]

      (2) how many patients were waiting more than 13 weeks on out-patient lists at each (a) NHS trust and (b) health authority in March 1997; [153488]

      (3) which (a) NHS trusts and (b) health authorities have more (i) in-patients and (ii) out-patients waiting 12 months for their operations than in March 1997. [153473]

      Mr. Denham
      The data requested are publicly available in the following publications prepared by the Government Statistical Service (available in the Library):Hospital in-patient waiting list statistics, England, National Health Service trust based: The "Green Book".
      Hospital in-patient waiting list statistics, England, population based: The "Yellow Book".
      Waiting times for first out-patient appointment, England, NHS trust based: The "Red Book".
      Waiting times for first out-patient appointment, England, population based: The "Purple Book".

      Import Checks (Southampton)
      Mr. Key
      To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many inspectors are employed to check imports of(a) meat and meat products and (b) fruit and vegetables at Southampton; what percentage of containers or loads are inspected; how many shipments have been rejected in the past year; what was the country of (i) production and (ii) export; and if he will make a statement. [155118]

      Ms Stuart
      [holding answer 23 March 2001]: At present, data from enforcement authorities in respect of imported food are not separately identified. Under the terms of the new Framework Agreement between the Food Standards Agency and local food authorities, recently agreed, information specifically on imported foods will be available, but not before 2002.

      Checks at Southampton port on meat, meat products, fruit and vegetables imported from third countries are the responsibility of the Port Health Authority. Imports of these foods from member states of the European Union
      144W
      are not subject to border controls. Imports of meat and meat products from other EU member states are subject to random checks at their point of destination within the United Kingdom.

      Mental Health National Service
      Mr. Paul Marsden
      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the effects have been in Shrewsbury and Atcham on mental health patients of the introduction of the mental health national service framework. [156494]

      Mr. Hutton
      The mental health national service framework sets national standards and defines service models for promoting mental health and treating mental illness in the five following areas; mental health promotion, primary care and access to services, effective services for people with severe mental illness, caring about carers, and I Preventing suicide.

      The local implementation team in Shropshire with responsibility for delivery of the mental health national service framework and the national health service plan (mental health) requirement is working actively to deliver the necessary changes in local services.

      A stocktake of primary care mental health services is under way, as a bridge to improved links and joint work with primary care and general practitioners. The funding for an assertive out reach team has been identified, to serve the people of Shrewsbury and Atcham, and this will be functional this year. The low secure service on Wroxeter Ward is part of the regional network of secure services, and offers 16 beds providing a focus on rehabilitation.

      Mr. Nicholas Winterton
      To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money has been made available to help providers in South Cheshire deliver the provisions in the national service framework for mental health in(a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01 and (c) 2001–02. [159920]

      Mr. Hutton
      Modernisation money allocated to South Cheshire health authority for adult, adolescent and child mental health services for the years 1999–2000 and 2000–01 is shown in the table. These figures do not include funding made available to local providers of mental health services by the health authority from their general allocation. The figures also exclude allocations to local authorities for mental health services for the residents of South Cheshire.

      Modernisation funds

      Year

      £

      1999–2000

      279,000

      2000–01

      316,000

      Funding details for South Cheshire health authority are not yet available for the year 2001–02. However, the national health service plan announced that there will be significant investment for the development of mental health services for the period 2001 to 2004 and health authority allocations will be made available on the basis of weighted populations.

      Mr. Nicholas Winterton
      To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money has been made available to help providers deliver the provisions in the national service framework for mental health in(a)1999–2000, (b) 2000–01 and (c) 2001–02. [159919]
      145W
      Mr. Hutton
      In 1999–2000 an additional £68.5 million, and in 2000–01 a further £66 million was made available to providers to deliver the provisions in the national service framework for mental health. In the period 2001–02 to 2003–04 an extra investment of £329 million will be provided to fast forward the national service framework and to enable us to deliver our national plan commitments. In addition £30 million for 2001–02 to 20002–03 will be made available to improve the physical infrastructure in acute wards.

      GPs
      Mr. Derek Twigg
      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average number of hours worked per week by general practitioners in England and Wales was in(a) 1971, (b) 1990 and (c) 2000. [157882]

      Mr. Denham
      [holding answer 10 April 2001]: The only data on hours worked by general practitioners are from the general medical practitioner (GMP) workload surveys. One was carried out in 1989–90. Details in the table show hours worked on general medical service (GMS) and non-GMS duties. The information is for Great Britain and is not available for England and Wales only.

      Average1 number of hours worked per week by general medical practitioners by type of activity, 1989–90

      Hours

      GMS and non-GMS duties

      41,99

      of Which:

      GMS duties

      37.01

      1Average is calculated whether or not the GMPs were involved in the activity in their recording week.

      Source:

      GMP workload survey 1989–90

      Profound and Multiple Disabilities
      Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
      To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the reduction in the number of services for profound and multiple disabilities in the last three years. [158085]

      Mr. Hutton
      It is the responsibility of local statutory authorities to determine the level of services required in their area. Data on services for people with profound and multiple disabilities are not held centrally, but it is widely recognised that the number of children and young people with profound and multiple disabilities who survive into adulthood is increasing. The recently published White Paper "Valuing People, a New Strategy for Learning Disability for the 21 Century" specifically recognises the needs of people with profound and multiple disabilities.

      It included our target for an additional 6,000 severely disabled children by 2002 to receive support by a co-ordinated care package from health and social services. Additionally integrated health and social services for children and young people with severe disabilities and complex needs will be one of the priority uses of the capital element of the learning disability development fund. Support for families of disabled children is also being given through the Government's "Quality Protects" programme and through the New Opportunity Fund providing grants for projects offering palliative care to children with life limiting illness and their families.

      Meat Inspection
      Mr. Simon Thomas
      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce hazard analysis critical control points to the meat inspection system in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [158501]

      Ms Stuart
      I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for North-West Leicestershire (Mr. Taylor) on 3 April 2001,Official Report, columns 137–39W.

      Mr. Simon Thomas
      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received concerning the introduction of hazard analysis critical points to the meat inspection system in the United Kingdom. [158502]

      Ms Stuart
      Representations on hazard analysis and critical control points and the future control of meat inspection have been received from UNISON and hon. Members on behalf of constituents. I am advised that UNISON and the Association of Meat Inspectors have also been holding discussions on this issue with the Food Standards Agency.

      Council of Europe Public Health Committee
      Dr. Iddon
      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what objectives he is pursuing in relation to the market in food supplements through the Council of Europe and meetings of its public health committee. [159179]

      Ms Stuart
      We consider that in the interests of consumer choice the market for supplements sold under food law should be open to all products which are safe and appropriately labelled.

      Drugs
      Ms Moran
      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funds have been made available for(a) drug education and prevention and (b) drug rehabilitation in Luton since 1 May 1997. [159416]

      Ms Stuart
      Information on funding for drug education, prevention and rehabilitation is not available centrally for Luton. National health service funding for these services is provided to Bedfordshire health authority. The Luton drug action team will receive its share of the new pooled treatment budget via Bedfordshire health authority and has been allocated £1,199,000 for 2001–02.

      Drug treatment in the Luton drug action team area is mostly provided from NHS, social services, police, Probation and Prison Service funds that are embedded within mainstream services and cannot readily be disaggregated. However, certain earmarked grants and allocations to Bedfordshire health authority can.

      £000

      Drug misuse special allocation

      1997–98

      410

      1998–99

      436

      1999–2000

      537

      2000–01

      568

      In-year addition

      2000–01

      118

      147W

      £000

      Health Action Zone drug prevention work in Luton

      1998–99

      200

      1999–2000

      100

      Eastbourne Hospital
      Mr. Waterson
      To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what the average waiting times were for a first appointment with a consultant at Eastbourne District General Hospital in(a) May 1997 and (b) at the latest date for which figures are available; [159191]

      (2) what the average wait was at Eastbourne District General Hospital for a first out-patient appointment in (a) May 1997 and (b) on the latest date for which figures are available. [160131]

      Ms Stuart
      The information requested can be found in "Waiting times for first out-patient appointments in England: Detailed statistics". This is published quarterly and can be found in the Library.

      Prescription Charges
      Mr. Coaker
      To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when the list of medical conditions exempt from prescription charges was last reviewed; [159754]

      (2) what criteria he uses for exempting medical conditions from prescription charges. [159787]

      Ms Stuart
      The list of medical conditions conferring exemption from prescription charges was agreed with the medical profession in 1968. It was last reviewed as part of the comprehensive spending review in 1998. We concluded that there should be no change to the list of conditions conferring exemption for the rest of this Parliament.

      Mr. Coaker
      To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what it would cost to exempt people with Parkinson's disease from prescription charges; [159786]

      (2) how many people with Parkinson's disease are required to pay for their prescriptions. [159785]

      Ms Stuart
      Information about people with Parkinson's disease who are required to pay for their prescriptions is not held centrally. We cannot, therefore, provide a reliable estimate of the cost of exempting all people with Parkinson's disease. However, many people with Parkinson's disease will be aged 60 or more and already entitled to free prescriptions.

      Treatments (Children)
      Mr. Love
      To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps he is taking to monitor the use of unlicensed and off-label treatments on children; and if he will make a statement; [159605]

      (2) what research his Department has carried out into the extent of the use of unlicensed and off-label treatments on children; and if he will make a statement. [159606]

      Ms Stuart
      [holding answer 30 April 2001]: The vast majority of medicines on the United Kingdom market have been granted a marketing authorisation. Use of medicines in children where this is not specified in the
      148W
      marketing authorisation ('off-label' use) is permitted under UK law where the clinician believes it is justified. This is a matter for clinical judgment, informed by specialist guidance produced by and available to the profession. The Medicines Control Agency and Committee on Safety of Medicines continue to monitor the safety of all medicines, whether used within their product licence or used unlicensed or 'off-label'.

      It is our view that children should have access to medicines that have been fully evaluated for use in childhood. As medicines regulation in the UK derives largely from European legislation, an international approach is needed. We have therefore raised the profile of the issue at European level to encourage companies to undertake appropriate trials on the use of medicines in the treatment of children. This formed the basis for an international guideline, operational in the European Union from January, and applicable in the United States of America and Japan. In addition the European Commission has been asked to develop measures for children's medicines. We await their proposals.

      Hospital Hygiene
      Ms Ward
      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what additional money has been made available to West Hertfordshire NHS trust as a result of the recent report on cleanliness in hospitals. [159537]

      Mr. Denham
      An allocation of £150,000 was made last year to improve the patient environment at West Hertfordshire Hospitals national health service trust. A further allocation is currently being determined and will be announced shortly.

      Waiting Times
      Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what initiatives he has introduced to ensure compatibility of waiting times between health authorities. [160069]

      Mr. Denham
      Our national health service plan targets will reduce the maximum waiting time for in-patient treatment to six months and for out-patient appointments to three months by 2005. The modernisation agency and the Department's regional offices are working with the NHS to significantly improve access to care and to reduce variations in waiting times in the areas with the longest waits.

      Audiology Services
      Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
      To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the waiting times for initial hearing tests for(a) adults and (b) children. [160068]

      Mr. Hutton
      Information on waiting times for initial hearing tests is not collected centrally.

      The "Action on Ear Nose and Throat (ENT)" initiative, which has been established as part of our modernisation strategy for the national health service, is looking at improving access to ENT and audiology services. Departments are being supported to re-design the way services are provided, in order to improve access and reduce waiting times. One element of the initiative focuses specifically on audiology, with the aim of spreading best practice to all audiology departments.

      Residential Care Homes (North-west)
      Mr. Evans
      To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) private and (b) local authority residential homes in the north-west there were in the years from 1997 to date. [160089]

      Mr. Hutton
      The table shows the number of independent and local authority staffed residential care homes in the north-west region. Information is presented for the years 1997 to 2000.

      Number of local authority staffed, private and dual registered residential care homes in the north-west region1, 1997 to 2000, as at 31 March

      Year

      Total number of homes

      Local authority staffed homes

      Independent homes2

      Dual registered homes3

      1997

      3,196

      345

      2,570

      281

      1998

      3,594

      323

      2,845

      426

      1999

      3,599

      309

      2,872

      418

      2000

      3,703

      304

      2,947

      452

      1 The Government Office regions of north-west and Merseyside.

      2 Consists of voluntary, private and small homes.

      3 Homes that are registered to provide both residential and nursing care operated by the independent sector.

      Source:

      Department of Health annual return RA form A

      Special Advisers
      Mr. Evans
      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total cost was of employing special advisers in his Department from 1997 to date. [160057]

      Ms Stuart
      [holding answer 1 May 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 1 May 2001, Official Report, column 607W.

      Cataract Operations
      Mr. Evans
      To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what the waiting list was for those waiting for cataract operations on the NHS in the north-west in each of the years from 1997 to date; [160088]

      (2) what the cost of a cataract operation was in the north-west in each of the years from l997 to date. [160087]

      Mr. Denham
      We do not collect procedure specific waiting list information.

      The cost of a cataract operation in the north-west from 1997 to date is shown in the table.

      North-west regional average costs for a cataract operation

      £mean average

      Narrative and admission type

      1997–98

      1998–99

      1999–2000

      Day case

      621

      620

      570

      Elective inpatient

      693

      839

      791

      Non-elective inpatient

      814

      1,317

      1,359

      Note:

      These data relate to the financial years as stated.

      Refrigerants
      Mr. Laurence Robertson
      To ask the Secretary of State for Health which premises owned and leased by his Department use(a) chlorofluorocarbons and (b) hydrochlorofluorocarbons for refrigeration and other relevant energy needs; if he will publish details of such use and the reasons for it; and what specific guidance on the use of these substances he has issued to NHS trusts. [159965]

      Ms Stuart
      [holding answer 1 May 2001]: Of the buildings owned or leased by the Department, three of its main headquarters buildings and three of its main regional office buildings use hydrochlorofluorocarbons as refrigerant in air conditioning systems. The Department is looking at options to replace these with more environmentally friendly alternatives.

      Guidance issued to the National Health Service is to ensure that they do not purchase any products that use chlorofluorocarbons, and hydrochlorofluorocarbons where there are suitable alternatives.

      Correspondence
      Mr. Burns
      To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the hon. Member for West Chelmsford will receive a reply to his letter of 25 January concerning Mr. Heywood-Waddington of Chelmsford; and if he will make a statement on the reasons for the delay in replying. [160166]

      Mr. Hutton
      A reply to the hon. Gentleman's letter was sent on 2 May 2001.

      I apologise for the delay in replying to his correspondence but, unfortunately, his letter did go astray within the Department. A copy of his correspondence was sought and faxed through to the Department on 1 May. New operational procedures have been introduced in the Department to ensure that this sort of delay should not happen again.

      Breast Reduction Surgery
      Mr. Bob Russell
      To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 13 March 2001,Official Report, column 583W, on surgical treatments, when he expects the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to discuss procedures for offering breast reduction surgery following clinical recommendations and reduce the postcode lottery in this area of health care; and if he will make a statement. [160163]

      Yvette Cooper
      [holding answer 1 May 2001]: Breast reduction surgery was assessed against the criteria for proposing topics to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, and it was decided that it should not be referred at this time.

      NHS Trusts (Greater London)
      Mr. Cox
      To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS hospital trusts cover the Greater London area. [160267]

      Mr. Denham
      There are 32 acute hospital national health service trusts and 37 non-acute trusts in the Greater London area effective of 1 April 2001. These are listed in the table.
      151W

      NHS trusts in the London region

      Trust name

      Type

      Barking, Havering and Redbridge Hospitals NHS Trust

      Acute

      Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust

      Acute

      Barts and The London NHS Trust

      Acute

      Bromley Hospitals NHS Trust

      Acute

      Chelsea and Westminster Healthcare NHS Trust

      Acute

      Ealing Hospital NHS Trust

      Acute

      Epsom and St. Helier NHS Trust

      Acute

      Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust

      Acute

      Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Trust

      Acute

      Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust

      Acute

      Hillingdon Hospital NHS Trust

      Acute

      Homerton Hospital NHS Trust

      Acute

      King's College Hospital NHS Trust

      Acute

      Kingston Hospital NHS Trust

      Acute

      Lewisham Hospital NHS Trust

      Acute

      Mayday Healthcare NHS Trust

      Acute

      Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Trust

      Acute

      Newham Healthcare NHS Trust

      Acute

      North Middlesex Hospital NHS Trust

      Acute

      North West London Hospitals NHS Trust

      Acute

      Queen Elizabeth Hospital NHS Trust

      Acute

      Queen Mary's, Sidcup NHS Trust

      Acute

      Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust

      Acute

      Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust

      Acute

      Royal Marsden NHS Trust

      Acute

      Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust

      Acute

      St. George's Healthcare NHS Trust

      Acute

      St. Mary's NHS Trust

      Acute

      University College London Hospitals NHS Trust

      Acute

      West Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust

      Acute

      Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust

      Acute

      Whittington Hospital NHS Trust

      Acute

      London Ambulance Service NHS Trust

      Ambulance service

      Camden and Islington Community Health Services NHS Trust

      Community

      Community Health South London NHS Trust

      Community

      Croydon and Surrey Downs Community Health NHS Trust

      Community

      Harrow & Hillingdon Healthcare NHS Trust

      Community

      Riverside Community Health Care NHS Trust

      Community

      South West London Community NHS Trust

      Community

      Hounslow and Spelthorne Community and Mental Health NHS Trust

      Community and mental health

      Oxleas NHS Trust

      Community and mental health

      Parkside Health NHS Trust

      Community and mental health

      Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust

      Community and mental health

      Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust

      mental health

      Brent, Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster Mental Health NHS Trust

      mental health

      Camden and Islington Mental Health NHS Trust

      mental health

      East London and The City Mental Health NHS Trust

      mental health

      North East London Mental Health NHS Trust

      mental health

      South London and Maudsley Mental Health NHS Trust

      mental health

      South West London and St. George's Mental Health NHS Trust

      mental health

      West London Mental Health NHS Trust

      mental health

      Barking and Dagenham Primary Care Trust

      Primary care trust

      Barnet Primary Care Trust

      Primary care trust

      Bexley Primary Care Trust

      Primary care trust

      Bromley Primary Care Trust

      Primary care trust

      Chingford, Wanstead and Woodford Primary Care Trust

      Primary care trust

      City and Hackney Primary Care Trust

      Primary care trust

      Enfield Primary Care Trust

      Primary care trust

      Greenwich Primary Care Trust

      Primary care trust

      Haringey Primary Care Trust

      Primary care trust

      Havering Primary Care Trust

      Primary care trust

      Hillingdon Primary Care Trust

      Primary care trust

      Kingston Primary Care Trust

      Primary care trust

      Nelson and West Merton Primary Care Trust

      Primary care trust

      Newham Primary Care Trust

      Primary care trust

      Redbridge Primary Care Trust

      Primary care trust

      Teddington, Twickenham and Hampton Primary Care Trust

      Primary care trust

      Tower Hamlets Primary Care Trust

      Primary care trust

      Walthamstow, Leyton and Leytonstone Primary Care Trust

      Primary care trust

      152W

      NHS Direct (Shrewsbury and Atcham)
      Mr. Paul Marsden
      To ask the Secretary of State for Health for each month for which data is available how many telephone calls were received by NHS Direct from people living in Shrewsbury and Atcham; and if he will make a statement. [160368]

      Ms Stuart
      NHS Direct Stafford, which covers the Shrewsbury and Atcham area in Shropshire, became live on 31 October 2000. Information is not collected on a constituency basis, but the number of telephone calls received from people with a Shropshire postcode is shown in the table.

      Month

      Number

      October 20001

      20

      November 2000

      437

      December 2000

      740

      January 2001

      1,018

      February 2001

      1,062

      March 20012

      1,691

      1 Covers one day (31 October 2000)

      2 Increase in numbers coincides with television advertisement campaign in the Central TV region.

      source:

      NHS Direct Stafford

      Royal Shrewsbury Hospital
      Mr. Paul Marsden
      To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many doctors were employed at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital on(a) 1 May 1997 and (b) the latest available date for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [160364]

      Yvette Cooper
      The table shows the number of hospital medical and dental staff employed by the Royal Shrewsbury hospital national health service trust in both 1997 and 2000. This indicates an increase in the number of doctors working at the trust:

      Hospital medical and dental staff within the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital NHS Trust

      At 30 September

      Number

      1997

      200

      2000

      220

      Note

      Figures rounded to the nearest 10

      Source:

      Department of Health medical and dental workforce census

      We are committed to further increasing the number of staff in the national health service and outlined proposals for this in the NHS plan, published in July 2000. Proposals include 7,500 more consultants and 2000 more general practitioners by 2004.

      Beta Interferon
      Mr. Todd
      To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list the health authorities in which beta interferon is made available to newly diagnosed MS sufferers; [160262]

      (2) what guidance he has given to health authorities on their policies on the use of beta interferon pending the outcome of the NICE review. [160261]
      154W
      Mr. Denham
      We have recently reminded all chief executives in the National Health Service that existing guidance contained in circulars EL(95)97 and HSC 1999–176 remains in place pending the publication of authoritative guidance from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence.

      Information about health authorities' policies on the treatment of multiple sclerosis is not available centrally. Any such policies should provide for individual cases to be considered on their merits in the light of the evidence available on different forms of treatment.

      Overseas Visits
      Dr. Fox
      To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the overseas countries visited by each Minister in his Department as part of their official duties in each of the last five years. [160327]

      Ms Stuart
      Health Ministers as part of their official duties have visited the following countries.

      Year/country

      Visitor

      1997

      Belgium

      Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Public Health) (PS(PH))

      France

      PS(PH)

      1998

      Germany

      Secretary of State (SofS)

      France

      SofS

      South Africa

      SofS

      USA

      SofS

      Barbados

      SofS

      Sweden

      Minister of State (Commons) (MS(C))

      Japan

      MS(C)

      Belgium

      PS(PH)

      Italy

      PS(PH)

      Luxembourg

      PS(PH)

      1999

      Switzerland

      SofS

      France

      MS(C)

      USA

      MS(C), PS(PH)

      Italy

      Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Lords)(PS(L)

      Singapore

      PS(L)

      Turkey

      Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Health)(PS(H))

      Finland

      PS(H)

      Belgium

      PS(H)

      Greece

      PS(PH)

      Luxembourg

      PS(PH)

      2000

      USA

      MS(H)

      Belgium

      PS(L), PS(H)

      Switzerland

      PS(H)

      Germany

      PS(H)

      France

      PS(H)

      Luxembourg

      PS(H)

      Ireland

      PS(H)

      Sweden

      PS(H)

      2001

      Belgium

      PS(L)

      Sweden

      PS(H)

      Germany

      PS(H)

      155W
      Dr. Fox
      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost was of sending(a) Ministers and (b) civil servants to health conferences in (i) the UK and (ii) overseas in each of the last five years. [160328]

      Ms Stuart
      The Department does not collect the information in the form requested and an answer could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

      NHS Direct
      Dr. Fox
      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the cost to date of NHS Direct. [160306]

      Ms Stuart
      NHS Direct has been funded from a top-sliced central budget. The total costs of the service since 1998–99 are given in the table. These costs include all set-up costs for establishing the call centre environment, and central costs.

      £million

      Year

      Total cost

      1998–99

      14

      1999–2000

      55

      2000–01

      89.1

      The 2000–01 figures are an estimate based on latest information. The final costs will not fluctuate widely from the information in the table.

      Commission for Health Improvement
      Dr. Fox
      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the cost to date of the introduction and operation of the Commission for Health Improvement. [160311]

      Mr. Denham
      Not including the preparatory administrative costs borne by the Department (which could not be identified without disproportionate effort), the cost of establishing and continued operation of the Commission for Health Improvement between 1 November 1999, when it came into being, and 31 March 2001, is £13.7 million. This total includes a proportionate contribution from the National Assembly for Wales.

      The breakdown of expenditure in each year is shown in the table:

      Year

      £ million

      November 1999-March 2000

      2.3

      April 2000-March 2001

      11.4

      Parliamentary Questions
      Mr. Key
      To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will provide a substantive answer to the question tabled by the hon. Member for Salisbury for answer on 23 March. [160344]

      Ms Stuart
      I replied to the hon. Member today.

      ME
      Sir Brian Mawhinney
      To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many ME specialist clinics have outreach mobile units to go to those whose symptoms are so severe as to render them bed or house-bound; [160332]
      156W
      (2) if he will list those NHS trusts which provide specialist out-patient clinics for those suffering from ME; [160329]

      (3) if he will list the NHS trusts which provide specialist (a) in-patient and (b) ward facilities for those suffering from ME. [160331]

      Yvette Cooper
      The information requested is not held centrally.

      The National Health Service provides a considerable number of services which people suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) access. These patients are seen within a wide range of hospital specialities including general medicine, neurology and immunology. The CFS/ME working group is developing guidance to improve the quality of care for CFS/ME patients.

      Sir Brian Mawhinney
      To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many doctors specialising in ME are attached to NHS trusts in the(a) Cambridgeshire/Peterborough, (b) Lincolnshire and (c) Northamptonshire health authority areas. [160333]

      Yvette Cooper
      The information requested is not available centrally or collected in Lincolnshire. Addenbrooke's national health service trust is reported to have five general neurologists working across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. In Northamptonshire, no one clinician has been identified with a particular interest in CFS/ME, although general physicians and neurologists are available to exclude alternative diagnosis.

      Children's Secure Accommodation
      Sir Brian Mawhinney
      To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each appropriate English local authority the most recently available average amount which is spent per annum per child on children held in secure accommodation, together with the number of such secure placements in the most recent period for which figures are available. [160336]

      Mr. Hutton
      At 31 March 2000 there were 436 approved places in local authority secure accommodation. Information on numbers of children admitted to secure units and numbers of days that each child spends in secure units is not available. Information on numbers of children accommodated on 31 March is available but because the numbers are so small, and because of the likely variations in numbers in secure units on each day of the year, this would not produce reliable calculations of average spend per annum per child.

      Diabetes
      Mr. David Stewart
      To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to receive advice from the UK National Screening Committee on the proposed screening programme for type 2 diabetes. [160346]

      Mr. Denham
      The United Kingdom national screening committee's proposals for a type 2 diabetes development project were approved on 2 April. Officials are now developing more detailed plans including a specification
      157W
      for the sites, finalised costings and a timetable for the project. The project is being designed to dovetail into existing research projects on screening for type 2 diabetes and should ensure that we have a clear picture of whether or not screening is the most appropriate way to improve identification of this condition. I expect to receive further updates from the UK national screening committee as the work progresses.

      Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham
      Mr. Viggers
      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time is for patients at the Accident and Emergency Unit at Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham. [160003]
      158W
      Ms Stuart
      This is day-to-day management information and, as such, is not collected centrally. The information should be available from the chairman of the Portsmouth Hospitals National Health Service Trust.

      Royal Hospital, Haslar
      Mr. Viggers
      To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are being taken to promote public awareness of the facilities available at the Accident Treatment Centre at the Royal Hospital, Haslar. [160004]

      Ms Stuart
      An active publicity campaign has been undertaken by Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and South East Hampshire health authority and Haslar communications group. The campaign began on 23 April 2001 and will run until June 2001 involving the use of leaflets, articles in the local media and a road show visiting local shopping centres.

  Forced and Bonded Labour
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  Internet Use
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  Directives 98/34/EC and 98/48/EC
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  Rural Post Offices: Broadband Data Transmission
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  Phthalate Plasticisers
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  Northern Ireland: Air Sea Rescue
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  UFOs and MoD House Journal
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  Foot and Mouth Outbreak : Cost of Military Assistance
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  Former Yugoslavia: Misappropriated Assets
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  Mr Bernard Connolly
  Mr Bernard Connolly
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  EU: Enhanced Co-operation
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  Adviser on Crime: Meetings with Prime Minister
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  Diabetic Prisoners
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  Community Punishment Orders
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  Police Authorities: Age Limit
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  National Diabetes Week
  National Diabetes Week
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